‘This story is going to pull some termites out of the woodwork, looking to make a quick buck out of it. I need you to make sure no one at your station gives them any air.’
‘If they are news, John...’
‘They aren't news, they're scum and you'll know it the moment you see them. But some of your colleagues aren't as smart as you and they might think it's a good idea to let them have their say. If they get on your channel, our deal is off.’
‘You're asking a lot of me, John.’
‘Nothing you can't do.’
‘This won't stop other channels from giving them air.’
‘They'll come to you first. By the time they go to the others, you'll have made it clear through the grapevine that you turned it down because you didn't believe them and it would be foolish to risk alienating the PM over this. They won't get a look in anywhere else.’
‘Radio will take them.’
‘The number of people who care about radio is bupkiss, and I have no doubt the PMO is already working on that. What do you say?’
‘An exclusive?’
‘Just for you.’
‘Done. Better be worth it, Johnno.’
John smiled. ‘It will be, Ness. It will be.’
So, there was one part of the issue for Cecily dealt with. Now, he had only to hope that she had been able to cover her tracks and they wouldn't find her.
Then a text from Alec. 'It's on.'
John turned on the television and there was the PM, at the podium in the courtyard outside his office. No flags, John noted. It's official, but low key.
‘Last night, my wife gave an incredibly brave speech, telling the truth about the terrible thing that her illness, her postnatal depression, had led her to. She told that story because she has hated not speaking about the truth, and also because she wanted other women to understand the terrible things they are thinking and wanting to do are not because they are bad people, but because they are ill. The preparation for that speech has been a difficult one for our family, particularly in telling our sons that the sister they had always thought had died in fact could well be alive and out there somewhere. There was the possibility that telling this story would lead to us finding our daughter, but I want to stress that is not why my wife told it. We have tried many times over the years to find her, and had put that possibility from our mind because the expectation can be very painful when it is not fulfilled.
‘However, last night, a miracle occurred. In the audience at my wife's speech was someone who had heard a very similar story, but from the perspective of a woman who had been abandoned by her family. This person took it upon themselves to let the young woman and her friends know. So it was that early this morning, my wife and I were reunited with our baby girl.’
John had never heard a press conference like it. Apart from the occasional click of a camera, there was no sound.
The PM continued. ‘Amazingly, it turns out she had been not far from us for several months now. Her name is Cecily Carter and she is a member of Senator Michelle Abeyson's staff. Both Cecily and my wife have now left Canberra to take some time to adjust to this tremendous change in all our lives. I ask that you give them space. I also ask that you leave my sons alone as well. As you can imagine, going from thinking their sister is dead to actually having her appear in the space of just a few days is very shocking and they need time. I am not taking any questions at this time. I am continuing to work and will do what is needed as the prime minister of this great country. When my family is ready to talk, we will do so. In the meantime, I thank you for coming and wish you all the best for your day.’
With that, he turned and went back into his office, while reporters recovered and started to shout questions, all of which were ignored.
John turned off the television. There it was. The news was out. It would spread around Parliament House and those who knew that he knew Cecily would be all over him. It was going to be a very strange day.
It started not long after the PM’s announcement. John's door flew open and his boss stood there.
‘Mr Worthing.’ She gave him the smile that he knew prefaced the beginning of a major tantrum. ‘Can I speak to you in my office?’
‘Of course.’
John followed Mrs Blakely into her office. He closed the door behind them and watched her take a seat.
‘Mr Worthing.’ That smile again. ‘Am I right in thinking you know the news of our prime minister's new child?’
‘I do.’
The smile got wider. ‘And when did you find this out?’
John wasn't quite sure what had upset her, but it was clear that he needed to protect himself. ‘This morning.’ A truth of a sort.
‘This morning. At the same time the rest of us did?’
John's gut gave him the answer. ‘Yes.’
Mrs B narrowed her eyes. ‘You wouldn't lie to me, would you, John? Trust is very important in our relationship.’
It was, and right now he didn't trust her one bit. ‘Trust is very important.’
‘Because if I found out that you had information of this sort and didn't tell me, I would be very concerned about where your loyalties lie, John. It is your job to ensure I am informed of everything as soon as it happens, so I can act accordingly.’
It all clicked into place. Mrs B wanted the opportunity to use the events of last night to her advantage in the party. Well, John wasn't going to let her.
‘As we found out about it at the same time, I suppose we are now at the point of acting accordingly,’ John said. ‘May I suggest a card for the PM and his wife, congratulating them on finding their long lost child. You could make sure they realise that you know and respect Cecily and that they will be glad to have such a daughter.’
John actually doubted Mrs B would know who Cecily was, despite the number of times she'd been in John's office. But his boss nodded and smiled.
‘Brilliant idea, John. See that it is done. And make sure dear Cecily knows I am thinking of her and I wish her all the best.’
‘Of course.’ John closed the office door behind him as he left, and gave instructions to Helen to procure and send the card. Back in his own office, he sat in his chair with a sigh. A part of him wanted to contact Cecily and tell her that wherever she had run to, to keep running because she had just become the greatest political pawn in Canberra. But it was more important that he do what he could to protect her.
The bells rang, summoning the members of the lower house. John left a message with the prime minister's office that he'd like to see him at some point today. Then he turned his attention to work and waited for the visitors.
The first was one he hadn't expected, but should have. Senator Abeyson came in and sat quietly in front of his desk. Her first question raised his opinion of her hugely.
‘How is Cecily? Have you spoken to her? I responded to her email to me about what had happened and her needing time off, but I doubt she has seen that yet. Is she okay?’
‘Shocked, confused, unsure what to do,’ John said. ‘But Cecily is a very strong, resilient person and she will get through this.’
The senator nodded. ‘It was one of the reasons I hired her. I didn't know the full story of her childhood, but she was open about growing up without a family. The fact she was the responsible, intelligent young woman that she was with the life she'd had told me she had the guts to survive a life in politics.’
‘She will well and truly need those guts now.’
‘I wish there was something I could do for her. My office is being inundated with requests from the media, and we're sending every one to the PMO, but I want to do something for Cecily. She is my staffer, and she's very committed to her work and the party. I want the world to know that.’
‘I can’t see the PMO objecting to you saying that. And it would mean a great deal to Cecily.’
The senator frowned. ‘The PMO has asked me not to say anything.’
‘You can say that you were ambushed by the press
and felt you needed to say something. And just keep your words to Cecily herself. That she's a great employee, dedicated to the party and she has your full support. They can't get too miffed about that, and it will help Cecily a lot to know that you are behind her.’
‘I will do that. Thank you, John, for your time now and for mentoring Cecily. It is nice to know there are people in this building who not only care about politics but care about people too.’
It occurred to John that this incident was going to reveal to him who those people were.
The senator left and John managed to get an hour of uninterrupted work done before the Prime Minister's Office called and said the PM wanted to see him.
Out in the corridor, John found all the people he had thought would come disturb him. They were obviously not wanting to be seen coming to him because everyone was unsure how to play this, so they were waiting for him to come to them. They waved, called out to him, and John said he couldn't stop, later, and kept going.
The PM was sitting at his desk. To one side, a live stream of the House of Representatives, where the Leader of the House was looking after things while the leader of the party hid himself away.
‘When you and Alec came to speak to my wife and I last night, you didn't tell us it was because you thought you knew who our daughter was.’
John blinked at the bold opening statement. ‘We didn't want to cause you any unwarranted concern or hope, sir. We were quite sure Cecily was your daughter, but wanted to gather more information so we could convince you both it was the case.’
The PM nodded. ‘I understand that you blurted it out to Cecily and she didn't respond well.’
Bloody Alec. ‘I misjudged, sir. I could only see an opportunity to reunite a family. I didn't think through that this wasn't a normal family, and it needed to be handled with more care.’
‘Still, your actions mean that today, I woke knowing my daughter is alive and she is well and happy. Regardless of what else happens, I shall always be grateful to you for that.’
John bowed his head. ‘Thank you, sir.’
‘I understand that each year, you find a new staff member to mentor?’
John nodded. ‘I was lucky enough to have my first position here under Howard Renmark, and it was clear in my first year how much of an advantage having him to guide me was. Once I had enough years under my belt, I started to do the same for others.’
‘Great man,’ the PM murmured. ‘So, why did you choose Cecily?’
‘Well, there was an element of luck. I choose from a different gender each year, and this year I was due to mentor a woman, so I was only looking at them. But at the first couple of events with staffers in the new parliament, I noted that she had all the qualities that I think are useful for a political staffer. She watches and learns first. She has a very good head for figuring out who are the most useful people to interact with. She's very diplomatic, and dedicated to the party. After knowing her for more than six months now, I am sure I didn't choose wrongly.’
‘Thank you, John. It's—gratifying to know that my daughter has turned out so well. You can go now.’
‘Actually, sir, there was a reason I asked to see you. I've used my contacts in Sydney media to do what I can to ensure that the bad apples in Cecily's life don't take advantage of her and you. However, I had to make a deal to make it happen.’
The PM frowned. ‘What kind of deal?’
‘I'm doing an interview on national television tonight.’
The PM shot forward to perch on the edge of his seat. ‘No. Absolutely not. No one is to talk about it.’
‘Sir, if I don't, they may give those creeps airtime. And I won't reveal anything more than what you have already said. Plus if they think they can get the story from me, they may lay off your wife and Cecily for a few days.’
The PM regarded him through narrow eyes. ‘You will not use this as an opportunity to further your own political career?’
‘Sir, I have no ambition to be anything but a staffer, and this could actually kill that. The chamber holds no allure for me. I'm doing this to protect Cecily, and to protect you and your family. I won't do anything to hurt any of you.’
‘If you do, I will crush you.’
‘I would be disappointed if you didn't, sir.’
A pause, then the PM nodded. ‘Very well. Cecily has trusted you with this secret and you haven't betrayed her, so I will trust you as well.’
John went back to his office, again avoiding conversations with people. He couldn't do it forever, but he didn't want to talk until he had a better idea of exactly how this was going to play out.
He told Helen he needed to see Mrs B as soon as she got back from the chamber, then hid in his office, waiting.
A door slammed. A female screech. Then his door gingerly opened.
‘Mrs Blakely has kindly requested your company in her office,’ Helen said.
Oh, joy.
John went in. Mrs B was pacing across the room. She turned and stabbed a pointed, painted fingernail at him.
‘You. You told me that you didn't know about Cecily until this morning.’
‘I didn't.’
‘Then why were you seen leaving the PMs office after the speech last night? Why were you there speaking to him at all?’
‘Talking to him and his wife. She was very brave, you know.’
‘Don't pussyfoot around with me, Mr Worthing. You knew last night. You orchestrated the reunion with the PM and his daughter and you didn't tell me.’
John decided he was over the dramatics. ‘I did not orchestrate the reunion, and I merely suspected that Cecily might be the long-lost daughter last night. It was only confirmed to me this morning. So what I said to you was true—I knew the truth this morning.’
‘And you did not come to me with any of this?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I didn't consider it any of your business.’
Mrs B rocked back on her heels and then came forward and this time the fingernail connected with John's chest. ‘You have betrayed me.’
‘I was looking after my friend. None of this concerned you.’
‘You have betrayed me, and the party.’
‘The PM doesn't think so. He just told me I’m a great servant to the party.’
Mrs B’s face when to red to a beetroot shade. ‘You went and saw the PM? Without telling me?’ Spittle flew from her mouth.
John smiled. He’d chosen Mrs B because he thought she was more interested in the party, and therefore in securing the future for the Australian people, than herself. It was annoying that he was only now working out he was wrong. ‘Indeed I did.’
‘That is it, Mr Worthing. I have put up with your shenanigans long enough. Either you are dedicated solely to me, or you leave this building.’
John nodded his head. ‘If that's the choice, then so be it.’ He turned and walked out of her office, down the small corridor to his own.
Mrs B followed and he heard the gasp from the doorway as he opened his desk and started to take out his things. ‘If you leave now, I will make sure you never work in this building again.’
John shook his head. ‘Politics 101—never threaten anything that you can't actually follow through on. You don't have that sort of power.’
‘Don't underestimate me. I chose you to work for me—I put you in the position where you could have the small influence you do have.’
‘Actually, I chose you. I had four different MPs all wanting me when I left Wally’s employ, and I decided to come work for you because I thought you believed in the party as much as I did. But it turns out that, actually, all you believe in is yourself and I'm not interested in working for someone like you. I have no doubt I'll be fielding a whole lot of offers by the end of today. Particularly, as you pointed out, the whole building now thinks it was me who got the PM and his daughter together.’
John wished he dared get his phone out and capture Mrs B's face right now. Inste
ad, he gathered up his personal belongings and walked out.
Through the corridors, where everyone saw and everyone would wonder and when it got around that Mrs B had sacked him because he had put the PM and Cecily's needs first, her career would be done. At security, he took off his tag and dropped it on the desk and wished them all well. Then to his car, and the trip home.
It was only when he was standing in his loungeroom, in broad daylight, that it hit him what he had done—he had just walked out of his job. For Cecily. And right now, he wasn't sure he ever wanted to go back.
His phone. Alec.
‘About time you left that harpy,’ Alec said. ‘Want to come work for me?’
‘Fuck off,’ John said. ‘You're right—she is a harpy. Maybe they all are?’
‘Not all of them,’ Alec said. ‘For all that he's on the wrong side, I think maybe the PM isn't. Cecily certainly isn't, and she's going to be PM herself one day.’
‘You think so?’
‘I know so. This will put her back a bit, but I have no doubt she can overcome and I can't wait to see it.’
John flopped onto his couch. ‘You love her.’
‘Adore her.’
‘Her being the PM’s daughter makes her even more out of reach.’
‘Good thing I like a challenge. When are you calling Gwen?’
John shook his head. ‘Later. Right now I need to process. I just walked out of my job.’
‘And about time too.’
John turned off his phone and threw it on the couch. Then he stared at the ceiling. Well, he'd done it now. Time to work out what the hell he was going to do with his new life.
Alec
‘Mr Moncrieff, he will see you know.’
Alec stood and smiled at the Opposition Leader's EA. ‘Thank you, Janelle. Love you in red.’
Her thin lips cracked a little but the lack of smile remained. Very unlike usual. ‘Thank you, Mr Moncrieff.’
Alec walked into the office sure in the knowledge he was about to get a roasting.
The people in the office proved it and, in fact, he actually had a moment of fear. Not just the OL and his snake Chief of Staff, but the entire leadership of the parliamentary wing of the party—including Barry.
The Importance of Ernestine Page 24