The Second Son Read online

“Thank you, old bean. I was rather put under pressure to write to you,” said Jonathan softly.

  Grenville hugged Jonathan and said, “You have always been a true friend,” laughing. After a few minutes chatting a taxi pulled up and Hugo Thorpe got out.

  Grenville smiled. Hugo had not changed one bit; a little rounder but still with a smile on his face. Hugo hugged both Grenville and Jonathan. “Dear chaps, so good to see you both, and all three of us together again after all these years,” said Hugo. “I have booked a private room for lunch,” he went on. “Follow me.”

  Smiling, both Grenville and Jonathan followed Hugo to the private room in the club. After ordering drinks and taking a comfy chair, each toasted Rayleigh School, and each other. “So,” Hugo started, “although it is lovely to see you, Grenville old bean, I got the feeling your invite was not totally social.”

  “Astute as usual,” replied Grenville, smiling.

  Grenville continued, “I don’t know how much Jonathan has told you about our trip to Belize and our recent acquaintance, Tom.”

  “Jonathan gave me a good grounding on your recent activities in Belize, up to the time he left,” confirmed Hugo.

  “Excellent,” replied Grenville. “Putting that aside for one moment, what you might not be aware of is the state my brother has left my family in.”

  “We have heard the rumours,” said Jonathan, as Hugo nodded his head in acknowledgement.

  “Easington Investment Bank,” said Hugo quietly.

  Grenville said, “So you have heard of it.”

  “It’s the talk of the city,” said Hugo. “Easington Investment Bank as a traditional investment bank only did financial advisory work. For example, a big corporation might ask for the bank’s help if it wants to borrow money in the bond markets, or float itself on the stock market, or buy up another company.

  “In this capacity, the investment bank acts as an impartial adviser – like a solicitor or an accountant – using its expertise to help its client in return for a fee. But since Dexter Simon-Smyth took over the reins, Easington Investment Bank have changed track; they are dealing directly in financial markets for their own accounts. They are buying financial assets from one client, and then selling them to another – often with a hefty mark-up,” continued Hugo. “To help boost their credit, your brother became an investor with the bank using his, or your family’s, money.”

  “So, they are losing money now?” asked Grenville.

  “So, the City rumour mill is speculating, and no one is touching them,” replied Hugo.

  “How much is the family estate in for?” asked Jonathan.

  “Roughly five million,” Grenville said, “but we estimate he lost just under twenty million.”

  “My dear chap, I never knew it was that bad,” said Hugo.

  “Water under the bridge now, old chap,” replied Grenville.

  “But you are going to be OK?” asked Jonathan.

  “Of course, dear chap, us Hamptons are made of sterner stuff,” smiled Grenville.

  “Well, if you need any advice,” said Hugo.

  “Now you mention that, old chap…” said Grenville, smiling at then both. “Jonathan, old chap, did Mr Stevens get in contact with you?”

  “Now you mention it, he did indeed,” replied Jonathan, taking a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “First, the exact amount of debt owed by your estate to date is four million, four hundred and seventy-eight pounds, which will not change until the end of next week, where two per cent will be added for another week,” said Jonathan. “The exact date the debt has to be cleared by is three months’ time, but obviously the debt can be called in by Easington Investment Bank anytime,” continued Jonathan, “and as for the legal document your father signed over the estate to your brother it is now forfeit, I suspect your Mr Stevens was very clever in the wording as it was a contract between the Duke of Hampshire and the Earl of Eastleigh, so as no names were used, only titles, once one of the titles changes hands then the original document becomes void. Plus, as far as Mr Stevens can determine no further claims have been made against the estate, so only Easington’s have a claim,” said Jonathan, smiling.

  “Thank you very much, Jonathan,” said Grenville, “now back to my original topic.”

  “Your friend Tom,” replied Hugo.

  “Exactly,” said Grenville. Grenville went on to explain in part his plan for S&T Imports and the setup of his new business venture. “I would like you both to help me set it all up,” said Grenville, “of course I am not expecting your expertise for free, and I know you are both busy in your present employment.”

  “No problem on my part, old man,” said Hugo, smiling.

  “Thank you, Hugo, old chap,” replied Grenville.

  “Well, I can help out as and when I can, of course,” said Jonathan.

  “Thank you, Jonathan, I understand your law practice is your main concern, but any help you give would be invaluable,” said Grenville, smiling. Grenville explained what he wanted them both to do for him before their next meeting. “Hugo, I want you to register S&T Imports as a private UK company, and set up a bank account,” said Grenville, as he passed over all the relevant documentation he had gotten from Tom to Hugo. Hugo scanned the paperwork, nodding.

  “No problem old bean, will do that for you,” said Hugo smiling.

  “Jonathan, as S&T Imports’ new solicitor I want you to find me creditable office space here in London for the company to trade from,” asked Grenville.

  “That it? No worries old bean,” replied Jonathan.

  “Now, shall we eat?” asked Hugo. Both Jonathan and Grenville smiled at Hugo, as nothing stopped him from eating; he was the same at school and would never change.

  Last stop, Grenville had Newton take him to the family bank. On entering the bank, Grenville went to reception and smiled at the pretty girl behind the counter. The girl smiled back and said, “Yes sir how may I help you?”

  “I am the Earl of Eastleigh and was wondering if I could have a quick word with Mr Sacks.”

  The girl said, “Of course my Lord, if you take a seat over there I will see if he is free.” As the girl picked up the phone, Grenville smiled and went and sat down. Mr Sacks had been the family’s personal manager for many years. Grenville still remembered the day his father had brought him into the bank to open his first bank account in his own name.

  Just as Grenville was reminiscing, he spotted Mr Sacks come through the door and walk towards him. Standing, Grenville smiled and held out his hand. “Mr Sacks, so good of you to receive me at such short notice.”

  Mr Sacks took the offered hand and said, “Of course, my Lord. Please come this way,” indicating to a side office. Once the door was closed and they were both settled, Mr Sacks said, “I am sorry for your recent family bereavement.”

  “Thank you, most kind,” replied Grenville, smiling.

  “And of course, your elevation to the title,” said Mr Sacks.

  Grenville nodded and smiled. “Don’t worry, Mr Sacks, I am aware what my brother did to my family’s estate’s bank account.”

  Mr Sacks smiled and said, “Sorry, but your brother, shall we say, would not take any advice from me or the bank, so in the end we had to terminate the estate’s credit line.”

  “I totally understand,” said Grenville. “Just as a matter of interest, can you tell me how much the family estate account is overdrawn by?”

  Mr Sacks turned to the computer and after several keystrokes looked at Grenville and said, “Just short of six hundred thousand pounds, my Lord. We have of course allowed your father to pay the estate wage bill, for the last few months.”

  Grenville understood from the tone that the bank would not allow this state of affairs to carry on indefinitely. “And my personal account?” asked Grenville.

  After a few more keystrokes, Mr Sacks looked up, smiled, and said, “You are in the black by four hundred and twenty pounds.”

  “Thank you, Mr Sacks, most kind.” Taking the ban
ker’s draft from his inside pocket, Grenville passed it over to Mr Sacks and said, “I would like to deposit this banker’s draft into my personal account and clear off my family estate account’s overdraft.”

  Mr Sacks picked up the banker’s draft and Grenville could tell by his face he was having trouble digesting the figure on the banker’s draft.

  “Any problems?” asked Grenville casually.

  Without taking his gaze from the banker’s draft, Mr Sacks said, “Of course not my Lord, no problem at all.” Standing, Mr Sacks said, “If you could wait here my Lord, I will go and process this banker’s draft for you.”

  “My dear chap, take your time,” replied Grenville, smiling.

  Once Mr Sacks had left, Grenville closed his eyes and thought, at least the bank was on the ball in seeing Stephan’s madness, and closed the family estate account down quickly. Just short of six hundred thousand pounds was to Grenville not bad, as he knew without the bank’s quick intervention it could have been much worse. His father would be pleased to have the family estate account back in credit with the bank.

  A smiling Mr Sacks returned and sat behind the computer once again. After a few taps, he looked up and said, “Do you wish to clear all the overdraft, my Lord?”

  “Just transfer a million from my account to the family estate account, if you would be so kind,” smiled Grenville.

  After a few taps Mr Sacks looked up and said, “Your family estate account is now back in the black, anything else I can help you with today, my Lord?” asked Mr Sacks.

  “There is just one more thing, can you let me have a banker’s draft for four million, four hundred and seventy-eight pounds, drawn from my personal account” smiled Grenville.

  “I will send it down to the estate by courier tomorrow,” said Mr Sacks bowing his head.

  Standing and holding out his hand, Grenville said, “Mr Sacks, as always you been professional and a credit to the bank.”

  On the way home to Hampton Hall, Grenville closed his eyes and went over the day. He was sure he had not missed anything from the plan, but he must admit the plan went better than even he had anticipated. He was mildly surprised how easy it was to sell the diamonds and he was sure by what was said at Liebermann’s that anything else Grenville had to sell would be considered, and receiving a cheque before he had left was an unexpected windfall. This made Grenville smile. Still smiling, Grenville thought about Jonathan and Hugo; it was brilliant to see them both again, neither had changed one bit, and he realised he had missed their company. Now they were both on board and were going to help him set up S&T Imports as a UK company, he felt a lot easier as he knew that if anyone could make S&T Imports a success Jonathan and Hugo would; also, they would steer Grenville in the right direction, and would advise him on what needed to be done. The bank was also a surprise, although Mr Sacks was stunned by the size of the banker’s draft he had presented, and cashed it without any questions. Grenville was pleased he had cleared the estate’s account and placed it back into the black; this, he knew, would please his parents. Grenville thought about next Wednesday and the reading of his brother’s will. Smiling, Grenville was sure he would not even be mentioned in it, but Grenville was going to look forward to the show down with Easington Investment Bank and especially that toad Mr Dexter Simon-Smyth. All in all, a very good day, and from now on Grenville knew he would be able, as he had promised to Tom, to help him continue his quest.

  The next day Grenville found his father in his study. “Father, can I have a word?”

  “Of course, my boy, what is on your mind?” asked the Duke.

  “I popped into the bank while I was in London, said Grenville.

  “The estate account,” said the Duke.

  “Overdraft cleared and back in the black,” said a smiling Grenville.

  “How?” said a shocked Duke.

  “Just, shall we say, it was a windfall from Belize.”

  The Duke stared at his son. “What you got there?” asked the Duke, spotting the holdall Grenville was holding for the first time.

  “A means to an end,” Grenville replied. Opening the holdall, Grenville placed the content on his father’s desk. His father sat and stared at the growing piles of money that Grenville was placing on the desk.

  “Where did you get so much money?” asked the Duke.

  “Shall we say, my trip to Belize was not all fun,” said a smiling Grenville. “It was your friend James McLeish, the ambassador of Belize, that allowed me to bring it through in the diplomatic baggage,” said Grenville.

  “That was good of old McLeish,” said the Duke.

  “Well, I did kind of lay it on strong that you would be most grateful that he had helped his friend’s son and a fellow of Rayleigh School,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “I am not going to ask any more. How much is here?” said the Duke.

  “About a million, give or take a few notes,” said Grenville, smiling.

  The Duke stared at the piles of money, finally lifting one from the desk and holding it. “I don’t understand,” said his father.

  “To pay the house staff and estate workers a bonus,” said Grenville. “I am sure they have all been worried about the state of the estate, and this may restore their confidence in the family. A bonus is always welcome,” continued Grenville.

  “Thank you, my boy,” said his father softly. Grenville noticed his eyes watering.

  “Plus, I am sure any left over, you and mother could put to good use and place your personal accounts back into the black. Look on it as a gift from a grateful son,” said Grenville softly.

  The Duke looked at his son and came around the desk and hugged him. For the first time in his life, Grenville felt close to his father. “Can I tell your mother, or is this our secret?” asked his father.

  “Please tell mother, I don’t want any more secrets in this family,” said a smiling Grenville.

  “You are so right, my boy,” replied his father, smiling as well.

  Later that day Grenville helped his father place the money into bonus envelopes for the estate staff. The Duke placed the remaining money into the safe, and said he and the Duchess would take a trip to London and deposit the money into their personal accounts. The Duke said, “My son, you have made me so proud once again.”

  Grenville smiled at his father and quietly said, “Audere est facere.”

  The Duke smiled back and remembered the school motto as well: “To dare is to do.”

  Next day Preston had been requested to gather all the staff for an announcement from the Duke himself. Most were under the impression that it was going to be bad news; some of the younger members of staff were not bothered as they were young enough to find other employment, but most of the staff had been with the family and house for years, some second and third generations of family, so Hampton Hall and estate was family, not a job, to some members of staff.

  All the staff was gathered in the great hall. There was a soft murmur amongst them. The eleventh Duke of Hampshire stood on the third step up on the grand staircase looking down on them; standing by his side were the Duchess and his second son the twelfth Earl of Eastleigh.

  The Duke started, “Thank you all for attending this short gathering. I know you are all extremely busy, so will not keep you long. As you all know by now, that there were certain rumours bandied about that Hampton Estate was in a state of financial flux, and I know you all have been worried about your future employment at the Hall and around the estate. Well, let me assure you all here and now, that your employment is safe and there is no risk to the Hall or the estate, now or in the future, this you have my word on.” This brought a soft murmur from the gathered staff. The Duke went on, “You will all be receiving a cash bonus, and I hope this will go some way in setting your minds at rest, and I apologise if any miscommunication has been spread by the rumour mill. I would ask if anyone in the future asks you about Hampton Hall, then you tell them we are buoyant and as always a happy family.” This brought a round
of applause from the gathered crowd. “Preston will send you in as and when we call you forward, I would appreciate your patience until you are called and let me finish by saying that on behalf of my family and I, we thank you for your loyal service to us, and hope you will continue to loyally serve the family and the estate.”

  The Duke with the Duchess and Grenville went into the study where they sat behind the desk waiting for the staff to appear. Mr and Mrs Preston went in first. After a light knock they entered the study.

  “Preston and Mrs Preston,” said the Duke, smiling. After handing them their envelopes the Duke said, “Without you two, Hampton Hall would never be the same, thank you for your support and future endeavours.”

  “Our pleasure,” replied Preston for them both, slightly bowing.

  “We have and always will serve the family,” said Mrs Preston.

  “Thank you both,” said the Duchess.

  “Now, Preston, if you could send them all in one at a time, I would be most grateful,” asked the Duke.

  Preston bowed and said, “My pleasure, your Grace.”

  After three hours Preston appeared and said, “That was the last one, your Grace.”

  “Thank god for that,” said the Duchess softly. Grenville smiled. It had been quite enjoyable for him, watching his mother and father engage each member of staff as if they were family and not staff, asking about personal things, making them feel special, and all the time remaining the Duke and Duchess of the estate. It was an art form, not taught.

  Grenville’s mind wandered back to a time when he was a small boy. One day Grenville and his grandfather were walking in the grounds, and they spotted a gardener. They approached the gardener and as they did, his grandfather said, “Hobbs my dear chap, how is the wife?”

  The gardener stopped what he was doing and removed his cap and said, “On the mend, thank you for asking your Grace, and she loved the basket of fruit you sent.”

  “Well, send her my regards, won’t you,” said Grenville’s grandfather as they strolled off.

  After a short time, when they were alone again, Grenville asked, “How did you know about Hobbs and his wife, grandfather?”