William had to pull the car over and park on the hard shoulder of the motorway. He had never gone into Andrew’s death this way, never asked himself so many questions. He was now even questioning why he had believed that Maynard was worth the vast sums of money he had paid out. But deep down he knew he was. He recalled how he felt on the last afternoon he had seen him. He remembered his suit with the emerald green satin lining, and he remembered his attractive smile. His eyelashes were as long as little Jenkins’, but dark like his eyes. That afternoon he had known Maynard was in some kind of emotional turmoil. That was why he had asked him for dinner. If he had accepted, if that dinner had taken place, would he still be alive? Or would William have avoided probing into his private life or taking their relationship one step further?
He turned on the radio and felt a strange feeling of relief, as if opening the memories and facing them was yet another step in his progress towards understanding himself. Then he continued driving to his daughter’s school, looking forward to seeing her and hoping to have the same success with her as he felt he had started with Charlie.
‘Sir William Benedict,’ said Sabrina’s school secretary, rather loudly, ‘would you like to come through?’
‘Thank you,’ he said, and followed her to the headmistress’s study.
‘Sir William Benedict to see you, Mrs Harper-Nathan.’
They shook hands and he sat.
‘I am so pleased you were able to join us today. We have great hopes for Sabrina. She’s certainly Oxbridge material.’
He leaned forward. ‘I’m very aware of how difficult it must have been for her, for all my family, during my recent troubles. But everything has settled down now and I am grateful for the way you and your staff have protected my daughter. In gratitude I would like you to accept a small donation towards the building fund.’ He withdrew an envelope from his pocket and passed it to Miss Harper-Nathan. She glanced at the cheque for a second, then did a double-take. ‘This is really most generous, Sir William,’ she spluttered. ‘A quarter of a million pounds. Thank you so very much.’
William rose. ‘It’s been a pleasure,’ he said, and shook hands with her. The secretary told him that his daughter was waiting for him in room Four Omega. She would take him there.
He found Sabrina sitting half-way down the room facing the blackboard with a book open in front of her. She didn’t look up when William came in.
‘Sabrina?’ he said quietly, and closed the door. She didn’t speak, so he walked further in and sat on the edge of the teacher’s desk. ‘Is this your classroom?’
‘We move around,’ she said.
He sighed, and stuffed his hands into his pockets. ‘Well, I didn’t think this was going to be easy, but you might make some effort to be pleasant. I’ve driven a long way.’
‘What do you want me to do? Clap?’
He laughed. ‘I got a call from Charlie. He’s at a rehab place in Wales. Has he written to you?’
‘No.’
‘I’ll leave his address, then you can write to him. He needs all the support he can get.’ He shifted his weight. ‘I’m sorry your mother couldn’t come with me. She had a doctor’s appointment, but she sends her love.’
‘Playing happy families, are you?’ She looked up and glared at him.
‘It’s about time, isn’t it? Sabrina?’
‘You think you can just pick up being Daddy? What a farce! You make me sick. I didn’t want to see you. They forced me. They all make me sick, two-faced bitches! You should have seen the way they whispered about you.’
‘They seem to think you’re very clever. You’ve had impressive exam results.’ She chewed her nails and kicked the side of her desk. He continued, ‘Especially your computer studies. I’m pleased about that. Maybe one day you’ll take over the firm. There’s plenty of opportunities for you to think about. According to Mrs Harper-Nathan you’re top of the league, Oxford or Cambridge. I’d have given my eye-teeth to go to either.’ Sabrina said nothing. ‘Why don’t we try to be friends?’
‘You may be able to buy Charlie, because he’s as thick as two short planks. You might even be able to buy off Mother. She’s in need of cash right now — that’ll be the only reason she’s even talking to you. She hates you, and Charlie’s only being nice for what he can get out of you. And I’ve got a life of my own... a secret life. There’ll be no Oxford or Cambridge.’
‘All right,’ said William. ‘That’s fine. But I want you to know that if you ever need me, I’ll be there for you. I always have been, you know, not just financially. It was impossible for me to be a good father when your mother refused to let me see you.’
‘Bullshit.’ Sabrina picked up her book, snapped it shut and walked to the door. ‘You’re in for a big surprise soon, Daddy-oh.’ And with that she strode out.
As William drove back to London fog was drawing in. The drive was murderous and he was angry with himself. He realized he’d allowed Katherine to turn his children against him. She had forbidden him to keep in touch with them and had poisoned them against him.
It was just after midnight when he arrived home. He was about to head straight upstairs to bed, but heard the soft murmur of voices. He wondered if it might be Michael, or perhaps his valet. But then he heard music, some dreadful rap beat. He switched on the hall light, and saw a leather valise in the hall, a sports bag and a tennis racket. Puzzled, he headed towards the drawing room. When he opened the door, he was surprised to come face to face with Charlie, who was dancing around the room, a cigarette hanging from his lips. ‘Oh, hi, Dad!’ he said nonchalantly. ‘We wondered when you’d get back.’
William turned to see Justin sitting on the sofa with a glass of champagne in his hand. ‘Hope you don’t mind, but Charlie let me in.’ Justin stood and wrapped his arms around William’s shoulders. ‘I missed you,’ he said, and kissed him on both cheeks.
William was at a loss for words. Charlie poured him a glass of champagne and handed it to him. William rounded on him. ‘I only spoke to you this afternoon, for God’s sake. What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at the clinic?’
Charlie looked evasive. ‘Oh, we get weekend leave, Dad, didn’t I tell you? It’s a fantastic coincidence that Justin’s here.’
William accepted the chilled champagne. Justin gave William a covert look and almost mimicked Charlie’s voice. ‘Thanks, Dad.’ William raised his glass but felt a deep undercurrent. What was going on? Having Justin turn up out of the blue with Charlie felt ominous.
‘When do we leave for the island, Dad?’ said Charlie.
William downed his drink in one. ‘I’ll think about it in the morning after a good night’s sleep. Go to bed, Charlie. It’s late, and I want to talk to Justin.’
Charlie groaned, but his father hadn’t made a fuss about his departure from the clinic and he was grateful for that so he trudged off. That is, he hadn’t made a fuss yet — but he would when he discovered that Charlie had lied about the weekend leave.