Джеффри Арчер - The Prodigal Daughter

‘I’ll deal with Henry in the morning,’ said Abel.

Abel was fully up to date on the Group’s activities when Henry arrived for his private meeting. Abel looked up at him: the heavy drinking and the debts were beginning to take their toll. For the first time, Abel thought Henry looked older than his years.

‘I need a little money to get me through a tricky period,’ said Henry even before they had shaken hands. ‘Been a bit unlucky.’

‘Again, Henry? You should know better at your age. How much do you need this time?’

‘Ten thousand would see me through,’ said Henry.

‘Ten thousand,’ said Abel, spitting out the words. ‘What do you think I am, a gold mine? It was only five thousand last time.’

‘Inflation,’ said Henry, trying to laugh.

‘This is the last time, do you understand me?’ said Abel as he took out his checkbook. ‘Come begging once more and I’ll remove you from the board and turn you out without a penny.’

‘You’re a real friend, Abel. I swear I’ll never come back again — I promise you that. Never again.’ Abel watched Henry take a cigar from the humidor on the table in front of him and light it. George hadn’t done that in twenty years. ‘Thanks, Abel. You’ll never regret your decision.’

Henry sauntered out of the office drawing on the cigar. Abel waited for the door to be closed, then buzzed for George. He appeared moments later.

‘What happened?’

‘I gave in for the last time,’ said Abel. ‘I don’t know why — it cost me ten thousand.’

‘Ten thousand?’ said George, sighing. ‘You can be sure he’ll be back again. I’d be willing to put money on that.’

‘He’d better not,’ said Abel, ‘because I’m through with him. Whatever he’s done for me in the past it’s now quits. Anything new about my girl?’

‘I’ve set up a facility for Florentyna with the Crocker National Bank of San Francisco,’ said George. ‘She has an appointment next Monday with the loan officer. The agreement will appear to her as one of the bank’s ordinary loan transactions, with no special favors. In fact, they’re charging her half a percent more than usual so there can be no reason for her to be suspicious. What she doesn’t know is that the money is covered by your guarantee.’

‘Thanks, George, that’s perfect. I’ll bet you ten dollars she pays off the loan within three years and never needs to go back for another.’

‘That’s not a bet I’m willing to take,’ said George.

Abel laughed. ‘Keep me briefed on everything she’s up to. Everything.’

Florentyna visited three banks the following Monday. The Bank of California showed some interest, Wells Fargo none, and Crocker asked her to call back. Richard was surprised and delighted.

‘What terms did they discuss?’

‘The Bank of California says it would want eight percent and has to hold the deeds of the lease. Crocker wants eight and a half percent, the deeds and my shares in the Baron Group.’

‘Fair terms considering you have no banking history with them, but it will mean you must make a twenty-five percent profit before taxes just to break even.’

‘I’ve worked it all out on paper, Richard, and I think I’ll make thirty-two percent in the first year.’

‘I studied those figures last night, Jessie, and you’re being overly optimistic. You have no hope of achieving that. In fact, I think the company will lose between seven and ten thousand in the first year — so you’ll just have to hope they believe in your long-term future.’

‘That’s exactly what the loan officer said.’

‘When are they going to let you know their decision?’

‘By the end of the week. It’s worse than waiting for exam results.’

‘You’ve done well, Kane,’ said the manager. ‘And I am advising the head office to promote you. What I have in mind—’

The phone buzzed on the manager’s desk. He picked it up and listened.

‘It’s for you,’ he said, surprised, before passing it to Richard.

‘The Bank of California said their loans committee had turned me down, but Crocker said yes. Oh, Richard, isn’t that wonderful?’

‘Yes, ma’am, it’s good news indeed,’ said Richard, avoiding the manager’s eyes.

‘Well, that’s very kind of you to say so, Mr. Kane. Now I also have this sociological problem and I was wondering if you could help in some way.’

‘Perhaps if you were to come around the bank, ma’am, we could discuss it in greater detail.’

‘What a great idea. I’ve always had this fantasy of making love in a bank vault surrounded by money. Lots and lots of Benjamin Franklins staring at me.’

‘I agree with your proposition, ma’am, and I’ll call you and confirm at the first possible opportunity.’

‘Don’t leave it too long or I may decide to move my account.’

‘We always try to be of service at the Bank of America, ma’am.’

‘If you look at my account, there’s not much sign of it.’

The phone clicked.

‘Where are we having the celebration?’ asked Richard.

‘I told you over the phone — in the bank vault.’

‘Darling, when you called I was in private conference with the manager and he was offering me the post of number three in the overseas department.’

‘That’s fantastic. Then it’s a double celebration. Let’s go to Chinatown and have five takeouts and five giant Cokes.’

‘Why five, Jessie?’

‘Because Bella will be joining us. Incidentally, Mr. Kane, I prefer it when you call me ma’am.’

‘No, I think I’ll stick with Jessie. It reminds me how far you’ve come since we met.’

Claude arrived that evening carrying a bottle of champagne under each arm. ‘Let’s open one immediately and celebrate,’ said Bella.

‘Agreed,’ said Florentyna, ‘but what about the other one?’

‘It’s to be saved for some special occasion that none of us could anticipate,’ Claude said firmly.

Richard opened the first bottle and poured out four glasses while Florentyna put the second in the corner of the refrigerator.

She signed the lease for the tiny building on Nob Hill the next day and the Kanes moved into the small apartment above the store. Florentyna, Bella and Richard spent their weekends painting and cleaning while Claude, the most artistic of the four, printed the name ‘Florentyna’s’ in royal blue above the store window. A month later they were ready to open.

During her first week as owner, manager and clerk, Florentyna contacted all the main wholesalers who had dealt with her father in New York. In no time she had a shop full of goods and ninety days’ credit.

Florentyna opened the little store on August 1, 1958. She always remembered the date because just after midnight Bella produced a twelve-pound baby.

Florentyna had sent out a large mailing announcing the opening of the store, choosing the day before the government raised postage stamps from three cents to four. She had also stolen an assistant named Nancy Ching — who had Maisie’s charm but fortunately not Maisie’s IQ — from her old employers, Wayout Columbus. On the morning of the opening, the two girls stood by the door in hopeful anticipation, but only one person came into the store the whole day and all he wanted to know was the way to the Mark Hopkins. The next morning, a young woman came in and spent an hour looking at all the shirts they had in from New York. She tried on several but left without purchasing anything. In the afternoon another lady fussed about for a long time and finally bought a pair of gloves.

‘How much will that be?’ she asked.

‘Nothing,’ said Florentyna.

‘Nothing?’ queried the lady.

‘That’s correct. You are the first customer to make a purchase at Florentyna’s and there will be no charge.’