Archer, Jeffrey - First Among Equals by Archer Jeffrey

Author:Archer, Jeffrey [Archer, Jeffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Romance, Political, Sagas, Politicians
ISBN: 9780312997120
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 1984-04-29T16:37:04+00:00

16

“A BLUE SHIRT,” said Raymond, looking at the Turnbull and Asser label with suspicion. “A blue shirt,” he repeated.

“A fortieth birthday present,” shouted Kate from the kitchen.

I shall never wear it, he thought, and smiled to himself *

.And what’s more, you’ll wear it,” she said, her Boston accent carrying a slight edge.

“You even know what I’m thinking,” he complained as she came in from the kitchen. He always thought she looked so elegant in her tailored office clothes.

“It’s because you’re so predictable, Red.”

“Anywa.y, how did you know it was my birthday?”

“A massive piece of detective work,” said Kate, “with the help ofan outside agent and a small payment.”

“An oubide agent. Who?”

“The local newspaper store, my darling. In the Sunday Times they tell you the name of every distinguished person celebrating a birthday in the following seven days. In a week during which only the mediocre were born, you were featured.”

Raymond had to laugh.

“Now listen, Red.”

He pretended to hate his new nickname.

“Do you have to call me by that revolting name?”

“Oh, stop making such a fuss, Red, and try on your shirt.”

“Now?”

14NOW.”

He took off his black coat and waistcoat, removed his white shirt and eased the stud on his stiff collar, leaving a small circle above his Adam’s apple. Curly red hairs sprang up all over his chest. He quickly put on the new shirt. The iabric had a pleasant soft feel about it. He started to do up the buttons, but Kate walked over and undid the top two.

“You know what’,’ You’ve brought a whole new meaning to the word ‘uptight.’ But in the right clothes, you could even pass as goodlooking.

Raymond scowled.

“Now whcre shall we go to celebrate your birthday?”

“The House of Commons?” suggested Raymond.

“Good God,” said Kate. “I said celebrate, not hold a wake. What about Annabel’s?”

“I can’t afrord to be seen in Annabel’s.”

“With me, you mean?”

“No, no, you silly woman, because I’m a Labourite.”

“If mernhers of the Labour Party are not allowed to indulge in a good meal, then perhaps it’s time for you to change parties. In my country one only sees the Democrats in the ‘-),-st restaurants.”

“Oh, do be serious, Kate.”

“I intend to be. Now what have you been up to in the House late]y?”

“Not a lot,” said Raymond sheepishly. “I’ve been snowed under in court and...”

“Precisely. It’s time you did something positive before your colleagues in Parliament forget you exist.” rD

“Have you anything particular in mind?” asked Rayrriond, folding his arms across his chest.

“As a matter of fact, I have,” said Kate. “I read in the same Sunday papej as the one in which I discovered your bestkept secret that it is proving difficult for the Labour Party to repeal the Tories’ trade-union legislation. It appears there are long-term legal implications which the front bench is still trying to find a way around.

Why don’t you set that so-called first-class mind of yours on working out the legal niceties?”

“Not such a stupid idea.” Raymond had become used to Kate’s political sense. When he’d remarked on it she’d only said, “Just another bad habit I picked up from my ex-husband.

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