This Was A Man by Jeffrey Archer Page A

away with it for so long.’
    ‘Then let me add what I know, courtesy of the Honorable Hayden Rankin, Governor of Louisiana, and an old friend of Cyrus T. Grant III. It seems that while Cyrus was on his first and last
trip to London, Virginia set up an elaborate scam to convince him that he had proposed to her, despite the fact he already had plans to marry someone else – Ellie May, in fact. She then duped
the foolish man into believing she was pregnant, and he was the father. That’s about everything I know.’
    ‘I can add a little more,’ said Archie. ‘Mrs Grant informed me she had recently employed Virginia’s former butler and his wife, a Mr and Mrs Morton, who have signed an
affidavit confirming that Freddie was their child, which is the reason Virginia’s monthly payments from Cyrus suddenly dried up.’
    ‘No wonder she’s penniless. Is Freddie aware that the Mortons are in fact his parents?’
    ‘No, he’s never asked and I’ve never told him, as he clearly feels his parents abandoned him,’ said Archie. ‘And it gets worse. Mrs Grant has recently instructed
Lord Goodman to represent her in an attempt to get back every penny Cyrus parted with. And having had the pleasure of meeting the formidable Ellie May Grant, I can tell you my sister has finally
met her match.’
    ‘But how can Virginia possibly—’ Giles fell silent when the door swung open and a young boy burst in.
    ‘What have I told you about knocking, Freddie, especially when I have a guest with me.’
    ‘Sorry, sir,’ said Freddie, and quickly turned to leave.
    ‘Before you go, I’d like you to meet a great politician.’ Freddie turned back. ‘This is Lord Barrington, who until recently was leader of the House of Lords.’
    ‘How do you do, sir,’ said Freddie, thrusting out his hand. He stared at Giles for some time before he eventually said, ‘Aren’t you the man who was married to my
mother?’
    ‘Yes I am,’ said Giles. ‘And I’m delighted to meet you at last.’
    ‘But you’re not my father, are you?’ said Freddie, after another long pause.
    ‘No, I’m not.’
    Freddie looked disappointed. ‘My uncle says you are a great politician, but isn’t it also true that you were once a great cricketer?’
    ‘Never great,’ said Giles, trying to lighten the mood. ‘And that was a long time ago.’
    ‘But you scored a century at Lord’s.’
    ‘Some still consider that my greatest achievement.’
    ‘One day I’m going to score a century at Lord’s,’ said Freddie.
    ‘I hope I’ll be present to witness it.’
    ‘You could come and watch me bat next Sunday. It’s the local derby, Castle versus the Village, and I’m going to score the winning run.’
    ‘Freddie, I don’t think—’
    ‘Sadly I have to be in Brighton for the Labour Party conference,’ said Giles. Freddie looked disappointed. ‘Though I must confess,’ Giles continued, ‘I’d far
rather be watching you play cricket than listening to endless speeches by trade union leaders who’ll be saying exactly the same thing as they said last year.’
    ‘Do you still play cricket, sir?’
    ‘Only when the Lords play the Commons and no one will notice how out of form I am.’
    ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent, my cricket master told me.’
    ‘That may be so,’ said Giles, ‘but I’m nearly sixty, and that’s my age, not my batting average.’
    ‘W. G. Grace played for England when he was over fifty, sir, so perhaps you’d consider turning out for us some time in the future?’
    ‘Freddie, you must remember that Lord Barrington is a very busy man.’
    ‘But not too busy to accept such a flattering offer.’
    ‘Thank you, sir,’ said Freddie. ‘I’ll send you the fixture list. Must leave you now,’ he added. ‘I have to work on the batting order with Mr Lawrie, our
butler, who’s also the Castle’s captain.’ Freddie dashed off before Giles had a chance to ask his next question.
    ‘I’m sorry about that,’ said