Lynda Plante - The Talisman

Alex was unaware of how Edward was able to secure so many intros into the City in such a short time. He settled down, obeying his brother’s instructions. Edward only allowed Alex access to certain accounts, and just as long as he kept in line, behaved himself, Edward would carry him along. Their nets spread, the brothers moved upwards yet again, becoming accepted in every social circle. They were pillars of society, and the more respect they gained, the more financially secure they grew.

Once the company was ticking over smoothly again the Barkley Company was stronger than ever, and Alex didn’t question Edward’s decisions because it was Alex who enjoyed the fame, received the glory. In the society columns they always tagged the word ‘tycoon’ to his name. It was as if he had won himself a title, and confirmed that he had arrived.

To the outside world he might be ‘Mr Tycoon’, but in the office he was still under Edward’s thumb.

Edward buzzed to ask Alex to go in, and tossed him a first-class air ticket. ‘I want you on the first plane to New York — I want this Ming affair settled once and for all. If you can’t handle it, telex me — but try, Alex. All you’ve got to do is read through all these notes I’ve prepared for you and that’s it, all right?’

Alex nodded and picked up the papers. He walked out, shutting the door quietly behind him. The higher they rose, the more delight Edward took in treating him like a clerk. If Alex protested he was told that he got the publicity, he was the Barkley tycoon, and if he wanted to keep it that way there had better be no arguments.

Alex and Ming were like strangers. She was very cool and restrained. They had not met since his marriage to Barbara, and Alex knew he would have to broach the subject sooner or later. He ordered dinner in his room, feeling it would be easier to talk there, in privacy, than in a restaurant. He tried to relax, but he was tense, ill at ease. She looked stunningly beautiful, and gave him her familiar bow rather than shake his hand or kiss his cheek.

Her obvious refusal to acknowledge their previous relationship made it somehow easier to raise his reason for the meeting. ‘I’ll come straight to the point — Edward wants to issue a writ on your company for a complete audit of your accounts. If it should go through you’ll be hit hard for tax evasion — he knows you’ve been “creaming” — but as long as he gets the lion’s share he’ll be happy. He also wants a progress report on the deal with Japan.’

Ming sat demurely, waiting for Alex to finish, then she smiled. ‘You know, you begin to sound like him.’

A waiter tapped on the door and wheeled a trolley in. Ming fell silent while he set the table. She was very much aware of the change in Alex — he looked far more handsome, with a slight greyness at the temples. He was immaculately dressed and exuded sophistication, a man of the world, with a confidence he had previously lacked. She was impressed.

Alex indicated a seat for her, dismissed the waiter and served the dinner himself. Ming watched his deft, quick movements, the way he tossed the salad. He was so different from Edward, and yet she detected a similar quality she had been unaware of when they had first met. The brothers were growing more alike.

‘I asked Edward if he would allow me to buy him out, I have completed all the contracts in South Africa, plus two more in Mexico, I am sure you know all about them... But I no longer wish to work for you, and again I offer to buy out your percentage in my company. I will double my first offer.’

Alex tried to cover his confusion, but Ming had found that tiny chink in his armour and set to work, laughing softly. ‘Well, it appears Edward is still up to his old tricks... I thought you were partners.’ She began listing building companies, businesses he had no knowledge of.

Alex couldn’t eat, he felt sick. Just as he had begun to trust his brother, just as things were going smoothly, the water rippled and then giant waves swept over him...

‘I want Edward out of my company. I have not, as he suspected, been given the contract for Japan, they do not want a third party involved... Alex, is there any way we can work this together, exclude Edward?’

Jinks was operated on. Edward and Harriet brought her home with her little glasses on, one lens covered with sticking-plaster. She was so good, she hardly cried, but Harriet had made up for that as they waited outside the operating theatre. She had sobbed and sobbed, and although Edward tried hard to comfort her it was obvious that he was as upset as she was. Seeing their little daughter unconscious on the theatre trolley had touched them both.

They bought special gifts for Jinks, including a musical box. She was very careful with all her toys, keeping them neatly laid out in the cupboard, and she took a long time unwrapping each one, holding her head at an awkward angle so she could see clearly.

Jinks’ hair was very thick, and she wore it in pigtails — one always higher than the other as Harriet usually plaited it for her. It gave her a strange, lopsided effect which was not improved by her new glasses. She had a gruff voice which always made them laugh as she sounded like an elderly gin-sodden lady.

Edward was forever watchful over Harriet, worried that the stress of Jinks’ operation might take her near the edge. He persuaded himself that that was why he was feeling so pent up: he felt bound to the house, to his wife. His old wanderlust returned and, bored, he began venting his frustration at work, taking on more and more deals, buying and selling, anything to occupy his mind. So much attention was paid to Harriet’s condition that Edward’s feelings were often swept aside. Only Dewint, whose loving care had been the mainstay of the household for so many years, could feel the undercurrent and waited with trepidation. Dewint knew Edward was drinking heavily, and he suggested that perhaps Harriet and Jinks should go to the country, to Haverley Hall, for a short holiday.

If Harriet was aware of Edward’s drinking she said nothing, she was so wrapped up in her new role of motherhood. She agreed that Jinks would benefit from some fresh air, and proceeded to pack. Edward drove them both to the station, and as he watched the train pulling out of the station, his daughter’s face pressed against the window as she waved goodbye, his depression deepened. He couldn’t really understand himself why his moods changed so radically and why, whenever he felt content, felt that life was good, something inside him, like a sickness, made him try to destroy that happiness. He caused mayhem when he returned to the office that morning; he was already drunk, his behaviour erratic. He screamed instructions to Miss Henderson and made her wish for Alex to return to regain some semblance of order.

Alex did not return for a week as he had been in Mexico trying to decipher the companies that Edward had, without a word to him — his so-called partner — been running for years. Miss Henderson was more than relieved to see him. She was close to tears and she showed him the bedlam created by Edward: his manic instructions, his new shares and business transactions were a confused mess of papers. Alex listened, his fury mounting at the destructive and foolish deals his brother had begun and left half finished.

‘You’d better give me the keys to his office, Miss Henderson. God knows what else he has got us involved in.’

‘I’m sorry, sir, I don’t have a spare set, no one does...’

‘Well, if that’s the case, I’d better go and find him. Is he at home?’

‘I don’t know. I can call the manor, if you wish.’

‘Don’t bother, I’ll go personally. Make a list of all these new transactions and leave them on my desk.’