The Wonder of It All by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Author:Barbara Taylor Bradford [Bradford, Barbara Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-05T17:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-EIGHT

Lord Reginald Carpenter looked at the door when it opened to admit Falconer and smiled at him.

‘Sorry to interrupt your rest, but I thought you would want to know the bad news I’ve just received,’ Reggie announced.

Limping badly, as he had earlier, James reached the desk, exclaiming, ‘My God, what’s happened?’ He sat down opposite his old friend, staring at him.

‘An avalanche of reports from my journalists out in the field. All across England. Things have grown really serious. Factories are closing, offices closing. Naturally unemployment is rife, able-bodied men – the few of them who are left – are on the dole. Empty bellies tonight and for nights to come. Chaos in the government, if there actually is one. No real leadership. I couldn’t tell you who is in charge of the country if I tried. Catastrophe rules the day.’ Lord Reggie shook his head, and then asked, ‘How is Malvern’s? Is it safe, Falconer?’

‘It was, Reggie, at least when I left on the twenty-third. Retail is down in all my arcades, but I poured in my own money to cover the deficit. Wine has been hit hard. Trading generally hasn’t recovered from all the restrictions of the war, let alone the flu epidemic closing shops.’ James sighed. ‘What you’re saying is that 1919 is going to be worse than this.’

‘I am. However, I want to offer a little advice, if you don’t mind. I know you’re a brilliant businessman and won’t lose your nerve, but hold still. Don’t sell any buildings, especially in the docklands.’

‘I’ve ridden through a few rough patches before, but why are you pinpointing the docklands?’ James asked, his eyes riveted on Lord Reggie.

‘Because things will normalize eventually, and in 1920 they’ll pick up. England will start exporting again. We’re a country of merchants, and our goods will be in demand. In America especially. The Americans love British products and you just need them to forget this Wartime Prohibition nonsense.’ His Lordship said. ‘I have all this on good authority.’

James Falconer nodded. ‘Sit tight. Sell nothing. Plug holes. Don’t get nervous. Hang in there. That will be my mantra. And thanks for underscoring my own perceptions of the problems in the country,’ he finished, with a smile.

‘I’m always here for you, Falconer. Have been, ever since you were a lad of twenty.’

James laughed. ‘So long ago. Oh, to be young again!’

‘You’re not old at forty-eight, James,’ Lord Reggie said, giving him an odd look. ‘You’re in the prime of your life. Go and look in a mirror.’ Lord Reggie laughed, and said as an aside, ‘You’ve always been catnip to women. They fall at your feet.’

James exclaimed, ‘Never in my entire life has any woman ever fallen at my feet. Or perhaps I’ve never noticed them,’ he finished with a grin.

‘My niece has fallen for you, Falconer. She couldn’t take her eyes off you at breakfast. Fallen hard, I would say. Well, you don’t look surprised one bit, so I suppose you know.’

James stood up and went over to the fireplace, needing to warm his legs.

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