Free To Cut a Long Story Short (2000) by Jeffrey Archer Page A

salary.’
    ‘Whatever you consider is appropriate, Mr Barrington. After all, the labourer is worthy of his hire.’
    Cornelius somehow stopped himself from laughing.
    ‘Does this mean all the furniture will be coming back to The Willows?’
    ‘No, Pauline. This house has been far too large for me since Millie’s death. I should have realised that some time ago. I’m going to move out and look for something
smaller.’
    ‘I could have told you to do that years ago,’ Pauline said. She hesitated. ‘But will that nice Mr Vintcent still be coming to supper on Thursday evenings?’
    ‘Until one of us dies, that’s for sure,’ said Cornelius with a chuckle.
    ‘Well, I can’t stand around all day chattering, Mr Barring-ton. After all, a woman’s work is never done.’
    ‘Quite so,’ said Cornelius, and quickly left the kitchen. He walked back through the hall, picked up the package, and took it through to his study.
    He had removed only the outer layer of wrapping paper when the phone rang. He put the package to one side and picked up the receiver to hear Timothy’s voice.
    ‘It was good of you to come to the auction, Timothy. I appreciated that.’
    ‘I’m only sorry that my funds didn’t stretch to buying you the chess set, Uncle Cornelius.’
    ‘If only your mother and aunt had shown the same restraint …’
    ‘I’m not sure I understand, Uncle.’
    ‘It’s not important,’ said Cornelius. ‘So, what can I do for you, young man?’
    ‘You’ve obviously forgotten that I said I’d come over and read the rest of that story to you - unless of course you’ve already finished it.’
    ‘No, I’d quite forgotten about it, what with the drama of the last few days. Why don’t you come round tomorrow evening, then we can have supper as well. And before you groan,
the good news is that Pauline is back.’
    ‘That’s excellent news, Uncle Cornelius. I’ll see you around eight tomorrow.’
    ‘I look forward to it,’ said Cornelius. He replaced the receiver and returned to the half-opened package. Even before he had removed the final layer of paper, he knew exactly what
was inside. His heart began beating faster. He finally raised the lid of the heavy wooden box and stared down at the thirty-two exquisite ivory pieces. There was a note inside: ‘A small
appreciation for all your kindness over the years. Hugh.’
    Then he recalled the face of the woman who had slipped past him at the auction house. Of course, it had been his brother’s secretary. The second time he had misjudged someone.
    ‘What an irony,’ he said out loud. ‘If Hugh had put the set up for sale at Sotheby’s, he could have held on to the Louis XIV table and had the same amount left over.
Still, as Pauline would have said, it’s the thought that counts.’
    He was writing a thank-you note to his brother when the phone rang again. It was Frank, reliable as ever, reporting in on his meeting with Hugh.
    ‘Your brother has signed all the necessary documents, and the shares have been transferred as requested.’
    ‘That was quick work,’ said Cornelius.
    ‘The moment you gave me instructions last week, I had all the legal papers drawn up. You’re still the most impatient client I have. Shall I bring the share certificates round on
Thursday evening?’
    ‘No,’ said Cornelius. ‘I’ll drop in this afternoon and pick them up. That is, assuming Pauline is free to drive me into town.’
    ‘Am I missing something?’ asked Frank, sounding a little bewildered.
    ‘Don’t worry, Frank. I’ll bring you up to date when I see you on Thursday evening.’

    Timothy arrived at The Willows a few minutes after eight the following evening. Pauline immediately put him to work peeling potatoes.
    ‘How are your mother and father?’ asked Cornelius, probing to discover how much the boy knew.
    ‘They seem fine, thank you Uncle. By the way, my father’s offered me the job of shop manager. I begin on the first of next