The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks Read Free Page B

got me very much in mind.' He straightened his shoulders and unconsciously straightened his tie. 'Anyway, it's a matter of duty. Family's got a long history of public service. Men from my background have a responsibility to serve this country.' He took hold of the lapel of his jacket with one hand and gazed out over the rooftops. His voice took on a more resonant tone. 'I often think, when I gaze at a view such as this, and look down at the people going peaceably, freely and unafraid about their business, how greatly blessed we are to live in a land like ours.'
    He turned round and addressed her earnestly. 'Across a mere twenty-six miles of water, storm clouds are gathering and tyranny is raising its vile head. Yet how often we in Britain tend to take our blessings for granted. It has been wisely said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Such vigilance is the duty of us all, but particularly of those happy few of us called to serve in the front line of liberty's defence, in the Mother of Parliaments. We—'
    Poppy raised her hand to her mouth and ostentatiously stifled a yawn. Gregory gave a blink and came back to earth. 'Well, you do see, don't you?'
    'But do you really enjoy it, Greggy - all this defending liberty? Wouldn't you rather be spending your time with me?' The tone was wheedling.
    'Well, of course I would, precious. You know that.'
    'Then why don't you chuck it in? After all, you've done nearly twenty years of public service. You could get your divorce and never have to worry about who saw us. And it's not as though the salary is up to much. You told me once it only made up a teeny bit of what you earned.'
    'Yes, but you don't understand. I'm on the Board of six companies, five of whom only want me because it looks good to have an MP on their letter heads. I'm an adviser to two business associations, simply because the idiots believe I can influence Government policy, or at least know what it's going to be. Then there's the odd bit of journalism. I'd lose all that if I gave up my seat. Besides, what would I do outside politics?'
    Poppy gave a pout. 'So I suppose that means you'll be going off to your dreary old constituency more and more, does it?'
    ' 'Fraid so: make a few speeches, shake a few hands, kiss a few babies. And don't worry - I mean the sort that guzzle milk, not the kind that quaff champers.' Gregory gave a forced chuckle.
    'Will she be going with you?'
    'Alex? Yes. She's dam' good at that sort of thing, I will say that. Worth a good few hundred votes.'
    'I could do all that sort of thing.'
    Gregory tried unsuccessfully to imagine Poppy earnestly discussing child welfare or old age pensions with the wife of his constituency party Chairman. But he wasn't forced to make a response, because she changed the subject.
    'So, when you going next?'
    'Tomorrow, actually.'
    'How long for?'
    'Rest of the week.'
    'Oh, Greggy!'
    'Frightfully sorry. But it can't be helped.'
    Poppy gave a sigh. 'What about next week?'
    'Not sure. Monday and Tuesday I've got speaking engagements. I'll phone you sometime Tuesday. Perhaps we can arrange something for Wednesday or later in the week.'
    'I won't budge an inch from the phone, darling,' said Poppy.

Chapter Five
    'Timothy will come, I'm sure,' Florrie said. 'I think he'd want to, but he'd come even if he didn't. Always does the right thing, does Timothy.'
    'Such a distinguished-looking man, I always think. And a very clever barrister, I believe.'
    'Oh, Timothy's all right. Terrible stick, though. How he came to have such a flibbertigibbet daughter as Penny I'll never know. She's a pretty little baggage, with no thought in her head apart from finding a husband.'
    'So sad her mother dying as young as she did.'
    'Yes. Can't have been easy for Timothy, bringing up a girl on his own. Still, he always seems completely in control of every situation.'
    'Thank you, Mr Jackson,' said Timothy Saunders. 'I have no further questions. I'm sure his lordship and the jury will now