Cliff House

By David Rymer

Robert Wainwright, an ordinary schoolteacher, has been approached by a shadowy government figure and tasked with something extraordinary.
David Rymer’s Cliff House is the tale of a reluctant hero, forced to face peril and danger in the name of national security. Wainwright must place his trust in those faces who represent the nation’s interest and use his local knowledge to accomplish the mission.
Cliff House contains as much mystery as le Carré. Rymer drip feeds the reader with the pace of Clancy, exploring themes of heroism and family bonds, but at the heart of it, Cliff House is a love story, symbolising the hectic nature of the world around us and how—even under such circumstances—love can be found.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley
• Release date: Oct 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781786939982

Book preview

David Rymer was born in York, in the North of England, in 1940. He is married with three grown-up sons and several grandchildren. He was the fifth generation to join the family business – J Rymer Funeral Directors.

Childhood family holidays in the location of the book are fondly remembered by David.

David Rymer

CLIFF HOUSE

Copyright © David Rymer (2017)

The right of David Rymer to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

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

ISBN 9781786939975 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781786939982 (E-Book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2017)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Dedication

Dedicated to my sister Christine, for her help and encouragement.

Chapter 1

The invitation

Overdale, a village situated on the edge of the North York Moors, of approximately one-thousand-five-hundred inhabitants, with a beautiful fourteenth-century church, a thriving primary school, the White Horse public house, well used by the local community and popular with visitors and people from the surrounding area, was looking idyllic on this late July morning but then it always did. Robert Wainwright, a school teacher, but not at the village school, was out on his morning walk which he usually managed to take during the school holidays. He always took the same route from his cottage, down Main Street, then when at the end he would cross into Wray’s Field then follow the public path to the small valley at the far end. When he had crossed the valley, he climbed the far side to where there was a country bench on which he sat and which gave panoramic views of Overdale and the surrounding countryside.

It was not unusual to see people walking on their own round Overdale although they were more likely to be in groups or maybe just a couple. So, when Robert first saw the man approaching him on the rim of the valley he thought it could be someone local. As he got closer he realised he was not. The man was probably in his forties – about the same age as Robert. Walking down any street in a town or city and saying, ‘Good Morning,’ to a complete stranger would probably get you a strange look. Doing the same in the countryside or any rural area is accepted as normal.

As the walker neared the bench he and Robert almost simultaneously said, ‘Good Morning.’

‘Do you mind if I sit down?’ the stranger said.

‘No, certainly not,’ Robert replied.

‘What a lovely view,’ he continued.

‘Yes, especially on a clear morning like this,’ Robert said.

‘Mr Wainwright, my name is John Henderson, I work in Government Security and I will get straight to the point. I think you may be able to help us. I could show you some credentials but I think you would probably require a little more convincing than that to confirm who I am and what I am involved in.’

From what the man said Robert soon dismissed any idea that he was not sincere and that he had something about his manner and presence which said listen.

‘Am I in any trouble?’ Robert asked softly.

‘No, you are certainly not,’ replied Henderson with a smile.

‘I am at a loss to know how I could be of any help to anyone with anything to do with government security.’

‘Maybe you can’t,’ replied Henderson again smiling, ‘but we would very much like to find out if you can.’

‘How did you find out who I am and where I live?’

‘That was the easy part,’ replied Henderson.

‘I don’t even know what it is you think I can do.’

‘That is the next step Mr Wainwright if you will agree to help us.’

‘I don’t see how I can refuse, anyway, I’m intrigued,’ Robert replied.

‘All I can tell you today is that it is very important.’

Henderson then produced a document, ‘I will require you to sign this, it is an extract from the Official Secrets Act. Whether subsequently you are able to help us or not, you must not repeat or even discuss with anyone what might transpire.’

Wainwright nodded his head, rested the document on the side of the bench and without reading it, signed.

‘What happens now?’ Wainwright asked.

‘Well I am sure you will want confirmation.’

Henderson took a small notebook and biro from his pocket and wrote a number down, tore the page out and handed it to Wainwright and said, ‘This is the telephone number and extension you require at the Home Office. If you want to be absolutely certain check with Directory Enquiries. Ask to speak to Henry Wallis, he will be able to give you any confirmation you require. Once you have done this I will contact you to arrange a meeting. Well, I must be on my way,’ Henderson said getting up from the bench. ‘I am sorry I interrupted your morning.’ Robert got up and they shook hands. He watched Henderson walk down the valley towards Overdale. He sat back down for a while, contemplating what had taken place before returning home.

The next day he telephoned the Home Office and spoke to Henry Wallis although he was already convinced that Henderson was who he said he was. The conversation with Wallis did not last long, but long enough to confirm what Robert already knew.

That evening Henderson telephoned him.

‘Are you still prepared to help us Mr Wainwright?’ Henderson asked.

‘I will if I can,’ responded Robert.

‘I would like to meet you this week if possible.’

‘Where would that be?’ Robert asked.

‘Scarborough, not too far from you. Could you manage Thursday?’ Henderson enquired.

‘Yes, I can.’

Henderson then gave him an address of an apartment on the South Cliff.

‘Can you be there for 10.00am?’ enquired Henderson.

‘Yes, I