Polls Apart

by Clare Stephen-Johnston

  Richard heard Esther before he saw her. She was chattering loudly to an assistant in the corridor, complaining about the way her hair had been styled. “She’s not done it how I asked her. It’s all curled up at the ends. I look like a bloody bridesmaid.”

  Richard smiled in Henry’s direction and, for the first time that day, he managed to return one, raising his eyebrows in response to the commotion in the hallway.

  “I think the curls look great,” Richard said cheekily as Esther entered the studio, catching her completely by surprise, as she was seemingly unaware of the long distances her voice could travel.

  “Thank you, Richard,” she answered stiffly, before extending her right hand. “Glad to see you’re still finding your sense of humour at this difficult time.”

  Richard smiled again, but remembered why Henry frequently warned him against getting up Esther’s nose: “Just be straight and act like you fancy her. She’ll warm to that,” he’d been advised.

  “I only meant that you look stunning, as always,” Richard replied in an attempt at reconciliation.

  “Thank you.” She eyed him suspiciously before gesturing to him to sit back down. “We’d better crack on because we’ve only got thirty seconds before we’re live.”

  “Of course,” Richard said, feeling the anxiety beginning to crank up another couple of levels.

  He sat silently as Esther was counted in and watched her breeze through her introduction in which she showed her mastery of the art of connecting with the audience. “We’ve all been shocked by the twists and turns in Richard Williams’ political and private life over the last couple of weeks. Now, for the first time since his separation from Anna Lloyd, he is telling his side of the story.”

  She turned now to look at Richard, an intensely patronising smile fixed to her face. Although attractive, he thought she was the kind of woman you could only ever fantasize about rather than actually fancy. In person, she was just way too controlled and way too false.

  “It’s been quite a shocking couple of weeks, hasn’t it?” Esther began. “Had there been problems in your marriage prior to the allegations that your wife had worked as a professional escort?”

  Nice start, Richard thought to himself. Nothing quite like getting to the point. He shifted in his seat slightly. “I don’t really want to go down the line of talking in depth about my marriage, because I think that’s personal, but what I will say is that I didn’t feel there were any significant problems in our relationship.”

  “That does rather beg the question then why you announced a separation from Anna almost as soon as a newspaper printed claims about her?”

  “All I announced was the fact that Anna would be stepping out of the public eye for a while, allowing me to focus on the very important task of winning the election. The events that transpired after that spun out of our control.”

  “In what way?” Esther demanded.

  Richard cleared his throat. “I mean the way it was construed by the media. That Anna and I then never really had the opportunity to talk to each other about what was happening. She left home almost as soon as I’d made the announcement.”

  “Have you spoken since?”

  “Briefly.”

  “And what was said?”

  “Well, again, I’m not going to go into detail about private conversations. I admitted to Anna that I had made mistakes.” Richard shuffled in his seat and prayed the interview wasn’t going to get any more difficult. He could feel the vein in his right temple throbbing away and hoped it wasn’t noticeable. Henry was scratching his head and ambling around in the corner, making it even more difficult to concentrate.

  “Were you aware of your wife’s suffering at the hands of her stepfather and of her conviction for his manslaughter?”

  “Yes, of course I was.”

  “She has said since your separation that you were previously very sympathetic about the difficulties she had faced in her youth. Difficulties that must have contributed to her life choices in her early twenties.”

  “That’s right, yes. I feel very strongly that people who have been failed by society as badly as Anna and her sister were, deserve all the help the state can offer. It’s part of the reason I went into politics – to try and fight for a more just society.”

  “So how ‘just’ do you think it was to abandon your own wife in her hour of greatest need?”

  Richard had seen it coming, but it still didn’t soften the blow. He and Henry had even prepared for this question in the car on the way to the studios. But no matter how he phrased the answer, there was no way to dress up betraying the woman you love. So, he decided not to stick to the planned answer, but to say what he really felt.

  “When I announced my separation from Anna, I did what I thought was right for the Social Democratic Party. Both Anna and I shared a vision of an SDP government. Neither of us wanted to see anything get in the way of that and so, stupidly I guess now, I thought I was doing what was best all round. I genuinely thought I was protecting Anna by keeping her out of the spotlight.”

  “But, according to your wife, you didn’t agree this with her before you made the announcement.” Esther, by this point, was perched on the edge of her seat, clearly enjoying what Richard was sure would be one of her career highlights.

  “The announcement was rushed. I have many regrets about the way it all happened. The last couple of weeks have been as bewildering as they’ve been painful and I will have to live with my mistakes for the rest of my life. But I am determined to help this nation find its feet again. This country needs an SDP government – we cannot afford another eight years of Alliance rule or those truly in need will be left to suffer without end. And it was this unquenchable desire that led me to act as hastily as I did and for that I’m truly sorry.”

  “Have you apologised to your wife?”

  “Yes. Unreservedly.”

  “Has she accepted that apology?”

  “No. And she has every right to be angry.”

  “Do you want your wife back, Mr Williams?”

  “I dearly want Anna to be by my side when we defeat an Alliance government and win back the chance for the British people to turn this country around again, but that is a decision for her. I miss her terribly.”

  Richard cast his eyes to the floor and fought to control the unexpected emotion that was welling up inside of him. He wanted Esther to jump in and move the interview on but, instead, she seemed to be savouring every moment, knowing it would likely make headlines around the world. But whilst the media got on with picking over his every facial expression and turn of phrase, Richard prayed his interview would have the desired impact on his target audience: Anna.

  Libby switched the TV off using the remote control and turned to look at her sister. Anna had watched the entire interview, sitting on the edge of the bed in her hotel room, in absolute silence. It was sheer chance they had caught it because Libby had come over to help Anna move her stuff back to their house, and had switched the TV news on to watch the one o’clock headlines and there it was. Lunchtime Live with Esther Yarleth and an exclusive interview to end all exclusives.

  “You all right, Anna?” Libby asked, resting her arm on her sister’s shoulder.

  “I think so,” Anna said wearily. “I don’t quite know what to make of that.”

  Libby had been expecting this – the moment Anna would finally waver, beaten down by the pressure of the last few weeks.

  “What’s upset you?”

  “I believe him, Libs. I believe he genuinely wants me back.” Anna was starting to cry now, first in small gasps, which soon turned in to heavy sobs.

  “And what do you want, Anna?”

  “I think I want him back too,” she gasped. “I hate being alone with no home to go back to.”

  “Oh, Noo-Noo,” Libby threw her arms around her sister. “You’re coming to stay with us – you know that my home is your home.”

  “I know that, and I’m so incredibly glad to have you
and Dan and the kids, but I want to be back in my own bed, with my own belongings around me. I just want my old life back.”

  Libby clenched her sister’s face between her hands so she could fix her fully in the eyes. “It’s a big decision you’re making, Anna. And it might not work. You will still feel a lot of anger towards Richard even if you go back and make up.”

  “You’re right, I know. I still love Richard though and I really want him to win this next election. Meeting Kelvin again this week just reminded me what a slime bucket he is and I genuinely believe Richard can make a difference. Will you support me if I go back?”

  “Anna, I will support you in anything you decide to do. And if it doesn’t work out, our door is open for you to come back and stay again.”

  “Thank you, Libby,” Anna reached out to embrace her sister again. “I’d be so lost without you.”

  Richard stared intently out of the car window as Henry, sitting to his left, continued his rant about the interview with Esther Yarleth.

  “I mean you never, never admit to a mistake in politics,” he raged. “You can say you have regrets but to just blatantly come out and say you ballsed it up is taking such a risk with the voters. I don’t know what I’m to do with you, Dickie, I really don’t.”

  Richard smiled at the familiarity of Henry toying with him again, as he had before the business with Anna had threatened to blow their working relationship apart. “Well, we can’t do much worse than we have been doing, Henry, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” he replied.

  Henry swung around in his seat to look at Richard. “We’ve got to get back to business now. Whatever Anna decides to do, we can’t go losing our focus. We have everything to fight for…”

  To Richard’s great relief he was spared the rest of the lecture when Henry’s mobile started ringing, as it did every few minutes. While Henry snapped instructions down the phone, Richard sank into his chair and reached for his Blackberry. He cast his eyes over the usual array of briefing notes and updates, then sat up quickly again when he spotted a text from Anna at the top of his inbox. “Can we talk?” was all she had written.

  “Yes!” Richard hastily replied. “Can you come over tonight? I should be home by nine.”

  “I’m heading back to the house now. Will wait for you,” came the answer within minutes.

  Richard took a deep breath and allowed himself to genuinely smile for the first time in days. He turned to look at Henry who appeared distinctly less happy.

  “What’s wrong, Henry? It looks like you’ve had bad news.”

  “Joy has asked me to meet her at the flat in an hour. Would you mind if I duck out of tonight’s meeting?”

  “No. I’m sure we’ll manage,” Richard replied, aware that he was enjoying Henry’s sudden gloominess a little too much. He observed it so rarely. “Is there a problem?”

  “Well, she’s never asked me to meet her at home urgently before so I can only assume there’s one bloody great big problem.”

  “Good luck then, mate.”

  Henry eyed Richard with suspicion and wondered why his mood had picked up so notably. But his mind soon wandered back to Joy’s phonecall. Her tone sounded terminal – and Henry could well imagine what was coming.

  Joy was waiting for Henry in the living room of the three-bedroom apartment in Chelsea they had chosen together four years ago. It had suited their lifestyles perfectly and he thought they’d been happy in it. Until this moment, when he found her sitting silently with her coat on, staring into space.

  “What’s all this about?” he asked cautiously, taking a seat opposite her.

  “I’m leaving you,” she said, still staring at the same spot on the wall.

  “What? Why? I mean, I know we’ve both been busy lately and things have been a bit stressful and chaotic, but I thought we were okay.”

  “Okay?” Joy asked, turning towards him to reveal her intense anger. “You’ve done nothing but bully and harass me for the last five years, turning what should have been a dream job into a nightmare, and you think that’s okay? That’s not okay, Henry. Nothing about you is okay. You are a manipulative, selfish man and I am finished with this.” She stood up quickly.

  “Joy,” Henry gasped, standing in an attempt to block her way. “I don’t know what to say. I just didn’t know things had got this bad. Why didn’t you say something earlier?” “Because I couldn’t get a word in edgeways. You were too busy telling me what to do to listen to what I had to say. So hear this: my bags are packed, and I’m heading out of the door.”

  “Where will you stay?”

  “I’m moving in with a friend, but you won’t be needing my contact details. My lawyer will be in touch soon enough. Goodbye Henry.”

  He watched helplessly as Joy walked briskly to the front door, then listened as she walked down the corridor and into the lift which would carry her from his life.

  Anna felt her troubles melt away as she stepped over the threshold of her front door. She breathed in the familiar smell of her scented candles and the beeswax polish Joanna used on their wooden surfaces. She walked through into the living area and paused for a moment to appreciate the sight of perfectly plumped cushions – Joanna hadn’t slackened off in her absence – before curling up on the sofa she had been longing to relax into for the last two weeks. She mentally recorded the moment that she finally slumped back into its glorious softness and knew she was home to stay.

  A few minutes later she went up to the bedroom and unpacked her clothes, throwing the majority of them into the laundry basket. How good it was to be able to use her own washing machine without first either having to ask, or pay for it. She took a long, leisurely bath and smiled as she wrapped herself in her favourite Egyptian cotton bath sheet. She felt her soul refuel after a long spell of loneliness and displacement.

  Just as she was brushing her hair, she heard Richard’s key in the lock and pulled on her robe before going downstairs to meet him. By the time she had made it into the living area, he was standing in front of the fireplace waiting for her. He looked as she felt: terrified.

  “It’s good to see you,” he said softly.

  “And you,” Anna said, leaning against the door.

  “Are you staying?” Richard asked, nodding towards her robe.

  “Yes. I’m staying.”

  Richard walked cautiously towards Anna and come to a stop just inches from her.

  “I’m so, so sorry Anna,” he rested his forehead against hers and allowed his tears to fall. She reached for his hands and held them behind her back, before leaning into his chest and whispering. “I believe you.”

  10

  Reunited: Lloyd and Wlliams Hit Campaign Trail Together

  Monday, 13th April, UK Newswire – Opposition leader Richard Williams will today be accompanied by his actress wife, Anna Lloyd, as they hit the campaign trail together just two days after their reconciliation.

  The couple are set to visit a care home in Derby this morning before embarking on a walk-about in the town centre. The Social Democrats leader is expected to use the visit to promote the party’s Free Care for the Elderly policy – a key manifesto pledge.

  Williams announced their marital separation two weeks ago following claims in a Sunday newspaper that Lloyd had previously worked as an escort girl.

  But, after a sharp fall in the polls and an apparent change of heart by Williams, the two were reunited on Friday evening.

  The couple appeared briefly outside their Highgate home on Saturday morning to pause for pictures before heading off to Williams’ Bristol South constituency for the weekend.

  Neither made a formal statement, but Williams told reporters: “I am delighted to have my wife back by my side again, where she belongs”.

  When asked what plans they had for the weekend, Williams said: “We’re going to meet my constituents and get on with campaigning for the people of this country. It’s business as usual for both of us, and we’re more determined than ever to fight for Br
itain.”

  The couple were set to be joined on the campaign trail today by film director Don Monteith, a major party donor, who was raised in Derby.

  Anna could barely conceal her disappointment as she boarded the Democrats’ battle bus. She had imagined it would be decked out rather like a large motorhome, with small kitchen area, couched seating and dining tables. In reality, it was just a coach – and a slightly shabby one at that – with a couple of table areas and a tiny loo. Anna turned to look at Richard who smiled encouragingly as he guided her towards one of the tables.

  She dusted some crumbs off the inside chair, and patted down the back of her blue pencil skirt to avoid it getting crushed, before sitting down. She and Camilla had gone to great lengths to choose the perfect suit for her first day’s campaigning and she was already concerned about how it would look by the time they’d finished the cramped coach trip.

  “I feel like we should have brought some sandwiches and a flask of tea with us,” Anna laughed as Richard took his seat beside her.

  “Might not have been a bad idea,” said Richard, only half-jokingly. “But I’m told the canteen food at Derby General is worth holding out for.”

  “Is that where we’re eating?” Anna asked in disbelief.

  “This is the reality of life as a Social Democrat leader’s wife, Anna,” Richard winked.

  Anna raised her eyes to the ceiling as she thought about the many hours she would have to spend on this bus over the next few weeks in the run-up to the election. But she had made Richard a promise and, in actual fact, it was one she was more than happy to fulfil. She now felt totally committed to helping her husband become the next Prime Minister because, despite the mistakes he had made in their marriage, she had absolutely no doubt that he was the best man for the job. Anna’s spirits were soon further lifted when she spotted Ray Molsley boarding the bus – her firm favourite among Richard’s colleagues. She waved animatedly at him then stopped suddenly when she realised he was being followed by Don Monteith.

  “You didn’t tell me Don Monteith was coming today,” Anna said, turning sharply on Richard.