“He’s a hundred percent certain we can’t lose, open-and-shut case were his exact words, and he’s convinced the jury will award me substantial damages, possibly as much as fifty thousand.”

“That’s good news,” said Fisher. “Will he be calling me as a witness?”

“No, he says he doesn’t need you, although he thinks there’s an outside chance the other side may call you. But it’s unlikely.”

“That could prove embarrassing.”

“Not if you stick to the simple line that you were my professional advisor when it came to stocks and shares, and that I didn’t show a great deal of interest in the details, as I trusted your judgement.”

“But if I were to do that, someone might suggest it was me who was trying to bring the company down.”

“If they were stupid enough to try that line of questioning, Sir Edward would remind the judge that it’s not you who’s on trial, and because you’re a Member of Parliament, Mr. Trelford would quickly back off.”

“And you say Sir Edward is certain you can’t lose?” asked Fisher, not sounding convinced.

“As long as we all stick to the party line, he says we’re home and dry.”

“And he doesn’t think it’s likely they’ll call me?”

“He’d be surprised if they did. But I do feel,” continued Virginia, “that if, as Sir Edward suggested, I’m likely to be awarded fifty thousand, we should split it down the middle. I’ve asked my lawyers to draw up an agreement to that effect.”

“That’s most generous, Virginia.”

“No more than you deserve, Alex.”

Chapter 32

32

SEBASTIAN WAS sitting in the bath when the phone rang. Only one person would have considered calling him at that hour in the morning. Should he jump out of the bath and run into the hall, leaving a small stream in his wake, or should he get on with washing himself, as his mother was sure to call again in a few minutes’ time? He stayed put.

He was right, the phone went again while he was in the middle of shaving. This time he walked out into the hall and picked up the receiver. “Good morning, Mother,” he said, before she’d had a chance to speak.

“Sorry to call you so early, Seb, but I need your advice. How do you think I should vote when Desmond Mellor stands for deputy chairman?”

“I haven’t changed my mind since we discussed this subject last night, mother. If you vote against Mellor and he wins, that will undermine your position. If you abstain and the vote’s tied, you’ll still have the casting vote. But if you vote for him—”

“I would never do that.”