This Was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles #7)(119)

‘And the brave ones,’ said Harry, ‘will remind us of last year’s.’

‘Which I’ve recorded in this little red book,’ said Emma, ‘just in case anyone’s forgotten.’

‘Of course you have, Chairman Mao,’ said Giles, refilling his glass.

‘Who’d like to go first?’ said Emma, once again ignoring her brother.

‘I’m looking for another job,’ said Samantha.

‘Still in the art world?’ asked Harry.

‘Yes. The Wallace Collection is advertising for a deputy director, and I’ve applied for the position.’

‘Bravo,’ said Grace. ‘The Courtauld’s loss will be the Wallace’s gain.’

‘It’s just the next step on the ladder,’ said Sebastian. ‘My bet is that by this time next year, Samantha’s New Year’s resolution is to be chairman of the Tate.’

‘So what about you, Seb? What will you have achieved by this time next year?’

‘I intend to go on annoying my aunt Grace by making her more and more money.’

‘Which I can then distribute to more and more worthy causes,’ said Grace.

‘Don’t worry, Victor’s already seeing to that, as Karin will confirm.’

‘I read Mr Kaufman’s report,’ said Grace, ‘and it does great credit both to you and to the bank, Sebastian.’

‘Praise indeed,’ said Emma, making a note before looking across at her sister. ‘As you’re one of the few among us who has a tick by her name every year, Grace, what have you got planned for the next twelve months?’

‘Seven of my young charges are hoping to be offered a place at university this year, and I am determined that all seven of them will achieve it.’

‘What are their chances?’ asked Harry.

‘I’m confident that the four girls will all make it, but I’m not so sure about the boys.’

Everyone laughed except Grace.

‘My turn, my turn!’ demanded Jake.

‘Now, if I remember correctly,’ said Emma, ‘last year you wanted to leave school. Do you still want to?’

‘No,’ said Jake firmly. ‘I want Mom to get that job.’

‘Why?’ asked Samantha.

‘Because then I won’t be late for school every morning.’

‘From out of the mouths of babes and sucklings,’ said Harry, unable to hide a smile.

Samantha reddened, while the rest of the family burst out laughing. ‘Then I’d better have two resolutions this year,’ she managed eventually. ‘One for me, and one for Jake.’

‘As Giles seems unwilling to join in this year,’ said Emma, ‘how about you, Karin? Will you be running another marathon?’

‘Never again. But I have joined the committee of the Marsden charitable trust, and I’m hoping the family will finance a mission. That doesn’t include Sebastian, by the way.’

‘Does that mean I’m off the hook this year?’

‘No,’ said Karin. ‘I’ve convinced Victor that the bank should finance its own mission, the Farthings Kaufman Mission.’

‘What’s that going to cost me?’

‘It will cost the bank twenty-five thousand pounds,’ said Karin, ‘but then I’m expecting you to finance your own mission.’

Sebastian was about to protest when Grace said, ‘And Giles and I would also like to finance a mission, the Barrington Mission.’ Giles smiled at his sister and bowed.

‘As will Emma and I,’ said Harry, which caused the rest of the family to start applauding.

‘I dread to think what your resolution will be next year,’ said Sebastian.

‘I haven’t finished with this year yet,’ said Karin.

‘Sebastian, Jessica, Richard, Lucy and I will be delighted to join you,’ said Samantha, ‘and finance our own mission.’

Sebastian looked to the heavens and said, ‘Joshua Barrington, you’ve got a lot to answer for.’

‘Well done, Karin,’ said Emma as she wrote down the details in her red book. ‘Follow that, Jessica,’ she added, smiling at her granddaughter.

‘I’m hoping to be shortlisted for the Turner Prize.’

‘I can’t imagine why,’ said Grace. ‘Turner would never have won the Turner Prize.’

‘That would be quite an achievement, young lady,’ chipped in Harry.

‘And if she is,’ said Richard, ‘she’ll be the youngest artist ever to have been shortlisted.’

‘Now that is worth achieving,’ said Grace. ‘What are you working on at the moment?’

‘I’ve just begun a series called The Tree of Life.’

‘Oh, I love trees,’ said Emma, ‘and you’ve always been so good at landscapes.’

‘It won’t be that kind of tree, Grandmama.’

‘I don’t understand,’ said Emma, ‘a tree is a tree.’

‘Unless it’s symbolic,’ suggested Harry, smiling at his granddaughter.

‘And what’s your resolution, Grandpops? Is your book going to win the Booker?’

‘Not a hope,’ said Grace. ‘That prize will never be awarded to a storyteller, more’s the pity. But I can tell you all, because I’m the only person in this room who’s read it, that Harry’s latest novel is by far his most accomplished work to date. He’s more than fulfilled his mother’s hopes, so he can take a year off.’