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“Retire Seb’s co myself, I wasn’t built for leisure, so perhaps you can tell me, Seb, how I’m supposed to pass the time of day?”

“Perhaps the occasional round of golf, followed by a long lunch at one of thethe Riviera, topped off by a visit to one of Nice’s htclubs?”

“And where will I find a pint of Bateman’s, and cod and chips served in newspaper?”

“I don’t think you’ll find too many fish and chip shops at Cap Ferrat,” admitted Seb

“And there’s not much demand for mushy peas on the Riviera,” added Clive

The three of the

“I feel sorry for your mother, Clive,” said Bob “She’s about to discover just how close a friend Lady Virginia Fenwick really is”

“Well, at least this time, major, you’ll be chairman of a company that doesn’t have a board, or anyone else you have to answer to You can start with a blank sheet of paper and set your own ground rules”

“Possibly But you will have noticed that the coham’s press statement”

“What stateinia

Fisher picked up a copy of the Times from the coffee table and turned to the lead story in the business section Virginia stared at a photograph of Bob shaking hands with so his farewell speech, then carefully read his staterandfather founded in 1857, especially after serving as its chairman for the past twenty-three years But I have no fear for the future of Bingham’s while it’s in the capable hands of my former wife, Priscilla I hope everyone will continue to support her, as they have always supported me However, it’s time for me to retire to my beautiful home in the South of France and enjoy a well-earned rest”

“I don’t believe a word of it,” said Virginia “So the sooner you get yourself off to Gri to take all your skills and experience as an army officer to keep those people in their place”

When Clive drove his father to Heathrow later that evening, he couldn’t get a word out of him

“What’s the problem, Dad?” he asked eventually