“All in good time. First I’ll need to have a word with Ralph Vaughan, because he’s not going to be pleased when I withdraw the bank’s offer, and he’ll be even more angry when I tell him the reason why.”

“But won’t he simply accept one of the lower offers?”

“Not if he thinks there’s still a chance he might get a higher price if he hangs on for a few more days.”

“And Mr. Swann?”

“I’m tempted to give him the £8,234 whatever happens. I think he’s earned it.” Cedric took another sip of wine before he added, “But since there’s nothing else we can do tonight, Seb, I suggest you go home. In fact, as all hell is going to break loose tomorrow, perhaps it might be wise for you to take the day off and stay as far away from the office as possible. But report to me first thing on Monday morning, as I have a feeling you could be on your way back to Shropshire.”

As they left the room and walked down the corridor toward the front door, Cedric said, “I hope you didn’t have anything planned for this evening?”

Nothing special, thought Seb. I was just going to take Samantha out to dinner and ask her to marry me.

11

ONCE SEBASTIAN realized that he wouldn’t be expected back at the office before Monday morning, he began to plan a surprise weekend for Samantha. He spent the morning booking trains, planes, hotels, and even checked the opening times of the Rijksmuseum. He wanted the weekend in Amsterdam to be perfect, so when they emerged from customs, he ignored the signs for buses and trains and headed straight for the taxi rank.

“Cedric must have been pleased when you discovered what Sloane was up to,” said Sam as the cab joined the traffic making its way out of the airport. “What do you think will happen next?”

“I expect Sloane will be sacked around five o’clock this afternoon.”

“Why five this afternoon?”

“That’s when he was hoping to close the Shifnal Farm deal.”

“There’s almost an element of Greek tragedy about that,” said Sam. “So, with a bit of luck, Sloane will be gone by the time you turn up for work on Monday.”

“Almost certainly, because Cedric asked me to report to him first thing.”

“Do you think you’ll get Sloane’s job?” asked Sam as the cab headed on to the motorway.

“Possibly. But it’s only likely to be a temporary appointment while Cedric looks for someone more experienced.”

“But if you managed to pull off the Shifnal deal, he might not bother to look for someone else.”

“That’s also a possibility, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find I was on a train back to Shrewsbury on Monday. Did he go left around that roundabout?”

“No, right,” said Sam, laughing. “Don’t forget we’re on the continent.” She turned to Seb, who was clinging on to the front seat, and placed a hand on his leg. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I sometimes forget about that dreadful accident.”