Jeffrey Archer - Sons of Fortune

‘This is the Senate Chamber,’ said Annie as they looked down from the gallery on to a semicircle of blue leather chairs.

‘It’s very impressive,’ said Fletcher.

‘Daddy says you’ll end up here one day, or perhaps go even further.’ Fletcher didn’t reply, because he had no idea what exams you had to pass to become a politician. ‘I heard him tell my mother he’d never met a more brilliant boy.’

‘Well, you know what they say about politicians,’ said Fletcher.

‘Yes I do, but I can always tell when Daddy doesn’t mean it because he smiles at the same time, and this time he didn’t smile.’

‘Where does your father sit?’ asked Fletcher, trying to change the subject.

‘As majority leader he sits third along from the left in the front row,’ she said, pointing down, ‘but I’d better not tell you too much because I know he’s looking forward to showing you around the Capitol himself.’ He felt her hand touch his.

‘Sorry,’ he said, quickly removing his hand, thinking it had been a mistake.

‘Don’t be silly,’ she said. She took his hand again, this time holding on to it.

‘Don’t you think we ought to go back and join the party?’ asked Fletcher. ‘Otherwise they might start to wonder where we are.’

‘I suppose so,’ said Annie, but she didn’t move. ‘Fletcher, have you ever kissed a girl?’ she asked quietly.

‘No I haven’t,’ he admitted, turning scarlet.

‘Would you like to?’

‘Yes, I would,’ he said.

‘Would you like to kiss me?’

He nodded and then turned and watched as Annie closed her eyes and pursed her lips. He checked to make sure that all the doors were closed, before he leant forward and kissed her gently on the mouth. Once he’d stopped, she opened her eyes.

‘Do you know what a French kiss is?’ she asked.

‘No I don’t,’ said Fletcher.

‘No, neither do I,’ admitted Annie. ‘If you find out, will you tell me?’

‘Yes, I will,’ said Fletcher.

‘Are you going to run for president?’ asked Jimmy.

‘Haven’t decided yet,’ Fletcher replied.

‘Everyone assumes you will.’

‘That’s one of the problems.’

‘My father wants you to.’

‘But my mother doesn’t,’ said Fletcher.

‘Why not?’ asked Jimmy.

‘She thinks I should spend my final year concentrating on getting a place at Yale.’

‘But if you become student president, it will only assist your application. It’s me who’s going to find it a struggle.’

‘I’m sure your father has several markers to call in,’ said Fletcher with a grin.

‘What does Annie think?’ asked Jimmy, ignoring the comment.

‘She’s happy to go along with whatever I decide.’

‘Then perhaps I should be the deciding factor.’

‘What do you have in mind?’

‘If you hope to win, you’ll have to appoint me as your campaign manager.’

‘That should certainly lengthen the odds,’ said Fletcher. Jimmy picked up a cushion from the sofa and threw it at his friend. ‘In fact, if you really want to guarantee my victory,’ added Fletcher as he caught it, ‘you should volunteer your services as campaign manager for my closest rival.’

Their sparring was interrupted when Jimmy’s father walked into the room. ‘Fletcher, could you spare me a moment?’

‘Of course, sir.’

‘Perhaps we could have a chat in my study.’ Fletcher quickly rose and followed the senator out of the room. He looked back at Jimmy, but his friend just shrugged his shoulders. He wondered if he had done something wrong.

‘Have a seat,’ said Harry Gates as he took his place behind the desk. He paused before he added, ‘Fletcher, I need a favour.’

‘Anything, sir. I’ll never be able to repay you for all you’ve done for me.’

‘You’ve more than honoured our agreement,’ said the senator. ‘For the past three years, Jimmy has somehow kept his place in the top stream, and he wouldn’t have had a prayer without your continued vigilance.’

‘That’s kind of you to say so, but...’

‘It’s no more than the truth, but all I want for the boy now is to see that he has a fair shot at getting in to Yale.’

‘But how can I help when I’m not even certain of a place myself?’

The senator ignored the comment. ‘Pork barrel politics, my boy.’

‘I’m not sure I understand, sir.’

‘If you become student government president, as I’m confident you will, the first thing you’ll have to do is appoint a vice-president.’ Fletcher nodded. ‘And that could just tip the balance for Jimmy when the admissions office at Yale decides who gets those last few places.’

‘And it’s just tipped the balance for me, sir.’

‘Thank you, Fletcher, I appreciate that, but please don’t let Jimmy know that we’ve had this conversation.’

As soon as he woke the following morning, Fletcher went next door and sat on the end of Jimmy’s bed. ‘This had better be good,’ said Jimmy, ‘because I was dreaming about Daisy Hollingsworth.’

‘Dream on,’ said Fletcher, ‘half the football team are in love with her.’

‘So why did you wake me?’

‘I’ve decided to run for president, and I don’t need a campaign manager who lies in bed all morning.’

‘Was it something my father said?’

‘Indirectly.’ He paused. ‘So who do you think will be my main rival?’

‘Steve Rodgers,’ said Jimmy without hesitation.

‘Why Steve?’

‘He’s a three-letter man, so they’ll try to run him as the popular jock up against the austere academic. You know, Kennedy against Stevenson.’

‘I had no idea you knew what the word austere meant.’

‘No more jokes, Fletcher,’ said Jimmy as he rolled off the bed. ‘If you’re going to beat Rodgers, you’ll have to be prepared for anything and everything they throw at you. I think we ought to begin by having a breakfast meeting with Dad; he always has breakfast meetings before he starts a campaign.’

‘Will anyone bother to stand against you?’ asked Diane Coulter.

‘No one I can’t beat.’

‘What about Nat Cartwright?’

‘Not while it’s known that he’s the principal’s favourite, and if elected will simply carry out his wishes; at least that’s what my supporters are telling everyone.’

‘And don’t let’s forget the way he treated my sister.’

‘I thought it was you who dumped him? I didn’t even realize he knew Tricia.’

‘He didn’t, but that didn’t stop him trying to make a move on her when he came round to the house to see me.’

‘Does anyone else know about this?’

‘Yes, my brother Dan. He caught him in the kitchen with his hand up her skirt. My sister complained bitterly that she just couldn’t stop him.’

‘Did she?’ He paused. ‘Do you think your brother would be willing to back me for president?’

‘Yes, but there’s not much he can do while he’s at Princeton.’

‘Oh yes there is,’ said Elliot. ‘To start with...’

‘Who’s my main rival?’ asked Nat.

‘Ralph Elliot, who else?’ said Tom. ‘He’s been working on his campaign since the beginning of last term.’

‘But that’s against the rules.’

‘I don’t think Elliot has ever cared much about rules, and as he knows you’re far more popular than he is, we can look forward to a dirty campaign.’

‘But I’m not going down that road...’

‘So we’ll have to take the Kennedy route.’

‘What do you have in mind?’

‘You should open your campaign by challenging Elliot to a debate.’

‘He’ll never accept.’