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“I’d like to open thismy son Sebastian Clifton onto the board”

Hear, hears echoed around the ballroom

“While being inordinately proud of his achievee, I feel I should warn Mr Clifton that the rest of the board will be observing his contributions with considerable interest”

“Thank you, chairman,” said Sebastian, “for both your elcome and your helpful advice” Seb’s words caused several members of the board to smile His mother’s confidence, with his father’s charm

“Moving on,” said the chair you up to date on what has becoh we cannot yet afford to relax, it would appear that our worst fears have not been realized Nothing of any real significance found its way into the press on either side of the Atlantic, not least, I’m told, because of a little assistance from Number Ten The three Irishht at sea are no longer on board Once we’d docked and all the passengers had diseate, which is now on its way to Belfast

“The dah not back to its full capacity, still has a rev count of around sixty percent, and will be replaced once we arrive back in Avoned hull while ere docked in New York and have done a first-class job Only a seasoned n of repair Further work on the hull will also be carried out while we’re in Avonhaht days’ time, no one would knoe ever had a problem However, I think it would be unwise for any of us to discuss the incident outside the boardroom, and should you be questioned on the subject, just stick to the official Home Fleet line”

“Will we bea claim on our insurance policy?” asked Knowles

“No,” said Emma firmly, “because if we did, it would undoubtedly throw up a lot of questions I don’t want to answer”

“Understood, chairman,” said Dobbs “But how much has the Home Fleet incident cost us?”

“I don’t yet have an accurate figure to present to the board, but I’m told it could be as much as seven thousand pounds”

“That would be a sham

“I agree However, no reference to the Home Fleet incident need be recorded in the minutes of this board or disclosed to our shareholders”

“Chairman,” said the company secretary, “I’ll have to make some

reference to what happened”

“Then stick to the Home Fleet explanation, Mr Webster, and don’t circulate anything without my approval”