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When Don Pedro climbed into the back of the taxi and said, “Forty-four Eaton Square,” the doorman was puzzled. Why would the gentleman need a taxi when he already had a chauffeur?
* * *
“Thomas Cook and Son, how may I help you?”
“I’d like to book four cabins on the Buckingham for its maiden voyage to New York.”
“First class or cabin, sir?”
“Cabin.”
“I’ll put you through.”
“Good morning, cabin-class reservations for the Buckingham.”
“I’d like to book four single cabins for the voyage to New York on October the twenty-ninth.”
“May I take the names of the passengers?” Colonel Scott-Hopkins gave his name and those of his three colleagues. “The tickets will be thirty-two pounds each. Where shall I send the invoice, sir?”
SAS headquarters, Chelsea Barracks, King’s Road, London, he cou
ld have said, as they were paying the bill, but instead he gave the booking clerk his home address.
43
“I WOULD LIKE to begin today’s meeting by welcoming Mr. Bob Bingham as a member of the board,” said Emma. “Bob is chairman of Bingham’s Fish Paste, and as he has recently acquired twenty-two point five percent of Barrington’s stock, he doesn’t have to convince anyone of his belief in the company’s future. We have also received resignations from two other board members, Mr. Cedric Hardcastle, whose shrewd and wise advice will be sadly missed, and Major Fisher, who will not be quite so sadly missed.”
Admiral Summers allowed himself a wry smile.
“As there are only ten days to go before the official naming of the Buckingham, perhaps I should begin by bringing you up to date with the preparations for the ceremony.” Emma opened the red folder in front of her and checked the schedule carefully. “The Queen Mother will arrive at Temple Meads on the royal train at nine thirty-five on the morning of September twenty-first. She will be met on the platform by the Lord Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol and the Lord Mayor of Bristol. Her Majesty will then be driven to Bristol Grammar School, where she will be met by the headmaster, who will escort her to the school’s new science laboratories, which she will open at ten ten. She will meet a selected group of pupils and staff, before leaving the school at eleven o’clock. She will then be driven to Avonmouth, arriving at the shipyard at eleven seventeen.” Emma looked up. “My life would be so much simpler if I always knew the exact minute I would be arriving anywhere. I will meet Her Majesty when she arrives at Avonmouth,” she continued, looking back down at the schedule, “and welcome her on behalf of the company, before introducing her to the board. At eleven twenty-nine I will accompany her to the north dock, where she will meet the ship’s architect, our marine engineer and the chairman of Harland and Wolff.
“At three minutes to twelve, I will officially welcome our guest of honor. My speech will last for three minutes, and on the first stroke of twelve, Her Majesty will name the Buckingham with the traditional breaking of a magnum of champagne on the hull.”
“And what happens if the bottle doesn’t break?” asked Clive Anscott, laughing.
No one else laughed.
“There’s nothing in my file about that,” said Emma. “At twelve thirty, Her Majesty will leave for the Royal West of England Academy, where she will join the staff for lunch, before opening its new art gallery at three. At four, she will be driven back to Temple Meads, accompanied by the lord lieutenant, and will board the royal train, which will depart for Paddington ten minutes after she has boarded.”
Emma closed the file, let out a sigh and received a mock round of applause from her fellow directors. “As a child,” she added, “I always wanted to be a princess, but after that, I have to tell you I’ve changed my mind.” This time the applause was genuine.
“How will we know where we’re expected to be at any particular moment?” asked Andy Dobbs.
“Every member of the board will be issued with a copy of the official timetable, and heaven help the person who isn’t in the right place at the right time. I’ll now move on to the equally important matter of the Buckingham’s maiden voyage, which as you all know will start on October the twenty-ninth. The board will be pleased to learn that every cabin has been taken and, even more pleasing, the return voyage is also sold out.”
“Sold out is an interesting description,” said Bob Bingham. “How many are paying passengers and how many are guests?”
“Guests?” repeated the admiral.
“Passengers who will not be paying for their tickets.”
“Well, there are several people who are entitled—”
“—to a free trip. Don’t let them get used to it would be my advice.”
“Would you count the board members and their families in that category, Mr. Bingham?” asked Emma.
“Not on the maiden voyage, but in the future certainly, as a matter of principle. A floating palace is very attractive when you don’t have to pay for your cabin, not to mention your food or your drink.”
