Page 1 (1/2)

CORNELIUS BARRINGTON hesitated before he reat interest The ga on for over two hours, and Cornelius was confident that he was only seven moves away from checkmate He suspected that his opponent was also aware of the fact

Cornelius looked up and smiled across at Frank Vintcent, as not only his oldest friend but had over the years, as the family solicitor, proved to be his wisest adviser The two e, both over sixty; their background, both middle-class sons of professionals; they had been educated at the same school and at the same university But there the similarities ended For Cornelius was by nature an entrepreneur, a risk-taker, who hadin South Africa and Brazil Frank was a solicitor by profession, cautious, slow to decision, fascinated by detail

Cornelius and Frank also differed in their physical appearance Cornelius was tall, heavily built, with a head of silver hair ht, of rey tufts, was almost completely bald

Cornelius had been ed after four decades of happy married life Frank was a confirmed bachelor

As that had kept the love of chess Frank joined Cornelius at The Willows for a ga, and the result usually re in stalemate

The evening always began with a light supper, but only one glass of wine each would be poured – the two alass of brandy and a cigar; but tonight Cornelius was about to shatter that routine

‘Congratulations,’ said Frank, looking up froot me beaten this time I’m fairly sure there’s no escape’ He s flat on the board, rose from his place and shook hands with his closest friend

‘Let’s go through to the drawing rooested Cornelius, as if it were a novel idea

‘Thank you,’ said Frank as they left the study and strolled towards the drawing room As Cornelius passed the portrait of his son Daniel, his heart ed for the past twenty-three years If his only child had lived, he would never have sold the company

As they entered the spacious drawing roorate, which had been laid by Cornelius’s housekeeper Pauline onlyup their supper Pauline also believed in the virtues of routine, but her life too was about to be shattered

‘I should have trapped you several moves earlier,’ said Cornelius, ‘but I was taken by surprise when you captured ,’ he added, as he strolled over to the sideboard Two large cognacs and two Monte Cristo cigars had been laid out on a silver tray Cornelius picked up the cigar-clipper and passed it across to his friend, then struck a match, leaned over and watched Frank puff away until he was convinced his cigar was alight He then co into his favourite seat by the fire

Frank raised his glass ‘Well played, Cornelius,’ he said, offering a slight bow, although his host would have been the first to acknowledge that over the years his guest was probably just ahead on points

Cornelius allowed Frank to take a fewWhy hurry? After all, he had been preparing for thisto share the secret with his oldest friend until everything was in place

They both remained silent for some time, relaxed in each other’s company Finally Cornelius placed his brandy on a side table and said, ‘Frank, we have been friends for over fifty years Equally ial adviser you have proved to be a shrewd advocate In fact, since the untimely death of Millicent there has been no one I rely on more’