One Enchanted Evening Read online

  His tone was grave, and now Vivienne understood why. All the time she had once spent dallying in the Candlelight Club and hotel restaurants had to be filled, and for the first time in her life she had lately deigned to look at the broadsheets. She had read all about Mr Hitler. But all-out war? She was too young to recall the Great War itself, but surely men could not be so foolish as to risk it again?

  ‘Our Spanish business is already at a standstill. Imagine what happens next. The Buckingham needs more ballast if we’re to weather whatever’s to come. But there’s hope. There is a man called John Hastings – Junior, you understand. Perhaps you’re familiar with the type. He’s a New Yorker like yourself. He’s to come to London this summer, sizing up new investments, and . . .’ Maynard petered into silence. ‘We need the Buckingham strong, when he arrives. We need equilibrium. So the very best way that you might help the good people of this hotel – the good people, Vivienne, who have themselves helped you when you’ve been at your lowest ebb – is to play your part. Act your role. Am I understood?’

  Vivienne would have spoken, then, but a lump had formed in her throat. She remained frozen in the doorway, until finally she uttered the single word, ‘Understood,’ and slammed the door behind her.

  In the reception hall, the check-in desks were clear. Billy Brogan was waiting patiently with the other concierges as one of the night managers arrived for his shift.

  Vivienne passed them all by, holding herself rigidly as Maynard’s words played over in her mind. Play your part. Act your role. Be a good little girl and keep out of the way, would you, Vivienne? The grown-ups are working . . .

  The music of the Archie Adams Orchestra was still coursing up from the ballroom, but Vivienne stopped before crossing its threshold – then turned away and walked into the golden cage of the guest lift.

  Suddenly, she didn’t feel like dancing at all.

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  First published in Great Britain in 2018 by Zaffre

  This ebook edition published in 2018 by

  ZAFFRE

  80-81 Wimpole St, London, W1G 9RE

  Copyright © Anton Du Beke, 2018

  Cover design by Alexandra Allden

  Cover photographs © Colin Thomas (dancers); Arcangel

  Images / Dave Wall (lamp post); Shuttertock (all other images).

  The moral right of Anton Du Beke to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  ISBN: 978-1-78576-483-7

  [Original binding] ISBN: 978-1-78576-480-6

  This ebook was produced by IDSUK (Data Connection) Ltd

  Zaffre is an imprint of Bonnier Books UK

  www.bonnierbooks.co.uk