Sons of Fortune

“And he wouldn’t dream of doing so,” said Harry. “He’s one of the most punctilious officials I’ve ever dealt with, but he detests Mrs. Hunter.”

“For any particular reason?” asked Fletcher.

“She’s been on the phone to him every day since this campaign began, demanding statistics on everything from housing to hospitals, even legal opinions on planning permits, so my bet is he’ll not relish the idea of her becoming a member of the Senate. He’s got quite enough to be worrying about without the likes of Barbara Hunter taking up ev

ery spare moment of his time.”

“But, as you said, there’s nothing he can do.”

“Nothing that’s illegal,” said Harry. “But should there be any disagreement over a vote, he will be asked to arbitrate, so whatever he recommends, just say ‘Yes, Mr. Cooke,’ even if you think at the time it favors Mrs. Hunter.”

“I think I understand,” said Fletcher.

“I’m damned if I do,” said Jimmy.

Su Ling checked the dining-room table. When the front doorbell rang, she didn’t bother to call up for Nat, because she knew he was rereading The Cat in the Hat. “Read it again, Dad,” Luke always demanded when they reached the last page. Su Ling opened the door to find Tom clutching a bunch of parrot tulips. She gave him a big hug, as if nothing had happened since they last met.

“Will you marry me?” asked Tom.

“If you can cook, read The Cat in the Hat, answer the door and set the table all at the same time I’ll give serious consideration to your proposal.” Su Ling took the flowers. “Thank you, Tom,” she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “They’ll look beautiful on the dining table.” Su Ling smiled, “I’m so sorry about Julia Kirkbridge, or whatever her real name was.”

“Never mention that woman to me again,” said Tom. “In future, our dinners will just be the three of us, a ménage à trois; sadly without the ménage.”

“Not tonight,” said Su Ling. “Didn’t Nat tell you? He’s invited a business colleague to join us. I assumed you knew all about it and I, as usual, was the only person he informed at the last minute.”

“He didn’t mention anything about it to me,” said Tom as the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” said Nat, as he came bounding down the stairs.

“Now, promise me you won’t talk shop all evening, because I want to hear all about your trip to London…”

“How nice to see you again,” said Nat.

“It was just a short break,” said Tom.

“Let me take your coat,” said Nat.

“Yes, but did you manage to see any theater?”

“…yes, I saw Judi…” began Tom as Nat ushered his guest into the living room.

“Let me first introduce you to my wife, Su Ling. Darling, this is Julia Kirkbridge, who, as I’m sure you know, is our partner in the Cedar Wood project.”

“How nice to meet you, Mrs. Cartwright.”

Su Ling recovered more quickly than Tom. “Please call me Su Ling.”

“Thank you, and you must call me Julia.”

“Julia, this is my chairman, Tom Russell, who I know has been looking forward to meeting you.”

“Good evening, Mr. Russell. After all Nat has told me about you, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you too.” Tom shook her hand, but couldn’t think of anything to say.

“A glass of champagne, I think, to celebrate the signing of the contract.”

“The contract?” mumbled Tom.

“What a nice idea,” said Julia. Nat opened the bottle and poured three glasses, while Su Ling disappeared into the kitchen. Tom continued to stare at the second Mrs. Kirkbridge as Nat handed them both a glass of champagne.