The Final Cut. Michael Dobbs

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       CHAPTER TWO

       I hate outbreaks of unnecessary violence. They strip the violence that is essential of its pleasures.

      ‘Francis Urquhart, peacemaker?’

      Brynford-Jones made no attempt to hide the incredulity in his voice and he stared closely at Makepeace to gauge the reaction.

      ‘We live in an exciting new world, Bryan. Anything is possible.’

      ‘Agreed. But Francis Urquhart?’

      They had stood in line with the other guests on the stairs of Downing Street, waiting to be greeted formally by the Urquharts before being introduced to the Presidents of the divided Cypriot communities. The previous day, on the neutral territory of the ballroom of Lancaster House and under the public eye of the British Prime Minister, Turk and Greek had agreed the principles of peace and undertaken to settle all outstanding details within three months. The Confederated Republics of Cyprus were about to be born, conflict eschewed, the Right Honourable Francis Urquhart, MP, Acting Midwife, Peacemaker.

      Now came celebration. The powers that be within the land had been gathered together in the first-floor reception rooms of Downing Street, in order that they might offer thanks to peace and to Francis Urquhart. It was a levelling, for some almost humbling, experience. No matter how wealthy or well-known, they had been treated alike. No cars, no eminence, no exceptions. Stopped at the wrought-iron gates barring entrance to Downing Street from Whitehall. Scrutinized by police before being allowed to walk with their wives the full length of the street to the guarded front door. Being made to wait while their coats were exchanged for a wrinkled paper cloakroom ticket. Five minutes spent in line, shuffling piously up the stairs, step by single step, past the portraits of former leaders, the Walpoles, Pitts, Palmerstons, Disraelis, Churchills, and the one and only Margaret Thatcher. ‘To those we have crucified,’ Brynford-Jones had muttered. Then the formal introduction by some red-coated alien from another galaxy who seemed to recognize no one and had great trouble with pronunciation. ‘Mr Bimford-Jones’ had not been impressed, but then he rarely was.

      ‘It must have been like this at the Court of Versailles,’ he offered. ‘Just before the tumbrels arrived.’

      ‘Bryan, your cynicism runs away with you. Great changes require a little ruthlessness. Credit where it is due,’ Makepeace protested.

      ‘And are you ruthless, Tom? Ruthless enough to snatch old Francis’ crown? Because he’s not going to hand it over for Christmas. You’re going to have to snatch it, like he did. Like they all had to. Do you really have what it takes?’

      ‘You need luck, too, in politics,’ Makepeace responded, trying to deflect the question but showing no anxiety to finish with either the conversation or the editor.

      ‘Men should be masters of their own fates.’

      ‘You know I’d love the job but the question doesn’t arise. Yet.’

      ‘It never arises when you expect it. You want to achieve great things, you grab Fortune by the balls and hang on for the ride.’

      ‘Bryan, at times I think you’re trying to tempt me.’

      ‘No, not me. I simply present ambition to a man and see if ambition tempts him. I’m strictly a voyeur, the prerogative of the press. The dirty work I leave up to you guys – and girls!’ he exclaimed, reaching out to grab the elbow of another guest as she edged through the throng.

      Claire Carlsen turned and smiled, her face lighting up in recognition. She was also an MP, at thirty-eight a dozen years younger than Makepeace and the editor.

      ‘And what have you done to earn your place amidst this glittering herd?’ Brynford-Jones enquired. ‘I thought nobody below the rank of Earl or Archbishop was allowed at this trough. Certainly not a humble backbencher.’

      ‘It’s called tokenism, Bryan. Apparently professional middle-aged moralizers like you like to have a bit of skirt around to remind them of lost youth. You know, slobber a bit and go away happy. That’s the plan.’ The smile was warm but the autumn-blue eyes searching. She was tall, almost eye-to-eye with the rotund editor who enjoyed the glint of evening sunlight shining through her blonde hair.

      Brynford-Jones laughed loudly. ‘You’re too late for confession. I’ve already owned up to being a voyeur and in your case I’ll happily plead guilty. If ever that husband of yours throws you out, you’d be more than welcome to come and stir my evening cocoa.’

      ‘If ever I throw that husband of mine out,’ she corrected, ‘I’d hope to be stirring more than cocoa in the evenings. Anyway, what have you two been plotting? Stripper-grams to the Synod, or something frivolous?’

      ‘I was enquiring whether our friend here has what it takes to succeed in politics, the necessary qualities of energy and ambition to become the next Prime Minister. Would you lay money on him, Claire?’

      She arched an eyebrow – she possessed a highly expressive face and, when relaxed, an aura of refreshing mischief. In response to Brynford-Jones’ invitation, she examined Makepeace as though for the first time, the end of her nose puckered in scepticism, seeming to reach some conclusion before deliberately throwing their attention in an entirely different direction.

      ‘If energy and ambition were all, then our next leader is surely standing over there by the window.’

      ‘Not our Geoff? I’d rather emigrate,’ the editor chuckled, СКАЧАТЬ