First Among Equals
Page 31
“Charles, politics has always been your first love,” said Fiona, touching him gently on the cheek. “So I don’t see that you have a choice, and if that means some sacrifices you’ll never hear me complain.”
Charles rose from his chair saying, “Thank you. I’d better go and see Derek Spencer immediately.”
As Charles turned to leave, Fiona added, “And don’t forget, Ted Heath became leader of the party via the Whips’ office.”
Charles smiled for the first time that day.
“A quiet dinner at home tonight?” suggested Fiona.
“Can’t,” said Charles. “I’ve got a late vote.”
Fiona sat alone wondering if she would spend the rest of her life cohabiting with three-line whips.
At last they put him through.
“Let’s have a celebration dinner tonight.”
“Why?” asked Elizabeth.
“Because I’ve been invited to join the front-bench team to cover Housing and Local Government.”
“Congratulations, darling, but what does Housing and Local Government consist of?”
“Housing, urban land, transport, devolution, water, historic buildings, Stansted or Maplin airport, the Channel tunnel, royal parks …”
“Have they left anything for anyone else to do?”
“That’s only half of it, if it’s out of doors it’s mine. I’ll tell you the rest over dinner.”
“Oh, hell, I don’t think I can get away until eight tonight, and we’d still have to get a baby-sitter. Does that come under Housing and Local Government, Simon?”
“Sure does,” he said, laughing. “I’ll fix it and book a table at the Grange for eight-thirty.”
“Have you got a ten o’clock vote?”
“Afraid so.”
“I see, coffee with the baby-sitter,” she said. She paused. “Simon.”
“Yes, darling?”
“I’m very proud of you.”
Derek Spencer sat behind his massive partner’s desk in Cheapside and listened intently to what Charles had to say.
“You will be a great loss to the bank,” were the chairman’s first words. “But no one here would want to hold up your political career, least of all me.”
Charles noticed that Spencer could not look him in the eye as he spoke.
“Can I assume that I would be invited back on the board if for any reason my situation changed at the Commons?”
“Of course,” said Spencer. “There was no need for you to ask such a question.”
“That’s kind of you,” said Charles, genuinely relieved. He stood up, leaned forward, and shook hands rather stiffly.
“Good luck, Charles,” were Spencer’s parting words.
“Does that mean you can no longer remain on the board?” asked Ronnie Nethercote when he heard Simon’s news.