Nicholas Searle - The Good Liar

‘I see,’ says Betty.

‘As I say, something to consider. It doesn’t change the advice I give you. It’s simply another thing to think about when making your

final decision. You can choose to invest separately or together.

Entirely up to you. Now, if I could run through this long list of

questions with you. Please interrupt if anything is unclear.’

2

‘I’m not really sure,’ says Stephen.

‘Nor am I,’ said Betty.

‘You’ve not had a lot of involvement in money matters,’ says Roy.

‘It’s natural you feel a little uneasy.’

Vincent has gone. They are looking at the sheaves of projections

and brochures he has left with them.

‘It’s all a bit bewildering,’ says Betty.

‘Hmm,’ says Stephen.

‘You trust Vincent, Roy?’ asks Betty.

‘With my life, Betty. As far as I’d trust anyone. I’m not stupid, you know.’

‘No, you’re not.’

‘It’s terribly difficult, I know. But I’ve never known Vincent’s

judgement to be wrong. He’s prudent. He spreads investments

between safe options and speculative ones. Perhaps the returns

don’t end up as spectacular as some, but at least you’re not staking all your money at the roulette wheel.’

‘That’s what it feels like,’ interjects Stephen.

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Roy passes him a sidelong glare but his voice carries a different

tone. ‘Of course you’re right. Of course that’s exactly how it will seem. But this is highly scientific, you know. Vincent has explained to me all about his logarithms and his computer programs. He

knows what he’s doing.’

‘Isn’t that what the bankers said before the crash?’

Roy sighed. ‘I think you’ll find that Vincent and his clients came

out of the crash rather well. Vincent’s not a herd animal. He does

the legwork and comes up with his own conclusions.’

‘So he doesn’t follow orthodox wisdom? That in itself sounds

risky to me.’

‘Perhaps you’d just better give your grandmother the space to

make up her own mind.’

‘No,’ says Betty. ‘I want to hear Stephen’s opinion. In fact if I go ahead I’d like Stephen to be fully involved. I’d like him to read all the prospectuses and other literature. I’d like him to apply his young

mind to things that my old one might miss.’

‘Of course, Betty. I didn’t mean to –’

‘No, of course not. It doesn’t matter. But Stephen needs to be

involved. What’s your feeling, dear?’

‘I feel uneasy. No doubt Vincent’s very good at what he does and

Roy’s right to have faith in him. But you’re comfortably enough off without this, aren’t you?’

‘I suppose so. A little more wouldn’t go amiss. And I would like

to be able to leave something more substantial to you, your sister

and your parents, and to a couple of good causes.’

‘I’m sure we wouldn’t want it. We’re not interested in your

money. It’s only money, after all.’

‘Only money. Pah.’ It seems to spurt involuntarily from Roy.

‘There speaks someone who’s never been short.’

‘Quite,’ says Betty. ‘I understand your reservations, Stephen, but

I’m minded to go ahead. I’ll sleep on it. But unless I change my

mind overnight I think I’d like you to set things in motion with Vincent. Go through the literature, read the forms for me and make

sure I’m signing the right things, please.’

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She stands and crosses the kitchen to fill the kettle and switch

it on.

‘Cup of tea?’ she says brightly.

Roy casts Stephen a sly smirk. Stephen looks back equably.

3

It is quiet at last in the house. Stephen has left them and Betty has prepared a light sandwich supper. It is rare that either of them can manage a full meal these days.

‘Stephen’s quite right, you know,’ says Roy. ‘Concerned for your

best interests. You must be proud to have a grandson who cares so

much.’

She pours the tea. ‘Yes. But I’ve made up my mind.’

‘I thought you needed to think about it overnight.’

‘That was really for Stephen’s benefit. What Vincent said makes

absolute sense.’

‘Good. I wouldn’t want you churning it over in your mind

through the night. We’ll need to discuss what Vincent was saying

about a joint pot.’

‘It does seem to make sense, doesn’t it?’

‘Oh yes. I think so.’

‘I just need to be absolutely certain it’s the right thing.’

‘Of course. There was something else I wanted to talk about

with you.’

‘Yes?’

‘It’s timely, I think, as we embark on this joint venture. I thought we might wish to cement our relationship further.’

‘What do you mean?’ she asks quickly.

‘I’m not about to propose marriage, if that’s what you’re afraid

of,’ he says with a smile. ‘I reckon we’re both a bit long in the tooth for that kind of business. No, I was thinking we might take a leaf

out of these youngsters’ book and be a bit wild.’

‘In what way?’

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‘I was wondering whether we might think about sharing the big

bedroom. After all, when you’re in sight of the finishing post it’s nice to feel a little human warmth. I certainly miss that, of a night.

The sound of another’s breathing, even if you can’t sleep yourself.

It’s somehow soothing. It makes you feel all’s right with the world.’

She looks alarmed.

‘Oh no, not that,’ he continues. ‘Goodness me. Certainly not

that. That was over a long time ago, for me. No lead left in that particular pencil. Pardon me for my crudeness. I was just thinking,

sometimes I feel lonely. You must too. We can do each other a

favour and comfort each other. A nice cuddle in bed every so often

is all I was thinking.’

‘Well,’ she begins, ‘it’s a lovely idea. But we did agree when you

first moved in that our relationship would be for companionship,

not romance.’

‘Granted. But we’ve moved on from there. My feelings have

moved on. Yours haven’t?’

‘It’s not that, Roy. It’s certainly not that. It’s just that . . . Alasdair.’

‘I know you were very much attached to him.’

‘Yes. I’m sorry. I still feel an absurd bond of fidelity.’

‘It’s not absurd at all, Betty. It’s admirable.’

‘I just couldn’t, Roy. It’d feel like a betrayal of sorts.’

‘You don’t need to explain. I understand. It’s perfectly all right, of course.’

She smiles gratefully. ‘And anyway, I doubt that you or anyone

else could put up with my snoring.’

‘I simply can’t believe that you snore, Betty. You of all people.’

‘You’d better believe it. I snore for England. Have done for years.

It started in my fifties.’

‘Well then. It seems I’ve had a lucky escape. Friends?’

They grin at each other.

‘Yes, of course. Roy?’

‘Yes?’

‘You never say the word love, do you?’

‘Does anyone? In real life? Of our generation, at least? Men,

anyway?’

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‘I don’t know. But you certainly don’t use it. Not about the past.

Not about us.’

‘Would you like me to? Would that make you happier? Because I

can certainly have a go if you’d like. I’d feel awkward, but I can give it a bash. Because your happiness is of paramount importance to