Next in Line (William Warwick, #5)(17)

William was once again reminded why he adored this woman.

‘I swear my father doesn’t know how many minutes it takes to boil an egg, while yours just about manages to carve the Christmas turkey.’

‘He spends some considerable time sharpening the knife beforehand,’ said William, trying to lighten the mood.

‘The truth is,’ continued Beth, ignoring the riposte, ‘that both our mothers would have been well capable of holding down demanding jobs if only they’d been given the chance.’

‘Your mother sat on the board of your father’s company,’ William reminded her.

‘Ask her how much she was paid while she kept the books in apple pie order at the same time as raising me. Be warned, Detective Chief Inspector, a revolution is about to take place, in which homo sapiens will be replaced by “femina sapiens”. I predict it’s going to happen in the not-too-distant future, even if most men can’t see it coming.’

Her voice was now calmer, but no less determined. William didn’t remind her that she’d left out the hunter-gatherer section of her speech.

‘I admit,’ continued Beth, ‘that thanks to the generosity of my parents, we’re fortunate enough to own our own home, but we still find it difficult to make ends meet, even though your father has set up a trust fund for the children’s education. However, the colour of my bank balance has remained red since the day I left university and yours is only in credit on the day after you’re paid. No, William, the simple answer to your question is we can’t afford another child, however much we’d like one.’

‘But if we could afford another one?’

‘I’d have six,’ said Beth. ‘The twins are the joy of my life.’

‘I’d settle for three,’ said William. ‘And I may have found a solution.’

‘Have you won the pools, caveman? Or are we going to rob a bank like Bonnie and Clyde?’ asked Beth, trying to imitate Warren Beatty.

‘Neither will be necessary. We can have a third child at no extra expense, and you won’t even have to take maternity leave.’

‘I can’t wait to hear how we’re going to pull that one off,’ said Beth with an exaggerated sigh.

‘The Princess’s personal protection officer will be retiring in the new year, and she’s offered Ross the job.’

‘So that’s the reason she invited you both to tea?’

‘Yes, but Ross doesn’t feel he can take on the responsibility of trying to bring up Jojo at the same time. Single mothers somehow manage in similar circumstances, but single fathers are far less adaptable.’

‘Especially single fathers who are workaholics,’ said Beth. ‘I can well believe if Ross took on the responsibility, his hours wouldn’t exactly be sociable. Everybody knows Diana isn’t someone who likes to stay quietly at home at night. But much as I’d like to help Ross, I don’t see how it solves the problem of—’

‘Our overdraft,’ said William. ‘Don’t forget, Josephine left Ross enough money to ensure he’d never have to work again, which is somewhat ironic as Ross is happiest when he’s working flat out, and the Princess has offered him a chance to put all the skills and experience he’s acquired over the years to good use. Frankly, I don’t know anyone who’s better qualified for the job.’

‘But being practical for a moment,’ said Beth thoughtfully, ‘how would it work?’

‘Jojo would come and live with us as part of the family. Ross would visit her whenever possible and take her out on his days off. Of course, they’d go on holiday together when he takes his annual leave. In return, he’d pay Sarah’s wages, and give us a hundred pounds a week to cover any other expenses. He’d also contribute one-third of the payments into the educational trust, so that Jojo would enjoy the same advantages as the twins.’

‘On top of paying Sarah’s wages? That’s more than generous.’

‘The downside is we’d have three children to take care of, not two.’

‘That’s the upside,’ said Beth, unable to hide her excitement at the proposal. ‘But how do you think the twins will react when we tell them?’

‘Artemisia will mother Jojo to death, especially when she learns that it means Ross will be able to take care of the Princess. Peter will pretend not to notice, until she’s old enough to play football.’ William sat back and waited for Beth to reply before adding, ‘I’ve already warned Ross that you may need a little time to think about it.’

‘How about a nanosecond?’ Beth replied.

? ? ?

Booth Watson peered across his desk at the former Superintendent – a man he loathed, and he suspected the feeling was mutual. Still, there was no one better qualified to do the job he had in mind. Lamont wore a suit which, although smart, was a little tight, indicating how much weight he’d put on since leaving the Met.

‘I have a particularly sensitive assignment I need you to carry out on my behalf,’ Booth Watson began. Lamont offered a curt nod. ‘As you’ll know, Miles Faulkner is back in prison, and I will be defending him when his case comes up at the Old Bailey. Meanwhile, I have to be sure that my principal witness, Mrs Christina Faulkner, can be relied on should I decide to put her in the witness box.’