Hold on to your Dreams (11 page)

The negotiations went exactly as Alex had predicted and David was jubilant when he returned to the office.

‘I can tell from your expression that you’ve made the deal,’ his father said.

He waved the sale papers, laughing. ‘The ship is Alex’s. It’s no wonder he’s so successful. I would never have dared to take that chance, but he knew what he was doing. The owners panicked when they thought they were going to lose the sale. They knew they wouldn’t get a better offer from anyone else.’

His father slapped him on the back, clearly delighted. ‘Well done, son. Glendale will be pleased with the way you’ve handled this. You’d better go and tell him the good news.’

‘Yes, I must see him at once. He’s given me the authority to sign on his behalf, but I need his signature as well.’

He watched his son’s animated expression. ‘Glendale has put a lot of trust in you, and you enjoy the work, don’t you?’

‘I love it.’ David’s expression sobered. ‘But running these ships is not going to leave me much time for our business. I’m uneasy about that.’

‘I’ve already decided we need more staff, and have this very day employed a young man to join us. His name’s Robert Spencer. He comes highly recommended and already has some experience in shipping.’ His father smiled at Millie, who was listening with rapt attention. ‘And we have Millie as well. She’s a great help, so we’ll manage, won’t we Millie?’

The girl nodded eagerly. ‘Yes, Mr Gardener. I love working here, and I learn quick.’

‘You certainly do. I’m sure it won’t be long before I can leave the office in your capable hands. You deal with everyone in a friendly way and they like that.’

She beamed at the praise, and David’s father turned back to his son. ‘You concentrate on working as Alexander Glendale’s agent. This is a fine opportunity for you and you’ll need to work hard to make a success of it. He’s a shrewd businessman and you’ll learn a lot from him. We’ll turn the spare room at the back into an office for you.’

‘Thank you.’ David was overcome with gratitude. With him pulling out of the family business, his father was going to have to shoulder more of the work until the new man was trained. He was well aware of the sacrifice his father was making in letting him take on this work as agent.

‘No need for thanks, I’d never hold you back. I’m
proud of you. It’s going to be a challenging time for you, but nothing you can’t handle. Have you found a crew for the new ship?’

He laughed. ‘We’ve only owned it for an hour, but I’ll start hiring tomorrow. The ship’s in first class condition and can be put into service immediately. I’ve already put out the word. Alex has a good reputation so there shouldn’t be any shortage of men willing to sail in one of his ships. Then there’s a profitable cargo to find. And the Falcon’s due in any day now … Oh, how I’d love to sail on one of the voyages. I could learn so much.’

‘Perhaps one day you’ll be able to, but one thing at a time. You’d better see Glendale first. He’ll want to know how you’ve got on.’

David’s smile held a touch of embarrassment. ‘I’m getting carried away, but it’s all so exciting.’

‘Will you be home for dinner?’ his father asked, as his son headed for the door.

‘I doubt it. After I’ve seen Alex I have to visit Gertie.’ He sighed deeply.

Millie caught David’s arm. ‘Tell Miss she’s to let me know if there’s anything me and Fred can do. I could sit with her mum to give her a break. I’ve been used to doing that when there’s been sickness in our street.’

‘I’ll tell her, and I’m sure she’ll be grateful for your offer. She does have nurses there all the time, though.’

‘It helps to know people care,’ she said wisely. ‘When things get tough you can feel awful alone. Like Sir does.’

He gave her a startled look. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He ain’t got no one to call his own. Stands to reason he
must get lonely sometimes. No matter how rich someone is, you gotta have family, or it don’t mean nothing.’

‘You’re absolutely right. How did you become so wise?’ he asked, smiling gently at her.

‘Oh, I ain’t wise,’ she laughed. ‘Mum says I was born knowing how people feel. I watch their eyes. You’d be surprised what they show. You ought to try it sometime.’

‘I certainly will, and I’ll tell Gertie about your offer.’

‘Ta. We’re right fond of her. She’s got a good heart.’ The girl cast him a knowing glance. ‘Just like you and Sir. You both ought to be married with a load of kids.’

‘Not yet.’ He grinned. She was such an outspoken and appealing girl. ‘There’s too much to do.’

Alex was delighted with the deal, and they spent an hour discussing plans for the new ship. Then David made his way to see Gertie.

She was in the study, working on the business books, when he arrived. She had dark rings under her eyes and looked exhausted, but smiled warmly when she saw him.

‘Where’s your father?’ he asked, not sure if he knew his daughter was selling her jewellery.

‘He’s sitting with Mother. Did you manage to sell the things I gave you?’

‘I got twenty-two pounds for them.’

‘But that was much more than I was offered. Who bought them?’ She eyed him with suspicion. ‘How much of that is your own money?’

‘Only a little,’ he admitted, feeling awkward, but he had to skirt around the truth. He’d wanted to put in more
than he had, but Alex’s offer was so generous he knew she’d be suspicious. ‘I sold them to someone involved in shipping.’

‘Not a dealer?’

‘No, I got a better price this way.’

‘You certainly did.’ She took the money from him and held it in her hand. ‘Thank you, David. This will be a big help, and I’m very grateful to you. But I wish you’d take back the money you’ve put in. Father will not be pleased if he finds out.’

‘Now, don’t argue about it,’ he scolded, when she opened her mouth to speak again. ‘You must let me help.’

‘I wasn’t going to argue.’ She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. ‘As you said, that’s what friends are for – and you’re a true friend. One day I’ll be able to repay you.’

He was relieved. Not only had she accepted the money, but she hadn’t questioned him closely about the sale of the jewellery. He could see from her expression she was very relieved. ‘Will that pay the medical bills for a while?’

‘Oh, yes, it will last for a while.’ She smiled hopefully. ‘Can you stay and talk?’

‘Of course.’ He sat down, knowing she was desperate for some company, and took the drink she quickly poured for him.

‘Tell me how Millie’s getting on.’

He gave her the girl’s message, going into detail about the conversation they’d had as he was leaving the office. ‘It’s incredible,’ he laughed. ‘There’s so much wisdom in her. My father’s delighted to have her in the office. She’s so good with everyone who comes in.’

‘That’s wonderful! Fred’s doing well and loving every minute of working for Father. He’s eager to learn and the men, including my father, never tire of showing him new procedures. All they both needed was a chance, and I’m very pleased we’ve been able to give them that. Now, what else have you been doing?’

She seemed pleased to be catching up with the news, and he decided it was time to tell her something else. ‘I’ve been given a new job, Gertie. It’s a tremendous challenge and I’m very excited.’

‘Really?’ She sat forward eagerly. ‘Tell me all about it.’

He watched her expressive face as he explained that he was Alex’s agent with complete responsibility for his ships. ‘I bought one for him today and got it for a really good price.’ He grinned. ‘What do you think of that?’

Her eyes opened wide, stunned. ‘You bought a ship? On your own?’

He nodded, still smiling broadly as she shook her head in amazement. ‘Don’t you think I’m capable of doing the job?’ he teased.

‘You’re more than capable, but what I can’t understand is why Mr Glendale needs an agent.’

‘He’s got far too much to do at the moment, and added to his workload is the task of trying to find Edward. That won’t be easy, as I well know.’

‘Oh dear, I shouldn’t have asked him, should I?’

‘Yes, you should. He wants to help, Gertie.’ He studied her intently. ‘What you see on the outside is not the real man. He’s a tough ex-cavalry officer and used to being in command, but if you dig beneath the surface there’s a very
different person. You made a snap decision when you first met him, allowing his strong personality to overpower you, and you’ve never taken the trouble to get to know him.’

‘I know,’ she sighed. ‘It’s a fault of mine, but I still can’t change my opinion. And being unreasonable is another fault of mine.’

‘True,’ he readily agreed, making them both laugh.

‘Still, I’m truly pleased for you. I know you’ll excel in your job as his agent.’

‘Thank you, Gertie. Your approval means a lot to me.’

‘And I’m lucky to have you as my friend. If only Edward had realised your worth and listened to you, then we wouldn’t be in this mess now. But it’s no use fretting about what might have been. We have to deal with the situation we find ourselves in at this moment.’ She tipped her head to one side and pursed her lips. ‘Now you’ve become close to Mr Glendale, has he said how the search for Edward is going?’

‘He hasn’t said anything yet.’ It hurt to see her eyes cloud with worry again. For a brief moment she had relaxed, but he knew just how hard the waiting was for her. ‘He won’t unless there’s something positive to report. But you can be sure he’s working on it.’

‘Of course you’re right, but I feel so helpless sitting here waiting for someone else to carry out the search. I’m sure it would help Mother’s recovery if she could hear Edward’s voice.’

‘Is she still unconscious?’ he asked, sad to see how much she was struggling to keep the tears at bay.

‘Yes, but we talk to her all the time. The doctor said she might hear us …’ She gulped back the emotion that was welling up. ‘It’s terrible. She has to get better! She has to!’

‘Give it time, Gertie.’ Faced with her anguish, he didn’t know what else to say. She had always been a girl in complete control of herself, but this was trying her to the limit.

‘Time.’ She straightened up. ‘Aunt Hanna says time heals, but if Mother dies I’ll never speak to Edward again. I’ll completely disown him, as Father has.’

‘It won’t come to that.’

‘No, of course it won’t. I’m being silly again, but I want him found so he can know what he’s done to the family who loved him.’

Fury raced through him. ‘If I get my hands on him I’ll give him the thrashing he deserves!’

‘I expect he knows, and that’s why he’s keeping out of the way.’

‘He can’t hide forever. Alex has an experienced man out scouring the country for him. He’ll track him down.’

‘Alex?’ She glanced at him in surprise. ‘You call him that to his face?’

‘He told me to. We work together well and I like him. Sometimes, in unguarded moments, I can sense the sadness in him. I believe he’s still grieving for his family, and I’m sure he misses army life. He never says so, of course.’

‘I don’t suppose he does.’ Gertrude frowned. ‘He doesn’t show his feelings, and that’s what I find so difficult about him. We’ve always been open about our feelings, expressing them with freedom.’

‘That doesn’t mean he hasn’t got any.’

‘Perhaps not.’

He’d been trying to make her change her mind about Alex, but no matter what he said, she wouldn’t give way.

‘Has this other friend of yours had any success in dealing with the card cheats?’

‘What?’ He was thrown off guard by her sudden change of subject.

‘The gamblers. Has your mystery friend been able to expose them?’

‘Oh, he’s working on it, but he’s got to be careful. No one must know what he’s up to or it could lead back to any of us, and he’s determined that won’t happen.’

‘I can see that.’ Suddenly Gertrude’s expression changed, her eyes opening wide. ‘Why didn’t I see it before?’

‘See what?’ The breath caught in his throat. He’d seen that look many times. She knew!

‘This friend of yours is Mr Glendale, isn’t it?’

‘No. What makes you think that?’

‘You always were a terrible liar, David. To gamble, Edward used to be invited to the best gentlemen’s clubs. Of course it’s him! How could I have been so slow? All the clues were there, and I just ignored them.’

He knew why she hadn’t worked it out before this. She had been too worried about her family to put her sharp mind to solving the mystery of the nameless friend.

‘Did he take Fred to his club?’ When he still didn’t answer, she exploded. ‘Oh come on, your silence is enough to tell me I’m right. So talk!’

‘We went to his club, yes.’

‘Tell me about it,’ she demanded. ‘And don’t leave anything out.’ Cornered, and knowing there was no way to avoid it, he told her the whole story.

She nodded when he’d finished. ‘Fred’s a bright boy, but you were taking a terrible chance. What if those men had realised what he was doing?’

‘Alex and I were there all the time. He’d promised Fred’s parents he would look after their son, and he’d have taken on the lot of them to keep that promise.’

‘You place a lot of faith in him.’ Gertrude gazed thoughtfully into space for a moment, then turned back to him. ‘It seems I am even more in Mr Glendale’s debt. Fred said he was helping someone down his street.’

‘Little May, she needs medical attention.’ He smiled as he remembered the child he’d become very fond of. ‘Alex took his own physician to examine her, and he believes something can be done for her. You should have seen May’s parents. The hope in their eyes was heart-rending.’

‘Why’s he doing all this?’

‘Because he can.’

‘What sort of an answer is that?’

‘The answer he gave me when I asked the same question.’ David wasn’t going to elaborate. Let her draw her own conclusions.

‘The man’s a mystery.’ She was shaking her head in bewilderment. ‘Do you know exactly what he’s doing about those cheats?’

‘No, he’s keeping us all out of it.’

‘Is he in any danger?’

‘I would say it’s the cheats who are in danger. He’s a
strong man, physically and mentally, and a trained soldier. He can take care of himself.’