Part 23 (1/2)

Theo and I took our seats next to a wide-eyed Beryl, behind rows of shadow ministers, MPs and their spouses. On stage, Oscar was chatting with the press panel while make-up artists powdered their faces. The familiar trill of clicking cameras emerged through the doors. The scrum broke, giving way to Max, who sported a red tie. We leaped from our seats and gave him the rockstar entrance he deserved. Sh.e.l.ly and Abigail took their seats in the front row.

'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,' crooned Oscar. 'Tonight's debate will be broadcast live, and in order to get through it and give each candidate equal time we need to refrain from applause and heckles until the end. We're going live in thirty seconds, so switch off your phones-that includes you, press secretaries-and try to get all the coughs and sneezes out of your systems.'

'He's such a hunk of s.p.u.n.k,' whispered Beryl.

My mind wandered as Max delivered the opening statement I had in large part drafted.

I'm too tired to argue with you about this now, my head pleaded. You know my views on Oscar, Ruby. Don't make me reiterate them on less than three hours' sleep.

For once, my heart seized the microphone, demanding equal time. Darling Ruby, I heave and surge in that man's presence. I'm all aflutter just thinking about his kiss, those sweet messages, that thoughtful gift. Look at him. Feel me. I've been out of action for years thanks to that killjoy on your shoulders. Why not just go with it? Let go. See what happens. And that's just me-you should hear what your poor, forsaken body has to say!

I shut them out and tuned back in to the rhythm of the other debate.

'Mr Masters and his party say they plan to give Australian jobs to highly skilled foreigners. I have always governed in the national interest, no matter how difficult the circ.u.mstances of those abroad. They are not my responsibility. The Australian people are.' The Prime Minister sipped from a tumbler of water.

'The thing is,' said Max. His pause was prolonged and uncomfortable. Theo clutched my leg. 'The thing is...' His voice softened. 'We all know it would be popular for me to bury my party's skilled immigration policy and send it off into the abyss for a prolonged committee review until it's forgotten and covered in dust.

'But I'm not prepared to do that. And the reason is simple: I have been chosen to lead, not follow. This policy, however unpopular, will inject the skills that our economy needs to grow. Growth brings with it more jobs. More jobs will spur more growth; and growth, jobs.' Theo's grip eased.

'Ditching this policy is in my political interest. I was told this week that these sorts of policies are the things you do when you're in government, not when you're trying to win it.

'But I'm not going to lie; I'm going to lead. If people want a follower, a cynic, a clever, calculated tactician, then I guess my opponent will be pouring champagne on the third of April. But I will sleep soundly beside Sh.e.l.ly knowing that I did the right thing.'

We didn't need to see the smiley face graphic. We felt it.

At the end Max and the Prime Minister shook hands and she oozed off the stage.

Back in Max's office, bottle tops were flying off beers. Luke poured me a gla.s.s of wine.

'Tasmanian pinot,' he said.

'Thanks.' I sipped. It was good. 'Not wearing a tie?'

'I was. Milly confiscated it.'

We smiled.

'I'm glad you weren't in Darwin this week,' he said.

'Oh.'

'No, I mean I'm glad you were here working with Theo and the team. You should be proud of your contribution, Roo.' He paused for a second. 'I've been meaning to say sorry for being hard on you the other day after your wife-beater incident. I was just trying to-'

My phone rang once.

'Trying to?' I asked.

My phone rang again. Oscar's name flashed up on caller ID.

'Trying to-' Luke said.

My phone rang a third time. 'Sorry, I'd better take this.' I picked up and excused myself from the room.

'Roo, I'm in a commercial break. Are you free later for dinner at my place?'

My heart thumped against my rib cage. 'Text me your address.'

I rejoined the celebration, where Luke was proposing a toast. 'To Max-you've done us proud.'

'To Max,' we chorused.

I grabbed my handbag and made a beeline for the taxi rank.

'Joining us at the pub, Ruby?' Luke picked up his briefcase.

'Not tonight.'

'Come on, Ruby, the house red's a pinot.'

I shook my head. Luke put down his briefcase. Di raised an eyebrow.

'Where are you off to, Roo?' asked Max. 'Hot date?'

'No, I'm having a quiet night in-I'm s.h.a.gged.'

'Or about to be,' said Di. I shrugged off my colleagues' wolf-whistles and made my way to the cab rank.