Read Online Sons of Fortune by Jeffrey Archer - Free Book Online Page B

silly,” she said. She took his hand again, this time holding on to it.
    “Don’t
you think we ought to go back and join the party?” asked Fletcher. “Otherwise
they might start to wonder where we are.”
    “I
suppose so,” said Annie, but she didn’t move. “Fletcher, have you ever kissed a
girl?” she asked quietly.
    “No,
I haven’t,” he admitted, turning scarlet.
    “Would
you like to?”
    “Yes,
I would,” he said.
    “Would
you like to kiss me?”
    He
nodded and then turned and watched as Annie closed her eyes and pursed her
lips. He checked to make sure that all the doors were closed, before he leaned
forward and kissed her gently on the mouth.
    Once
he’d stopped, she opened her eyes.
    “Do
you know what a French kiss is?” she asked.
    “No,
I don’t,” said Fletcher.
    “No,
neither do I,” admitted Annie. “If you find out, will you tell me?”
    “Yes,
I will,” said Fletcher.

BOOK TWO
EXODUS
    “A RE you going
to run for president?” asked Jimmy.
    “Haven’t
decided yet,” Fletcher replied.
    “Everyone
assumes you will.”
    “That’s
one of the problems.”
    “My
father wants you to.”
    “But
my mother doesn’t,” said Fletcher.
    “Why
not?” asked Jimmy.
    “She
thinks I should spend my final year concentrating on getting a place at Yale.”
    “But
if you become student president, it will only assist your application. It’s me
who’s going to find it a struggle.”
    “I’m
sure your father has several markers to call in,” said Fletcher with a grin.
    “What
does Annie think?” asked Jimmy, ignoring the comment.
    “She’s
happy to go along with whatever I decide.”
    “Then
perhaps I should be the deciding factor.”
    “What
do you have in mind?”
    “If
you hope to win, you’ll have to appoint me as your campaign manager.”
    “That
should certainly lengthen the odds,” said Fletcher. Jimmy picked up a cushion
from the sofa and threw it at his friend. “In fact, if you really want to
guarantee my victory,” added Fletcher as he caught it, “you should volunteer
your services as campaign manager for my closest rival.”
    Their
sparring was interrupted when Jimmy’s father walked into the room. “Fletcher,
could you spare me a moment?”
    “Of course, sir.”
    “Perhaps
we could have a chat in my study.”
    Fletcher
quickly rose and followed the senator out of the room. He looked back at Jimmy,
but his friend just shrugged his shoulders. He wondered if he had done
something wrong.
    “Have
a seat,” said Harry Gates as he took his place behind the desk. He paused
before he added, “Fletcher, I need a favor.”
    “Anything, sir. I’ll
never be able to repay you for all you’ve done for me.”
    “You’ve
more than honored our agreement,” said the senator. “For the past three years,
Jimmy has somehow kept his place in the top stream, and he wouldn’t have had a
prayer without your continued vigilance.”
    “That’s
kind of you to say so, but ..”
    “It’s
no more than the truth, but all I want for the boy now is to see that he has a
fair shot at getting into Yale.”
    “But
how can I help when I’m not even certain of a place myself?”
    The
senator ignored the comment. “Pork barrel politics, my boy.”
    “I’m
not sure I understand, sir.”
    “If
you become student government president, as I’m confident you will , the first thing you’ll have to do is appoint a
vice-president.” Fletcher nodded.
    “And
that could just tip the balance for Jimmy when the admissions office at Yale
decides who gets those last few places.”
    “And
it’s just tipped the balance for me, sir.”
    “Thank
you, Fletcher, I appreciate that, but please don’t let Jimmy know that we’ve
had this conversation.”
    As
soon as he woke the following morning, Fletcher went next door and sat on the
end of Jimmy’s bed. “This had better be good,” said Jimmy, “because I was
dreaming about Daisy Hollingsworth.”
    “Dream
on,” said Fletcher, “half