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Kendra looked away to think more clearly. “Electricity needs to be more affordable. Electric transportation or pedal power only in London and other big cities. Ban fossil fuels completely, and reduce the cost of hydro, wind, and solar so people can afford it. That should be a basic requirement for all new-build houses and new cars.”
“Hm.”
“Stop HS2.” The high-speed railway from London heading south cut right through greenbelt land close to her hometown. It was destroying habitats, bringing down the value of properties, and becoming a metal blot on the landscape just so people could move from one place to another quickly. Petition after petition had been raised, but the current government hadn’t listened, and the work had already started.
“And what about the other departments? Defence, education, health, home office. The treasury versus the rest. There’s never an easy decision where to spend money, and demand is always bigger than the purse.”
“You should come and see the devastation. It’s horrendous.”
Sarah nodded. “Schedule me for next Thursday after three p.m. I’ll get the train to Chesham, and you can show me what you’re talking about.”
“The fly tipping and littering is shameful.”
Sarah laughed and put her hand to her mouth. “Sorry. I agree with you, but those are local issues outside of central government’s control. You need to think bigger now, and beyond just the environmental issues.”
Kendra wasn’t familiar with the other departments or their needs. She didn’t envy Sarah the job of trying to balance the books and please everyone, but Kendra had to push the environmental agenda, otherwise why did she take the job? Just because Sarah was going to lead the party didn’t mean she could let that slip. If Sarah did, she’d be no better than all the other politicians that had gone before her. And Kendra couldn’t think of her that way. “The waste recycling centres shouldn’t charge for disposal.”
“The money goes into one pot and out of another, Kendra. Local councils have responsibility for their budgets. Those are not our decisions to make.”
Kendra sipped her drink. The alcohol was loosening her tongue, and she could become argumentative. It wouldn’t take much on the back of too little sleep and too much work. This stuff was a big niggle—always had been—and she couldn’t let it go. “Yeah, but the numbers don’t stack up. It’s costing more to clear up the countryside than they get in through the recycling centres.”
“Okay, I get it. And I admire your perseverance. Do me a report of the numbers you’re talking about over a broad sample of councils across the country. Maybe we can extrapolate something to give a nationwide indication of what’s going on and put pressure back on local councils.”
Kendra had been monitoring the issues in her hometown for eighteen months now. She had a spreadsheet and could predict the worst months and the worst spots when the verges were left to grow longer, and shit could be easily hidden from view. She’d already estimated the cost of the clear up, and the prices for tipping at the local sites were well documented. She’d have to do some additional digging for other counties, but that would be something to get her teeth into. “Sure.” She smiled. Sarah stared intently, and Kendra blushed.
Sarah looked away. “It’s been a long day,” she said.
Kendra nodded. Sarah was already at work when Kendra arrived, so only God, and possibly the cleaner, knew what time she had started. Kendra didn’t know how Sarah sustained the hours she worked, took care of her family, and still looked as fresh as if she were just starting out the day after a two-week holiday.
“Why don’t you go home?” Sarah said.
Kendra needed sleep, but she didn’t want to leave Sarah. She would enjoy sitting here all night, debating, and drinking champagne, and the tiredness would become something else. Her inhibitions would lower, and she might say something she would later regret. Still, the way Sarah looked at her sometimes gave her the impression that that door wasn’t entirely closed. But it had to be. “Are you sure you don’t need anything else?”
The corner of Sarah’s mouth lifted a fraction, and her eyebrows hinted at a frown. She looked down and tapped the file on her desk. “I’ve got paperwork to finish, and then we’re going to the bar for a drink. I won’t be staying long; I’ve got work to do at home. You’re more than welcome to join us. It’s just that you look tired, and I don’t want you burning out before we get to the election. It’s been full on, and it’s only going to get tougher.”
Kendra stifled a yawn and rubbed her eyes. Sarah was right. Kendra could garden for twelve hours a day, seven days a week and not feel as if she’d done a day’s work. She wasn’t used to the type of stress that went with this kind of job. The last thing she wanted was to burn out. She wanted to be with Sarah all the way to the end. “Okay,” she said. “If you don’t mind.”
Sarah bit her lip as she shook her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Kendra left the office but as she scooted towards the station, guilt crept into her mind. She couldn’t even call Malee and talk through her thoughts, because it would be the middle of the night there. This wasn’t something she could discuss with her parents either. They would be horrified at her for thinking the way she did about Sarah. Jesus, what had she got herself into? Why did she have to fall for Sarah? Marriedwitha family, and her boss. The feeling was strong and relentless, feeding her imagination with false hope. It was a fucking disaster, but she couldn’t deny what she felt, and it was getting harder to hide it. She’d known as soon as she’d stood up from being thrown off her scooter that she could fall for Sarah. But she hadn’t imagined bumping into her again, although she would have scooted the same way every Wednesday just in case. Who was she kidding? In the two months they’d worked together, those feelings had intensified. She’d even started dreaming about Sarah at night since the incident in the bathroom. Good dreams, in which the sex between them had been fiery and mind-blowing. She would just have to find a way to play it cool and remain distant and professional in Sarah’s presence. Putting a deposit down on the flat should help to keep her focused. She would do whatever it took to not lose her job.
9.
“ARE YOU HUNGRY?”Sarah asked as they walked along a country lane in Chesham. She’d not been surprised by the beauty Kendra had shown her, and the route through it that the railway track had started to carve up. She hadn’t needed to see it to know what was going on. She’d wanted to come here for a different reason, one that she couldn’t confess to anyone. Kendra was fun company, and she was attractive. Sarah might not be able to act on her feelings, but she could at least enjoy being alone with her for a few hours. Getting out of London, away from the constant flow of meetings, and breathing in the country air were bonuses.
“What do you think of this?” Kendra pointed.
Sarah stopped walking and stared at her. “I have the same concerns as you, and I will try and do my best, but you know my hands are tied.”
Kendra looked down.
“Hey.” She waited until Kendra looked at her. “I was passionate like you.” She sighed. “I still am,” she said softly. “There are so many things that are wrong, Kendra, and the pace of change is slower than I would like, but Iwilldo my best.”
Kendra nodded.
Sarah shuddered as a cool breeze whipped past her head. She pulled her coat up around her ears. “So, are you hungry?”
Kendra crossed her arms and stepped from one foot to another. “Mum is cooking tonight. Would you like to join us for dinner? I can guarantee it’ll be warm in the house.”
