This Was A Man by Jeffrey Archer

Barrington,’ he began, ‘because it will allow me to be more candid about Freddie. I’m afraid the boy’s never really settled since the day he
arrived, and I fear his mother is to blame for that.’
    ‘If you’re referring to Lady Virginia,’ said Karin, ‘I’m sure you know she isn’t his mother.’
    ‘I’d rather assumed that was the case,’ said the headmaster, ‘which would explain why she hasn’t once visited Freddie while he’s been here.’
    ‘And she never will,’ said Karin, ‘because it doesn’t serve her purpose.’
    ‘And while Lord Fenwick does everything in his power to help,’ continued Sutcliffe, ‘he isn’t the boy’s father, and I’m afraid the situation became worse when
Freddie met your husband for the first time.’
    ‘But I thought that went rather well.’
    ‘So did Freddie. He talked of nothing else for several days. In fact, after coming back at the beginning of term, he was a different child. No longer haunted by the other boys continually
teasing him about his mother because he was now inspired by the man he wished was his father. From that day, he scoured the papers in search of any mention of Lord Barrington. When your husband
called to say Freddie was with him in London, I can’t pretend I was surprised.’
    ‘But are you aware that Giles wrote to Freddie, wishing him every luck for the Castle versus Village cricket match, and asked him to let him know how it turned out but didn’t get a
reply.’
    ‘He carries the letter around with him all the time,’ said the headmaster, ‘but unfortunately he scored a duck, and his side was soundly beaten, which might explain why he
didn’t reply.’
    ‘How sad,’ said Karin. ‘I can assure you, Giles still scores far more ducks than centuries on and off the field.’
    ‘But the boy couldn’t know that, and his only other experience of reaching out was to Lady Virginia. Look where that got him.’
    ‘Is there anything I can do to help, because I’d be delighted to?’
    ‘Yes, there is, Lady Barrington.’ He paused. ‘I know you come up to Scotland from time to time, and wondered if you’d consider taking Freddie out for the occasional exeat
weekend?’
    ‘Why only weekends? If Archie Fenwick will agree, he could also join us at Mulgelrie during the summer holidays.’
    ‘I must confess it was Lord Fenwick’s idea. He told me about the chance meeting with your husband.’
    ‘I wonder if it was by chance?’
    The headmaster didn’t comment, simply adding, ‘How do you think Lord Barrington will react to my request?’
    ‘I’ll let you into a little secret,’ said Karin. ‘He’s already chosen the twenty-two yards on which to put up a cricket net.’
    ‘Then you can tell your husband that Freddie is likely to be the youngest boy ever to play for the school’s First Eleven.’
    ‘Giles will be delighted. But can I make one small request, headmaster?’
    ‘Of course, Lady Barrington.’
    ‘May I be allowed to tell Freddie what we’ve decided before I return to London?’

10
    W HEN J AMES C ALLAGHAN made his final speech as leader of the Labour Party at the annual conference in
Blackpool, Giles was well aware that if he backed the wrong candidate to succeed him, his political career was over.
    When four former cabinet ministers from the Commons allowed their names to go forward, he wasn’t in any doubt that there were only two serious candidates. In the right corner stood Denis
Healey, who had served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Callaghan and Harold Wilson, and like Giles had been decorated in the Second World War. In the left corner, Michael Foot, arguably the
finest orator in the House of Commons since the death of Winston Churchill. Although his ministerial career did not compare to Healey’s, he had the backing of most of the powerful trade
unions, who had ninety-one paid-up members representing them in the House.
    Giles tried to dismiss the thought that if he had chosen to