‘The Queen’s Hotel,’ said Sally.
‘How can you be sure of that?’ asked Armstrong.
‘I rang all the large hotels in Leeds and asked if they had a reservation in Wolstenholme’s name. The Queen’s said he’d booked the White Rose Room from twelve to three, and would be serving lunch for a party of four at one o’clock. I can even tell you what’s on the menu.’
‘I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sally,’ said Armstrong. ‘So now, let’s take advantage of the knowledge we have. Where is Wolst...’
‘Already on his way back to Leeds,’ interrupted Peter, ‘on the 6:50 from King’s Cross. He’s expected to be at his desk by nine tomorrow morning.’
‘What about Townsend and the girl?’ asked Armstrong. ‘Reg?’
‘Townsend has ordered a car to take them to King’s Cross at 7:30 tomorrow, so they can catch the 8:12 which arrives at Leeds Central at 11:47, giving them enough time to reach the Queen’s Hotel by midday.’
‘So between now and 7:30 tomorrow we somehow have to stop Townsend getting on that train to Leeds.’ Armstrong glanced around the room, but none of them looked at all hopeful. ‘And we’ll have to come up with something good,’ he added, ‘because I can tell you, Townsend is a lot sharper than Julius Hahn. And I have a feeling Miss Tulloh is no fool either.’
There followed another long silence before Sally said, ‘I don’t have a particular brainwave, but I did find out that Townsend was in England when his father died.’
‘So what?’ said Armstrong.
21
Daily Mirror
17 October 1964
Wilson’s First Pledge: ‘It’s Our Job to Govern, and We Will’
Keith had agreed to meet Kate in the Palm Court for breakfast at seven o’clock. He sat at a table in the corner reading The Times. He wasn’t surprised that it made so little money, and couldn’t understand why the Astors didn’t close it down, because no one else would want to buy it. He sipped a black coffee, and stopped concentrating on the lead story as his mind drifted back to Kate. She remained so distant and professional that he began to wonder if there was some other man in her life, and whether he had been foolish to ask her to accompany him.
Just after seven she joined him at the table. She was carrying a copy of the Guardian. Not the best way to start the day, Keith thought, although he had to admit he still felt the same excitement as he had the first moment he saw her.
‘How are you this morning?’ she asked.
‘Never better,’ said Keith.
‘Does it feel like a day for taking something over?’ she asked with a grin.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I have a feeling that by this time tomorrow, I will own my first paper in England.’
A waiter poured Kate a cup of white coffee. She was impressed that after only one day at the hotel he didn’t need to ask whether she took milk.
‘Henry Wolstenholme telephoned last night just before I went to bed,’ said Keith. ‘He’d already spoken to Shuttleworth, and by the time we arrive in Leeds the lawyers will have all the contracts ready to sign.’
‘Isn’t it all a bit risky? You haven’t even seen the presses.’
‘No, I’m only signing subject to a ninety-day due diligence clause, so you’d better be prepared to spend some time in the north of England. At this time of year it will be what they call “parky”.’
‘Mr. Townsend, paging Mr. Townsend,’ A bellboy, carrying a sign with Keith’s name on it, walked straight over to them. ‘Message for you, sir,’ he said, handing him an envelope.
Keith ripped it open to find a note scribbled on a sheet of paper embossed with the crest of the Australian High Commissioner. ‘Please call urgently. Alexander Downer.’
He showed it to Kate. She frowned. ‘Do you know Downer?’ she asked.
‘I met him once at the Melbourne Cup,’ said Keith, ‘but that was long before he became High Commissioner. I don’t suppose he’ll remember me.’
‘What can he want at this time in the morning?’ asked Kate.
‘No idea. Probably wants to know why I turned down his invitation for dinner this evening,’ he said, laughing. ‘We can always pay him a visit when we get back from the north. Still, I’d better try and speak to him before we leave for Leeds in case it’s something important.’ He rose from his chair. ‘I look forward to the day when they have phones in cars.’
‘I’ll pop up to my room and see you back in the foyer just before 7:30,’ said Kate.
‘Right,’ said Keith, and left the Palm Court in search of a phone. When he reached the foyer, the hall porter pointed to a little table opposite the reception desk. Keith dialed the number at the top of the sheet of paper, and a woman’s voice answered almost immediately. ‘Good morning, Australian High Commission.’
‘Can I speak to the High Commissioner?’ Keith asked.
‘Mr. Downer’s not in yet, sir,’ she replied. ‘Would you like to call back after 9:30?’
‘It’s Keith Townsend. I was asked to phone him urgently.’
‘Oh, yes, sir, I was told that if you called, I was to put you through to the residence. Please hold on.’
As Keith waited to be connected, he checked his watch. It was 7:20.
‘Alexander Downer speaking.’
‘It’s Keith Townsend, High Commissioner. You asked me to call urgently.’
‘Yes, thank you, Keith. We last met at the Melbourne Cup, but I don’t suppose you remember.’ His Australian accent sounded far more pronounced than Townsend recalled.
‘I do remember actually,’ said Townsend.
‘I’m sorry to say it’s not good news, Keith. It seems that your mother has had a heart attack. She’s at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Her condition’s stable, but she’s in intensive care.’
Townsend was speechless. He had been out of the country when his father had died, and he wasn’t going to...
‘Are you still there, Keith?’
‘Yes, yes,’ he said. ‘But I had dinner with her the night before I left, and I’ve never seen her looking better.’
‘I’m sorry, Keith. It’s damned bad luck that it happened while you’re abroad. I’ve arranged to hold two first class seats on a Qantas flight to Melbourne that takes off at nine this morning. You can still make it if you leave at once. Or you could catch the same flight tomorrow morning.’
‘No, I’ll leave immediately,’ said Townsend.
‘Would you like me to send my car over to the hotel to take you to the airport?’
‘No, that won’t be necessary. I already have a car booked to drive me to the station. I’ll use that one.’
‘I’ve alerted the Qantas staff at Heathrow, so you won’t have any delays, but don’t hesitate to call me if there’s anything else I can do to help. I hope we meet again in happier circumstances.’
‘Thank you,’ said Townsend. He put the phone down and ran across to the reception desk.
‘I’ll be checking out immediately,’ he said to the man standing behind the counter. ‘Please have my bill ready as soon as I come back down.’
‘Certainly, sir. Do you still need the car that’s waiting outside?’
‘Yes, I do,’ said Townsend. He turned quickly and ran up the stairs to the first floor, and jogged along the passageway checking the numbers. When he reached 124, he banged on the door with his fist. Kate opened it a few moments later, and immediately saw the anxiety in his face.
‘What’s happened?’ she asked.
‘My mother’s had a heart attack. Bring your bags straight down. We’re leaving in five minutes.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘Would you like me to call Henry Wolstenholme and tell him what’s happened?’