Читать книгу Passion Into Profit - Harrington Andy - Страница 6

It's November 2012 and even though I am standing at the back of the ballroom of the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, it's clear for all to see he's larger than life. I can't believe he's here. I've been waiting for this moment for ten years. I've dreamt about it, and even had nightmares. This is my chance.

I scan the environment. I'm weighing up my options. On the stage is the diminutive comedian Ruby Wax. The stage is flanked on both sides by four US Secret Service agents in their pristine black suits. I chuckle to myself. I can't help thinking that this looks like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster.

‘Ladies and gentlemen.’ My momentary lapse of concentration is broken by Ruby Wax's nasal accent. ‘Please welcome to the stage the former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.’

The 300-strong audience rises to its feet, applauding enthusiastically. But I'm not one of them. My mind is on more important things. Don't get me wrong – I admire Bill Clinton's humanitarian work, but this is my chance to end something that began ten years earlier. If I take my chance, this will be the end of an era.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves but my self-talk is in overdrive …

‘Maybe I should just go home to Beckie and forget this whole thing?’ But I quickly chastise myself for even thinking it. ‘No, Andy – you've planned for this moment far too long to back out now!’

I'm staring, focused on one guest of honour at the top table, and I resolve that this is the day to do it. All eyes and ears are with Clinton. But not mine.

My mind wanders back to 11 years earlier at the law courts of the Old Bailey in London, where this all started.