The New Collected Short Stories Read Online Free Page B

your solicitor,’ said Hugh, ‘and I simply can’t believe it. Please tell me there’s been some dreadful mistake.’
    ‘I’m afraid there has been no mistake,’ Cornelius replied. ‘I only wish I could tell you otherwise.’
    ‘But how could you, who are normally so shrewd, have allowed such a thing to happen?’
    ‘Put it down to old age,’ Cornelius replied. ‘A few weeks after Millie died I was talked into investing a large sum of money in a company that specialised in supplying mining
equipment to the Russians. All of us have read about the endless supply of oil there, if only one could get at it, so I was confident my investment would show a handsome return. Last Friday I was
informed by the company secretary that they had filed a 217 order, as they were no longer solvent.’
    ‘But surely you didn’t invest everything you had in the one company?’ said Hugh, sounding even more incredulous.
    ‘Not originally, of course,’ said Cornelius, ‘but I fear I got sucked in whenever they needed a further injection of cash. Towards the end I had to go on investing more, as it
seemed to me the only way I would have any chance of getting back my original investment.’
    ‘But doesn’t the company have any assets you can lay your hands on? What about all the mining equipment?’
    ‘It’s all rusting away somewhere in central Russia, and so far we haven’t seen a thimbleful of oil.’
    ‘Why didn’t you get out when your losses were still manageable?’ asked Hugh.
    ‘Pride, I suppose. Unwilling to admit I’d backed a loser, always believing my money would be safe in the long run.’
    ‘But they must be offering some recompense,’ said Hugh desperately.
    ‘Not a penny,’ replied Cornelius. ‘I can’t even afford to fly over and spend a few days in Russia to find out what the true position is.’
    ‘How much time have they given you?’
    ‘A bankruptcy notice has already been served on me, so my very survival depends on how much I can raise in the short term.’ Cornelius paused. ‘I’m sorry to remind you of
this, Hugh, but you will recall that some time ago I loaned you £100,000. So I was rather hoping . . .’
    ‘But you know that every penny of that money has been sunk into the shop, and with High Street sales at an all-time low, I don’t think I could lay my hands on more than a few
thousand at the moment.’
    Cornelius thought he heard someone whispering the words ‘And no more’ in the background.
    ‘Yes, I can see the predicament you’re in,’ said Cornelius. ‘But anything you can do to help would be appreciated. When you’ve settled on a sum – ’ he
paused again ‘ – and naturally you’ll have to discuss with Elizabeth just how much you can spare – perhaps you could send a cheque direct to Frank Vintcent’s office.
He’s handling the whole messy business.’
    ‘The lawyers always seem to end up getting their cut, whether you win or lose.’
    ‘To be fair,’ said Cornelius, ‘Frank has waived his fee on this occasion. And while you’re on the phone, Hugh, the people you’re sending to refit the kitchen were
due to start later this week. It’s even more important now that they complete the job as quickly as possible, because I’m putting the house on the market and a new kitchen will help me
get a better price. I’m sure you understand.’
    ‘I’ll see what I can do to help,’ said Hugh, ‘but I may have to move that particular team onto another assignment. We’ve got a bit of a backlog at the
moment.’
    ‘Oh? I thought you said money was a little tight right now,’ Cornelius said, stifling a chuckle.
    ‘It is,’ said Hugh, a little too quickly. ‘What I meant to say was that we’re all having to work overtime just to keep our heads above water.’
    ‘I think I understand,’ said Cornelius. ‘Still, I’m sure you’ll do everything you can to help, now you’re fully aware of my situation.’ He put the phone
down and smiled.
    The