CHAPTER 2
The day had started off well for David Howard. He had been on his way to a computer trade fair, an event he had been looking forward to for a long time. He smiled happily as he eased the silver blue Bentley with the black leather seats and bright, but dignified flame red trim out into the traffic and turned its elegant bonnet westwards to the event. The sky was clear and bright, with only a few light fluffy clouds to spoil the otherwise perfect azure. In such conditions, the elegant bonnet gleamed with a hue that seemed to be deeper than anything the manufacturers had intended, reflecting objects almost as perfectly as a purpose made mirror. As so often before, drivers made room for him in a way they didn’t for other, lesser vehicles, although the thought of possible insurance claims may have sharpened awareness. Even the traffic lights seemed to have jammed on to a permanent green. The car was one of his luxuries, along with first class travel by rail and air. He didn’t even pretend that he needed it. It was a vehicle that unashamedly he liked driving. However, long before he got to his destination, the smile was wiped from his face. A small delivery van in too much of a hurry had overtaken him on a blind bend, and had squeezed sharply in front in the face of oncoming traffic, mounted the kerb and wrapped itself neatly around a nearby lamp post. Rolls Royce made excellent brakes, but only a solid brick wall or a stone cliff would have stopped him in time. Apart from shock and a few bruises, the driver of the van was miraculously unhurt, even though the van itself was a near write off. It was unfortunate from David’s viewpoint, to judge by the small but steady trickle of water that came from the front end, it would be some time before the Bentley could be driven again. He viewed the damage with almost dispassionate interest and shook his head in sorrow. It was a most unusual shape for a Bentley. Unusual and unattractive. He preferred it the way it had been.
The garage that took his car away for repair also took money from David in exchange for a hire car. Like many hire cars, it had seen better days, but at least it was transport. It got him to the trade fair without being more than just a little late. Regrettably, that is all it did do. On leaving the fair, there was a flat tyre to deal with. With dirty hands, David climbed into the driver’s seat, inserted the ignition key and turned it. There was a faint clonk, but otherwise nothing happened. He tried again. This time, the engine turned rapidly, but failed to start. The failure continued until the battery showed decided signs of running flat. David understood computers, but when a car wouldn’t start, he was at a complete loss. In a bad temper, he used his mobile phone to ring the car hire agency. There was no answer. He rang again. Again there was no answer. Clearly, work had finished for the day. By then it had been dark for a long time, and he decided to take a hotel room for the night.
The situation didn’t get worse. It just signally failed to improve. It wasn’t the sort of hotel he would normally have wasted time in. It wasn’t a town he would normally have wasted time in, other than the computer fair, and that, he considered, was no waste. He knew it, of course. Or rather, he knew of it, this being where Stella had come to live. Was that six years ago? More? Ruefully, he realised he couldn’t really remember. It was a long time ago anyway, and much had happened since then.
He glanced at his briefcase and gave a wry smile as he considered the paperwork. The computer age was supposed to free the modern businessman from all that. Instead, there seemed to be more paper than ever, most of it generated by the machine that was intended to replace it. He closed the case again, fiddled with his laptop computer, then closed that as well. Clearly he would do nothing useful tonight, even though new ideas were buzzing in his fertile and imaginative thoughts. For the first time in many months a little rest was enforced. The mind could, perhaps, clear itself of incessant work. Not that he was complaining. Work brought its own rewards in the shape of material wealth, and while he wasn’t fool enough to believe that that was the most important aspect of life, he did enjoy the things that money could buy. Even a broken Bentley could be replaced if necessary. Even that was nothing to go into deep mourning for.
The night was unusually warm for the time of year, the room ill cleaned and stuffy. He felt tired and it was difficult to stay awake. Neither was it possible to sleep properly as images buzzed in his mind insistently, memories from the past that he thought he had long since forgotten. Stella. The only girl he had ever wanted. He recalled their first meeting, not long after starting at university, both young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. She was more the confident of the two at that time, always had been, probably always would be, although he developed confidence of his own in due course.
The first meeting could hardly have been more inauspicious. He was riding his bicycle, admittedly lost in academic thought, when the blare of a car horn startled him.
’Look out!’ came a sudden shout.
Too late. He flinched, lost control of his machine, and fell heavily against the side of the car. He lay on the pavement, momentarily dazed. As his vision cleared, he became aware of a shapely pair of legs standing beside him, a sight which might have pleased him under different circumstances. Dimples in the knees, he noticed. A high, well modulated voice spoke.
’I do hope there’s no damage.’
’No,’ mumbled David. ’I don’t think so.’
’Not you,’ said the voice with some scorn. ’I mean the car. I hope you haven’t scratched it.’
The accusation stung him to action. He scrambled to his feet, picking up his bicycle as he did so, leaning on it for support without appearing to need it.
’I might point out,’ he said, ’that you are the one that caused this little accident. I mean, you might have swung out a good deal further and missed me altogether. The road is wide enough after all.’
The girl waved her hand imperiously. ’Never mind all that,’ she said, after inspecting her paintwork. ’There seems to be no harm done.’
’I wouldn’t exactly say that,’ said David. ’My front wheel is buckled. The bike is unridable.’
’Is it? Perhaps you should get yourself a car then.’
’Perhaps I would, if I had a rich daddy to buy me one. Anyway, I prefer a bicycle. It’s a good deal more healthy, not to mention sensible. And I stress the word sensible.’
’I see. I was going to suggest you lock it up and I’d give you a lift to wherever you were going, but after that crack, I don’t think I’ll take the trouble.’
’Under the circumstances that suits me. I think I’d prefer to walk anyway, certainly after seeing the way you drive. One accident in the day is quite sufficient, thank you very much. I can well do without another.’
’Suit yourself,’ the girl replied, angrily. She got into the car, and moved away, tyres squealing more than a little on the hot tarmac.
David looked after her with what he felt was justified annoyance. All the same, that was certainly some car she had. An open topped sports model, as scarlet as he felt his angry face to be. Somehow, it seemed to match the character of the lady herself. Come to think of it, that was certainly some girl as well, although at the moment, his feelings were more for the vehicle than the owner. He knew who she was, of course. Coming from the same town, as they did, it would be difficult not to recognise the only daughter of the town’s Chief Executive. They used to be called Town Clerks, he mused with some bitterness. The increased title seemed to have gone to somebody’s head. Of course, there was wealth there as well. Maybe that made a difference when talking to the peasants.
The man in the hotel bed shifted and wriggled, seeking a more comfortable position. Yes, he thought, that was not a very good beginning. Things had improved later, though. They had met again shortly afterwards, during a social evening organised by the Students’ Union. Unwilling to tear himself away from a particularly interesting part of his studies, he had arrived when the celebrations had been in progress for some time. On entering the hall, he had been accosted almost at once by Stella, looking ravishing in a simple knee length dress that couldn’t have cost more than what he had available to live on for half the term. Her hair style and jewellery would undoubtedly account for the other half, if not well into the following year.
’Hello,’ she said in a semi mocking tone of voice. ’Here comes the man who runs down defenceless women in their cars. You’re a bit late. But of course, you have no transport now. You must have walked. Slowly, obviously.’
He stared at her for a moment in something approaching active dislike, then turned on his heel and walked out. Moments later there came a rustle of expensive silk beside him, and his nostrils were assailed by something delicate and very, very costly. Stella caught his arm.
’I don’t like it when people walk out on me,’ she snapped.
David breathed in sharply, looking down at her hand until she took the hint and released her grip. ’Tell me,’ he asked, ’Are you naturally ill mannered, were you brought up that way, or do you have to work at it?’
Green eyes flashed, sparkling like emeralds caught in a strong beam of light. She shook her long hair angrily. Ginger, thought David, uncharitably.
’And you call me ill mannered. How dare you say that?’
’Perhaps I’m acting as a mirror,’ said David, drily. ’I’m simply reflecting what I receive. Do you wish to continue? It seems to be your turn.’
The girl’s face tightened for a moment, then relaxed. She grimaced briefly.
’I’m sorry,’ she said. She sounded less sorry than the word suggested. ’I break people’s hearts if they take me too seriously. You mustn’t mind me. I’m a perfect pig today. Just like every day, in fact. Too much alcohol perhaps. And then, maybe not quite enough. Shall we go back and start again? I’ll let you buy me a drink. An expensive one. I can’t abide anything cheap.’
She smiled at him. He supposed at this point his heart should give a little leap, but this was real life, and not some half baked romantic story. Just the same, he had been looking forward to the event. It seemed a pity to let spoilt immaturity deprive him of a simple pleasure. He nodded and escorted her inside, aware of the looks of pure envy from nearby men. She was easy on the eyes, very easy indeed, a fact which offset only slightly her abrasive character. He shrugged mentally. Anyone else was welcome to her, he thought. She looks too expensive to me. He went in search of the bar, leaving her wedged in a corner. Returning with the drinks, half a beer for himself, something strange and exotic with a cherry in for her, they started a conversation with some difficulty over the high noise level.
’Introduction time,’ she said. ’My name’s Stella. Stella White.’
’Yes, I know.’
’What? How? You must have been asking around.’
He shook his head. ’No need. We both come from the same town. Your family’s pretty well known there, as though I’m telling you something you can’t fail to be aware of. I’m David Howard. You’ve never heard of me, that’s a safe bet.’
’Now why would that be,’ she asked, her head on one side. ’I’d have thought that a man who causes frequent accidents would have come to everyone’s knowledge.’
’I don’t make a habit of it,’ he said. ’It’s only when people come along in too powerful cars they aren’t really up to controlling.’
’I’m pleased to hear it. So what are you studying in this hole?’
’Don’t you like it?’ he asked, surprised.
She wrinkled her nose. ’Not much. Still, I suppose I’ll stick it out. For a while anyway. Who knows? But you haven’t answered my question.’
’So I haven’t. Well, it’s no great secret. Physics. And you?’
’Supposedly English Literature.’
’Supposedly?’
’If I ever get around to picking up a book.’
’I don’t understand. Why are you at university if you don’t intend to work at it?’
’Work!’ Her lip curled. ’Don’t mention the word. Boring. Just like the social life. I had expected better. Anyway, why are you here?’
’Essentially to study, to get a degree, the same as everyone else.’ He paused, collecting his thoughts. ’Well, practically everyone else. Actually, what I would really like to do is to get into computers. You know, Information Technology. It’s the coming thing.’
She gave a sound that in someone classified as less well bred would have been called a snort. ’Is it? I was under the impression that it was here already. The newspapers are full of it. Perhaps you just haven’t noticed, the way you don’t seem to notice that the roads have been filled with something other than horses and carriages. And bicycles.’
’Oh no, it’s only just beginning. The whole thing is about to expand enormously...’
She cut him short. ’I can hardly hear you. It’s so noisy in here. Let’s go outside where it’s a bit quieter. Bring my drink along with you.’
David shook his head at her arrogant assumption that he would do exactly what she wanted, then with a shrug, did it anyway. Some fifty paces or so distant was an ornamental pool with gently trickling fountains playing all round its perimeter, central feature of the tree lined gardens. It seemed like a good idea to walk around it. He explained his ideas for the future. His future. For a while she listened, then became impatient.
’You’re talking about toys. Games for little boys to play with.’
’Not altogether, although there’s money to made in that as well. Quite a lot of money, in fact. You may be astonished at the purchasing power of little boys. There are a surprisingly large number of them. They may not spend such a lot individually, but in the mass, well, we’re talking about millions to come. That apart, the real adventure is in the world of business. That’s where I want to be. People’s needs are going to expand, and they will need good software engineers, someone who can devise the programming a business needs.’
’Oh, that’s enough,’ she said, dismissively. ’It sounds boring. Talk about something else.’
’All right. What would you like to hear?’
’I don’t know. Tell me about yourself, if you like.’
He sighed. ’There’s nothing much to tell, really. I come from a poor but honest family. Well, not so poor, perhaps, though certainly not rich. My father was a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force. Not one of the flying types. His eyesight wouldn’t permit it. No, he was an engineer. He worked on radar systems for most of his career. That’s where I developed the interest myself. At least, I suppose that’s where I developed the interest. As it happens, I never really knew my father very well. He died when I was quite young, and my memories are a bit vague. Of course, we were always on the move. That’s one of the penalties of being in a military family.
Even now I’m not quite certain where my proper home is, he got posted to different places so often. I suppose, in a way, it doesn’t really matter where I live.’
The hour grew late. Crowds of students left the hall and made their various ways into the night. David and Stella walked on. Where else they walked he could not later have said. What else they talked about was light flossy stuff, words spoken and instantly forgotten. Yet that conversation laid the foundation for what was to come as they both gained something from the uncertain friendship. Not that the gain came immediately. On the contrary, their second encounter was as much of a confrontation as the first. David had been in the library, working on an extended paper for his tutor when Stella came to sit beside him. She placed the mug of coffee she was carrying on the table alongside his elbow, and in doing so, managed to upset the mug. David looked in dismay at the stream of hot liquid oozing over his precious work. He gave the girl a hard stare.
’Food and drink is not allowed in the library,’ he said. ’Perhaps, just perhaps, you might understand why.’
’Oh dear,’ said Stella, not sounding at all sorry. ’Were those papers important?’
David took in a deep breath and released it slowly. ’You might say so. I’ve been working on that for a couple of months. I’ll have it all to do again. Look. There’s not a single page undamaged.’
’Oh, never mind that,’ she said dismissively. ’I came to tell you that Janet’s holding a party at the weekend. It’s her birthday, or something. You can come along as well. Call for me at eight.’
The sheer arrogance of her statement astonished David. Without a word, he gathered up his papers and books, and swept out of the library to the sound of light laughter. Parties, he fumed to himself. Parties. That’s all some people think about. I have better things to do. Presumably she went to Janet’s party on her own, he thought long afterwards, for certainly he had made no effort to pick her up at eight o’ clock, or indeed, at any other time.
He made an effort to avoid the abrasive young woman, but to no avail, as she seemed always to be just where he was himself, often in the search for seclusion, often disturbing his study. More meetings followed, together with more conversations, not all at such a high level of irritability. Even though they were studying different disciplines, if what Stella was doing could be fairly called studying, it was inevitable that they should run across each other frequently in the close academic circles they inhabited. After such a poor beginning, they became, if not exactly inseparable, at least good friends and were content that it should be so.
After such an inauspicious start, it didn’t take David long to realise that what he felt for Stella was a good deal more than friendship. She was spoilt, he knew that. That she took advantage of his good nature was equally obvious. He bore with fortitude the outbursts of temper and the way in which she vented her spleen upon him, using him as some people might use a dog. It didn’t seem to matter. Nothing mattered, just so long as he could be with Stella. He was besotted with her. Recognising the fact, he didn’t care.
One day, she took him home to meet her parents. It was not a particularly qualified success. Mrs. White mumbled something which he never actually heard and disappeared into another room. Her husband tried to draw David out in polite conversation, but it soon became clear that they had very little in common. For some reason, computer was a dirty word to Mr. White. He neither understood, nor wanted to understand what to David was one of the most exciting developments of the modern age, thinking that the computer was nothing more than a glorified typewriter.
’Do you play cricket?’ asked the older man.
’Cricket? Er, no. It’s not a pastime I ever took up,’ answered David, who privately considered that the game was a complete waste of time.
’Ah, I see. I used to play when I was at university myself. I still turn out for the local club. Of course, it’s not so much a game as a way of life. A great character builder. So you don’t play. That’s a pity, a great pity indeed. Young men don’t seem to take exercise as much as they should nowadays.’
David, wondering about the exercise obtained by sitting in the clubhouse for several hours waiting for a turn to bat, tried to tell of his passion for cycling, of his regular eight hour trips across the wild moors, but he desisted as soon he saw that Stella’s father wasn’t interested. Clearly cycling was not the way in which the British Empire was won, though David couldn’t imagine that the older man had much first hand knowledge of the long gone Empire either.
Conversation became more and more stilted over the light refreshment of tea and two biscuits which was all that was offered to him. Clearly he would need to organise his own meal today. Finding an excuse of an essay to finish, he left earlier than he had intended. As he waited for Stella to say goodbye to her, he could hear the murmur of conversation coming through a half open door. It was Mrs. White, giving her daughter good advice.
’Well, if you are really intent on throwing yourself away on a second rate mechanic, I don’t suppose there’s anything I can do to stop you. You’ve always taken what you wanted. About the only thing I can do is to teach you how to scrub floors.’
Which puts me in my place with a vengeance, thought David, especially when feeling that he was meant to hear the comment. Second rate mechanic indeed. Just the same, he wouldn’t give up. He knew what he wanted, too.
As she had threatened, Stella left university without finishing her degree. David stayed on, passing out with honours and finding work with ease. One day he raised the question of marriage. She did not give an immediate answer, but simply looked at him speculatively. It was not the reaction he had hoped for, or even expected.
’I expect you will want time to think about it,’ he said, mumbling and for once feeling a little confused.
’Not really,’ she replied. ’I knew you were going to ask me. I’ve known that for a long time, and I don’t need to think about it at all. I have my answer ready.’
’Well?’
’Look, I’m not saying no, don’t think that. But I can’t say yes either, at least not straight away. I know you love me, and I can see advantages in being your wife, but there’s a question of money, isn’t there? I mean, there’s probably nothing wrong with your job, but it doesn’t pay very well. You said that yourself.’
’I’ve only just started. It has good prospects.’
’Perhaps, but that’s all years away. If it ever comes. I’ve seen people getting married on next to nothing, and having to scrape a bare living on a small income. It may work for some, but it won’t work for me. I don’t want that. I’m not used to it and I don’t intend to get used to it. I want to start properly with a decent house and new furniture and a bit put away in the bank for the future. Quite a lot put away, in fact. Prospects don’t pay the bills. Prospects don’t give a lot of fun in life, either. I’ve never been without money, and I’ve no desire to find out what it’s like to live without it.’
’I’m not afraid of hard work, Stella. You know I’ll work for you. All right, we may not get everything at once, but it will come, I promise you. You know, where other industries are falling away, this one is expanding so rapidly it’s almost frightening. There are openings for anyone with a bit of common sense and who doesn’t mind taking a bit of a risk. Not that there is much risk. It’s almost impossible to go wrong.’
There had been more along the same lines, but she remained obdurate.
’I’m sorry, David, but promises aren’t enough. I’m used to a good bit more than just the basics of life. You know that. You’ve seen how we live. Even now, my parents don’t really approve of you. They think you should get yourself a proper job, something in local administration perhaps, instead of playing about with computers. I think they might have a point.’
’It’s not playing about, Stella,’ he protested. ’It’s a serious job. Information technology is going to spread more widely than most people believe. When the time comes, I’ll have a head start. There’s a fortune to be made at it. Several fortunes in fact, and I intend to make at least one of them.’
She sniffed. ’Making games for little boys to play?’ It wasn’t the first time she had made the same jibe. ’Well, if that’s what you really want to do, go ahead.’
’There’s more to it than games, Stella, even though there’s more money in that than you realise. Don’t you see, the computer is going to revolutionise the business world. It’s only just started. I know you see computers everywhere already, but that’s nothing compared to what is to come. I know. I’m in the business. Honestly, not even the sky is the limit.’
’Yes, yes, whatever you say. I really can’t be bothered with the details.’
Accepting that she meant what she said, he threw himself into his work with even greater vigour than before, saving, saving all the time. He studied further in order to gain extra, specialist qualifications that might, one day, lead to promotion and a higher salary. As he said, hard work did not frighten him, but so busy did he become that he saw rather less of Stella than was customary, and when the time for his examinations came, they met only infrequently.
At first, she had been pleased, and not a little amused at the efforts he was making on her behalf. Later, there developed a slight sense of pique that he seemed to have so much more time for study than for her. In the event, she appeared genuinely delighted when he passed his examinations with the highest honours, a delight that rapidly faded when she realised that there was no more money attached.
’You mean you’ve done all that studying and you don’t get a penny more for it?’ She sounded annoyed.
’No, not immediately. It’s only a licence to hunt, like any qualification. I either have to wait for a vacancy here, or look for another job somewhere else. I think that moving seems to be the best bet. I’ve been looking at one or two jobs further south already. In fact, I intend to try definitely for one of them. I’m sure I’ll get it. The pay is good, better than I’m getting now, and will get even better in the near future. When I get settled, I’ll come back for you.’
The pay was good, and it did improve in a surprisingly short space of time, but as it turned out, Stella’s demands were raised.
’How much?’ he asked, wondering how she could be so blatant as to mention an actual amount.
’You heard,’ Stella replied. ’I’m not going to be satisfied with second best. I never have been and I don’t intend to start now. It all costs money. When you are earning as much as I suggest, come and talk to me again.’
’To earn that much I’d have to be working for myself,’ said David, thinking that her father, well paid though he obviously was, never earned as much throughout his career.
Stella said nothing, simply lifting an elegant eyebrow, using a perfectly manicured hand to brush an imaginary speck of dust from her dress.
David went home that night deep in thought. Taking out his bank statement, he studied it carefully for a long time, then took down a selection of magazines and trade journals, leafing carefully through a particular section. He marked off with red felt tip several advertisements that he seemed to find of interest, then went to bed to sleep on the thoughts raised.
On the following morning, he inspected the red ringed texts again. Suddenly, he flew into rapid activity. Unable even to wait for breakfast, he made several telephone calls, then climbed into his car and drove away out of town. All day he was busy. Drive to one place. Talk to someone. Drive elsewhere. Talk to another. On and on, throughout the day. Stella saw little of him for some weeks after that, nor could she get much out of him regarding his plans. Unusually for her, she wished to know precisely what he was up to, but unusually for him, David gave nothing of importance away. Nothing, that is, until he was ready to share his news with her. When it came, Stella was less than pleased.
’Say that again,’ she said. ’Say it slowly.’
’I’ve done what you suggested, Stella. I’ve bought my own business. It’s a thriving one, or was, until the owner fell ill. Right now it’s a bit run down, but that’s why I got it cheaply. There’s lots of goodwill there, and I know I can build it up. It’s exactly the sort of thing I’ve been looking for.’
’Cheap? You say you got it cheap, but you still needed a bank loan. How much money of your own do you have left?’
’Not a penny,’ he admitted cheerfully. ’On the contrary, I’m deep in debt. I’ve never been in debt in my life before, but I am now. My bank account has more red on it than the whole of Russia. It’s a funny feeling. On the other hand, work in progress will pay the bills for some time, and I’m not devoid of ideas of my own. Now I can really get down to developing them, since I don’t have to please anyone but myself. And the market, naturally. Any profits come to me, of course, after the bank has got its share. I don’t have to hand over the results of my work to anyone else.’
Her face flushed deeply. ’If there are any profits,’ she snapped angrily.
’Oh, there will be. I’ve got a good product, Stella. I have many good products, in fact. They’ve all been developed privately, and nobody else has any claim on them. Several local government authorities have expressed an interest in my accountancy package, for example. There’s real money there, for a start. You should know that. If you don’t, your father certainly does.’
’And just how long will it be before you make your first million?’ she asked. There was a note of sarcasm in her voice which robbed the words of any expectation of fulfilment.
’Why, as to that, I really can’t say,’ said David. ’Maybe never. I could go bankrupt. It’s always a risk.’
’Too much of a risk, if you ask me. You were supposed to be saving to get married. Now you’ve spent it all, yes, and money you don’t even possess, just to throw away on a crazy, hare brained scheme like this.’
’You said you wanted me to earn more money, Stella. You even told me how much you want me to earn. I intend to do that. When I have the amount you stated, I’ll let you know. It may take a little time, but I will do it.’
’If you don’t, I won’t want to see you again. You do realise that, don’t you?’
He smiled at her. ’It’s a risk I’m prepared to take. I don’t believe it’s a big risk. I’m doing it for you, after all. The greatest prize ever as far as I’m concerned.’
’If that was meant to be a compliment, David, I’m not sure