A Prisoner of Birth Read online

  A PRISONER OF BIRTH

  ALSO BY JEFFREY ARCHER

  NOVELS

  Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

  Shall We Tell the President?

  Kane & Abel

  The Prodigal Daughter

  First Among Equals

  A Matter of Honour

  As the Crow Flies

  Honour Among Thieves

  The Fourth Estate

  The Eleventh Commandment

  Sons of Fortune

  False Impression

  The Gospel According to Judas

  (with the assistance of Professor Francis J. Moloney)

  SHORT STORIES

  A Quiver Full of Arrows

  A Twist in the Tale

  Twelve Red Herrings

  The Collected Short Stories

  To Cut a Long Story Short

  Cat O’ Nine Tails

  PLAYS

  Beyond Reasonable Doubt

  Exclusive

  The Accused

  PRISON DIARIES

  Volume One – Belmarsh: Hell

  Volume Two – Wayland: Purgatory

  Volume Three – North Sea Camp: Heaven

  SCREENPLAYS

  Mallory: Walking Off the Map

  False Impression

  JEFFREY ARCHER

  A PRISONER OF BIRTH

  MACMILLAN

  First published 2008 by Macmillan

  This electronic edition published 2008 by Macmillan

  an imprint of Pan Macmillan Ltd

  Pan Macmillan, 20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR

  Basingstoke and Oxford

  Associated companies throughout the world

  www.panmacmillan.com

  ISBN 978-0-230-71375-8 in Adobe Reader format

  ISBN 978-0-230-71374-1 in Adobe Digital Editions format

  ISBN 978-0-230-71377-2 in Microsoft Reader format

  ISBN 978-0-230-71376-5 in Mobipocket format

  Copyright © Jeffrey Archer 2008

  The right of Jeffrey Archer to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

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

  Visit www.panmacmillan.com to read more about all our books and to buy them. You will also find features, author interviews and news of any author events, and you can sign up for e-newsletters so that you’re always first to hear about our new releases.

  TO JONATHAN AND MARION

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to thank the following for their invaluable advice and help with this book:

  The Hon Michael Beloff QC, Kevin Robinson, Simon Bainbridge, Rosie de Courcy, Mari Roberts, Alison Prince and Billy Little (BX7974, HMP Whitemoor, LVCM (Hons), BSc (Hons), Soc Sci (Open), Dip SP & C (Open))

  PROLOGUE

  ‘YES,’ SAID BETH.

  She tried to look surprised, but wasn’t all that convincing as she had already decided that they were going to be married when they were at secondary school. However, she was amazed when Danny fell on one knee in the middle of the crowded restaurant.

  ‘Yes,’ Beth repeated, hoping he’d stand up before everyone in the room stopped eating and turned to stare at them. But he didn’t budge. Danny remained on one knee, and like a conjurer, produced a tiny box from nowhere. He opened it to reveal a simple gold band boasting a single diamond that was far larger than Beth had expected – although her brother had already told her that Danny had spent two months’ wages on the ring.

  When Danny finally got off his knee, he took her by surprise again. He immediately began to tap a number on his mobile. Beth knew only too well who would be on the other end of the line.

  ‘She said yes!’ Danny announced triumphantly. Beth smiled as she held the diamond under the light and took a closer look. ‘Why don’t you join us?’ Danny added before she could stop him. ‘Great, let’s meet at that wine bar off the Fulham Road – the one we went to after the Chelsea game last year. See you there, mate.’

  Beth didn’t protest; after all, Bernie was not only her brother, but Danny’s oldest friend, and he’d probably already asked him to be his best man.

  Danny turned off his phone and asked a passing waiter for the bill. The maitre d’ bustled across.

  ‘It’s on the house,’ he said, giving them a warm smile.

  It was to be a night of surprises.

  When Beth and Danny strolled into the Dunlop Arms, they found Bernie seated at a corner table with a bottle of champagne and three glasses by his side.

  ‘Fantastic news,’ he said even before they had sat down.

  ‘Thanks, mate,’ said Danny, shaking hands with his friend.

  ‘I’ve already phoned Mum and Dad,’ said Bernie as he popped the cork and filled the three champagne glasses. ‘They didn’t seem all that surprised, but then it was the worst-kept secret in Bow.’

  ‘Don’t tell me they’ll be joining us as well,’ said Beth.

  ‘Not a chance,’ said Bernie raising his glass, ‘you’ve only got me this time. To long life and West Ham winning the cup.’

  ‘Well, at least one of those is possible,’ said Danny.

  ‘I think you’d marry West Ham if you could,’ said Beth, smiling at her brother.

  ‘Could do worse,’ said Bernie.

  Danny laughed. ‘I’ll be married to both for the rest of my life.’

  ‘Except on Saturday afternoons,’ Bernie reminded him.

  ‘And you might even have to sacrifice a few of those once you take over from Dad,’ said Beth.

  Danny frowned. He had been to see Beth’s father during his lunch break and had asked for permission to marry his daughter – some traditions die hard in the East End. Mr Wilson couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about Danny becoming his son-in-law, but went on to tell him that he had changed his mind about something Danny thought they’d already agreed on.

  ‘And if you think I’m gonna call you guv when you take over from my old man,’ said Bernie, breaking into his thoughts, ‘you can forget it.’ Danny didn’t comment.

  ‘Is that who I think it is?’ said Beth.

  Danny took a closer look at the four men standing by the bar. ‘It certainly looks like ’im.’

  ‘Looks like who?’ asked Bernie.

  ‘That actor what plays Dr Beresford in The Prescription.’

  ‘Lawrence Davenport,’ whispered Beth.

  ‘I could always go and ask him for his autograph,’ said Bernie.

  ‘Certainly not,’ said Beth. ‘Although Mum never misses an episode.’

  ‘I think you fancy him,’ said Bernie as he topped up their glasses.

  ‘No, I don’t,’ said Beth a little too loudly, causing one of the men at the bar to turn round. ‘And in any case,’ she added smiling at her fiancé, ‘Danny’s far better looking than Lawrence Davenport.’

  ‘Dream on,’ said Bernie. ‘Just because Danny boy’s shaved and washed his hair for a change, don’t think he’s gonna make a habit of it, sis. No chance. Just remember that your future ’usband works in the East End, not the City.’

  ‘Danny could be anything he wanted to be,’ said Beth, taking his hand.

  ‘What’ve you got in mind, sis? Tycoon or tosser?’ said Bernie, thumping Danny on the arm.

  ‘Da