His Lordships Daughter by Brian A de'Ville, Stewart Vaughan Page B

degree I am.” He agreed, looking over his metal framed glasses at his companion. “But, I don’t want someone screaming “nepotism” at me!”
    She laughed “Nepotism? Come on Michael, you are one of my Godfathers, that’s all. I do have three others.”
    He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Well you know what I mean.”
    “Actually, I don’t but, I can see you are not minded to help me? Yet, by my asking, you already know it is important to me.”
    “I would do almost anything in the world for you, but not that.” He flatly said. “Besides, if it will soften the blow of my refusal, where packaging is concerned we work two years in front. The amount of material involved necessitates holding huge reserve stocks.
    Phyllipa looked at him again “Twelve months! That’s all I’m asking.”
    “Sorry!” he said shaking his head.
    Drinking her chilled soda water, she toyed with her cold salmon and salad “I don’t blame you really Michael, for not wanting to assist me in this matter.
    “It’s not me Phyllipa. Not me personally, it just wouldn’t be good company policy at this moment.”
              “Yes I understand that. But let’s talk about the second half of last year, shall we? Your dividend was what the stock market called…” she narrowed her eyes for a second or two as if trying to recall something… “What was it they said? Oh yes, “unimpressive” that was the word.” She sat back in her chair laughing “I won’t tell you what my father called it.”
    The chairman looked up, forgetting his food, alarm crossing his face “You wouldn’t Phyllipa, Would you?”
    “Try me!” she challenged .
    “But it wouldn’t be fair!” he looked around the crowded restaurant as if expecting help from someone. “Damn! It wouldn’t be cricket!”
    Phyllipa slowly shook her head. “That is not the game we are playing Michael. My family have a big chunk of money invested in your company and if it’s not earning what it should be, then we switch it into something which is earning what it should.” She sipped her soda water again. “I’m sure you get my drift.”
    The chairman took out a large handkerchief and wiped his forehead which had suddenly got very warm. “How long did you say you wanted the contract for?” he asked gulping some Scotch with a slightly shaky hand.
    “Twelve months.” Phyllipa folded up her napkin.
    He drank the rest of his whisky, quickly took his glasses off and cleaned them with his handkerchief. Then he nodded “Alright! Twelve months!”
    “I’m very grateful Michael.”
    The chairman looked at her “There will be a letter in tonight’s post. Where to?”
    “What do you mean where to?”
    “The company, Phyllipa?”
    She laughed “Of course, silly me! SG Packaging. You’ll find them in the book.” She got up from the table. “I have to go.”
    The chairman made an effort to rise, but she stopped him. “Please don’t get up, enjoy your meal Michael. Everything has been taken care of, and thank you once again” her eyes twinkled. “I knew I could rely on you. But as I said before, I know so little about business.”
    “You don’t have to Phyllipa!” the chairman muttered to himself watching her leave the restaurant “Not with the sort of pressure you can use.”
     
    Although she had told Steven she wouldn’t be back in her office that afternoon, she decided to return there as she wished to clear some outstanding business up. Entering the company office, she watched June banging away on a Word Processor. She was very fast, her fingers almost blurred as she hammered the keys. Looking up from her work, she spotted her visitor and waved. “Hi! I’m glad you called in. I’d like a word….won’t be a minute.” Phyllipa took a seat and waited, finally completing the typing, June swung round on her. “There’s a little pub around the corner,” she confided. “We all use it. It’s called the Bull’s Head.”
    Phyllipa nodded.