Page 22 of The Politician

Vikram laughed. “I’ll let you know as they come up,” he said.

Kendra bought The Strand on a double three, then Fleet Street on a double one.

“Another double, and you’re going to jail,” Sarah said. The thought of locking Kendra in a room for the night caused her to blush.

Kendra coolly juggled the dice in her hands and rolled a five. “I’ll buy that,” she said and collected the card for the Water Works.

“Damn.” Vikram tapped the table. “I wanted that.”

“You should try your hand at property development,” Sarah said. She eyed Kendra, rolling a double six, and moved her top hat to Mayfair. “I’ll take that.”

“You like the posh end of town, eh?” Kendra asked and held Sarah’s gaze.

Leela looked from her sister to Sarah and back again with a deepening frown. “What is it with you two?” she said.

“It’s called the desire to win,” Sarah said. “I think your sister would make a great politician.” She sipped her drink, while Vikram paid for the Old Kent Road and put houses on both it and Whitechapel.

Kendra threw another double one and ended up on the Go to Jail square. Sarah lost focus and knocked over one of Vikram’s houses as she threw the dice. She landed on the Old Kent Road. Vikram jumped out of his seat and claimed the rent.

“Small fry, Vikram,” Sarah said, handing over twelve pounds.

“Lots of little wins add up.” Vikram took a victorious swig of his whisky.

The delicious smell of Indian spices wafted around the room, and Sarah’s stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten lunch. She’d probably had one too many drinks too, but this was more fun than she’d had in a long time, even though she was now losing to Kendra. Vikram landed on Park Lane, and she cleaned out his bank account. That would help her in the final rounds against Kendra. She threw a four, landed on The Strand and watched the smile appear on Kendra’s face. Kendra held out her hand, wiggling her fingers, and Sarah handed over the money Vikram had just given her plus another two hundred.

“You quitting yet?” Kendra asked, counting the cash.

“Never,” Sarah said.

“Boring,” Leela said and yawned.

“This is highbrow business, Lee,” Vikram said. “It’s exciting. My money’s on Sarah.”

“You just lost all your money, Dad,” Leela said.

“It’s a figure of speech,” he said.

“You’re going to need to pack that away soon,” Audrey said from the kitchen.

“Not until I’ve won,” Kendra said and landed on Park Lane. “Bollocks.” She handed money across to Sarah.

Sarah leaned over the table and rolled the dice around in her palms. She blew on them and tossed them onto the board. “Bloody super tax.” She handed over one hundred to Vikram, as the appointed banker for the game.

Kendra laughed. “Got to pay your taxes, minister.” She passed Go and collected two hundred. “Out of one pocket and into another.”

Sarah smiled. She ended up with a Chance card and got sent to jail.

“Want to buy my Get Out of Jail card?” Kendra asked. She looked over at Sarah’s dwindling pile of cash. “Oh, sorry, you can’t afford it.”

“Clear the table,” Audrey said. “Food is on its way.”

“I think we have to call it a draw,” Sarah said and enjoyed watching the fire in Kendra’s eyes as she shook her head. Her stomach trembled, and her mouth went dry. She sipped her drink and enjoyed the warmth at the back of her throat and the ache that had fast developed between her legs.

“We’ll eat on our laps,” Kendra said. “No one touches the board.” She pointed at her sister. “Got it?”

Leela held her hands in the air. “Bored.”

“Can I give you a hand?” Sarah asked when Audrey started to bring plates of food into the living room.

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