WC02 - Never Surrender Read Online Free Page A

contorting in exasperation. "They're the four most bloody-minded men in the country. Two socialists with whom you've got nothing in common, the former Prime Minister who's devoted most of his limited talents to keeping you at the outer edge of the universe, and .. ." He wondered for a moment how best to sum up Edward Halifax, Churchill's chief rival for the post. "And an Old Etonian."
    "You're right." Churchill smiled. Throughout all the years of drought Bracken had had an unquenchable talent for making him smile. "You are absolutely right. We need more Harrovians."
    "Seriously, Winston, how can you include Chamberlain after everything that's happened?"
    "Can't you see, Brendan, it's because of everything that has happened that I must embrace him? He is still the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, and if I am to build a truly national government I must include him as well as the socialists." He picked up his pen and resumed his work. "That is what I have had to insist to Mr. Attlee, who, I'm afraid, rather shares your opinion about Mr. Chamberlain."
    "But you've nothing in common with any of them."
    "I can count on the claws of a chicken's foot the number of men you and I can trust. It's not enough. We need more." He finished off the letter with a flourish. "Which is why I have just written to the Kaiser enquiring whether, before the Wehrmacht arrives, he would wish to exchange his exile in Holland for a suitable small establishment in this country."
    Bracken choked on his drink, spluttering, when at last he could, "You expect the old Kaiser, the man who started the last bloody war, to help you in this one?"
    "No, I don't expect that. But I would like it. I know him, of course. Attended manoeuvres with him in 1909. An odious and ill-formed man. But useful. If by any chance he would agree, oh, how it would distract Hitler. Take his eye off the ball. Kaiser, versus the Fuehrer, German against German." He sealed the envelope he had been addressing and rang a hand bell. "I would do a deal with the Devil if only he would part company with Hitler for a moment. We do so desperately need some distraction. We have enemies enough without creating more. Which is why we must have Neville, and Edward Halifax, too. And all the rest."
    He rang the bell again, more impatiently.
    "And for me?"
    "For you, Brendan? Minister of Information, I thought. My own private Goebbels. Waging war with words. You're good at that. And we have so little else with which to wage war."
    "Thank you, Winston. With all my heart. But no. I think I should be here, by your side. At least until you have the show up and running."
    "You would refuse your own ministry?"
    "There are so few who know you, understand your ways."
    Suddenly Churchill rose to his feet and flung open the door behind his desk. It led to a corridor, and at its end, deep in conversation, stood two male secretaries. Churchill's shoulders heaved in irritation.
    "Have you both been deafened by the blast of some enemy bomb?" he shouted at them. "Can there be any other reason why you have failed to respond to my bell?"
    Bemused, they looked towards him and started to approach.
    "Fly! Fly! Or shall I call the guard to encourage you at the point of a fixed bayonet?"
    The first man broke into a hurried shuffle; the second, seeking salvation, ducked into an open office door. It was Colville who arrived, his face a cauldron of embarrassment and anger.
    "I'm sorry, Prime Minister. A little confusion in responsibilities. We were rather expecting you to arrive at Downing Street this evening."
    "Downing Street is still the home of Mr. Chamberlain. I have offered it to him and Mrs. Chamberlain until they can make suitable alternative arrangements. In the meantime you are to attend upon me here."
    I'm sorry, sir. As I said, a matter of confusion."
    "And you are to run, do you hear me? Every time you hear that bell, you run, not walk, for so long as this war is in progress. I will not have