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‘I’m sorry I can’t offer you a cup of tea,’ said Cornelius, ‘but I finished the last packet thisthe house next week …’

‘It’s not important,’ said Ti the house stripped of his uncle’s possessions

‘Let’s go up to the bedroom It’s the only room that still has any furniture in it - and one by next week’

‘I had no idea they’d taken everything away Even the picture of Daniel,’ Tihter shade of cream than the rest of the wall

‘And hed Cornelius ‘But I can’t coan to climb the stairs to the bedroom

Cornelius sat in the only chair while Timothy perched on the end of the bed The old rown into a fine young man An open face, with clear brown eyes that served to reveal, to anyone who didn’t already know, that he had been adopted He ht - about the sae Daniel would have been if he were still alive Cornelius had always had a soft spot for his nephew, and had iined that his affection was reciprocated He wondered if he was about to be disillusioned once again

Ti uneasily from foot to foot as he perched on the end of the bed ‘Uncle Cornelius,’ he began, his head slighdy bowed, ‘as you know, I have received a letter froht to come to see you and explain that I simply don’t have PS1,000 to my name, and therefore I’m unable to repay my debt at present’

Cornelius was disappointed He had hoped that just one of the family …

‘However,’ the young , thin envelope from an inside pocket of his jacket, ‘on my twenty-first birthday my father presented me with shares of 1 per cent of the company, which I think must be worth at least PS1,000, so I wondered if you would consider taking thee for my debt - that is, until I can afford to buy them back’

Cornelius felt guilty for having doubted his nephew even for a ise, but knew he couldn’t if the house of cards was to remain in place for a few more days He took the ’s mite and thanked Timothy

‘I am aware just how much of a sacrifice thishow many times you have told me in the past of your ambition to take over the company when your father eventually retires, and your drea into areas he has refused even to contemplate’

‘I don’t think he’ll ever retire,’ said Ti that after all the experience I’ve gained working in London he er when Mr Leonard retires at the end of the year’

‘I fear your chances won’t be advanced when he learns that you’ve handed over 1 per cent of the company to your bankrupt uncle’

‘My proble, Uncle I’ht now Before I leave, is there anything else I can do for you?’

‘Yes, there is, Ti to the script ‘Your , but my old eyes seem to tire earlier and earlier, and I wondered if you’d be kind enough to read a few pages to me I’ve marked the place I’ve reached’