Stay with Me (34 page)

‘I'll put in the money my father left me plus my regular allowance and rent from Carnforth's.' Lena gave a little smile. ‘It must rile James to know he must pay me every month. Just think how he would feel if he knew it was going to fund another ship to rival his!'

‘No, Lena, I can't take your money,' protested Peter.

‘You won't be taking it. I will be giving it willingly so that you can expand and take advantage of the new trade that is coming your way. Regard it as an investment in you by me.' Lena was careful to keep her proposition angled as if it centred purely round Peter.

‘But if anything were to go wrong with the trading undertaken by the
Lena
we could find ourselves in trouble. Perhaps, if she has a successful year, we could look at the situation again then.'

The last sentence sounded promising. Lena judged she had steered him far enough away from Mr Glenville's offer so decided not to press him further now. The subject of building another ship could be approached at a more suitable time. ‘All right,' she agreed. ‘And we forget this offer?'

‘If that is what you want?'

She nodded.

‘Then it's one concession for another.'

Lena smiled. ‘We make a good team.'

 

A smart middle-aged man left the train at Whitby, carrying one small valise. He strode purposefully to the Angel, booked a room for the night and, after refreshing himself from his journey, crossed the bridge and entered the offices of Carnforth's. He was known to the clerks from several previous visits and so was shown quickly to James's room.

‘Mr Glenville.' James came from behind his desk to shake hands with the new arrival. ‘I hope you bring news of a successful conclusion to our deliberations?'

‘I'm afraid I don't, Mr Carnforth.'

James's hopeful expression faded. ‘I thought it was irresistible. '

‘So did I,' Glenville agreed as he sat down in a chair proffered by James. ‘I saw Mr Hustwick during the morning. He seemed enthusiastic at the time and openly showed me the latest figures to see if they were appropriate to my offer.'

‘And were they?'

‘Oh, yes, even better than we thought they might be. You would certainly have secured an asset to your present firm. Hustwick's are forming a very solid foundation and are definitely on the up. It would not surprise me if they looked to expand, though I did detect a cautious streak in Mr Hustwick.'

‘Do you think it was that caution which held him off from selling?'

‘No. He was very enthusiastic initially, I thought I had hooked the fish for you, but then he asked for time to consider my proposition. That I considered only natural, as I had arrived unheralded with your offer. Something must have happened between my first visit and the second, to obtain his decision.'

James's lips tightened in exasperation. ‘You saw no one else?'

‘No.'

‘Did he talk of anyone he might have consulted?'

‘No. He gave the impression the decision was all his own, though I was not altogether convinced of that. I'm sure he consulted someone.'

James nodded. He judged that someone to be Lena. Mr Glenville had failed but at least from this information, and James's own knowledge of Peter and Lena, he felt sure that his sister now influenced the running of her husband's firm. Maybe she even controlled it. Recalling her threat the last time they'd met, he cursed his luck at being unable to thwart her this time. Another opportunity would arise, no doubt, and with Mr Glenville keeping a close watch on developments in Hull, James would seize his chance when it did.

 

Lena liked the days when she knew Captain Washbrook would be sailing into Hull bringing the
Whitby Gazette
for it enabled her to walk the quays and feel the call of the sea - it was there among the sails, the rigging, and every vessel she could see. It set her mind racing and always recalled for her the vow that some day she would walk the decks of a ship as it ploughed its way through the sea. Today was no exception.

The
Maid Marian
was just tying up when she reached the quay. Seeing her coming, Captain Washbrook handed over the finalities of docking to his First Mate and went to his cabin. When he re-emerged on deck the gangway was being run out and he was quickly on to the quay to greet Lena with a salute.

‘Good morning, ma'am.' He held out the newspaper to her.

She smiled graciously as she took it. ‘Good morning to you, Captain. I trust you had a good voyage?'

‘Indeed we did, ma'am.'

‘And how was Whitby when you left it?'

‘As usual, ma'am.'

‘You have nothing in particular to report?'

‘Trade is good. Several firms are looking to the Mediterranean.'

‘Any I'd know?

‘Well, rumour is buzzing around that Mr Carnforth is not interested, but I think that is merely his bluff and he'll probably move before anyone else.'

‘Any particular commodity?'

‘Not sure, ma'am. Could be anything: spices, fruit, wine, olive oil, lace, pottery.'

‘They all sound so exotic,' sighed Lena. ‘Thank you for this, Captain.' She held up the newspaper.

‘My pleasure, ma'am.' He saluted and went back on board.

Lena hadn't far to go to the office but made it a leisurely stroll, taking in the atmosphere of a busy port. At length she returned to her room, sat down at her desk, unfolded the paper and spread it out. She began to scan the words but lingered over those that especially caught her notice. She turned the page and as it settled a small headline towards the bottom attracted her attention: ‘Carnforth Turns His Eye on Hull'. She read on. ‘It is rumoured, and I understand it
is
only a rumour, that James Carnforth has tried to buy a Hull firm with similar trading facilities to his own. When this correspondent tried on several occasions to make an appointment with Mr Carnforth it was said he was unavailable. Make of that what you will.'

Lena stared at the words for a moment and with a racing mind read them again. They gave no information, not even a hint, of the name of the firm in which James was interested. But it struck her as strange that this report should appear so soon after Mr Glenville's visit to Peter.

She went quickly into her husband's office. ‘Look at this.' She put down the newspaper, folded at the report she had just read.

He read it then looked up at her. ‘So?'

‘I think it is referring to Mr Glenville's visit.'

‘You think your brother was behind it? That it was really he who was trying to buy us?'

‘Yes. You raised no questions about Mr Glenville's principal? '

‘I saw no reason to. His credentials were impeccable. He did not say he was acting on another's behalf . . .'

‘Of course not. James would have seen to that.'

‘Why should he want to buy us?'

‘To get at me. To eliminate the threat I made him.'

‘You mean, he took that seriously?'

‘He knows me, and so he knows I meant it.'

‘And I nearly played right into his hands.' Peter looked distraught. ‘I'm so sorry, Lena.'

She responded quickly, ‘I'm not blaming you, Peter. A very tempting offer was put in front of you and you would have been quite within your rights to accept. It is your business after all.'

‘Thank goodness I told Glenville I would think it over.' He paused thoughtfully. ‘We'll put this right straight away.' He jumped from his chair and grabbed her hand. ‘Come on.'

Lena could do nothing else but follow him. ‘Where are we going?'

‘My solicitor. I want him to draw up Articles of Association stating that we own this firm equally, then neither of us can act on any major transaction without the approval of the other.'

Lena stopped him. ‘Are you sure?'

‘Never more so. Come on!'

As they hurried to the lawyer's office Lena felt a glow of satisfaction at what had come about from Mr Glenville's unexpected visit. How very angry it would make her brother should he learn how his plan had misfired. As he would one day, when she returned to her rightful place in Whitby.

Lena revelled in her sense of new power but curbed her desire to move things on quickly. She and Peter built their trading business, together and individually, but Lena still had her mind set on a major development. She kept her eyes open for another opportunity to suggest it. It came after the
Lena
had had a particularly harrowing trip and had sustained some damage that necessitated a fortnight's inactivity while she was made seaworthy again. They had found some difficulty in hiring a ship to replace her for the period of repair.

‘Peter,' said Lena, hurrying into his office, ‘I've managed to hire a ship in Grimsby. An agent has just come in with a possibility. The ship will be in Hull tomorrow. She's not an ideal vessel but will be able to take all our local produce to Teesside.'

‘Capital!' As well as looking pleased, Peter was also relieved. ‘Thank goodness we'll not have the cargo left on our hands.'

‘Peter,' Lena's expression was serious as she sat down opposite her husband, ‘we could have avoided this trouble if we'd had another vessel. As I said before, I'd contribute my money towards its cost.'

Looking thoughtful, he tapped his pencil on the desk a moment then rang for Frampton to join them.

‘Alan, bring me our latest balance and the costings from when we built the
Lena.'

‘Certainly, sir.' When the manager returned a few minutes later he laid the papers in front of Peter and said, ‘I have also brought the expected revenue figure for the cargo that is awaiting disposal.'

‘Excellent,' said Lena. ‘There will be a ship in from Grimsby tomorrow to collect that particular cargo so the figures are relevant to our considerations.'

Peter was already looking at the accounts and continued to do so after Alan Frampton had left the room. Lena said nothing to interrupt him. Finally he looked up and silently pushed the papers across. She pulled them nearer and studied the figures. After her thorough perusal she looked up and saw that Peter was watching her intently.

A little trickle of alarm passed through him. He had detected a light in his wife's eyes he had never seen there before. For one moment he saw ambition touched with ruthlessness. But even as he looked at her it vanished and he wondered if he had been mistaken. He was left staring into familiar, dear eyes filled with life and hope.

‘These figures look sound to me, but they would not have been if we had been left with that cargo,' Lena prompted him.

‘Exactly my assessment! If we take the cost of the
Lena
for a guide, though I think a new ship will cost more, I believe we can manage. I don't like taking your money but it would help finance a new ship . . .'

Lena's eyes lit up. ‘Then we can go ahead?'

‘Why not? As you pointed out, it makes sense.'

Lena sprang from her chair and rushed to him. ‘I love you, Peter Hustwick,' she cried as she flung her arms round his neck and dropped on to his knee. Her kiss held much promise and he responded eagerly.

Returning to her office, she sank into her chair feeling delighted with herself. The storm that had damaged the
Lena
had played into her hands and she had grasped the opportunity. Another ship for Hustwick's would warn her brother that the firm was stronger than ever. It represented a rival to his own rather than an opportunity for more subterfuge on his part. Lena hugged herself and vowed to see the new ship was built with all haste. It marked another step nearer to her ultimate ambition.

 

The ship was half-built and, much to Lena's satisfaction, ahead of schedule, when one day Peter burst into her office.

‘Lena, I have mentioned it before but it seems you have taken no notice . . .'

‘What's the matter? Calm down. It can't be that bad.' She put on an air of innocence, though she was almost certain what was coming.

‘There are more complaints about you interfering in the building of the ship.'

‘I'm
not
interfering.'

‘But I'm told you visit the yard most days.'

‘Don't believe all you hear.'

‘I have it from more than one source . . . the latest the owner, Mr Starbeck himself. His manager and foreman have both complained to him about your visits. They say the men are uneasy that a woman is always spying on them.'

She tutted with annoyance. ‘Spying? I'm not spying on them.'

‘That's how they see it when the foreman urges them on soon after you have left.'

Lena scowled. ‘And hasn't it paid off? The ship's ahead of schedule.'

‘True, but I hope it is not at the cost of slip-shod work.'

She bristled. ‘If there is any of that, don't blame me, blame the men. And if there is, Mr Starbeck will feel my tongue.'

‘Please, Lena, just stop going there. Let them do their work without any interference.'

‘I've told you, I'm not interfering,' she snapped. ‘I just want to get on with things. Get this firm into a position where it will really mean something, along this coast and beyond.'

Peter was disturbed by the wildness that had come into her eyes and voice. He recalled the ruthless streak he had seen in her the day he'd approved the construction of another ship, and remembered her brother‘s warning, too.

‘I regret that I approved the building of this ship. It has brought out an unpleasant side of you that I did not know existed.'