Polls Apart Read Free

The knot in his stomach further tightened when he thought of how hard he’d worked, first to become an MP when he won Bristol South eight years ago, and then to beat the odds – and the party hardliners – to become SDP leader. It was hard to accept that beyond Kelvin Davis and the Alliance Party, his own wife could be the greatest threat as he prepared for his biggest political battle.
    The tension between them now was in sharp contrast to their early romance when they had talked endlessly of their shared dreams. Curled up in bed, staring into each other’s eyes, Anna would smile excitedly as he told her of all the wrongs he wanted to put right in society. How he would face down the toughest of challenges in a job he believed he was born to do. She had believed it too. And, before the headiness of fame and adulation had set in, she too had spoken passionately of trying to help those who had shared her past pain of poverty and neglect. He reached out and lightly touched her arm as he remembered their closeness, their complete devotion.
    Somehow he had to try and convince her to get behind him again – both metaphorically and literally. This could only work if they shared the vision once so vivid in their minds. But how to win her over, Richard just didn’t know.
    He sighed, tossed the covers back and headed for the shower.
    Anna bristled as, for yet another Saturday, she had to endure Henry’s signature doorbell ring – finger solidly on the buzzer until the occupant answered. Today’s was even more aggravating than usual as she realised he would almost certainly have a go at her over yesterday’s coverage in the tabloids. Actress in Gritty TV Role Shock – hardly the news story of the century, but her every move was under scrutiny at the moment and the natural rebel in Anna just wanted to kick out.
    Richard made it to the front door first, dressed for the weekend in his open-neck shirt and crisply ironed jeans. Casual, Anna thought, but never relaxed.
    As Anna followed Richard down the stairs she spotted Joy standing sheepishly behind Henry, all too aware that his buzzer antics would have riled her hosts.
    “Good morning,” Richard greeted them with typical enthusiasm.
    “Morning Dicky,” Henry boomed in reply before quickly making his way past Richard, almost managing to flatten him against the wall with the enormous pile of newspapers he was carrying under his left arm. He was typically dressed in a crumpled shirt and jeans – a look that was only marginally upgraded in the week when he would wear chinos instead and add an ill-matched tie. It was a style that only he could carry off in the SDP circle, where he was regarded as something of an overindulged schoolboy, his foppish hair and gentrified good looks offsetting his scruffy attire.
    Richard shook his head as he watched his guests make their way towards the living area. No matter how many times he told Henry not to call him Dicky, he still insisted on doing it – unless in public. At least Richard had that to be thankful for.
    Anna reached the bottom of the stairs in time to kiss Joy on the cheek before escorting her to the sofas.
    “Coffee all round then,” Anna called as she made her way towards the kitchen area.
    “Actually, I’ll have a tea,” said Joy, “it’s just dawned on me that my years of insomnia might actually be down to the fact I’ve been drinking up to ten cups of coffee a day.”
    “Yes. Might just be something in that,” Richard laughed.
    “You can’t sleep because of your relentless desire for me,” quipped Henry.
    “That must be it dear. Why hadn’t I thought of that earlier?” she replied, adding a sarcastic smirk.
    Anna raised her eyebrows at Joy in a silent show of comradeship whilst carefully piling cups and saucers on the tray with one hand and pouring hot water into the coffee pot with the other. Joy was a vision in a cerise-pink wool dress, matching pink lipstick and black stiletto boots. Anna often wondered