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“She seems nice, and what’s most important is your happiness.”
Sarah stroked his arm and huffed. “Not according to my parents or the press.”
He turned her towards him and took her hands in his. “Listen, you’d make the best PM this country has ever seen, but that’s not the be all and end all. You’ve devoted the last sixteen years to supporting our children and put your own personal needs firmly in the background. Yes, getting away from time to time is all right, but it’s not love. You need to feel something for someone, Sarah. You’re passionate and loving. Your parents will get over it if you change your mind about the job. Everyone will. There’ll always be someone willing to jump into your shoes.”
She took a deep breath and smiled. He was right. She needed something more than the occasional fling to be truly happy. Her conflict had nothing to do with getting caught out. It was about the fundamental desire to share her life with someone she loved intimately and deeply. He was spot-on about everyone getting over it if she changed her mind. Politicians dropped out of history quicker than the pound dipped in a financial crisis. Especially those who’d never made a top-level appointment for a serving government. “I love you,” she said and stroked his cheek.
“I know, and that won’t change between us. But we both need more than that.”
“Is there someone special in your life?”
They’d agreed not to quiz each other about who they were seeing, because it meant they could easily deny what they didn’t know. But since he’d asked her, she sensed he wanted to talk.
He looked out the window to where the children were settling in front of the pop-up cinema. “Not anymore.”
Reece did a back-flip, and Mark laughed.
Sarah smiled at Reece’s antics as he did a few tricks and threw a back somersault in front of the screen. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out,” she said.
She finished her glass of wine and poured herself another. They stood in silence and watched the children watching the opening scene ofSpider-Man: No Way Home. Their parents stood next to the barbeque chatting and laughing. Other guests would start arriving at any moment.
“I am worried about the press,” she said and felt lighter for her admission. “Not about them digging. Well, yes, a little bit about that but more about the impact on the children.”
“The only advice I can offer you is to head them off at the pass. Tell them before they discover anything for themselves.”
“There’s nothing to tell them.” Sarah replayed the memory of her turning up at Kendra’s new flat and the explosive sex they’d had. She felt the urge to tell Mark but couldn’t bring herself to do that just before the birthday party was about to start.
He nodded. “It’s the twenty-first century, Sarah, and just because there aren’t any recent examples of gay PMs that we know of—Thatcher certainly wasn’t a lesbian—doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened or can’t happen. You could be a great role model for a lot of people.”
“The right side of the party would have a fit.”
“Fuck ’em. It’s time for change but not at the expense of your happiness.”
She turned at the doorbell ringing.
“I’ll get it. You go outside. Enjoy yourself and relax.”
Sarah wandered into the garden and stood with her parents.
“Great day for a party,” her father said. He closed the space between him and Sarah. “How’s the campaign going?”
“Good.” Sarah smiled wearily.
“Need any money from us? I’ve got investors lined up at the ready. They’ll do anything to make sure Faulks doesn’t win a second term.”
She didn’t want the current PM, Damian Faulks, to win a second term either. Another four years under the opposition, and the environmental agenda would be pushed back, and inflation would skyrocket. Her dad meant well, but she needed a break from politics for a day, and her children deserved her attention. Not that they would be looking for it as they were fully occupied. She wanted to watch them though and feel their enjoyment without thinking she had to rush away for work. She touched his arm. “Let’s pick this up another time.”
He tapped his nose. “Right you are. I was just talking to Donald here about the Euros. Damn shame England didn’t win, you know. So much hope comes from an achievement like that. It really lifts a country.”
Sarah had been in the house when Mark and his dad had watched the final between England and Germany, and she’d endured their complaints for weeks afterwards. One goal had separated the two teams. The penny always seemed to land on the wrong side for England. “Always the bridesmaids, dad.”
“Ha.” He joined Donald and resurrected their conversation about England’s misfortune.
Sarah looked towards the door. Kendra ambled across the lawn in a deep purple shirt and jeans, with a bottle of beer in her hand. Heat expanded in her chest, and she looked towards the sun as if it was the cause. “You made it,” she said and gave Kendra a smile she would give any guest.
“Just about. Bloody rail works on the line. Had to take a fucking bus most of the way.” She put her hand to her mouth and glanced towards the kids.
Sarah smiled. “They know more swear words than we do,” she said. “You can’t escape that at private school, no matter how high the fees are.”
