by Mark Stanley
"Polls are notoriously inaccurate, but there are a few things to say. Firstly, it is hugely surprising that our family should be viewed in such a way and as Victoria has already said, we have been overwhelmed by the regard that we are held and also humbled by it. It's not something that we court, we try to keep ourselves to ourselves and we're obviously not doing a very good job of it! Secondly, I'm not an MP, I have no intention of becoming an MP and the two people that I was put into competition with are, at least in my opinion, doing a fine job. It's early in the Parliamentary cycle for such a poll and I think they need to be given a chance to deliver on the election promises that the Conservatives put forward, but they can rest assured that I'm not after their jobs."
"But Lord Stanley, before the attack there was a persistent rumour that you were to be invited into Government, perhaps as Foreign Secretary, was that all it was, rumour?"
"I was aware of the speculation, but as far as I was concerned, that is all it was. I have no experience of politics and so I was at a loss to explain the speculation, as I said at the time."
"And yet you can't deny your own popularity, you're both huge donators to your family's charitable foundation. You're one of the most connected couples in the World, few can invite Presidents, Prime Ministers and Royals to their wedding and get them to all attend and yet you will have us believe that there is no way that you can be persuaded to take a part in the running of this Country?"
"I've not been asked."
"But if you were asked? Does that mean that if Number Ten come knocking, you will open the door?"
"That means that we have a horse running today that I'm anxious to see for the first time since the Irish Derby!"
"One last question. Your daughter has been chosen to represent the junior England team at lacrosse, might we be permitted to congratulate her?"
I had a nano second to decide, but in that space of time I couldn't think of a reason to deny the request, so I motioned Lulu forward.
"Lulu Stanley, congratulations on your selection you must be delighted?"
"Thank you."
"When did you find out about your selection?"
"At school on Wednesday."
"You must be looking forward to it?"
"Very much so."
“Do you play any other sports competitively?”
“Tennis and hockey.”
"May we wish you well for your upcoming debut and we wish you all a great day and hope that we all witness the first Triple Crown winner since 1970?"
"We have to do something Billy, we can't continue to be ambushed like that, we need someone to ensure that if articles are written or polls conducted that we know what's being said we can't continue to walk blindly into these situations."
Of course Victoria was right and we would have to address the problem but I was conscious that they were only the orchestra and that the conductor was sitting in the South of France, for now.
"Basking in my reflected glory, Markey Boy! First Triple Crown winner in forty five years and now an offer of thirty five million, what more could you want?"
"Well done Robert, but the past is the past and whilst Saturday was fabulous, Victoria is shopping to impress the Parisians so don't let her down!"
"He seems well Markey. That was his fifth race this year but he's got a three weeks to get over it as the 'Arc' isn't until October 4th, the one that worries me in the Champion Stakes at Ascot as that's less than two weeks after the 'Arc', it could all be a bit close."
"I know, but I've confirmed his participation, if everything is okay with him. It's a big ask but I want to support Ascot."
"You do realise that when he wins the Arc and the Champion Stakes, he'll have won over five million, in prize money?"
"I do, but I'll never see it, Victoria's already laid claim for the charities."
"Do I need to ask what you want me to do about the offer?"
"No."
"I'll let them know."
"Good news, Mummy & Daddy are coming to Paris!..." Victoria looked at me and her look reflected the way I felt.
"...What could I say? I know it's a shit but that's what you signed up for when you married me." We were sat in the bedroom of the house on Wentworth Estate, getting ready for bed. The children were all hunkered down and I was hoping for my own little bit of comfort and then this. Victoria's attitude towards her parents had initially surprised me. From afar I had thought that she was close to both, but now I realised that was nothing more than a front, a ruse, an illusion. She despises her Father and his ways. I stupidly thought that she has oblivious to those, but the last few months had set the record straight. After being shot she had been staggered by her parents’ absence from the hospital and on our honeymoon had seen an exposé of, primarily Danny. From his forceful, just the right side of honest business dealings, to his lack of affection towards his daughter who could and would never replace a son that he had been denied. Melissa is his foil, the one that makes him look good but the Brompton family traits that he exhibits; ruthlessness, greed, deception and manipulation are well covered by them both.
"I know and I suppose that this day has long been coming. We know what he wants and now we'll find out how he's going to achieve it."
"What I can't understand Mark is how you allowed him to promote you?"
"Come on Victoria! We both know that your Father is as difficult as he is cunning. When he brokered the peace by getting your Mother involved he knew I was going to forever in his debt."
She came over and sat on my lap, ruffling my hair and then kissing me.
"But if you had only known how much I just wanted to be with you, you would never have succumbed."
"But I didn't know and I have succumbed and now it's a case of making the best of it. I assume that as everyone will be present we'll be telling them about these two?" I rubbed her incredibly flat tummy and thought of the change that would take place in the next few months.
"It makes sense, although I want to tell the children, separately and before we tell our parents?"
I kissed her. Her continuing thoughtfulness never failed to impress me.
"Come in Mark, good of you to make the time, how are you and Victoria? We haven't seen you since the wedding and what a day that was. I was only saying to Sara that we must have you over for dinner, lets ensure we make a date, really soon?"
I had shaken the proffered hand and then an arm draped around my shoulder and guided me to the seating area where a pot of coffee stood, presumably freshly made. The room rich in decoration with traditional furniture as was to be expected in the sitting room of the Prime Minister.
"Coffee?"
"Thank you Prime Minister."
"Goodness me, don't stand on ceremony, Christopher or Chris whichever you prefer is fine. You weren't that far behind me at Eton after all."
Ah Eton. Once educated at this bastion, one is rarely forgotten. In fact I had been four years behind our illustrious leader funnily enough he was an arsehole then as well. He passed me a cup and I shook my head at the offer of milk and sugar, he took both and then offered biscuits, Maryland Cookies by the looks of them, again I shook my head and smiled before I sipped the coffee, which was on the moderate side of dishwater. I put the cup down and sat back waiting for my host to enlighten me, for it's not every day that one is asked to tea with the PM. He too sat back and rested his cup on his lap.
"I'm getting some terrific pressure applied to find you a job Mark?"
"You do surprise me because I have one already."
"Well, you were set up for the Foreign Secretaries position but of course..." He waved towards my head, patently staring, looking for a wound, I presumed. "...You got waylaid by circumstances beyond your control. By the way, jolly good show in getting back behind the wheel so soon."
"Thanks but I'm not, at least not yet." He looked puzzled so I enlightened him. "Behind the wheel, banned for a year, due to the seizures." I smiled, again.
"Quite. Well...where was I...oh
yes, mm, pressure." He pursed his lips and there was a silence as if he was deciding something.
"What do you want?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"What do you want? The FS job has gone and so have all the others so I repeat what do you want?"
I was now completely bewildered by his question. "I'm not entirely sure..."
"What the fucking hell do you want? The last few words were almost spat at me. Tiny amounts of spittle flew across and into my half drank cup of coffee, whilst the rest lay, like tiny raindrops on the highly polished surface of the table.
"I don't want anything, you invited me to have a chat and I accepted with no ulterior motive."
The silence pervaded the room as he fought to regain his composure.
"These polls are making everything so hard. All of the pressure is mounting, I know that you're going to send a stalking horse after me and then there will be a leadership election and you'll be there..."
"Stalking horse? Leadership election, what are you talking about Christopher? You speak as though I'm trying to derail the Government, some kind of agent provocateur and nothing could be further from the truth. I've come along here today with no agenda, no idea why you've asked me to attend and now these accusations?"
"Don't pretend, you know exactly what's going on! All of the subterfuge, manoeuvrings, it's all a fucking plot!"
I sat in here, in this over-furnished, elaborately decorated room, being subjected to the ravings of a lunatic, what was he on? I thought it best to keep my mouth zipped for fear of antagonising the situation. I wasn't scared of Christopher but nor did I fancy chinning the PM in his own sitting room. He put his cup down and poured himself more coffee and took a second biscuit, placing it to join the first uneaten one on his saucer.
"I hate politics, hate it! All of the lies and deceit, it's all too much. I said to Sara, I'm an honourable man but I sometimes feel that I'm the only one in there!" He pointed out of the window presumably in the direction of the Houses of Parliament.
"I don't want this anymore...well I do, but I can't fight all of you...bullies!"
"How am I a bully? Through your tenure as PM, I've been a loyal supporter, I've contributed to the Party both in time and money, I've hosted a dinner and invited people that would do likewise and asked nothing in return. Of course you offered a Peerage and I was delighted and honoured to accept and as for the FS job Christopher, you must understand that wasn't of my planning? I fully understand that you have a new Cabinet and they are entrusted to carry out the job, following your instructions. You talk about honour? I also consider myself to be an honourable man that's something that we have in common but I'm not and never have been a bully. Perhaps it would be better if we left this and I return or perhaps I don't. Something's obviously upset you and I think it would be better if we...yes that's what we'll do." I stood up and buttoned my jacket.
"SIT DOWN!"
This wasn't spat, this was shouted and I really didn't know what to do, but I did want this to cease so that he could take...that's it!
"Christopher, do you take medication? Have you taken something or do you need som..."
"Don't be so impudent!"
"My apologises, it's just that I'm at a loss to know what is going on. What the purpose of today's...chat is all about?"
He picked up one of the biscuits from the saucer and began twirling it between his fingers, watching as it slowly crumbled. The silence continued until the last of the biscuit fell onto his lap disturbing his reverie, looking down he brushed the crumbs off himself.
"There have been three polls in recent days, as well as two Editorials and all have promoted you as this Country, favoured son."
"I've seen them and I've also dismissed them as being irrelevant. I'm not in the Government and so they are meaningless."
"You read the editorial in The Sunday Times and saw the poll that they carried out? That was orchestrated, why now? I’ll you why, it's done to unsettle the troops to make a talking point so that the dark arts can be put to work, those fuckers whose sole purpose in life is to disrupt and to challenge, me and my predecessors and make our lives a fucking misery, that's why."
"If you wish me to make a robust statement, please write it and I'll do your bidding, willingly Christopher, I don't want this to upset you, unsettle you."
"You know I can't, I'd like to, but I can't, a position will need to be found one that will be acceptable to those bastards who pull mine and lots of people’s strings from the comfort and safety of France.”
He stood up, ensuring that the crumbs, all of them, had been consigned to the floor before holding out his hand, the meeting over.
“ I have to get back to work but thank you for coming in, it's been very helpful. I'll get my secretary to contact your office about dinner and perhaps we can have a further meeting to find an acceptable way forward?"
I shook his hand before I walked to the door and left.
Chapter 11 – October
"They cost thirty Euros a pair."
"What do?"
"The stockings that you’ve just shredded."
"Sorry, I can't help it; you know that, it's just one of my many fetishes." She leaned closer, kissing me and ravishing my mouth with her tongue.
"I know and I love every one of them Billy. Do you think that you'll continue being a Beast in the bedroom?"
"I certainly hope so."
"So do I but for now ravish me again, but this time in the shower."
I finished washing, everything and drying everything, before Victoria came in and checked my hair so that the scars were covered, we wouldn't want to scare the other guests.
"What did you think of the children's reaction?"
We had, on the journey down to Paris told the children of Victoria's pregnancy and the need to keep a secret until all of the adults had been told. This had cost me a twenty pound note, to each to achieve.
"I thought it was as we had expected muted indifference from the boys and joy from Lulu."
"I agree but you have to stop bribing them every time we ask them to keep a secret, it's costing a fortune and the boys only ever spend it on crap."
"That's what children do. When will we know the sex?"
She looked at me touching my face before answering.
"Do you want to know?"
"Of course I do, I’m not keen on surprises, but what about you?"
"I suppose I'll have to agree then, because I'm not having you knowing and then teasing me for the remainder of the pregnancy; Professor Johnson said that not the next scan but the one after that he'll be able to tell the sex. You haven't forgotten that I'm having a scan on Tuesday?"
"Are you?...ow, will you stop hitting me, I'm a hero!"
"Stop bigging yourself up Billy, we don't live in the past, remember?"
"But you could be a little more considerate."
"I have been, twice in bed and once in the shower!"
We came downstairs and met both sets of parents before getting into the cars for the short transfer to 'Le Cinq', one of the most elegant restaurants in all of Paris. The cars pulled up and the security detail opened doors and allowed us to exit and enter. The security would appear to most to be excessive, but it was deemed to be absolutely the minimum necessary and even more so here in Paris which has a very large ethnic diversity which isn't always conducive to following the normal rules. My Mother spends her life being exasperated by my ever increasing profile and the look on her face as we were shepherded into the restaurant was something to behold.
Drinks were ordered and I joined Victoria with a glass of sparkling water, nothing there to get eyebrows raised.
"This is all rather lovely Mark have you been here before?"
"Yes Dad, but Victoria and I have some news which I doubt will come as surprise to any of you?"
"You're pregnant!"
"Not personally Melissa, but your daughter is and in March or early April next year, you'll all be able to welcome a set of Stanl
ey twins."
This part of my task had been the most pleasurable and the grandparents, all of them were overjoyed and even Danny seemed happy.
"Did you not think to tell me Margaret, that the Stanley's have had twin in the family for generations?"
"Quite frankly Victoria it had completely slipped my mind as it's been sometime since there has been a set of twins but we shall all be delighted when they arrive, but I do hope that they won't be as disagreeable as Mark was and sadly still is."
It had been a fine evening and our news had been well received but we had to ask them to keep a secret as we didn't want the infernal press on Victoria's back until it was absolutely necessary. Sunday morning had been languid as my wife wished to pleasure me and her and we now lay in post-coital bliss, me naked and she still dressed to impress. I rolled over and she started giggling.
"What spied some chubby bits?"
"You haven't got any of those as you well know, but you have got some scars from my stilettos down your bum."
I went over to the full length mirror, turned and surveyed the damage. There were red abrasions down my lower back and across my bum where Victoria had inflicted the most exquisite pain with her stiletto's, the memory of which was very recent as my appendage began to wake.
"Whoa Billy! Do we have time for more?"
I slid back into bed and kissed my wife as I whispered in her ear. "Only if you promise to really try hard this time."
Dressed and ready we had all met in mine and Victoria's sitting room before our departure for Longchamp, the home of Royal Quest, at least for today, as he tries to win one of the most prestigious but most difficult races in the World, the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. Victoria finally arrived and the wait was definitely worth it for not only is it one of the biggest race days in the World, it's also one of the dressiest ones and Victoria wasn't going to disappoint. Today she was paying homage to Coco Chanel. It was a simple two piece suit in black but exquisitely cut, with a silk shirt. Her hair had been put up so that she could wear a vivid red pillar-box hat; she looked what she always is, beautiful, elegant and sophisticated.