Chapter 9

Three years later, I walked out of physiotherapy for the last time.

The LSE audit programme had concluded. Gerald offered me a position in one of the Harrington Group's subsidiary foundations. He put it carefully: the foundation's leadership didn't have to be Theo or Max. If I wanted it, it was available.

I told him I appreciated that, but I had other ideas.

The world was large. I wanted to spend part of my time in it properly — contributing to things that mattered, seeing the places that needed seeing, and doing good work where it was needed. Gerald's resources could support that. The corporate structure could wait.

Theo and Max complained bitterly.

"Why don't you just take over so Dad gets off our backs? He and Aunt Caroline make our lives miserable."

"Because," I said, "you'll be fine. You always are."

They threw cushions at me.

It was the most ordinary moment I'd had in years, and I felt it fully.