First Among Equals

“But I haven’t got a tie to match,” said Raymond triumphantly.

Kate thrust her hand into the Turnbull and Asser bag and drew out a dark blue silk tie.

“But it’s got a pattern on it,” said Raymond in disgust. “What will you expect next?”

“Contact lenses,” said Kate.

Raymond stared at her, and blinked.

On the way out of the door Raymond’s gaze fell upon the brightly wrapped package that Joyce had posted from Leeds earlier in the week. He had completely forgotten to open it.

“Damn,” said Charles, putting down The Times and draining his coffee.

“What’s the problem?” asked Fiona as she poured out another cup.

“Kerslake’s been selected for Pucklebridge, which means he’s back in the House for life. Obviously my chat to Archie Millburn had no effect.”

“Why have you got it in for Kerslake?” asked Fiona.

Charles folded the paper and considered the question. “It’s quite simple really, old girl. I think he’s the only one of my contemporaries who could stop me leading the party.”

“Why him in particular?”

“I first came across him when he was President of the Union at Oxford. He was damn good then, and now he’s better. He had rivals, but he brushed them aside like flies. No, despite his background, Kerslake’s the one man left who frightens me.”

“It’s a long race yet, my darling, and he could still stumble.”

“So could I, but what he doesn’t realize is that I shall be putting out some of his hurdles.”

Andrew worded the letter very carefully. He assured Jock McPherson and his colleagues that he had been flattered by their approach, but explained that he had decided his loyalties were still firmly based in the Labour party.

He accepted the point Jock had made about the left trying to gain control, but felt that every democratic party was bound to have a maverick element within its ranks, which was not necessarily unhealthy. He added that he considered the offer to have been confidential on both sides.

“Why add that postscript?” asked Louise when she had read the letter through.

“It’s only fair to Jock,” said Andrew. “If it gets around I turned him down it will have the opposite effect to the one they were trying to create.”

“I’m not so sure they will act in the same magnanimous way when the next election comes round.”

“Ah, Jock will make a lot of noise, but he’s all right underneath …”

“That isn’t what your father says about him,” said Louise. “He’s sure they’ll want revenge.”

“Father always sees grubs under even the greenest leaf.”

“So if we’re not about to celebrate your leadership of the Scottish Nationalists we’ll have to be satisfied with celebrating your fortieth birthday.”

“But that’s not for at least—”

“—another month, a week before Robert’s fourth birthday.”

“How would you like to commemorate the occasion, darling?”

“I thought we might have a week in the Algarve on our own.”

“Why don’t we have two weeks? Then we can celebrate your fortieth birthday as well?”

“Andrew Fraser, you just lost yourself one vote in Edinburgh Carlton.”