Best Kept Secret (The Clifton Chronicles, #3)(100)



Once the princess had disappeared out of sight, Martinez turned and beckoned Sebastian to join him.

‘I was the fourth person to meet the princess,’ were his opening words. ‘Only the president, the prime minister and the mayor were presented before me.’

‘What a great honour, sir,’ said Sebastian, as if he’d witnessed the whole encounter. ‘You must be very proud.’

‘Humbled,’ said Martinez. ‘This has been one of the great days of my life. Do you know,’ he added, ‘I think Her Majesty agreed to have dinner with me when I’m next in London.’

‘I feel guilty,’ said Sebastian.

‘Guilty?’

‘Yes, sir. It should be Bruno who’s standing here to share in your triumph, not me.’

‘You can tell Bruno all about it once you’re back in London.’

Sebastian watched the ambassador and his secretary walk back into the embassy, and wondered if his father was still there.

‘I’ve only got as long as it takes the princess to smoke a cigarette,’ said the ambassador as he burst into his study, ‘but I couldn’t wait to find out how the meeting with your son went.’

‘He was shocked to begin with, of course,’ said Harry as he slipped his BOAC jacket back on. ‘But when I told him he hadn’t been expelled, and they were still expecting him at Cambridge in September, he relaxed a little. I suggested that he fly back to England with me, but he said he’d promised to take a package to Southampton on the Queen Mary, and that as Martinez had been so kind to him, it was the least he could do.’

‘Southampton,’ repeated the ambassador. ‘Did he tell you what was in the package?’

‘No, and I didn’t press him, in case he stumbled on the real reason I’d travelled all this way.’

‘Wise decision.’

‘I also thought about going back on the Queen Mary with him, but I realized that if I did Martinez would soon work out why I was here.’

‘I agree,’ said the ambassador. ‘So how did you leave it?’

‘I promised I’d be there to meet him when the Queen Mary docks at Southampton.’

‘How do you think Martinez will react if Sebastian tells him you’re in Buenos Aires?’

‘I suggested it might be wise not to mention it, as he’d be certain to want Seb to fly back to London with me, so he agreed to say nothing.’

‘So now all I’ve got to do is find out what’s in that package, while you get back to London before someone recognizes you.’

‘I can’t begin to thank you for all you’ve done, sir,’ said Harry. ‘I’m painfully aware that I’m a distraction you could have done without at the moment.’

‘Don’t give it a second thought, Harry. I haven’t enjoyed myself so much in years. However, it might be wise for you to slip away before—’

The door opened, and the princess walked in. The ambassador bowed, as Her Royal Highness stared at the man dressed in a BOAC captain’s uniform.

‘May I present Captain Peter May, ma’am,’ said the ambassador, not missing a beat.

Harry bowed.

The princess took the cigarette holder out of her mouth. ‘Captain May, how nice to meet you.’ Giving Harry a closer look, she added, ‘Have we met before?’

‘No, ma’am,’ Harry replied. ‘I have a feeling I would remember it if we had.’

‘Very droll, Captain May.’ She gave him a warm smile before stubbing out her cigarette. ‘Well, ambassador, ring the bell. I have a feeling it’s time for the second round.’

As Mr Matthews accompanied the princess out on to the lawn, Becky took Harry in the opposite direction. He followed her down the back stairs, through the kitchen and out of the tradesmen’s entrance at the side of the building.

‘I hope you have a pleasant flight home, Captain May.’

Harry made his way slowly back to the hotel, with several thoughts colliding in his mind. How he wanted to phone Emma to let her know that he’d seen Sebastian, and that he was safe and would be returning to England in a few days’ time.

After he’d arrived back at the hotel, he packed his few belongings, took his case down to the concierge’s desk and asked if there were any flights to London that evening.

‘I’m afraid it’s too late to get you on this afternoon’s BOAC flight,’ he replied. ‘But I could book you on to the Pan Am flight to New York that leaves at midnight, and from there you could—’

‘Harry!’

Harry swung round.

‘Harry Clifton! I knew it was you. Don’t you remember? We met when you addressed the Bristol Rotary Club last year?’

‘You’re mistaken, Mr Bolton,’ Harry said. ‘My name is Peter May,’ he added as Annabel walked past them carrying a suitcase. He strolled across to join her, as if they’d arranged to meet.

‘Let me help you,’ he said, taking her case and walking out of the hotel with her.

‘Thank you,’ said Annabel, looking a little surprised.

‘My pleasure.’ Harry handed their suitcases to the driver and followed her on to the bus.

‘I didn’t realize you were flying back with us, Peter.’

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