Give Us This Day by R.F. Delderfield Page B

back at work now, no doubt, albeit temporarily, and a direct approach in the circumstances seemed inadvisable, precluding another visit to the yard. He could have questioned one or other of George's brothers, notably Giles, who was close to him, but he rejected this as putting too much strain on family loyalty. After turning the matter over in his mind, he decided his best course was to approach Tybalt senior, who could make innocent enquiries on his behalf, not only about Linklater's, but also concerning the relationship of his son and George, how often George was absent and for how long at a stretch, and maybe the precise function of that padlocked warehouse on the east side of the yard. He told Henrietta that he was going up to town for a day or so to attend sales, and she accepted the excuse without question. His only excursions these days were concerned with landscaping and collecting.
      He packed a bag and set off for old Tybalt's terrace house in Rotherhithe, where he busied himself with mission work in company with his lifelong friend, the former waggonmaster, Saul Keate. Tybalt received him rapturously. He had always seen Adam as the temporal equivalent of his nightshirted Jehovah, for whom he was at pains to rescue fallen women, alcoholics, and destitute children. His dedicated service to Swann, over a period of some thirty-five years, he regarded as tribute to Caesar, sanctioned in the Good Book, and Adam, while mindful of his idiosyncrasies, held him in high esteem, for he had brought tremendous devotion to his job as chief clerk, sometimes sitting up half the night to trace a missing sovereign or run down a mislaid invoice. He was a small, undistinguished-looking man with a round bald head and huge trusting eyes that blinked nervously behind spectacles. He almost dragged Adam into his house, demonstrating such enthusiasm that it made initial enquiries somewhat embarrassing, until Adam confessed that he was worried about the immediate future of the firm.
      That stopped his fussing. He said, looking almost agonised, "Worried, Mr. Swann? But surely there's no need… I mean, all the information I have is that we're booming along, positively booming along!"
      "Oh, I daresay we are from an outsider's standpoint, and you and I are numbered among the outsiders these days. Financially the firm is sound enough, I can assure you of that. No, it's more specific. You might say a family matter, to do with my son George, as a matter of fact."
      Tybalt still looked grave but his concern moderated. "You're telling me Mr. George is trying to re-introduce those mechanical waggons?"
      "I wish he was. That at least would indicate he was still absorbed. The fact is, Tybalt, he's fancying himself as the man about town and, to my mind at least, neglecting his responsibilities as gaffer down there."
      "I'm very surprised indeed to hear that," said Tybalt, and looked it. "I always thought him… well… forgive me, Mr. Swann, a bit too go-ahead… and, how shall I put it? Experimental? But he's always struck me as a young man with a very astute head on his shoulders, and an absorbing interest in the work."
      "Me too," Adam said, "but he's falling off, or so I'm told, from a very reliable quarter."
      Tybalt looked evasive and twiddled his neat penman's hands. "I… er… I earnestly hope that source isn't my boy Wesley, sir. Oh, I know Wesley is very dedicated to the firm, but I wouldn't like to think he's been talebearing. At least, not without seeking my advice first."
      "How often does he seek your advice, Tybalt?"
      Tybalt looked down at the plush tablecloth, stacked with buff envelopes he had been addressing to mission subscribers. "I'll be as frank as you've been, Mr. Swann. Not nearly as often as I should like. Hardly ever, in fact, since he came in from the regions and Mr. George appointed him in my place." He paused and Adam looked away. It went against the grain not to take Tybalt into his full