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.’James took a step back.‘Sure, if that’s going to help,’ he said eventually.‘Just make sure Anushka logs it all properly.’ The rules regarding the use of the PM’s country retreat were labyrinthine, to avoid any allegation of sleaze.‘Right, I’ve got to get back to it.Let me know if you’re still feeling rough, alright?’‘Yes,’ I had recovered some composure.‘What time’s your flight?’‘Oh, about four, in the meantime I’ve got some meetings with the energy companies.More bashing of heads together, I’m afraid.’ He grinned, insincerely.‘Got to run.Give the kids a kiss goodnight for me, will you?’Bobby and Sadie were both delighted when I announced they would be getting two days off school.It was something we avoided wherever possible, although there were contingencies in place.The school provided a little pack of activities for them so they’d keep up with the rest of their peers, it just required a call from Anushka early that afternoon to arrange.The next morning we left for Chequers in the car, leaving Number 10 through the back door.It wasn’t that I didn’t like the press watching me, that was nothing new.It was the reasons why I was being watched that gave me a newfound dread.It took just under ninety minutes to drive from central London to Chequers, a special branch guard in the passenger seat while Anushka, me and the kids sat cramped in the back.I kept Sadie on my lap, managing to keep her quiet by loading cartoons for her to watch.I smelled her blond curly hair, noticed it was overdue for a cut.I thought about Luis, how he never found out whether or not Sadie was his.How terrifying it must have been for him, those last moments desperately trying to swim away from the approaching boat, I thought.Then it occurred to me, how did I know that? Because he told you, answered my consciousness.No he didn’t, I replied to it.‘Mummy, how long would it take for me to get to Alpha Centuri?’ Bobby was happy enough doing his homework, his growing thirst for knowledge prompting surprisingly complex questions.I laughed, feeling like it was the first time I’d done so in months, but it only served as a temporary respite from my worries.I didn’t understand how I could have strange memories of things, conversations with people who were dead, but they were there in my head - in a different way to how Lottie’s voice used to haunt me.At the junction with the motorway there’d been an accident and the traffic slowed to a crawl.Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a government agent walking down the inside lane towards the car, gun drawn.When I looked directly at him he was gone.It had turned quite warm and sunny by the time we pulled into the driveway at Chequers.Immediately the kids bounded out of the car and ran into the house, where the housekeeping staff were waiting for us at the door.I paused in the courtyard, looking at the bronze statue in its centre.Hygeia, supposedly the ancient goddess of health, looking slightly frail and sad.Quite unlike myself, I silently asked for her blessing as I deeply inhaled the country air.After lunch the kids and I settled in the Long Gallery, one of the more cosy rooms in the giant house.I wasn’t used to being there with so few people present, normally our visits coincided with formal dinners and working weekends.It was better to be rattling around a giant stately home than cooped up in the attic above Number 10, I thought.Still I felt like an intruder; years ago my predecessors had been allowed to make Chequers their second home, even make minor decorations.That had all been declared improper some time before my tenure, though.I was supervising the kids’ homeschooling assignments when Anushka came in, in the middle of a call.‘Can you just hold for one moment please, while I discuss this with Mrs.Weeks? Thankyou.’ She muted the call, her eyes wide.‘Ellie, it’s the White House.Gavin Cross is flying to London tonight and he’s asking if he can see you in the morning.’I shivered involuntarily.‘What’s he doing in London? This wasn’t scheduled, was it?’‘Not at all,’ Anushka was obviously as bemused as me.‘He’s having some private meetings, apparently.’‘Well of course I’d be happy to meet him, but do we have to go back into town? It would be nice if he could come here, if he’s got time.’‘I’ll see.’ Anushka returned to the call.‘Hello? Yes.Mrs.Weeks wonders if the First Gentleman might be inclined to meet at Chequers?’ There was a pause at the other end, then a voice came back.Anushka smiled.‘Really? That’s perfect.Ten o’clock?’ She turned to me and I nodded.‘We’ll look forward to it.Thanks.’ She hung up.‘He already knew you were here.’‘That’s going to be impossible to keep out of the news,’ I said.‘James will be annoyed about it.’‘We’ll just make sure it’s one photo, maybe outside in the garden?’ Anushka was already composing a message.‘No, let’s do it out front, hopefully that’ll keep people from traipsing through the house.’ I was pleased at the thought of seeing Gavin, but also keen to maintain a sanctuary for Bobby and Sadie.‘I guess this makes it a formal visit, now,’ I added.‘You’ll have to have a word with Number 10 about the finances.’‘Gotcha,’ said Anushka.‘By the way, that call didn’t come via the Downing Street switchboard.It was direct.’Once again I found it hard to sleep that night, endlessly speculating about the reason for Gavin’s visit.In a statement the White House explained that security concerns had prevented earlier disclosure, refusing to give any more details.I had to trowel on foundation to hide my tiredness, hoping the photo I’d have to pose for would be wide-angle.Anushka kindly agreed to look after the kids that morning.I asked her if Number 10 had queried Gavin’s abrupt visit to Chequers and she frowned.‘Nothing from them at all,’ she said.I was vaguely surprised, but most of James’ senior staff were in Geneva and pre-occupied.From James himself I’d not heard anything since Wednesday night, not a single message.With typical fastidiousness Gavin’s car pulled into Chequers on the stroke of ten o’clock.He got out of the car along with two young-looking men, they strolled slowly across the courtyard to the front door where I was waiting for him.I felt a degree of relief when I noticed he looked just as drawn as I did, smiling only weakly.‘Good to see you,’ he said, kissing me on both cheeks.‘Shall we get this photo out of the way now, then we can talk?’‘Absolutely,’ I said.Our eyes met, there was immediate and intimate understanding.‘I’ve arranged some brunch for us inside.’‘I’m not all that hungry, actually.’ He turned to face Hygeia as the White House photographer quickly assembled his tripod, mounted the camera.Flash, flash, click.‘All great, looking good, sir,’ said the photographer.‘That I doubt,’ Gavin grimaced as we turned away and walked into the house.‘Thanks guys, I won’t be needing you for a while,’ he gestured to his two assistants who were following behind us.‘Anushka, could you?’ I said, and she nodded, gestured for the two men to follow her.‘You’ve given me a pleasant surprise,’ I said quietly as we continued down the short hallway, lined with ancient artworks.‘Do you know why I needed to see you?’ Even though we were alone, he kept his voice very low.‘Needed to? No.’ I wondered how much of my angst he’d been made aware of.‘Things have been difficult this past fortnight, though.Perhaps you’ve been feeling the same.’‘Can we go outside?’‘Of course.’ I led him through the Great Hall, past the table where brunch had been served for us.We left the house through a side door and were shortly on the terrace outside [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]