Polls Apart (10 page)

“What? Why? I mean, I know we’ve both been busy lately and things have been a bit stressful and chaotic, but I thought we were okay.”

“Okay?” Joy asked, turning towards him to reveal her intense anger. “You’ve done nothing but bully and harass me for the last five years, turning what should have been a dream job into a nightmare, and you think that’s okay? That’s not okay, Henry. Nothing about you is okay. You are a manipulative, selfish man and I am finished with this.” She stood up quickly.

“Joy,” Henry gasped, standing in an attempt to block her way. “I don’t know what to say. I just didn’t know things had got this bad. Why didn’t you say something earlier?” “Because I couldn’t get a word in edgeways. You were too busy telling me what to do to listen to what I had to say. So hear this: my bags are packed, and I’m heading out of the door.”

“Where will you stay?”

“I’m moving in with a friend, but you won’t be needing my contact details. My lawyer will be in touch soon enough. Goodbye Henry.”

He watched helplessly as Joy walked briskly to the front door, then listened as she walked down the corridor and into the lift which would carry her from his life.

Anna felt her troubles melt away as she stepped over the threshold of her front door. She breathed in the familiar smell of her scented candles and the beeswax polish Joanna used on their wooden surfaces. She walked through into the living area and paused for a moment to appreciate the sight of perfectly plumped cushions – Joanna hadn’t slackened off in her absence – before curling up on the sofa she had been longing to relax into for the last two weeks. She mentally recorded the moment that she finally slumped back into its glorious softness and knew she was home to stay.

A few minutes later she went up to the bedroom and unpacked her clothes, throwing the majority of them into the laundry basket. How good it was to be able to use her own washing machine without first either having to ask, or pay for it. She took a long, leisurely bath and smiled as she wrapped herself in her favourite Egyptian cotton bath sheet. She felt her soul refuel after a long spell of loneliness and displacement.

Just as she was brushing her hair, she heard Richard’s key in the lock and pulled on her robe before going downstairs to meet him. By the time she had made it into the living area, he was standing in front of the fireplace waiting for her. He looked as she felt: terrified.

“It’s good to see you,” he said softly.

“And you,” Anna said, leaning against the door.

“Are you staying?” Richard asked, nodding towards her robe.

“Yes. I’m staying.”

Richard walked cautiously towards Anna and come to a stop just inches from her.

“I’m so, so sorry Anna,” he rested his forehead against hers and allowed his tears to fall. She reached for his hands and held them behind her back, before leaning into his chest and whispering. “I believe you.”

M
onday, 13
th April, UK Newswire – Opposition leader Richard Williams will today be accompanied by his actress wife, Anna Lloyd, as they hit the campaign trail together just two days after their reconciliation.

The couple are set to visit a care home in Derby this morning before embarking on a walk-about in the town centre. The Social Democrats leader is expected to use the visit to promote the party’s Free Care for the Elderly policy – a key manifesto pledge.

Williams announced their marital separation two weeks ago following claims in a Sunday newspaper that Lloyd had previously worked as an escort girl.

But, after a sharp fall in the polls and an apparent change of heart by Williams, the two were reunited on Friday evening.

The couple appeared briefly outside their Highgate home on Saturday morning to pause for pictures before heading off to Williams’ Bristol South constituency for the weekend.

Neither made a formal statement, but Williams told reporters: “I am delighted to have my wife back by my side again, where she belongs”.

When asked what plans they had for the weekend, Williams said: “We’re going to meet my constituents and get on with campaigning for the people of this country. It’s business as usual for both of us, and we’re more determined than ever to fight for Britain.”

The couple were set to be joined on the campaign trail today by film director Don Monteith, a major party donor, who was raised in Derby.

Anna could barely conceal her disappointment as she boarded the Democrats’ battle bus. She had imagined it would be decked out rather like a large motorhome, with small kitchen area, couched seating and dining tables. In reality, it was just a coach – and a slightly shabby one at that – with a couple of table areas and a tiny loo. Anna turned to look at Richard who smiled encouragingly as he guided her towards one of the tables.

She dusted some crumbs off the inside chair, and patted down the back of her blue pencil skirt to avoid it getting crushed, before sitting down. She and Camilla had gone to great lengths to choose the perfect suit for her first day’s campaigning and she was already concerned about how it would look by the time they’d finished the cramped coach trip.

“I feel like we should have brought some sandwiches and a flask of tea with us,” Anna laughed as Richard took his seat beside her.

“Might not have been a bad idea,” said Richard, only half-jokingly. “But I’m told the canteen food at Derby General is worth holding out for.”

“Is that where we’re eating?” Anna asked in disbelief.

“This is the reality of life as a Social Democrat leader’s wife, Anna,” Richard winked.

Anna raised her eyes to the ceiling as she thought about the many hours she would have to spend on this bus over the next few weeks in the run-up to the election. But she had made Richard a promise and, in actual fact, it was one she was more than happy to fulfil. She now felt totally committed to helping her husband become the next Prime Minister because, despite the mistakes he had made in their marriage, she had absolutely no doubt that he was the best man for the job. Anna’s spirits were soon further lifted when she spotted Ray Molsley boarding the bus – her firm favourite among Richard’s colleagues. She waved animatedly at him then stopped suddenly when she realised he was being followed by Don Monteith.

“You didn’t tell me Don Monteith was coming today,” Anna said, turning sharply on Richard.

“Didn’t I? Sorry. Things have just been so chaotic lately.”

“I’d have liked to have prepared myself a bit better before meeting him,” Anna tutted. She couldn’t sulk for long though because the two men were now standing by her side.

Anna got to her feet quickly.

“Good morning Ray,” she said breezily, kissing him on both cheeks. She then looked towards Don who quickly stepped forwards.

“Don Monteith. Pleasure to meet you Anna,” the film director said, flashing her a tobacco-stained smile before leaning in to kiss her. He smelt of a mix of strong aftershave and cigarettes, which combined to create a rather sensual fragrance, Anna thought. He was shorter than she’d expected, but his lined and tanned face was attractive in an unusual sense.

“A pleasure to meet you too, Don,” said Anna. “I’m delighted you’re joining us today. Will you sit with us for the journey?”

“I’d love to,” said the director as he squeezed himself into the seat across from her at the window. He was quickly followed by Ray who sat opposite Richard. As the two politicians immediately started to discuss the day’s schedule, Don leant forwards towards Anna.

“I have a lot of admiration for you after hearing about your upbringing and what you’ve come through.”

“Thanks Don,” Anna smiled. “I really appreciate that.”

“We have a lot in common actually,” Don added.

“You mean you’re a stressed-out actress married to a politician too?” she laughed.

“No, I mean I was physically abused by my father as a child.”

Anna’s face dropped. “Oh,” she whispered, leaning in towards him so they could speak quietly.

“He was a very angry man, and me and my two brothers were regularly leathered and locked in our rooms all day and night without a scrap of food. He also drank himself to death, which was a blessing really.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that about you,” Anna said, immediately sensing that the brash and intimidating persona Don liked to portray through the media, was actually quite far from who he was. He spoke in a very matter-of-fact way, despite the subject, but she thought his eyes told a different story.

“Well, it’s not something I’ve talked about in the press to any great extent, but it’s still a big part of my life in a way. And I spent a lot of time thinking about it again when I read about you. I know where you’ve come from. And I know how hard you must have fought to get out of it and, I just wanted you to know that I really admire you for it.”

Anna looked down at her lap and blinked back the tears she was struggling to fight because of Don’s unexpected kindness.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said, his eyes full of concern.

“No, it’s fine,” Anna replied, taking a deep breath. “It’s just been a crazy couple of weeks and people have been so lovely to me.”

“I’ll be honest with you,” Don said, leaning sharply forwards again. “I always thought you were a bit shallow or something – just because of the kind of parts you’ve chosen in the past.”

“They were all I was offered,” Anna promptly interjected.

”I see you in a totally different light now. You’ve got a lot to offer – politically, but also creatively.”

“Thank you,” she said, beaming inside and out as she accepted the compliment paid to her by one of the UK’s best directors.

“Where do you see your career going from here?” he asked, leaning in to show his interest.

“I’m looking to take on more challenging roles,” she said confidently.

“I want to break out of the stereotyped ‘bitch’ roles and take on something that requires subtlety and vulnerability.” Don nodded sagely, encouraging her to continue. “And, if I’m honest, I would like to try Hollywood in the future. I think it’s a natural progression for me.”

“Of course,” he agreed. “And I’d be happy to help you.”

Anna smiled casually as she tried to conceal her excitement. But, sitting on board that shabby battle bus about to set off for Derby, she realised, ironically, that by disclosing the pain of her childhood she had altered her image with both the public and industry. She was no longer seen as a one-dimensional glamour puss, but a serious actress on the brink of the kind of stratospheric stardom she had so longed for since her youth.

It was a beautiful spring day and, as the sunlight beamed into Marie’s dockside apartment exposing more than a slight build-up of dust around the surfaces, she decided it was time she gave the place a serious clean. Working for a Sunday paper meant you got Sundays and Mondays off; also meaning at least one of your “weekend” days would typically be spent alone. Usually, Marie would take herself off to the gym or go to the supermarket, but she’d done both yesterday so she couldn’t put off the now unavoidable housework.

She had lived a surreal existence these last few weeks, working almost every available hour – and most of that on the Anna Lloyd story. Now things had slowed down slightly, she knew she would have Damian on her back pushing for her to come up with another blinding exclusive.

When she joined the
Echo
she had expected to at least enjoy the thrill of the chase, but soon discovered there was very little thrill involved when you worked under constant pressure. It was do or die. You either had a scoop or you didn’t.

Marie was also finding it tougher and tougher to work for Damian who seemed to be relentlessly focusing in on her, expecting a major exclusive every single week. She couldn’t decide whether he liked her or loathed her, but there was no in-between. She was definitely getting undue attention from him and she didn’t know how to handle it.

She found him quite an intriguing character, and there was something about him that made her feel a bit sorry for him. She liked his boyish qualities but really disliked his bullying streak. And just when she was on the verge of deciding she absolutely loathed him, he would reveal a very different side to his character. Like the previous Thursday when he had slipped out at lunchtime and returned with a huge beam on his face as he showed the picture editor the huge plastic truck he had bought his nephew for his fourth birthday. Marie had been gobsmacked by the way he spoke about the child. He had gone on for about ten minutes about how his nephew knew everything there was to about building sites and construction. And once he’d got started on the little boy, Charlie, it was like he couldn’t stop. Marie couldn’t help but gawp as he then launched into how clever his nephew was, when he began to talk, walk, potty train. The lot.

“He’s unbelievable with numbers. He counts to a hundred, and he’s already adding up. I mean, he’s just such a bright kid and he’s never got his nose out of a book.”

Only when Damian realised the picture editor was agitated to get back to work, did he finally move off. As he turned to walk back to his desk, Marie had caught the mix of embarrassment and loneliness on his face as he obviously realised he’d been rambling on about his nephew to someone who just wasn’t interested.

Marie found her marigold gloves under the kitchen sink and pulled them on firmly as a sign of her intent to get the cleaning done. She then hunted out everything she needed to get through the whole flat. As she made her way towards the bathroom, where she was planning to start, she heard her mobile ringing. She ran back through to the kitchen and grabbed the phone from her bag – then groaned as she saw the name Damian Blunt flashing on the screen.

“It’s my bloody day off!” she shouted aloud before answering the call. “Hi Damian,” she said flatly.

“Marie, hi. Sorry to call on your day off…”

No you’re not, Marie thought, or you would have waited till Tuesday.

“… but it’s a big week for us and I’ve got a tip-off that I want you to get onto first thing in the morning.”

“Right,” she rolled her eyes.

“I’m told Joy Gooding has left Henry Morton. Now, the fact that’s happened right after the whole Anna Lloyd thing means I think there’s a good story in there. So I’m giving you this one Marie, but I need you to deliver on it because we’ve got to keep coming out on top over this election campaign. The dailies will be on to it soon enough, so we need to find a good angle. You up for it?”

“Yes, I’ll start making calls as soon as I get in,” she assured him without enthusiasm.

“Right. Good.” Damian paused awkwardly. “You up to much today then?”

“Yeah, eh, just heading out for lunch with some friends actually,” she lied. Marie didn’t want Damian to know her life was as lonely and increasingly meaningless as she suspected his was.

“Great. Well, you have a good time then and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes… thanks. Bye.” Marie ended the call and sat down for a moment on a breakfast stool next to her kitchen counter. Now she felt even more confused about where she stood with Damian. Was he testing her? Was he trying to give her a helping hand or setting her up for a fall? Either way, she knew already she was in for another tough week. She wondered when she would ever start to feel the sense of expectation and excitement with which she used to wake up every morning of her early career. Recently she increasingly seemed to begin – and end – each day with a sense of impending doom. Worse still, she was having trouble sleeping as she wrestled with both her conscience and the unending anxiety of producing the kind of exclusives that could and probably would destroy lives. She had no doubt Joy Gooding wouldn’t just hand her a story as soon as she put a call in, so, as usual, she was going to have to bully it out of her.

She shook her head and almost laughed at the bitter irony that saw her now play the role of the aggressor when she had spent much of her childhood cowering from a crowd of angry playground tormentors who hated her for being smart and pretty. A seemingly unforgivable combination. She had promised herself then that she would never make another human being feel as shit about themselves as they made her, but she suspected she’d already broken that promise in the last few weeks.

Marie let out a long sigh of despair as she set her mobile phone down onto the kitchen counter and stared at it as if searching for answers. She was dreading tomorrow already.

As much as she desperately wanted to, Anna couldn’t put off facing Henry for much longer. He had looked distinctly huffy when he boarded the bus and saw Ray and Don sitting with Richard, so he’d sat himself down a few rows away and began barking orders noisily into his mobile phone to make his presence – and importance – known. Thirty minutes later he appeared by Richard’s side and told him he needed a word to which Richard had responded that he’d go to the loo first and then they’d talk.