The Second Son Read online

  Forbes looked at Dexter before softly saying, “Five.”

  “Five,” said Baker.

  “And how many have current interested parties do we have considering them?” asked Manning.

  “Possible one, maybe two,” replied Forbes, wishing the ground would open and swallow him.

  “But gentlemen, we are actively pursuing buyers,” said Dexter, quickly. “Now is not the time to have doubts, we must let our long-term strategy come to fruition,” he went on, smiling.

  “Can we have a list of the five assets?” asked Cross.

  “Absolutely,” said Dexter, smiling. “Duncan, can you sort that out for the board members,” said Dexter without looking in Forbes’s direction.

  “I think we should give the chairman the benefit of the doubt, and let his plan run,” said a smiling Grenville. Continuing, Grenville said, “Let us wait until the next board meeting in three months’ time. I for one have every faith that the chairman can bring about a quick and profitable outcome for the bank with these assets.”

  “Shall we take a vote,” said Herbert. “All those in favour of no action until the next board meeting, raise your hand.” Five were in favour and two against.

  “Carried,” said a relieved sounding Forbes. The rest of the board meeting was taken up with mundane points, which were quickly voted on with little or no discussion, and after two hours, Dexter declared the board meeting closed.

  Back in his office Dexter was furious. “Well, you were all but bloody useless,” he screamed at Forbes.

  “Hang on now,” said Forbes, “in my defence, if I am asked I have to tell the truth,” Forbes went on.

  “Not the actual truth, you bloody moron,” said a red-faced Dexter.

  “Well, if you kept me in the loop, then perhaps I would know what to say,” said Forbes.

  “Just get out,” said Dexter. Forbes stood and left the room quietly. Dexter placed his head in his hand and knew time was not on his side, and as for Hampton he was surprised he was ready to support him. What was his game plan? But Dexter Simon-Smyth knew he had only three months until the next board meeting to turn things around or they would be after his blood.

  Grenville knocked on the closed door, and heard a quiet, “Enter.” Opening the door, a fraction and placing his head around the door, Grenville smiled at Hugo and said, “Time for a chat?”

  “Absolutely old man,” replied Hugo. “Coffee?” asked Hugo.

  “No thanks old bean, meeting Sara for lunch and cannot be late.”

  “What can I do for you then?” asked Hugo, smiling.

  “Just thought I would drop this off,” he held up a brown folder, “the minutes of Easington Investment Bank board meeting I had yesterday, plus my observations added.”

  “Will give them my undivided attention,” said Hugo.

  “No rush, next team meeting will do,” replied Grenville.

  “Until lunchtime then,” said Hugo, smiling.

  “Not with you, old man,” said a puzzled Grenville.

  “Carole and I are lunching with you and Sara,” said Hugo.

  “Excellent,” said Grenville as he closed the door on a laughing Hugo.

  Sara found Grenville sitting in his office with a sad face. “What is the matter, my love?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry, it’s me being silly,” replied Grenville.

  Sitting on his lap and placing her arms around him, she said, “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “It’s nothing really, I just get the feeling I am a spare wheel lately around here, everyone is going about their tasks with gusto, even you are busy, but I seem to be in the way.”

  Sara took Grenville’s face in her hands and said, “Listen here, Earl of Eastleigh, you started this, you had the drive to start and give it life, it’s now growing and growing fast, but it still needs guiding by you, as you are the one with the overall vision, which we all look up to. So, we might be busy but we definitely need you.” Sara kissed him deeply and said, “Now stop acting like a lost school boy and act like a chairman, and take me to lunch,” she said into his mouth. This made Grenville smile and say, “By your command, my love.”

  Grenville was staring out of the windows, and was thinking how to proceed with Easington Investment Bank and especially Mr Dexter Simon-Smyth, when the buzzer on his phone brought Grenville back to the present. Picking up the phone, he said, “Yes, Michelle.”

  “A Mr Smith in reception from Sharapova Investments,” said Michelle.

  Grenville, trying not to sound shocked, said, “Thank you Michelle, please ask reception to escort Mr Smith up.”

  “Of course, Chairman,” replied Michelle before the line went dead.

  Still holding the phone, Grenville’s mind was racing. This was a turn of events. Placing down the receiver, Grenville took a deep breath, stood and went to greet the mysterious Mr Smith from Sharapova Investments, and wondered what he possibly wanted.

  There was a light knock as the door was opened by Michelle, who smiled and said, “Mr Smith, Chairman.”

  “Thank you, Michelle,” replied Grenville as she closed the door behind her. Grenville stared at Mr Smith, a large man neatly dressed in a black long overcoat with highly polished black shoes, but the thing Grenville noticed was that Mr Smith wore tight black leather glove, and a face like granite.

  Moving forward, Grenville held out his hand and said, “Mr Smith, how can I be of assistance?”

  Mr Smith ignored the offered hand hanging in the air and moved past Grenville and sat in a chair opposite his desk. Grenville returned and sat behind his desk, and once he was seated Mr Smith said, “I do apologise for the abruptness of my visit, my Lord, but a few lose ends have been encountered and I was instructed to seek your guidance on the matter.” Mr Smith smiled for the first time but Grenville noticed the smile only stayed on the lips, as if it was a strange gesture for him, and smiling was not natural. Grenville noticed that his accent was most East European; Grenville relaxed as he was sure that if this man had come to kill him, he would have been dead minutes ago, without any conversation.

  “You are from Sharapova Investments?” asked Grenville.

  Mr Smith gave a slight nod of the head and replied, “We were asked to keep a watching brief on you and your activities and only to assist if necessary.”

  “So, what has changed that requires a visit?” replied Grenville, smiling for the first time.

  “It has come to our notice that a certain gentleman of our mutual acquaintance had a private investigator ask some, shall we say, penetrating questions about you. We have of course removed this problem,” said Mr Smith.

  Grenville was not surprised that Simon-Smyth had tried to poke about and ask question especially after he had found out that the new board member of Easington Investment Bank was Grenville. “So how can I help?” asked Grenville.

  “Our mutual friend was aware that two gentlemen, once your brother was dead, tried to still ruin your family.” Grenville stared at Mr Smith. So, as he thought, Farthing was also behind the takeover of Hampton Hall. Mr Smith had just confirmed his suspicions. “Our mutual friend does not like complications getting in his way,” said Mr Smith.

  “But surely, they are both no longer a problem to us,” replied Grenville.

  “One gentleman perhaps, as your recent engagement can attest, but the other gentleman is a different fish, and one we feel will not be so easy to placate.”

  “Sorry, I am not following you,” replied Grenville, looking confused.

  “It is simple; they both require, how shall we say, removed from causing further problems to us all.”

  Grenville looked totally shocked at what Mr Smith was suggesting; yes, Grenville was annoyed about the family estate but to go as far as murder, he was sure he would never have considered that option, however desperate things had got.

  Staring intently at Grenville, Mr Smith said, “I can see you are shocked, as our mutual friend said you would be, but he told me to remind you of what he s
aid about people and the three rules he taught you when you first met.”

  Grenville sat back in his chair and remembered what Tom had told him;

  “The people we are going to be associating with and meeting are dangerous men; they have no morals or honour, there are no rules, and they will not hesitate to try and destroy you and in some extreme cases kill you if they see weakness in you, or think you are not what you are meant to be. Rule number one, never attack in anger. Rule number two, always mean it, this is a matter of life and death. Rule number three, never let your opponent know your move.”

  Grenville looked up at Mr Smith and quietly said, “You have my blessing to do whatever you feel warranted to keep our venture true.”

  Mr Smith stood and nodded to Grenville and said, “We will make sure that these gentlemen are no longer a problem.” Just before he touched the handle on the door, Mr Smith turned and said, “We will be watching,” before turning and leaving the room.

  Grenville sat and closed his eyes. This is a secret he could not share, not even with Sara. He was sure Sara was not as close to her father as she was her mother, and he suspected she never really forgave him for forcing her to marry his brother, but he was sure she would not look too kindly on Grenville if she knew he had just possibly signed her father’s death warrant.

  That weekend whilst they were down visiting Hampton Hall, Grenville was sitting in the reading room. His mother entered and said, “There you are darling, was looking for you.”

  “Now you found me, mother” replied Grenville, smiling.

  Sofia sat next to Grenville and handed him a colour brochure.

  “What’s this?” asked Grenville.

  “Grace’s new home, Peaches Retirement Home,” replied Sofia, smiling. “I have searched and I think this is the most suitable place for a still independent lady,” Sofia went on.

  “Mother, you are a marvel. I will go see Grace and give her the good news,” said Grenville. Leaning over, Grenville kissed his mother on the cheek and said, “I am lucky to have you.”

  Smiling, Sofia said, “I am the lucky one, my son.”

  Next day at breakfast Sofia asked Grenville if she could accompany him when he went to see Grace and perhaps take her to look at the Peaches Retirement Home. Grenville smiled at his mother and thought it a capital idea. She told Grenville she was curious about Tom’s mother. “You are most welcome to come as well, my darling,” Grenville asked Sara.

  “Please don’t worry about me, my love, I have plans today, some wedding shopping with my mother,” replied a smiling Sara.

  Newton drove them both as before to the East End of London, and as before Grenville was amused that he was still in England. The area looked alien to him, but he was reminded that the class system still ruled in England, and there would always be the haves and have nots; he was lucky to have been born into privilege. Parking once again outside Grace’s house, Grenville knocked on the door and this time it was immediately opened by a smiling Grace. “Grenville, welcome back,” Grace said, giving him a hug and a kiss.

  “Grace, may I introduce my mother, the Duchess of Hampshire.”

  Grace smiled at Sofia, and shook her hand and said, “Welcome to my humble abode, your Grace.”

  Sofia knew the greeting was sincere as the smile rose to Grace’s eyes. “Please call me Sofia,” said a smiling Sofia.

  Standing back, Grace said, “Please, both of you, come in.” Once they were all seated in the kitchen, Grace asked if anyone wanted a cup of tea.

  “Grace, we might not have time.”

  “Oh, why is that?” Grace asked.

  “Because we are here to take you to view your new home,” said Sofia.

  “Really, how lovely,” replied Grace, smiling. “And do I get to ride in that lovely big car of yours?” she asked, laughing.

  Sofia said, “Of course you do, my dear,” laughing as well.

  “Never been in such a posh car in my life,” Grace said, “can you give an old lady ten minutes to make herself look presentable?”

  “Take your time, we are in no rush,” said a still laughing Sofia.

  Twenty minutes later Grace reappeared in the kitchen dressed in what Sofia assumed was her finery. Grace even had a hat on. “Stunning,” said Grenville, bowing.

  “Get away with you and your silver tongue,” said Grace laughing. “You have certainly raised a gallant young man, Sofia,” Grace said, smiling.

  “I am very lucky to have such a wonderful son,” said Sofia, smiling as well.

  “Shall we?” said Grenville to hide his embarrassment, holding out his arm for Grace. As they stepped out of the house, there was quite a large gathering again; this time, everyone was silent as Newton opened the rear door and saluted as Grace climbed in followed by Sofia and Grenville.

  Once they were all seated, Newton asked, “Where to, your Grace?”

  Sofia said, “Peaches Retirement Home, if you please, Newton.”

  “Of course, your Grace,” replied Newton as he put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb, everyone just stood in astonishment as the Rolls Royce pulled silently away from the curb and proceeded down the street. While they drove towards Peaches Retirement Home, Grenville handed Grace the brochure for Peaches Retirement Home, which she studied in silence during the drive. As the car pulled up in front of the admin block of the Peaches Retirement Home, there stood a greeting committee of three. Grenville smiled; one of his mother’s assistants had obviously phoned ahead of their appointment, to inform them the Duchess of Hampshire was visiting.

  As they all stepped from the car, a smartly dressed lady approached, curtsied, and said, “Welcome your Grace, I am Mrs Pritchard, manager of the Peaches Retirement Home.”

  “Thank you, Mrs Pritchard, lovely to be here,” smiled Sofia, holding out her hand. “Please let me introduce my son, the Earl of Eastleigh, and Mrs Grace Backer.” After being introduced to everyone, Mrs Pritchard led them into the large reception area, where coffee was laid on.

  “So down to business, Mrs Pritchard,” Grenville said.

  “Of course, my Lord,” replied Mrs Pritchard.

  “We require new safe accommodation for Mrs Grace Backer here,” said Grenville, nodding at Grace.

  “I am delighted you chose our establishment for consideration,” said Mrs Pritchard, smiling.

  “It was mother, the Duchess of Hampshire, who suggested your complex,” replied Grenville, pointing towards Sofia. Mrs Pritchard gave a smile and a nod of the head in acknowledgement. Grace sat and smiled at the exchange between Grenville and Mrs Pritchard, Grace knew by Grenville’s attitude that he was a true friend to her Tom, as he was so concerned for her wellbeing, which made her feel loved.

  Mrs Pritchard gave a short presentation on the complex. “Fifty-three individual one bedroom self-contained bungalows, for singles or retired couples, in a private estate, with their own private parking spaces. Every bungalow comes with help-assist buttons in every room, linked back to the admin centre which is manned twenty-four hours a day. The complex also has a full-time on call doctor and day and night carers who will cater for all the residents’ needs. It also has private security patrols, foot and mobile twenty-four hours a day, to give the residents the feeling of community and security. The main admin centre caters for all the resident’s needs, from meals if required to many social clubs and entertainment, all voluntary of course for the residents, so they can either partake in the community or not, it is their choice. One of the carers will make contact daily to make sure there are no problems. We have a monthly magazine distributed to all residents on the forthcoming week’s activities.” After the briefing Mrs Pritchard said, “Would you like to go look at a bungalow?”

  “Excellent, please lead the way,” said Sofia.

  Mrs Pritchard led them to a bungalow next to the admin centre which was obviously the show place. After they had viewed the bungalow, and were back in the admin centre, Mrs Pritchard said, “I will leave you to have a private discus
sion on the complex.” Smiling, Mrs Pritchard left the room, closing the door behind her.

  Before the door was fully shut Grace said, “Lovely as it is, Grenville, I think this place is out of my price range on my pension.”

  Grenville went and sat next to Grace, holding her hand, and said, “Grace I promised Tom I would look after you, and look after you I will, so let us worry about the money, all you’ve got to decide is do you like the place?”

  Grace smiled at Grenville with tears in her eyes and said, “Grenville thank you so much, I love it.”

  “That’s decided then, we’ve just got to work out now what type of view you want from your sitting room,” said Sofia, smiling. Grenville admitted he did not think of that, and was glad he brought his mother along for the female touch.

  Mrs Pritchard returned as promised, and Grenville said, “Mrs Pritchard, after much discussion we have decided will take one of your lovely bungalows.”

  “Thank you my Lord,” replied Mrs Pritchard.

  “We just need to work out which one,” said Sofia.

  Mrs Pritchard opened a folded map of the complex, and pointed out the bungalows that were vacant. As they studied the map, Sofia smiled at Grace and they both pointed to the same one, which made them both laugh.

  “I think Mrs Backer has found the one she wants,” said a smiling Grenville. Mrs Pritchard asked Grenville to accompany her to the office to complete the paperwork. “Won’t be long,” he said to Sofia and Grace, who both smiled as he left.

  After Grenville left, Grace said, “He is a lovely remarkable young man, Sofia.”

  “And so, changed since his return, and I have no doubt that was down to your Tom’s influence and guidance,” said Sofia. “Grenville is one in a million.”

  “My Tom is very lucky to have a friend like Grenville,” said Grace.

  “Grenville sees it the other way around,” said Sofia.

  “Well whoever is right, they are both lucky to have someone special to depend upon,” said a smiling Grace.

  Grenville entered the room, and handed Grace an envelope. “Signed, sealed and delivered,” he said, smiling. “You can move in whenever you like,” said Grenville.