The Importance of Ernestine

by Elizabeth Dunk

  ‘Convince me you don’t mean it.’

  ‘I never attend party functions or fundraisers. I never travel with whoever I am working for because I just want to stay in Canberra and have fun with the strategy. I am not a member of a branch, I just have party membership because I have to. The only reason I’m in this party is because this is where I got my first job and it would be career suicide to change. I am here because I love politics—it allows me to play with people and achieve things I could not do in any other industry. Otherwise, I couldn’t care two hoots about the political identity of who is in government. Except that being in government is much more fun, so I am working to get us back in. But not because I believe we are better. Just because I want to be there.’

  It all rang true, and every word was something she could verify. It was the actions of a staffer just in it for the money and power—there were some of them. Yet everyone in the building was convinced Alec Moncrieff was a rusted-on party man.

  ‘Tell me the things that are wrong with the party you work for,’ Cecily said.

  Alec prattled on for ages and by the end of it, Cecily was convinced. No one who believed would have such awful things to say about their organisation.

  ‘I don’t believe it,’ she said. ‘How have you bamboozled all these people?’

  ‘I believe the word you used was ‘genius’.’

  Cecily rolled her eyes. ‘There is certainly nothing wrong with your ego.’

  ‘And so, dear Cecily, now that you know I am not a true party man, can we revisit that idea of us having fun?’

  Lord, she wanted to. ‘The problem is the perception. Perception is everything. People think you are committed to your side. They won’t believe a relationship between us is anything but heresy and disloyalty. We’d lose everything.’

  ‘If people find out,’ Alec said. ‘If they don’t, then it’s not an issue.’

  ‘They will,’ Cecily said. ‘And it will ruin everything.’

  ‘Then, isn’t a good thing you have a bona-fide political genius here, willing to work out how we can make it happen.’

  ‘I tell you what,’ Cecily said. ‘If you agree not to enact your plan, I’ll consider us being a couple.’

  Alec blinked, then put his glass down and clapped. ‘Bravo, my dear. Bravo. Brilliant strategy. But you’ve backed yourself into a bit of a corner. If I say yes, then you have to give us a go.’

  ‘I said I’d consider it.’

  ‘I will say yes if you will say yes.’

  She had backed herself into a corner. ‘You would really drop that plan to be with me?’

  ‘Don’t think it’s the only plan I have,’ Alec said. ‘But yes, Cecily Carter for PM. I would say no to this particular plan to be with you.’

  She wanted to jump him, there and then, which meant she needed to back the hell off. ‘I need to think about it.’

  ‘Okay.’ Alec swallowed the last of his wine and stood. ‘You know where to find me.’

  He let himself out and Cecily slouched into her chair, glad that he was the type of man who was willing to give you some space to figure things out. She only had a tenuous hold on her body at the moment—it was yelling at her to call him back, get him hard and fill herself with him.

  Did she dare believe Alec could find a way for them to have a relationship without it impacting their careers? It was a huge risk and would cost her dearly if it backfired. But then, would it be worth it, to be with Alec?

  Cecily had never been one for taking risks. Every move in her life was carefully calculated. She would take the time to consider this as well, and she would say no if she had to. She told herself this, even as she was sure she wouldn’t think it through at all and would say yes, oh yes.

  ***

  Two days later, Cecily texted him one word. ‘Yes.’

  He responded seconds later with his own one word text—‘Yes’.

  Cecily smiled as she put her phone down. Risk be damned. She deserved some fun in her life and she had no doubt Alec Moncrieff could deliver.

  John

  When Gwen opened her door to John on Friday evening and leant in for a kiss, John held up a hand in front of her face to stop her.

  ‘Not yet,’ he said. ‘You and I are going to the coast.’

  ‘The coast?’

  ‘I have hired a house down at Sussex Inlet, on one of the canals, for us to stay. Very luxurious, wonderful views, a complete escape from everything. So pack your things and let’s get going.’

  Gwen showered him with kisses—which he now allowed—then rushed into her room to pack. Fifteen minutes later, they were on the road.

  ‘I can’t believe you organised this,’ Gwen said. ‘Very romantic.’

  ‘I did actually consider just picking you up at work and sweeping you away, but I was informed that wasn’t romantic but stalkerish, despite what the movies say. You would much prefer being able to take your own clothes, and by asking you at home, you had your sanctuary to say no and tell me to go away.’

  ‘Look at you, learning how to deal with women. Does this mean people know about us?’

  ‘They know I am seeing someone, but they aren’t the type of people to look into it. We’re safe.’

  ‘Lovely.’ Gwen relaxed against the seat and smiled at him. ‘A weekend away is just what we need.’

  The drive was completed mostly in silence, listening to his music collection. John was suitably impressed with the gusto with which Gwen sang along to Bat Out Of Hell. Then she had a nap, which he didn’t mind either as he intended to keep her up late into the night.

  It was near ten when they arrived at the house. He and Gwen dumped their cases by the front door and then headed straight through the polished and fabulous interior to the outside. The house backed onto a wide canal, with the edge only five metres from the door. There was a patio and some chairs and a table. Reflected stars glittered in the inky black water. There were lights on in a few of the surrounding houses, but no noise except the gentle movement of the water.

  ‘This is perfect,’ Gwen said softly.

  John went inside. He had ordered nibbles and wine to be put in the fridge and sure enough, there they were. He set up a platter and a couple of glasses and took them out to Gwen.

  ‘This is such a lovely way to end the week.’ Gwen took her glass and held it up to him. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘My pleasure, loveliest of Gwens.’ John bent and kissed her, then sat down at the table. ‘Tell me the one thing you’d love to do this weekend, Gwen. Apart from the obvious, of course.’

  ‘Of course. I’d love a walk on the beach. Is there one here?’

  ‘I believe there is.’ John pulled out his mobile and shook his head. ‘Terrible reception. Bloody country towns.’

  ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if one of us worked for the government and could do something about it?’ Gwen smiled.

  ‘I would like to make that the one and only rule of this weekend. No shop talk. You and I are two very normal, very horny people, who want to forget about the world and indulge.’

  ‘No argument here.’ Gwen swallowed down the rest of her wine. ‘And speaking of horny, join me upstairs?’

  ‘Oh, yes please.’ John gulped his drink and followed her.

  There followed two days of bliss. They were still up as the sun was rising, so they hopped in the car and after following a few signs, eventually found the beach and walked along it when it was still and quiet and even the waves moved slowly and smoothly to aid their contentment.

  Breakfast was coffee and croissants from the local bakery, and then the night’s entertainment caught up and they slept.

  They woke for a late lunch, finishing off the nibbles and wine from the night before. ‘I’ve had my magical walk on the beach,’ Gwen said. ‘Now, what one thing do you want to do this weekend? Apart from the obvious, of course.’

  ‘I want to have a proper date with you,’ John said. ‘We’re not really game to go out in Canberra. I noticed there’s a cute littl
e theatre here. Let’s see what’s playing, and then have dinner at the RSL club.’

  ‘That sounds wonderful,’ Gwen said.

  The movie session was at five, so they got the popcorn and the choc tops and sat together and watched a movie called The Lie of the Century, which turned out to be horrendous.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ John said as they stumbled out, still dealing with the assault to their senses. ‘I’m not sure what I’m apologising for, because I can’t work out what that was, but I am so very, very sorry.’

  ‘Just get me to a bar and get me a drink and it should be fine,’ Gwen said.

  The RSL was set on the inlet itself—a wide river that ran between the sea and St Georges Basin, a large salt lake. The entire side wall of the club was glass, to make the most of the views.

  ‘We should have lunch here tomorrow,’ Gwen said. ‘I bet it would be wonderful, to sit and see the inlet twinkle in the sun.’

  ‘Done,’ John said. ‘Now, let me get you that life-saving drink.’

  They sat with drinks and menus and ordered—the club did a mix of Chinese and Thai food, so they each ordered their favourite dish with mixed entrees.

  Gwen took a sip of her wine and sighed. ‘There. Now I feel my mind is being washed clean. Didn’t the poster promise that would be romantic?’

  ‘Romantic in the same way Silence of the Lambs was romantic. So disturbing. And what the hell was that weird dream sequence in the middle?’

  ‘I think it was saying something about hopelessness and yearning but really I was hypnotised by the sheep running around in circles. And can I make clear here and now that I HATE that shaky camera thing. You will research your movie choices in the future because if you take me to a shaky camera movie again, there will be serious repercussions.’

  ‘Noted,’ John said. ‘Anything else I should know?’

  ‘No true to life or serious films. Movies are about escapism. Nothing gross either. I don’t do blood and gore. Otherwise, I think I’m quite open minded. What about you?’

  ‘No musicals. Please, for the love of God, no musicals. I can handle rom coms, but only with Anne Hathaway in the lead. Adore Anne Hathaway.’

  ‘Me too. So we can put any Anne Hathaway movie on the list.’

  ‘Except musicals. Even Anne can’t save musicals. And I love a good creepy horror.’

  Gwen shuddered. ‘Not so much for me.’

  ‘Ah, but there’s where it works for us both. I get to enjoy the movie, you get to enjoy sheltering in my manly arms.’

  ‘That is very true, Mr Worthing. Very true.’

  The meal was fresh and tasty and after another drink, Gwen and John walked home in the moonlight.

  ‘I could become addicted to this,’ Gwen said. ‘Being able to just slow down and amble through life. Movie here. Dinner there. Midday naps.’

  ‘Sometimes I think I’ll take early retirement, when the time comes, and enjoy this sort of life while I’m able. But I went away on a cruise by myself once and was bored shitless in just a couple of days and ended up using the onboard system to login to work. I don’t think I’m made for not working.’

  ‘Ah, but the word there is ‘by myself’ and yes, that would be hard. But with a partner, it would be delightful.’

  John stopped and pulled her tight against him. ‘When in doubt of something to do, fall into bed together.’

  Gwen frowned. ‘I don’t want sex to become a last resort.’

  ‘Never a last resort. The only resort. The rest is procrastination.’ Then John kissed her, proving how much he had missed touching her.

  They did fall asleep early in the morning, so slept through until near lunchtime. Back down to the club, which was just as perfect as Gwen has said it might be.

  Then back to the house, to make love once more.

  They left as the sun was going down and arrived back in Canberra around nine.

  ‘Thank you for a magical weekend.’ Gwen kissed him. ‘It was everything I could possibly have dreamed of.’

  Looking into her eyes, bright and glowing despite the shadows in the car, John knew there was only one thing to say.

  ‘I love you,’ he said.

  Gwen smiled. ‘I love you too.’ She kissed him and got out of the car.

  John whistled the rest of the way home. Life was so fucking perfect.

  Gwendolen

  ‘Oh God, you’re in love, aren’t you?’

  Gwen blinked. She was only two steps into the office, hadn’t even said hello. How had Alec worked it out?

  ‘Actually, yes I am, thank you for asking.’ Gwen put her handbag on her desk. ‘You should try it. It’s delightful.’

  ‘Not me. I am immune.’

  ‘You are not,’ Gwen said. ‘You just haven’t met the right girl.’

  ‘Oh dear, you don’t subscribe to the whole soul mate thing, do you? Perhaps I should warn John.’

  Gwen shook her head. ‘Don’t put words into my mouth. You are such a particular person, with such foibles and weaknesses, it’s going to take a very specific girl to make you fall. Not just any girl can do it, so of course it would make sense that she’s hard to find. But find her you will, and then you will fall in love as hard as anyone and I hope I am there to watch because I am sure it will be amusing. Now, leave me alone. I am very busy and important.’

  Parliament was sitting, and Barry was back in the office. He spent most of the morning locked up with Alec, working on whatever it was they were plotting. Then he was off to the house for the first day and Gwen was kept busy with a list of appointments Barry needed to make and another list of appointments he needed to break.

  The following day the Budget was being brought down, and they were there late working on figures for Barry’s shadow portfolio and trying to guess based on what had already been announced what the Government would do so Barry would be ready to instantly respond.

  So the only communication Gwen had with John was via text, but that kept her happy. The weekend had given her more than enough quality John-time to keep her going for a while.

  Budget day dawned bright and clear. Autumn was a wonderful time in Canberra—the trees went glorious colours and the entire city was so beautiful. The budget papers were released at 3 pm and Alec came in with three copies, whereupon he, Gwen and Hamish sat and combed through them, looking for things that affected Barry’s constituents and things that affected Barry’s portfolio.

  There were a lot—the government really had no idea what people wanted. It was so clear to Gwen—how could all those supposedly intelligent people over there not see it?

  They stopped the perusal of the documents to watch the actual speech. Alec muttered and swore and Gwen watched with interest—she rarely saw him this animated. But when something so blatantly against what their party stood for was being presented as the best thing for the Australian people—Alec couldn’t hold back his rage.

  When Barry returned, he was frothing at the mouth almost as much as Alec was. By then, the comments about his portfolio were ready, but the impact on his constituency was still being worked out.

  Alec and Barry went out to find some media and express the rage. Gwen and Hamish continued working on a clear picture of how the average person in Barry’s electorate would be impacted by the budget.

  Alec and Barry returned and they helped. Finally, around one in the morning, they had worked out a substantial picture for the local member. Hamish got to work writing up press releases for local media, and leaving messages for people to interview Barry about his thoughts.

  Gwen and Alec transcribed everything they had worked out to send through to the Opposition Leader’s office. He had to make his reply the next day—now this day—and needed all the ammunition he could get.

  It was three in the morning when Gwen stumbled into her apartment. Man, she hoped they did get back into Government at the next election. Budget day when in opposition sucked.

  When her alarm went off at seven, Gwen dragged herself out of bed and in
to the shower. She filled her largest travel mug with coffee and went into work. Everyone was tired, and crabby as a result, and she had fights with both Hamish and Alec.

  When John texted asking if they could see each other that night, Gwen said no.

  ‘I’m exhausted, and I’m cranky, and I just want to have a bath and curl up in bed.’

  ‘Then let me take care of you.’

  It would be nice to have someone look after her. She wasn’t even sure she had the strength to drive home, much less have dinner.

  John was perfect. He arrived at her place with pizza. While they ate, he drew her a warm bath and set up candles and music to help her relax. After the bath, he massaged her feet while they watched some re-runs of Spicks and Specks. Then he tucked her into bed with a kiss, and she fell asleep feeling comforted and loved.

  The next morning, Gwen woke to the smell of bacon cooking. She found John in the kitchen, listening to the morning talk show as he moved some bacon and eggs around a pan.

  Gwen slipped her hands around his waist and kissed the back of his neck. ‘You are a god among men.’

  ‘Wait until you taste my patented egg and bacon roll, with pickled vegetables. You’ll bow down and worship me.’

  ‘I already do.’

  Breakfast was as wonderful as John had promised and Gwen headed to work feeling more relaxed and ready than she had imagined possible.

  Alec was still tired and in a poopy mood and Gwen laughed at him. ‘If only you had a girlfriend to look after you. But no, you don’t believe in love, do you?’

  ‘I believe in hate, and right now I really, really hate you.’

  As a result of John’s care the night before, she got through the day nicely. That night, she rewarded John with a hot bout of sex.

  ‘I didn’t do what I did last night to get this,’ John said.

  ‘I know. But what you did last night meant tonight I was in the mood, so well done you.’

  Gwen snuggled up against him. Perfect, in every single way.

  Alec

  Alec looked around his apartment and admitted to more nerves than was usual on a first date. But then, this was the first first date—in fact, the first woman period—that he had allowed into his home.