This Was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles 7)

“Then we’re probably down to two or three nurses at most.”

“And she was West Indian.”

“Ah,” said Matron. “I wondered why Beverley had a black eye, and now I know. But she’d have to make an official complaint for us to consider opening an ethics inquiry.”

“How long would that take?”

“Six to nine months, and even then, as there were clearly no witnesses, I wouldn’t give you much of a chance.”

“So it’s back to square one and Dr. Hands can continue on his merry way while we do nothing about it.”

“I’m afraid so, chairman, unless…”

* * *

“Many congratulations on the successful takeover,” said Margaret Thatcher when Emma came on the line, “although I can’t imagine it was an easy decision.”

“I was torn in half,” admitted Emma. “But the board, my family, and all our professional advisors were unanimous in advising me to accept Cunard’s offer.”

“So how are you filling your time, now you’re no longer chairman of Barrington’s?”

“I still have a few more months before I hand over the chairmanship of the Royal Infirmary, but after last night’s vote of no confidence in the government, it looks as if I’ll be spending most of my time running around the West Country trying to make sure you end up in Downing Street.”

“I’d rather you were running around the whole country doing the same job,” said Mrs. Thatcher.

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“If you switch on your television, you’ll see the prime minister being driven into Buckingham Palace for an appointment with the Queen. Mr. Callaghan will be seeking her permission to prorogue Parliament so he can call a general election.”

“Has a date been fixed?”

“Thursday May the third. And I want you to take on your brother head-on.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“As you probably know, he’s once again in charge of Labour’s marginal-seats campaign. Those fifty or sixty key constituencies that will determine the outcome of the election.

I think you’d be the ideal person to do the same job for the Tory party.”

“But Giles has vast experience of election campaigns. He’s a consummate politician—”

“—and no one knows him better than you.”

“There must be a dozen or more people who are far better qualified to take on such a responsibility.”

“You’re my first choice. And I have a feeling your brother will not be pleased when he learns who he’s up against.” A long silence followed, before Mrs. Thatcher added, “Come up to London and meet the party chairman, Peter Thorneycroft. He’s already set everything up, so all I need now is a coordinator who will put the fear of God into our local chairmen in those marginal seats.”

This time Emma didn’t hesitate. “When do I start?”

“Tomorrow morning, ten o’clock, Central Office,” replied the leader of the opposition.

* * *

“You asked to see me, chairman.”

“I did, and I’ll get straight to the point,” said Emma even before Hands had been given the chance to sit down. “I’ve had several complaints from nurses concerning your unethical behavior.”

“Several?” said Hands, who sat down in his chair, looking relaxed.