‘How was the rest of your week?’ Gwen said.
‘Fine. It’s easy when they’re not in town,’ John said.
Gwen agreed. ‘I get so much actual work done.’
‘I know. My inbox is down below a hundred. I’m thinking I might run out of work by Tuesday.’
‘They’re back the week after that. It will all start again.’
‘True. As Bill Florey said, “We must never tire in our efforts to provide the leadership that the people want and deserve”.’
It was like a choir started singing in Gwen’s mind. ‘You read his biography.’
‘I did. Admirable old coot. Pulling himself up from nothing. I think I would have enjoyed knowing him.’
‘Did you read any of the others?’
‘Not yet, but with the ease of next week, I’m sure I’ll power through them. You were right—biographies are a great way to learn about the actuality of how the party works and what it means. I can see lots of ways in which the strategy to achieve things on your side is very different to ours.’
‘Indeed. Maybe worth the challenge to someone like you, to have to learn a new set of strategies.’
‘You are a wise and wonderful woman, Gwen Fairford,’ John said and smiled and Gwen wanted to rip his clothes off there and then.
They went to the dining table for dinner—chicken cacciatore. As John continued to tell her the things he had learnt from the book, Gwen’s joy grew. But it then plateaued and started to sink. A whole hour he’d been here, and they’d spoken of nothing but politics.
‘Seen any good movies lately?’ Gwen threw in.
John blinked. ‘Is there a movie out about your party?’
Gwen laughed. ‘God, no. The only person who has every managed to make politics interesting is Aaron Sorkin, and he’s got enough material without looking at Australia.’
‘Not entirely true,’ John said. ‘House of Cards is brilliant. Was brilliant. Are we allowed to like it any more?’
‘Now that it is going to be about Claire, yes,’ Gwen said. ‘I want her wardrobe.’
From there, the conversation segued into television, film, music. Gwen got out the dessert—mini pavlovas—and then they ended up back on the balcony.
There came a lull in the conversation. John finished his wine and stood. ‘Well, it’s getting late. I should be heading home.’
Gwen shot to her feet. That wasn’t the response to this night she had envisaged. ‘Are you sure? I can open another bottle of wine.’
John stepped up to her and put his hand on her cheek. Gwen leant into it, loving the warmth of his skin on hers. She could smell him, wanted to taste him, and her stomach shivered.
‘Gwen,’ he said softly. ‘I am so pleased that we are talking again, and that we are starting to build something. I don’t want to ruin things.’
Gwen smiled at him. ‘You can only ruin things by leaving me unsatisfied.’
His returning smile made her blood boil. ‘Well, I don’t want to do that.’
***
Gwen was still smiling when she went into work on Monday morning. Alec must have noted, because during a quiet moment together, he leant over to her and said, ‘Things are working out?’
‘Beautifully,’ Gwen said. ‘I will be happy, and we will have another political powerhouse. The world is perfect.’
‘Glad to hear it,’ Alec said. He started to walk away, but then turned and looked at her with a seriousness that Gwen rarely witnessed. ‘You know that whatever happens, I am here for you.’
Gwen watched him leave, a frown creasing her forehead. Did Alec not believe John was serious? Did he doubt the two of them would work? Did she still need to be worried?
Over the course of the next few days, her worries eased. John texted her often, with quotes from the books that he enjoyed, or with questions about process and ideas. It became increasingly obvious that John really was serious in his consideration of joining her side of politics.
So she sent him a sexy text, and he sent one back, and soon they were forgetting it was the middle of the day and meeting at her apartment for a bout of quick, dirty sex.
‘You know,’ John said, panting. ‘It would be much easier if we could find somewhere at work to do this.’
‘No way,’ Gwen said. ‘Can you imagine being caught in a janitor’s closet?’
‘I was thinking of something a little more refined than that. Like, maybe on Mrs B’s desk?’
Gwen thumped him and laughed. ‘No.’
‘Come on, Gwen, think of how hot it would be. Then every time you saw it, you’d know that one time, you and I...’
‘Don’t tempt me,’ Gwen said.
Sure enough, Friday afternoon, she got a mysterious text from John. It told her to meet him in his office.
‘No way,’ she texted back.
‘Way. Trust me.’
Did she dare? If she was caught fucking John Worthing in his boss’s office, that would be the end of her political career. The party would expel her.
But damn if the idea wasn’t making her drip, it was so hot.
So she went, and they had sex right on top of some government policy papers and while it was uncomfortable, and John bumped his head twice, it was also the naughtiest, most liberating thing Gwen had ever done.
That night, when John came over and started to talk about the latest biography he’d read, Gwen said, ‘Fuck politics’ and took him to bed and that’s where they spent the entire weekend.
By the time John dragged himself home Sunday night, Gwen had no doubt she had met the perfect man and was deeply, madly in love with him.
Alec
It was clear from the stupid grins on both Gwen and John’s faces that the two of them had settled their problems and were going at it like rabbits.
Alec worried about the future. John just wasn’t any good at Bunburying, and Alec feared he would trip up, reveal himself and crush poor Gwen. But he didn’t want to ruin Gwen’s happiness, and the off chance that maybe this was real and John would make it. So he tried to make himself as supportive as possible, while also making clear to Gwen he was there for her if she ever needed.
In the meantime, he had to attend the first bipartisan committee meeting considering the introduction of a new housing program. While Alec was planning on sending Hamish to the rest of the meetings, he was going to attend the first himself. He’d been working on such a plan while his party had been in government and he was intrigued to see what had changed.
Alec walked into the meeting room to find the other staffers there, including beautiful Cecily. She refused to look at him, which told Alec she was well aware he was in the room. He slouched in a seat at the end of the table and smiled at Brenda Porter, the staffer for the minister.
‘Thank you all for being here,’ Brenda said. ‘I am going to brief you on this important initiative of the minister, which will see a real renewal here in Australia. I am delighted that this has bipartisan support, and hope that means that we will have no issue getting it through Parliament. Now, let’s begin.’
Alec picked up the paper and scanned it as Brenda spoke. Sure enough, it was pretty much word for word the document he’d developed with the Department of Finance. The only difference was in some of the figures. Alec had worked for two years on this paper and it had been almost ready to go when the election was called. The party had refused to use any of it as part of the election campaign, terrified that it would scare voters away. Now here it was, being touted as potential Government policy.
This was the shit part about being in opposition. Sometimes, you had to bite your tongue and let the government make the running on work you had done. But when the time was right, everyone would know this was all his party’s doing and their cachet with the electorate would skyrocket.
Some of the people in the room had ridiculous questions, like how many votes were in it for their candidate. There was still more than two years to the next election—he as the opposition had to campaign im
mediately, but surely the government could, you know, govern for a while? Save him from people with no vision.
Thankfully, the lovely Cecily wasn’t one of them. Her questions, when asked, were about how the outcomes would be measured and what the timelines were.
Brenda became flustered. Idiot hadn’t expected anyone in the room to be smart enough to wonder about those things, so she obviously hadn’t paid attention to that part of Alec’s work. She started flipping through pieces of paper while trying to obfuscate.
Alec yawned and answered. ‘There will be a series of questionnaires that are released at certain times to capture exactly where people are up to at a given time and we can then look at whether we need to extend a certain period or if we can push forward as that section is coming together faster than expected.’
The entire room turned and looked at him. He smiled at them, innocently. ‘At least, that’s what I would do. I can’t imagine that the minister has planned any differently.’
Brenda must have found the relevant section, because she nodded. ‘Spot on, Moncrieff. We’ll make a political adviser out of you yet.’
Most of the room laughed. Cecily gave Alec a look that said she thought he was up to something. Alec grinned at her and she turned away, but not before a flush brightened her cheeks.
God, she was adorable.
After the meeting, Alec walked slowly, allowing Cecily to catch up with him.
‘Did you steal the papers?’ she said.
Alec stopped and stared at her. ‘How dare you! I would never do such a thing.’
‘It’s one of two explanations as to why you knew the exact answer to my question. Either you got hold of all the papers for that meeting and read up on them in the hope of having an opportunity to make Brenda look like an idiot.’
‘That’s way too much effort to make Brenda look like an idiot when she’s so capable of doing it herself.’
‘Or you actually wrote the papers yourself and for some reason are allowing the government to have the running on it, at this stage at least.’
‘Why on earth would I do something to the advantage of the government?’
‘Because you’re going to be able to turn it around to make your side look like the winners and we’ll end up looking like idiots.’
‘Again, way too much effort to make your side look like idiots, when—’
Cecily held up her hand. ‘That will do. It’s exactly what you’re doing. Well, I’m going to work out what your plan is, and I am going to stop you.’
‘Really? How delightful. I haven’t had a proper adversary in such a long time.’
‘You have one now. May the best person win.’
Alec bowed his head. ‘I’m sure the best woman will.’
Cecily walked away. Alec watched her with a smile. Okay, so he was never going to have her as a lover, but crossing swords with her in the halls of parliament would also be thrilling.
The next few weeks were going to be exciting.
Cecily
Cecily only worked out what Alec was up to after a chance meeting with a lobbyist. Lobelia Prism worked on behalf of the tobacco industry.
‘It’s wonderful to meet you,’ Lobelia said. ‘I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.’
‘Thank you,’ Cecily said. ‘I’m sure John was being too kind.’
‘Oh, I didn’t hear it from John. I heard it from Alec Moncrieff, and he doesn’t praise someone unless it is truly deserved.’
From there, the plan unfolded. Lobelia was the secret link. Once she worked out what he had planned, Cecily had to gasp at the awe of it. She certainly wouldn’t have thought of something so convoluted, yet so guaranteed to succeed. And she wouldn’t have worked any of it out without knowing of Alec’s relationship with Lobelia.
With that, she was on her phone.
‘Alec Moncrieff.’
‘Did you tell Lobelia Prism to let slip that she knew you?’
‘Why would I do such a thing?’
‘To help me put it all together. Which I have done. I’m undecided as to whether to applaud you or get the hell out of town.’
‘Please go with the applause. I don’t plan to run you out of town just yet.’
Cecily smiled. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thank you. So now you know my devious plan, what will you do to stop me?’
She hadn’t figured that out yet, but Alec didn’t need to know that. ‘Nothing.’
‘Nothing?’
‘You can’t see it, can you?’
‘See what?’
She almost laughed at the doubt creeping into his voice.’ How you’re going to undermine yourself and destroy it all.’
‘I am not.’
‘Oh, you are. Now that I know about Lobelia, I can see it clearly. I suggest you work it out yourself and change your plan before it’s too late.’
Cecily hung up and then let the laughter out. That should keep Alec worried for a while.
He called her the next morning. ‘You minx. There’s nothing wrong with my plan. It’s perfect.’
‘How late did you stay up before you realised?’
‘Much too late. Sleep is very important to me. I shall be grumpy all day. You owe me.’
‘I think considering the number of late nights you would have given people over the years, it’s deserved justice.’
‘You are a harsh and cruel woman, Cecily Carter. You will be one hell of a PM.’
‘Thank you.’
‘So, have you worked out how to stop me yet?’
‘Actually, I think there’s two ways I can do it.’
‘Two ways? No, there’s just one, and you won’t do that because it will be career suicide. You are trying to Bunbury me.’
‘Bunbury you?’
‘It’s the phrase for when you tell a lie to get out of something, or get someone into something. I am sure there is only one way to stop me, and no one will do it. I will be triumphant.’
‘There is a second way,’ Cecily said.
‘Which is?’
‘Ask you nicely not to.’
Alec laughed. ‘I hadn’t thought of that. Also doomed to failure, but a nice try.’
‘I think if I tried hard enough, I could convince you.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really. But now is not the time or place to discuss it.’
‘Indeed it is not.’
‘Tonight. My place. You know where it is.’
‘This is the most fun I have had in ages, dear Cecily. I will see you at seven.’
Cecily hung up. She was playing with fire, but the past few days had revealed to her the truth. Alec Moncrieff was becoming an obsession, and the best way to kill an obsession was to reveal its imperfections. So they would have a few drinks, and she would unpick the charm and find the real Alec Moncrieff and it would finish everything.
***
Alec arrived with a bottle of Merlot. ‘I took a punt you are a red drinker,’ he said. ‘You like something with heart and guts.’
‘Adore red,’ Cecily said. She poured them both a drink while Alec strolled around her living area.
‘This looks a little more than a regular computer,’ he said, pointing to her computer tower and gaming equipment as she came to give him his glass. ‘What are you up to?’
‘It will take more than that to crack my secrets,’ Cecily said. ‘Shall we sit outside? It’s getting a little chilly.’
‘No thanks.’ Alec sprawled on her sofa and patted the seat next to him. ‘Come. Let us talk.’
Cecily sat on the armchair and took a sip of the wine. It was sinfully good and she closed her eyes with a moan. When she opened them, it was to catch a momentary fire in Alec’s gaze before he blinked and became neutral again.
Good. He was still attracted to her.
‘So, tell me how you’re going to convince me not to go ahead with the plan,’ Alec said.
‘It’s simple, really.’ Cecily waited until he had a mouthful of wine be
fore she said, ‘I’ll make you fall in love with me.’
He didn’t spit it out but his eyes bulged and he swallowed quickly. Then he looked at her and nodded. ‘It is entirely possible that would work. Congratulations for working out the flaw in my plan. Of course, now that I know that, I will ensure that I do not fall in love with you.’
‘A shame,’ Cecily said. ‘I think we’d have fun together.’
Alec grinned and Cecily shivered. ‘Oh, we can still have fun together. I just can’t love you.’
‘Except that without love, I don’t think we can have fun. Love is the only force powerful enough to overcome the fact that we are on opposite sides.’
‘Lord, you aren’t thinking of us as some kind of Romeo and Juliet, are you?’
‘Of course not,’ Cecily scoffed. ‘I certainly do not intend to kill myself over you. And this isn’t West Side Story either, in case you were thinking of breaking into song.’
‘I only sing for things that are very important. Like good wine. And food.’
Lord, he was charming and she was in danger of forgetting everything. ‘So we agree we aren’t going to be dreadfully dramatic about this? Admit that we are attracted to each other but nothing will come of it because you refuse to fall in love with me.’
‘What if the politics didn’t matter?’
‘What a ridiculous thing to say. Of course they matter. I am committed to my party, as you are to yours.’
Alec shrugged. ‘Maybe I’m not.’
Cecily laughed. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. You are your party’s golden boy. The chosen one. Except you won’t take up the mantle. But you believe.’
‘Maybe I just appear that way.’
Cecily shook her head. ‘No one could pretend to be as committed to the party as you are and not mean it.’
‘Couldn’t they?’ Alec sipped his wine.
‘Of course not. That would take the type of conniving and subtlety of a genius.’
‘Some people might say my latest plan is genius.’
It was, and actually the man who had conceived and put into action that could well be able to pretend to be a committed party member for years. But surely not...
The Importance of Ernestine Page 14
