First Among Equals

“Without, please.”

“Fine,” said Simon and pressed a switch on the intercom by his desk.

“I don’t want to be disturbed while I’m with Mr. Fraser,” he said and ushered his colleague toward a comfortable seat in the corner.

“Elizabeth was asking me this morning to find out how Robert was getting on.”

“It’s his second birthday next month and he’s overweight for a scrum-half,” replied Andrew. “And how’s your search for a seat working out?”

“Not too good. The last three constituencies to come up haven’t even asked to see me. I can’t put a finger on why, except they all seem to have selected local men.”

“It’s still a long time to the next election. You’re sure to find a seat before then.”

“It might not be so long if the Prime Minister decides to go to the country and test his strength against the unions.”

“That would be a foolish thing to do,” said Andrew. “He might defeat us but he still wouldn’t defeat the unions.”

A young woman came into the room with two cups of coffee, put them on the low Formica table, and left the two men alone.

“Have you had time to look at the file?” Andrew continued.

“Yes, I went over it last night between checking over Peter’s prep and helping Michael to build a model galleon.”

“And how do you feel?” Andrew asked.

“Not very good. I can’t get to grips with this new maths they’re now teaching, and my mast was the only one that fell off when Elizabeth launched the galleon in the bath.”

Andrew laughed.

“I think you?

?ve got a case,” said Simon, sounding serious.

“Good,” said Andrew. “Now the reason I wanted to see you privately is because I feel there are no party political points to be made out of this case for either of us. I’ve no plans to try to embarrass your department, and I consider it’s in the best interest of my constituents to cooperate as closely as I can with you.”

“Thank you,” said Simon. “So where do you want to go from here?”

“I’d like to table a planted question for your department in the hope that you would consider opening an inquiry. If the inquiry comes to the same conclusion as I have, I would expect you to order a retrial.”

Simon hesitated. “And if the inquiry goes against you will you agree to no reprisals for the Home Office?”

“You have my word on it.”

“Shall I ask the civil servants to come in now?”

“Yes, please do.”

Simon returned to his desk and pressed a button. A moment later three men in almost identical suits, white shirts with stiff collars, and discreet ties entered the room. Between them they could have ruined any police identification parade.

“Mr. Fraser,” began Simon, “is asking the Home Office to consider …”

“Can you explain why Simon Kerslake missed a vote yesterday?”

Charles looked across the table at the Chief Whip.

“No, I can’t,” he said. “I’ve been distributing the weekly whip to him the same as every member of my group.”

“What’s behind it then?”