Party Games

by E J Greenway

  Rodney hadn’t brought himself to watch Anthea’s turn on Newsnight. He felt more than a little raw, but knew he had to learn to accept her decision and get over it. He would hide it well, carry on with the job he clumsily admitted he would give up for her, smile for those cameras and relish a leadership election which would finally end this charade with Colin.

  Staring into the fridge Rodney thought of his mother. What would she say about the mess he had made? Lost in thought he continued to stand by the fridge until the door bell startled him. The news of his late-night visitor certainly surprised him, and he almost said to turn her away as she was the last person he wanted – or expected – to have seen that night. He would have to treat her with suspicion at the very least, but after struggling with his conscience and his common sense, agreed with his security to let her in.

  “Hello, Rodney.” Jenny said, pursing her lips as Rodney closed the door hurriedly behind her. “Did you get my birthday card?”

  “What the hell are you doing here? You can’t come here anymore!” Rodney rubbed his forehead in disbelief; here was the woman who tried to bring him down, large as life and looking beautiful in a knee length rich red skirt over her slim hips, complimenting her black hair, curled into a style which almost looked girlish in its appearance but suited her strong, alluring features. Her simple black top was low cut enough to encourage Rodney’s eyes to wander, however fleetingly. She was staring at him quizzically in the doorway, her head cocked to one side.

  “I was just passing, and, well, anyway, did you get it?” She asked with an encouraging widening of her eyes.

  “Yes, I did, but I can’t call you, not after everything! You shouldn’t be here!” Rodney turned and headed into his living room, confused by the flush of conflicting emotions Jenny’s sudden presence had caused. She followed him in silence, dumping a plastic bag in the wide hallway while watching him closely.

  “Don’t you understand what you’ve done?” Rodney said. “I trusted you – at the time. We had been through so much together, but…”

  “But then I found out that you had been screwing my mother!” Jenny snapped, crossing her arms. “While my father was still alive!”

  “It was once while he was alive and I regret it very much!”

  Jenny gave an incredulous gasp. “Yes, because he killed himself, then you did it again! You just ignored the truth – ignored the hurt it caused me; caused Daddy?”

  “Our relationship had irrevocably broken down well before you found out although I bet she told you herself out of spite!” Rodney glared indignantly at his former girlfriend; how dare she turn up, incredibly late, simply to hurl accusations just when he faced one of the worst days of his leadership.

  Jenny laughed mockingly. “Of course she didn’t tell me herself, her best friend did after she bragged about you to her, and it sickened her as much as she knew it would sicken me. Mummy never did care about my feelings and neither, it seems, did you! That’s why I went to the Bulletin, to get at her as much as you. I even think I’ll write a book about you, it’d sell like bloody hot cakes.”

  “Ok so if you want all this out in the open then fine!” Rodney noticed Jenny’s eyes flickering around the room, taking in what were once familiar surroundings. “So you’re here to gloat at the mess you helped precipitate? Your mother is just an excuse in all of this, I really didn’t think you would still be so bitter. You walked out on me remember! Why not just move on? Why say all those things, do you really not want me to succeed that much?”

  Tears had formed in Jenny’s eyes, threatening to fall. Rodney couldn’t recall a single time he had seen Jennifer Lambert cry. She would yell, curse, even throw things on occasion, but tears were a new type of emotional blackmail.

  “I tried to love you Rodney – hell I fancied you enough like so many other bloody women it seems, but you treated me like another one of your colleagues…”

  “I didn’t mean to, but I wanted your support, for Christ’s sake!” Rodney felt angry. “But we’re in the past, over with. I have other worries right now in case you’ve been reading just about yourself in the papers lately.”

  “That’s why I wanted to apologise.” Jenny said softly. “I’ve got it out my system, I’m not bitter any more. I don’t think I shouldn’t be angry but I hate what I did so had to say sorry in person to try to justify it as best I can. I’m sorry you will have to face Colin again, I suppose I just didn’t think through what the result of my actions might be.”

  Oh yes you did, I know you too well, Rodney thought. He glanced towards the living room door in a heavy hint for her to leave but she had walked over to his sideboard where her card had been placed. He was sure she thought he hadn’t seen her smile as she picked it up and idly re-read her own penmanship.

  “Do you want a drink or something? Still like lime and soda?” Rodney found himself asking. He had a mountain of work to get through and he was late ringing Deborah. Jenny peered at him over her shoulder, her gaze fixing on him. She sniffed; that same air of superiority that had grated with Rodney in the final weeks of their relationship, and took tentative steps as she looked around the living room, interest on her face.

  “Yes, thanks. I like what you’ve done to this place, it’s better than that cottage thingy you’ve got in Winchester, I bet you’ve still not sorted out that draft upstairs.”

  “I’ve got a cleaner here,” Rodney replied, ignoring her dig. He remembered just how much he hated being belittled by her. “She keeps it nice and I like it here. I know it’s not in the best part of London but I’m not moving to somewhere upmarket just because I feel I should.”

  “Gosh, Rodney Richmond knowing your own mind – tut, tut, that Chief of Staff of yours won’t like that one little bit.” Jenny sucked in her cheeks but Rodney noted her facetious comment without response. He handed her the drink as she eyed the pile of confidential-looking papers on the coffee table. She had some sort of announcement to make, Rodney could sense it. He switched on the radio in the kitchen to catch Today in Parliament; something to break the silences between them.

  Jenny threw Rodney a depreciating look. “You don’t stop thinking about work for a minute, do you? Look - it wasn’t in the papers but I’ve just got a job as a fundraising director for Labour, I thought you should hear it from me and not one of your people.”

  “If that’s the case then we shouldn’t even be speaking, we both know that.” Rodney had thought that nothing this woman could do could surprise him any longer but he had to give her credit for this little declaration. “And anyway I thought you hated party politics, what did you used to call it, institutionalism by the back door? You’ve given up all your charity work to work for Labour again? Not just to keep getting at me, surely.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Rodney. Contrary to popular belief my whole life isn’t governed by you.” Jenny took a gulp of her drink then indicated to the bag. “I thought you might want something to eat so decided to make my bacon risotto special. Boy did those security freaks search my bags downstairs, like I’m some Shakespearean tragedy about to happen, although I bet Deborah’s got you on a diet has she?”

  “Jenny, it’s gone eleven thirty, I was going to sit in bed and read until I fell asleep while wondering how the hell I’m going to…” He snapped his mouth shut, mindful of the consequences of his words. At least she had been honest enough to tell him she was now working for the other side.

  “How the hell you’re going to see off a challenge from Colin comfortably?” Jenny asked teasingly. She picked up the bag and strode into the kitchen. “Don’t worry you don’t have to answer, I know I’m the enemy. I just thought – well, you might like company. Don’t you ever get lonely? I do, all the time.” She observed casually, hunting in a drawer. The Leader watched her intently yet with caution, leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen. This was how it used to be, Rodney listening while Jenny talked, dominating their relationship while his own worries were pushed aside. Here she was again, disrup
ting his life with thoughts about her he never considered he would have again.

  “I’ve had a couple of brief flings since you, both people high up in the Labour Party, fun at the time but nothing that’s lasted.” Jenny announced, as if Rodney had asked. She began frying an onion.

  Rodney couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “God, Jenny, you really are priceless!”

  “What?” She shrugged, crushing a garlic clove.

  “Between you and your mother I don’t know who is the most hypocritical.”

  “Says Rodney Richmond.” Jenny retorted. “It goes both ways you know, you had your big Tory ambitions but you knew exactly what you were doing during that liaison with my very lefty Mummy at the Engager party not so long ago.”

  Rodney grunted disapprovingly at her observation and poured a glass of wine. He needed something rather much stronger than lime and soda, although by the way Jenny was eyeing up the bottle she wasn’t thinking of driving anywhere anytime soon.

  “I’m glad I’ve managed to humiliate her, oh and Colin Scott, of course. Thought I’d do you a favour. God, she loved all that freaky stuff and his only complaints involved a ‘safe’ word. So bloody weird.”

  Wondering if she had noticed he wasn’t answering her back, he downed half his glass then refilled it. He felt incredibly hot for the time of year, his shirt sticking to his arms and a neat line of sweat down his spine. Colin Scott and Rosie were the last people he wanted to think about.

  “Oh dear, here I am again, upsetting you. You can’t deny I’ve never been anything than a straight talker, Rodney, and d’you know what I think? I think that you like the fact I’ve always told it as it is, I’m not one of your circle who just pats you on the head with one hand while shoving unfavourable opinion polls in the bin with the other. Come on admit it, you’ve missed me.” She faced him with a sultry smile. “You miss the fun we had together in those early days when you didn’t have to tell that Deborah every time you took a dump, or, I hasten to add, got laid. Chop this bacon, will you? Saw the clip of you at the school, baking a cake like you’ve any idea how to cook a thing.”

  Rodney couldn’t help the slip of a smile on his lips. He had missed her, it was true, her bluntness was as refreshing as it was irritating but it wasn’t unwelcome. In short bursts she was good for him, long-term she was a disaster. No wonder her ‘brief flings’ had been just that, no man could take it for as long as he had. The rice bubbled hypnotically in the pan. Risotto was her speciality and already it smelled wonderful.

  “And have you?” Jenny turned to wash her hands, her delicate perfume an alluring aroma and her black hair catching the light against the alabaster skin of her neck.

  “Have I what?” Rodney asked, feeling a little heady.

  “Got laid, silly, although if you’ve been with dear old Rosie again I’d rather not know this time.”

  “No, I’m too tired for that sort of lifestyle and too busy, not that my love life is any of your business.” He meant every word but his tone was more playful than he intended.

  “Shame your bedroom skills aren’t put to good use. The bar is now set very high for me.” The risotto was simmering, steam billowing upwards and drifting under the cupboards. Sex had been their saving grace until their fragile emotional attachment began to diminish. Action had been far less destructive than words. Jenny was near to him, stepping closer, working her magic, her body language open and suggestive.

  “Look at you – you seem, I don’t know, cleaner, somehow.” She studied him closely.

  “Well I have just had a shower.” Rodney quipped.

  “No I don’t mean that, they’ve done things to you, changed your appearance somehow. You’re completely…unblemished.”

  Rodney was unsure whether Jenny was paying him a compliment or gently mocking him. He knew he should frog-march her to the door and slam it in her face, telling her to go back to her new friends in Government he was sure she secretly despised, but instead he hung back.

  “Your hair’s darker, your teeth are whiter and I’ll eat my hat if you haven’t been exfoliating to get skin like that.” Jenny cast him a wry smile and reached up. As the tips of her fingers came to rest on his cheek he grabbed her hand, just firm enough to send her a message. Not yet. Their hands hovered, his holding hers, the heat from her fingers sensual against his palm. He remembered Anthea, out on the Terrace, her smooth lips locked with his...

  “You’re still bloody good looking though, Rodders.” Jenny whispered, her lips as scarlet as her skirt. “You didn’t really need all that ‘polishing up’, shame your lot can’t leave a good thing alone.”

  “Yes, it’s amazing what conceited capitalist scum can ruin.” Rodney wasn’t about to let Jenny out-do him with her sarcasm. She returned to the food, adding more liquid to the pan and settling herself into his home as if they had never separated, as if she hadn’t bad-mouthed him in the press and betrayed his trust.

  “Look I’m not totally against everything your party represents you know, but Cornish devolution’s a bit of an impotent subject to get all hot and bothered over, although Blondie saved your bacon as usual tonight. Talking of bacon, throw that lot into the pan will you?”

  Rodney’s mind was awash with thoughts, attempted comparisons between Jenny and Anthea, but they were few and far between. Jenny was nothing but selfish carnal desire. Maybe such longing was how it had started between Anthea and Tristan; a meal, a glass or two of wine while he cursed his dismissal, two people on the edge finally submitting to temptation. Jenny wafted a plate of hot risotto under his nose.

  “Apart from work, Blondie’s still the only other thing you think about.” She observed, grinning. She placed two plates on the table and poured herself a generous glass of Rodney’s Chardonnay. “And yes you really are that transparent, even for a politician.”

  “I don’t think you’ve ever known what I’m thinking, that’s been half the trouble between us.” Rodney began to eat, feeling Jenny’s heavy gaze on him from across the table. She popped a fork-full of risotto into her mouth and began to chew slowly.

  “Are you sure you haven’t got her into bed yet?”

  “Well I’d probably notice if I had. And her name’s Anthea.” Rodney said smoothly. “This is delicious, by the way. I miss your cooking.”

  “Jeez, she’s a stubborn one.” Jenny smiled coquettishly, her eyes wide and flirtatious. “Thought she might have given in once I was off the scene just to stop that puppy-dog look you give her and let you get it out of your system. I just reckon even though she’s deluding herself that she doesn’t want you, she doesn’t want anyone else to have you, either. She was always just jealous of me. Was she pissed you didn’t give her a better job in the reshuffle?”

  “Tell me about these two acquaintances of yours in the Labour Party. No names, of course, I’m just intrigued. Don’t I make you tarnished goods?” Rodney felt no longer required to answer her questions about Anthea, but the sudden change in subject seemed to amuse Jenny, a twinkle in her striking gaze as she crossed her sleek legs. Rodney was digging gently, taking advantage of her strangely relaxed nature.

  “I think that the judgement of one of them has been shown to be...questionable recently.” Jenny twirled her fork in her food. “If the Cornwall disaster hadn’t got rid of Harvey…”

  “You’re not serious, God Jenny!”

  “Haha, look at you, bloody hell Rodney I’m pulling your leg! I like to think I’ve got some taste!” Jenny laughed, throwing her head back, exposing her slender throat.

  She was here for a reason – someone to share a meal with, companionship or something more, and Rodney he knew he had to be careful. Maybe she felt guilty enough not to breathe another word about his thoughts, but it wasn’t a risk he was about to take.

  “So, did you just write everything down I said?” Rodney chanced, turning his charm up a notch.

  Jenny pouted. “Some things, but I didn’t have a plan for it. Look, I don’t want to get back with you, Rodney.�
� She said flatly, as if he had declared undying love. “Nobody needs another Arnold-Murphy situation on their hands.”

  “You came to me tonight, not the other way round, and I’m not about to suggest we elope either! I think it’s best if you leave when you’ve finished, if the press find out…”

  Jenny cut Rodney off at his suggestion. “Nobody will know I’m here unless you or one of your men downstairs tell them, although I wouldn’t put it past Robert to have bugged the place. How is he these days, still a serious bastard?”

  He was about to respond that in fact Robert had found a new playmate but decided better of it. Jenny was already talking about herself again, she never did wait for answers.

  “I bet Anthea hates me now.” She said coolly, her gaze catching Rodney’s.

  He shrugged. “Can you blame her?”

  “Do you hate me now?” It was the most meaningful question Jenny had asked him all night, and for the first time he saw her vulnerability, her desperation to be liked; to be loved. She spoke her mind, was a temperamental personality, but Jennifer Lambert’s biggest weakness was the need to have people around her.

  “I just don’t understand why you’re here, why now, just when Colin’s about to bring everything crashing down…”

  Rodney’s mobile began to ring out shrilly. It was Deborah, even though it was now midnight, and he knew she would be cross.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t listen in.” Jenny said with a smile. For a moment Rodney wondered if she was about to suddenly leave, a conflict of emotions rising at the thought, but instead she stayed seated. Rodney answered Deborah’s call and took the phone into the bedroom, armed with documents he certainly didn’t wish Jenny to snoop through.