The Second Son Read online

  “Sounds promising. Can you set me up tomorrow afternoon for a viewing, old chap?” asked Grenville.

  “Of course, will do. Let’s say three,” replied Jonathan.

  “Perfect, and can you have Hugo meet us as well?”

  “Of course, old chap, see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye for now, and thank you, Jonathan,” said Grenville, setting down the phone. Returning to the lounge, he could see his mother and Sara in deep discussion. “You two look like you are scheming,” said a smiling Grenville. Before they could answer, Grenville said, “Got to go to London tomorrow, Sara, would you like to accompany me?”

  “Sounds intriguing,” said Sara, laughing.

  “Jonathan has found a property for my new business venture so thought a woman’s eyes cast over it cannot harm,” replied Grenville.

  “It’s a date, only if dinner is thrown in,” said Sara, smiling.

  “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Farthing,” said Grenville.

  “Get used to it, Mr Hampton,” replied Sara, which made them all laugh.

  Next morning, Grenville and Sara took the train to London. After a leisurely lunch, and using a map, they made their way to Bombard Street. Grenville spotted Hugo loitering in the street. “Hugo,” Grenville shouted. Hugo waved back. Grenville and Hugo hugged. “Hugo, let me introduce Sara,” said Grenville.

  “Hello Sara, nice to meet you,” said Hugo.

  Sara smiled and said, “You too, Hugo.”

  Just then they spotted Jonathan coming down the street. Once he arrived, he hugged both Grenville and Hugo. Grenville said, “Jonathan, you remember Sara?”

  “Of course, nice to meet you again my dear,” said Jonathan, smiling.

  Sara smiled back. “You too, Jonathan,” she replied.

  Hugo turned to Jonathan and whispered, “How do you know Sara?”

  “She was Grenville’s brother Stephan’s fiancée and in the car when he died,” replied Jonathan.

  “Intriguing,” smiled Hugo.

  “Definitely,” replied Jonathan.

  Just then a taxi showed up and an elegant lady got out. Jonathan went across and said, “Miss Hughes.”

  The lady smiled and said, “Please, Mr Spencer, call me Anna.”

  Jonathan smiled and said, “Please call me Jonathan, Anna.” Jonathan introduced everyone and Anna shook hands with them all.

  “So, Anna, tell us about this lovely building,” asked Grenville.

  Anna went up the steps and opened the double doors onto a dark spacious reception area. Locating the light switch, Anna switched the lights on and they all stood in a magnificent reception area designed in the late Victorian/early Edwardian era.

  Anna started, “Welcome to Bombard House, originally used by the Bombard Insurance Company, who went into liquidation during the Lloyds list scandal. The property is of late Victorian/early Edwardian period covering five floors, with three internal lifts, and stairs, also having a private car park to the rear for ten or so cars. The building conforms to all the current fire, health and safety regulations.”

  “How flexible are the building regulations?” asked Grenville.

  “I can find out,” replied Anna, “but normally, they tend to baulk if you try and change exterior rather than interior, so interior has more flexibility by building control.”

  “Super. if you could liaise with Jonathan on the points we raise, that would be most helpful,” smiled Grenville.

  Anna smiled back, “Of course,” she replied.

  “Jonathan, old chap, do you mind taking lead on this?”

  “Of course, old bean,” replied Jonathan. Both Grenville and Hugo smiled; there was no way Jonathan was going to pass up a chance to get to know the lovely Anna more.

  “Shall we start at the top and work down?” suggested Grenville. Everyone agreed as they moved towards the stairs. After a guided tour of the building, which took over two hours, by the time they reached the reception area again Grenville had already made up his mind.

  “Anna, thank you for a wonderful fully briefed tour of the property, your knowledge was excellent,” said Grenville.

  Anna blushed and said, “Thank you my Lord, most kind.” The others agreed with Grenville’s sentiments.

  “What is it on the market for, Anna?” Grenville asked.

  “Just over the million,” she replied.

  “And you’ve had no more interest?” he asked casually.

  “Now you come to mention it,” she said, “only this morning we had another party asking about this property.”

  “I bet you did,” said Grenville, smiling, which left everyone else looking baffled. “Thank you, Anna, for being open,” said Grenville. “Can I ask,” Grenville went on, “can I have twenty-four hours first refusal on the building?” asked Grenville, smiling.

  “I should check with head office,” Anna replied.

  “If you would, my dear?” asked Grenville, still smiling.

  Anna left the building to make her phone call. “What was that about?” asked Hugo, asking what they were all thinking.

  “Dexter Simon-Smyth,” said Grenville. “He obviously knew Jonathan was looking for properties in the London area, and when Jonathan used my name with them, it must have raised a flag to him, so to try and muddy the water he will no doubt try and stop me getting this property,” said Grenville.

  “What a rotter,” said Hugo.

  “Not really, my dear chap. We can find out how much he is prepared to go, to try and stop me.”

  “Is that not dangerous?” asked Sara.

  “Not really,” said Grenville, “he came across the Walpole Boys once and lost,” which made Jonathan and Hugo laugh. “Sorry, my dear,” said Grenville, seeing Sara was looking confused, “that’s what us three called ourselves at school, and together we are unbeatable.” Sara smiled but did not look convinced.

  Anna returned from her phone call. “Bad news, I am afraid,” she said. “Head office cannot give you a first refusal, due to other interest,” she went on. “I am so sorry,” she said.

  Grenville smiled. “Not your fault, my dear. Let me thank you once again, and as the saying goes, we will be in touch.”

  They all stood on the pavement while Anna relocked the building. Smiling, Anna wished them good luck and left. “Well what do you think?” asked Grenville.

  “Very nice,” said Hugo.

  “Certainly, got character,” said Jonathan.

  “And you, Sara?” asked Grenville, turning to Sara.

  “I think it has potential,” she said, which made them all laugh.

  “Spoken like a true female,” said Grenville. “it’s been a long tiring day,” said Grenville, “how about we all gather at Jonathan’s work place, at say ten tomorrow?”

  “Can we make it eleven, old chap?” asked Jonathan.

  “Fine by me” said Hugo.

  “Until tomorrow,” said Grenville. “Now Miss Farthing, I promised you dinner,” said Grenville, turning to Sara.

  Smiling, she said, “Anyone else want to join us?” Both Hugo and Jonathan read the situation correctly and declined. “Let’s walk for a bit,” said Sara, so saying their farewells to Jonathan and Hugo, they strolled down the road arm in arm.

  “So, your opinion?” asked Hugo.

  “Needs a lot of work,” replied Jonathan.

  “Not the building you daft bugger, Sara,” replied Hugo, laughing at Jonathan.

  “I think our friend Grenville is now smitten,” said a smiling Jonathan.

  “Poor lamb, and he won’t even see it coming,” replied Hugo which made them both laugh. “Share a cab, old bean?” asked Hugo.

  “Why not, you can drop me off on the way,” replied Jonathan.

  “Excellent,” said Hugo as they both walked down the road in the opposite direction to find a cab.

  As they walked arm in arm silently down the road, Grenville finally said, “Sara, I also have a confession to make.”

  “Oh, sounds mysterious,” she replied
smiling.

  Grenville went on to tell Sara all about his time in Belize, meeting Tom and the new quest he was on for his friend. Sara did not say anything during Grenville’s confession, but noticed they were near a nice little Italian restaurant.

  “This will do,” she said, smiling. Entering, Grenville asked for a quiet table, smiling at the waitress, who smiled back with understanding. She showed them to a little corner alcove, and after ordering a glass of wine, Grenville said, “So what do you think?”

  “It’s quite a story, Grenville,” said Sara.

  “All true,” said Grenville, laughing.

  “I don’t doubt you,” said Sara, laughing as well. “Thank you for trusting me enough with your secret,” Sara said softly.

  Taking her hand, Grenville said, “Since the first moment we met the other day, I knew I could trust you.”

  “Thank you, Grenville,” she said with tears in her eyes.

  “Why the tears?” asked Grenville, looking worried.

  “No, it’s not you,” said Sara laughing, “it’s me being silly, they are tears of joy. For so long I have felt so alone and lost, I find you and my life changes,” said Sara quietly.

  “For the better I hope,” said Grenville, trying to make it light again.

  Sara stared into his eyes and smiled and said, “Definitely for the better.”

  “So now we both know each other’s secrets,” said Grenville. Still holding her hand, he squeezed it and said, “I would love you to be part of my quest.”

  Still staring intently into Grenville’s eyes, Sara said quietly, “Nothing in this world could stop me. Now let’s order, I am famished.”

  “Absolutely,” said Grenville in reply.

  After they had eaten, Sara said, “So, what happens now, Grenville?”

  “Well, I think due to the lateness of the hour, we find accommodation, until tomorrow’s meeting.” Sara giggled. Grenville went red. “I did not mean anything by it,” said Grenville, too quickly.

  “I am teasing you, Grenville,” said Sara. “But I have a London flat, we could stay there, if you like,” Sara said softly.

  Taking her hand again, Grenville said, “I will be the perfect gentleman.”

  “Not too perfect,” said Sara, laughing, which made Grenville go red again. Paying the bill and leaving the restaurant, they hailed a cab, and Sara gave the address to the driver.

  On entering the flat Grenville noticed it was not full of personal things, so he surmised Sara did not spend a lot of time here. Just as he was thinking this, Sara said, “My parent bought this for me, but I must admit I don’t use it much.”

  Grenville started to laugh, and said, “You read my mind.”

  “Coffee?” said Sara. “I think I can manage one of them. “

  “Splendid,” replied Grenville, smiling. While Sara made the coffee, Grenville had a look about the place. It was a nice neat one-bedroom flat, clean and tidy. Grenville wondered if Sara had a cleaner pop in for time to time to have a quick going over. Sitting on the settee, Grenville waited for his coffee, which was not long coming.

  Sara placed the tray of steaming coffee on the table and said, “Sorry, only got powered milk.”

  “Don’t worry, had worse,” replied Grenville, smiling. “No biscuits?” asked Grenville.

  Sara smiled. “Sorry, all out.”

  Grenville picked up his coffee and took a deep sniff. “Wonderful,” he said.

  “Fibber,” said a laughing Sara.

  Grenville smiled at Sara and said, “Strange how life turns out.”

  “How so?” replied Sara.

  “Well, I was trying to think about the first time I met you before I went to Belize, and for some strange reason it’s all a blur.”

  “So, I never made that much of an impression on you then,” said Sara, laughing.

  “To tell you the truth, no,” Grenville replied, “but then again in my defence you were my brother’s guest.”

  “Please don’t remind me,” said a laughing Sara.

  “I never really knew my brother. Yes, we were brothers, but we were never brotherly or close, if you know what I mean,” said Grenville.

  “Yes, I totally understand, Grenville,” said Sara. “It was my father who decided it was a good match. Met Stephan at some function or other, so I was the grease that my father used to worm his way up the social ladder,” said Sara. “That weekend was the first time I met Stephan and during the weekend he was quite charming, and attentive.”

  “Charming?” said Grenville.

  “I said quite charming,” replied Sara, smiling.

  “I stand corrected,” nodded Grenville. “Why did you agree to marry him, if you knew his character? “

  “There is the rub, in the weeks leading up to his proposal, he was a totally different person. Plus, my father was pushing for me to say yes, so stupidly in the end to make everyone happy I reluctantly agreed. It was only after I had the ring on my finger that I found out his true nature, of how arrogant and spiteful, he was. By then, my fate was sealed, as they say,” said Sara with tears in her eyes.

  Grenville placed his arm around Sara and said, “All in the past, we have our future to look forward to now.”

  Sara kissed him on the cheek and said, “Thank you, Grenville.”

  To lighten the mood Grenville asked, “So, what do you think of my parents?”

  “Your father is, how shall we say, the archetypical Peer of the Realm,” said Sara, smiling.

  “Good one,” said Grenville, laughing.

  “Oh, but your mother is charming, and a good listener,” said Sara. “It was on her insistence that I told Stephan I wanted to break the engagement.”

  “Really? Go mother,” said Grenville.

  “Your mother gave me the fortitude to carry on sometimes. She once found me in the reading room sobbing my eyes out after a quite awful row with Stephan. After she made me tell her everything, it was like a burden was lifted and I had a friend who understood me,” said Sara. “Sound weird?”

  “Not at all,” said Grenville. “Mother is like that,” he carried on. “If I ever find a younger mother, I will marry her on the spot,” said a laughing Grenville.

  Sara laughed as well, and said, “I still cannot believe that you and Stephan were actual brothers.”

  “I know, always amazed me as well,” said Grenville.

  “You know your mother saw us when we went for our walk yesterday,” said Sara.

  “Did she, and what did she say?” asked Grenville.

  “Her exact words were ‘you have my blessing’,” replied Sara softly.

  Grenville took Sara by the hand and said, “Who am I to disagree with my mother,” as he leaned in to kiss Sara for the first time.

  Afterwards, Sara stood, held out her hand and said, “Let’s go to bed.”

  Grenville smiled at Sara, and said, “Your wish is my command, my lady.”

  Next day after a leisurely morning, both Sara and Grenville arrived at Stephan’s offices by ten forty-five. At reception Grenville asked for Jonathan. The receptionist smiled at them both and said, “Please take a seat, I will let him know you are here.”

  Just as Sara and Grenville sat down, Jonathan appeared. “Grenville, Sara how are you both?” He hugged them both and kissed Sara on the cheek. “Follow me, Hugo is already here.”

  Sara and Grenville followed Jonathan to his little corner office where Hugo was waiting. As the door opened, Hugo stood and smiled at them both; with little room Hugo shook both their hands. All three sat opposite Jonathan’s small desk.

  “Tea, anyone?” asked Jonathan, more out of politeness. When all three declined, Sara gave a small smile and could see in Jonathan’s eyes that making tea would have been a major task. “So, down to business,” said Jonathan. “I have rung the lovely Anna this morning and as prophesied by Grenville there was another bid placed against Bombard House.”

  “How much was the offer?” asked Grenville.

  “Unfortunatel
y, Anna would not specify, but I got the feeling it was for the asking price,” replied Jonathan.

  “Jonathan, I want you to go back and place a counter offer, for, let’s say to make it interesting, a million and a half,” said Grenville.

  Jonathan nodded, and Sara and Hugo stared at Grenville. “So, Hugo, tell us how you got on?” asked Grenville.

  Placing his battered briefcase on his knee and extracting a large blue folder, Hugo said, “With the documents supplied, I have registered S&T Imports as a private company with hopefully offices in the UK, so in about three weeks, once the official government paperwork has been complete, the company will be ready to begin trading.”

  “Do you foresee any problems?” Grenville asked.

  “No, not at all, if we keep the tax man happy and conform with all the current UK business regulations, we will be fine,” smiled Hugo. “I have also set up a UK bank account in the name of S&T Imports,” said Hugo. “By the way, I had to open it up with a deposit of ten pounds for the account, so you are in debt, Mr Hampton, to a sum of ten pounds.” This made every one laugh.

  Grenville slapped Hugo on the back and said, “Well done, old bean.”

  “Sara is now in the picture about S&T Imports, so we can talk freely in front of her,” said Grenville, Jonathan and Hugo looked at Sara and smiled.

  “Welcome to the madmen club,” laughed Hugo.

  Grenville went on, “You three are the only people who know what S&T Imports is all about, so I would ask for your discretion when talking to anyone outside this room with regards to S&T Imports.”

  Sara, Hugo and Jonathan nodded and Sara said, “I think you can count on our loyalty, Grenville,” taking his hand and smiling. Both Hugo and Jonathan watched their exchange and they both smiled.

  Grenville said, “Hugo, I want you to make me Chairman and Jonathan legal Director, yourself Financial Director and Sara Procurement Director, the four of us will make up the board. Keep it in house, as they say. Any questions?” asked Grenville, looking at each of them in turn.

  All three nodded but Sara said, “You sure, Grenville? I am not very business savvy.”