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A boy in a smart blue uniform returned a few moments later with a dry sherry and a scotch and water; he hadn’t needed to ask Mr Leach for his order

To the next chairlass

William hesitated

Ton’t drink~ Mr Kane As you know, you should never drink to yourself!

Williahed, unsure how to reply

A fewtowards therey three - piece suits, stiff collars and dark unpatterned ties Had they been strolling down Wall Street, Willialance In the Metropolitan Club he studied theers and Mr Winthrop Davies,’ said Ted Leach as he introduced then - L William smiled reservedly, still unsure whose side anyone was on Ile tco him equally carefully No one spoke for a moers, aon up to lunch,’said Ted Leach

’Me three of theoing Willia rooh ceiling TheCentral Park, were no one could overhear their conversation

’Lees order and then talk,’ said Ted Leach

Through theWilliaraduation celebration with the grand back to hi to recall about that tea at the Plaza

’Mr Kane, lees put our cards on the table,’ said Ted Leach ’Charles Lester’s decision to appoint you as chairman of the bank came as a surprise, not to put too fine a point on it But if the board ignores his wishes, the bank could be plunged into chaos and that is an outcome none of us needs He was a shrewd oldyou as the bank’s next chairh for me’

William had heard those words before - from Peter Parfitt

’AN three of us,’ said Winthrop Davies, taking over, ’owe everything we have to Charles Lester’ and ill carTy out his wishes if it’s the last thing we do as members of the board’