Part 4 (2/2)

'I see.' I skimmed her card. 'In what capacity?'

'Well, you know, helping them out here and there with a few bits and pieces.'

'No,' I said, 'I don't know. What kinds of bits and pieces?'

'Well, when there's an issue that is dear to the industry, I represent its viewpoint.'

'So you're their lobbyist?'

'Not exactly,' she said impatiently. 'Tell me about you, Ruby. What do you do?'

'I'm an astronaut.'

'Aviation, then?'

'No, that was a joke.'

She c.o.c.ked her head to one side and scrambled for the abort b.u.t.ton. 'It was lovely meeting you, Ruby.'

'And you, Christine.' One down, seventy to go. I went back to a fresh and zesty sauvignon blanc, hoping it might wake me up a bit, but the hum of dull conversation lulled me. My body slumped against the cus.h.i.+oned bar.

'Ruby?' said Luke, rescuing me from an imminent bout of narcolepsy.

I smiled, trying to wake myself up.

'What brings you here?' He loosened his tie, which reminded me of a banana tree on account of its yellow, brown and green stripes. It was a poor match for his illfitting, three-b.u.t.ton charcoal suit. Come to think of it, banana trees make a poor match for most things. I wanted to flip it over and note down the maker. Nut-brown socks didn't inspire hope, especially when tucked into scuffed black shoes with plastic-tipped nylon laces: the kind I'd worn at school. Aside from that, he was pleasant to look at. Kind green eyes, a square jaw, albeit in need of a razor, like his overgrown buzz cut.

'My aunt's dog went into labour this afternoon just as I arrived. She and her partner were down to go to this function, so they asked me to go on their behalf.'

'I meant, what are you doing in Australia?'

'Oh, I'm pinot-hunting through the Yarra Valley.' It sounded so much better than the long version.

'So you're in the wine business as well as an investment banker?'

'No,' I said, 'three days ago I was an investment banker- in emerging markets, actually-and I was made redundant. Economically speaking, things are a bit grim. I got riotously drunk on an incredible Toolangi pinot noir-'

'Good choice,' he interrupted.

'I know,' I said, 'and, in the midst of my inebriation, booked myself a ticket to Melbourne. My aunt and her partner have a place in Warburton. So here I am.'

'So all in all, a sizable couple of days.' Luke sipped his wine, then gestured towards a man in the corner. 'That's my guy.'

Luke hadn't exactly struck me as gay, what with the banana tree. I took a closer look at his partner. He occupied visual s.p.a.ce as if he was spotlit. It wasn't that he was attractive: average height, thin grey hair, an ecru complexion. He wouldn't have looked out of place at an auditors' convention, and yet there was something magnetic about him. He was the guy you listened to at a dinner party or who caught your eye at a gallery.

Benedict Jones took to a stage made of upturned wine crates and tapped his gla.s.s with the end of a fork. 'Friends,' he said, 'we're here tonight to show our support for Max Masters.'

People clapped politely.

'Max is a great friend of ours. A proud Melbournian. Max has been engaged in this community and others all over Australia for most of his working life. He has been a military man, a small-business owner and a mayor, and now he's in Canberra working in some building with a flag on top.' People laughed.

'What many of you probably don't know is that he was once a grape-picker, but in the Barossa, which is probably where he went wrong.

'Unlike most pickers, Max isn't just here for the harvest; he's here when it's tough too. After the bushfire season when we lost some of our vines, Max was the guy who'd call every week to offer his help. Come to think of it, he's not just a friend of the wine industry; he's a friend of all Australian businesses. He understands us. He understands that some times are great and others are a real struggle. But he's there with us, all the time, to help make it better.

'So, it's my privilege tonight to host this function for the man I hope will add another line to his CV at the election next year. Give it up for Max Masters, Leader of the Opposition and next prime minister of Australia.'

Profuse clapping filled the open s.p.a.ce and Luke's guy took to the stage.

'Thank you all for coming, not that many of us needed encouragement when we heard our wonderful host would be putting on a dinner with matched wines from all around this beautiful valley.'

Benedict Jones nodded appreciatively to more applause. Max continued: 'But this valley, which is full of great Australian businesses, has had its fair share of turmoil. When bushfires swept across it, we all wanted to do something to help. And we did. Many of you here-in fact, probably all of you and the businesses you represent-have made some contribution to help this community pick itself up and dust off the ashes.

'I'm proud to see how far the Yarra Valley has come. I am proud to see businesses, homes and lives rebuilt. Because we did this. All of us.'

Approving nods moved like a Mexican wave across the room.

'That's a nation I want to lead. That's an energy I want to harness. That's a community I want to serve.

'Now, as I walk around this room tonight, I look forward to hearing from you about how we can make this nation even better. That's enough from me; enjoy the wine-in moderation, of course!'

More applause fizzled, replaced by loud, individual conversations as Max worked the room, followed closely by Luke.

No one will notice if you leave now, said my head. Edging closer to the loos, I looked to see if there was a side door somewhere.

'Trying to escape?' asked Luke.

'Yes, but it's difficult when you're dressed as a Smurf.'

'I can imagine,' he said. 'Look, I'd be a little offended if you left now. I've rearranged things so we can sit together. I've had a gutful of fundraisers-one every night this week-so it'll be fun not to talk shop.' He paused. 'If you're willing to stay, of course.'

'Why not? All that waits for me at home is a couch and a pair of lesbians.'

'I wish I could say the same for my hotel room,' he laughed.

'So you're, as it were, ambidextrous?'

'Huh?'

'It's quite unusual to meet a gay man with a penchant for girl-on-girl action,' I pointed out.

'Huh?'

'Didn't you say the Opposition Leader is ”your guy”?'

'He's my boss,' he said, losing colour.

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