c++ instance coding fear resplendent idea?

at before employer, minute binary messages "over wire" computers. any summary customary header something like:

class header
{
    int type;
    int payloadlength;
};

all information consistent (header, immediately followed data). wanted load given pointer header. traditionally, competence contend something like:

char* header::getpayload()
{
    relapse ((char*) &payloadlength) + sizeof(payloadlength);
}

or even:

char* header::getpayload()
{
    relapse ((char*) this) + sizeof(header);
}

that seemed kind verbose, i came adult with:

char* header::getpayload()
{
    relapse (char*) &this[1];
}

it seems rather unfortunate during first, presumably too rare -- nonetheless unequivocally compact.
there lot plead presumably resplendent an abomination.

so - crime opposing coding, good solution? have ever identical trade-off?

-update:

we try 0 sized array, nonetheless during time, compilers gave warnings.
we eventually went inhertited technique: summary derives header.
it works good practice, nonetheless priciple observant summary isa header - seems small awkward.