Free The Collected Short Stories by Jeffrey Archer

himself, and joined his guest on the back seat. Hazel and the admiral’s ADC took their places in the black Rolls-Royce, while Charles and the admiral’s secretary had to make do with the Rover. The governor only hoped that Mountbatten hadn’t seen two members of the airport staff rolling up the red carpet and placing it in the Rover’s trunk. Hazel was only praying that they had enough sheets left over for the bed in the Green Room. If not, the ADC would be wondering about their sleeping habits.
    The island’s two police motorcycles, with white-uniformed outriders, preceded the three cars as they made their way towards the exit. The crowd waved and cheered lustily as the motorcade began its short journey to Government House. So successful had Ted’s television appearance the previous evening been that the ten-mile route was lined with well-wishers.
    As they approached the open gates two policemen sprang to attention and saluted as the leading car passed through. In the distance Ted could see a butler, two under-butlers, and several maids, all smartly clad, standing on the steps awaiting their arrival. “Damn it,” he almost said aloud as the car came to a halt at the bottom of the steps. “I don’t know the butler’s name.”
    The car door was smartly opened by one of the under-butlers while the second supervised the unloading of the luggage from the boot.
    The butler took a pace forward as Mountbatten stepped out of the car. “Carruthers, M’lord,” he said, bowing. “Welcome to the residence. If you would be kind enough to follow me, I will direct you to your quarters.” The admiral,
accompanied by the governor and Lady Barker, climbed the steps into Government House and followed Carruthers up the main staircase.
    â€œMagnificent, these old government residences,” said Mountbatten as they reached the top of the stairs. Carruthers opened the door to the Queen Victoria Room and stood to one side, as if he had done so a thousand times before.
    â€œHow charming,” said the admiral, taking in the governor’s private suite. He walked over to the window and looked out onto the newly mowed lawn. “How very pleasant. It reminds me of Broadlands, my home in Hampshire.”
    Lady Barker smiled at the compliment but didn’t allow herself to relax.
    â€œIs there anything you require, M’lord?” asked Carruthers, as an under-butler began to supervise the unpacking of the cases.
    Hazel held her breath.
    â€œNo, I don’t think so,” said Mountbatten. “Everything looks just perfect.”
    â€œPerhaps you’d care to join Hazel and me for tea in the drawing room when you’re ready, sir,” suggested Ted.
    â€œHow thoughtful of you,” said the admiral. “I’ll be down in about thirty minutes, if I may.”
    The governor and his wife left the room, closing the door quietly behind them.
    â€œI think he suspects something,” whispered Hazel as they tiptoed down the staircase.
    â€œYou may be right,” said Ted, placing his plumed hat on the stand in the hall, “but that’s all the more reason to check we haven’t forgotten anything. I’ll start with the dining room. You ought to go and see how Mrs. Travis is getting on in the kitchen.”
    When Hazel entered the kitchen she found Mrs. Travis preparing the vegetables, and one of the maids peeling a mound of potatoes. She thanked Mrs. Travis for taking over at such short notice, and admitted she had never seen the kitchen so full of exotic foods, or the surfaces so immaculately clean. Even the floor was spotless. Realizing that her
presence was superfluous, Hazel joined her husband in the dining room, where she found him admiring the expertise of the second under-butler, who was laying out the place settings for that evening, as a maid folded napkins to look like swans.
    â€œSo far, so good,” said Hazel. They left the