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"No," admitted Beth. "We were engaged."
"I'm sorry to have to ask this question, Miss Wilson, but what were the circumstances of your fiancé's death?"
"He was in prison at the time," said Beth softly.
"I see," said Miss Sutherland. "May I ask what offense he was convicted of?"
"Murder," said Beth, now certain that Miss Sutherland already knew the answer to every question she was asking.
"In the eyes of the Catholic Church both suicide and murder are, as I'm sure you are aware, Miss Wilson, mortal sins." Beth said nothing. "I also feel it is my duty to point out," the headmistress continued, "that there are no illegitimate children currently registered at St. Veronica's. However, I will give your daughter's application my most serious consideration, and will let you know my decision in the next few days."
At that moment, Beth felt that Slobodan Miloševich had a better chance of wi
The headmistress rose from behind her desk, walked across the room and opened the study door.
"Goodbye, Miss Wilson."
Once the door had been closed behind her, Beth burst into tears. Why should the sins of the father…
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
DANNY WONDER ED HOW he would react to meeting Gerald Payne. He couldn't afford to show any emotion, and certainly if he were to lose his temper all the hours that he'd spent pla
Big Al drew up outside Baker, Tremlett and Smythe a few minutes early, but when Da
"He's quite an exceptional man," Hall enthused as they walked across to a bank of lifts. "The youngest partner in the history of the company," he added as he pressed a button that would whisk them up to the top floor. "And quite recently he's landed a safe parliamentary seat, so I don't suppose he'll be with us for much longer."
Da
When they stepped out of the lift, Hall led his most important client along the partners' corridor until they reached a door with the name Gerald Payne printed in gold. Hall knocked softly, opened it and stood aside to allow Da
"Have we met before?" asked Payne, looking at Da
"Yes," said Da
"Oh, yes, of course," said Payne, before inviting Da
"Let me begin, Sir Nicholas… "
"Nick," said Da
"Gerald," said Payne. Da
"As I was saying, let me begin by expressing my admiration for your little coup with Tower Hamlets council over the site in Bow-a deal which, in my opinion, will see you double your outlay in under a year."
"Mr. Hall did most of the spadework," said Da
Payne leaned forward. "And will you be involving our firm in your latest venture?" he inquired.
"Certainly in the final stages," said Da
"We'll be happy to assist in any way we can," said Payne, the smile returning to his face. "Do you feel able to take us into your confidence at this stage?" he added.
Da
"I would normally agree with you," said Payne, looking a little disappointed, "but don't you think that market is already rather overcrowded?"
"Yes, I do," said Da
Payne leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table as Da
"Cycling," said Gary Hall.
"Well done," said Da
"Four ninety-nine?" repeated Payne, looking mystified.
"The price of Cycling Monthly," said Da
"And you say the press haven't followed this up?" said Payne once he'd finished reading the magazine's leader.
"Why should they?" said Da
"But once the site has been a
"I'm not interested in building the velodrome," said Da
"And how do you expect to do that?"
"That, I admit, has cost me a little more than four ninety-nine, but if you look on the back of Cycling Monthly," said Da
"Brilliant," said Payne. "But surely the owners of that site must be aware that they may be sitting on a fortune?"
"Only if they can get their hands on next month's Cycling Monthly, because at the moment they still think they're on a shortlist of six."
"So what are you pla
"The site that is favored by the Cycling Federation changed hands quite recently for three million pounds, although I haven't been able to identify the buyer. However, once the minister has made her a