‘I didn’t realize there was a distinction,’ said Dangerfield. ‘But I’ve no doubt you’d do both well. And the third job?’
‘Mr Agnelli, the owner of Elena’s restaurant, where my mother is head chef, has asked me to join him. He has no children of his own, and has hinted that in time I could take over.’
‘Cambridge don, spy master or restaurateur. You couldn’t have a more eclectic choice, although a restaurateur would be the closest to the battlefield, and probably the best paid.’
‘Not only would it be better paid, but I’m quite well qualified for the job. For the past five years I’ve worked in a restaurant during my holidays. I started out as a washer-up, moved on to laying tables, before having spells as a barman and a waiter. It sometimes felt as if I was taking two degrees at the same time.’
‘But you say that none of the three jobs is what you really want to do.’
‘No, sir. Like my father, I’m a politician at heart, and Cambridge has only made me more determined to become a Member of Parliament.’
‘And have you decided yet which party’s colours you will be flying under?’
‘No, I haven’t, sir. The truth is, I’ve never cared for either extreme. I prefer the centre ground, as I often find myself agreeing with the other person’s point of view.’
‘But you’ll eventually have to jump one way or the other if you’re hoping to pursue a political career,’ suggested Dangerfield. ‘Unless of course you decide to join the Liberals.’
‘No, sir,’ laughed Sasha. ‘I don’t believe in lost causes.’
‘Neither do I, and I’ve voted Liberal all my life.’
Sasha turned bright red, and said, ‘I apologize, sir.’
‘No need, dear boy. I think you’ll find my wife agrees with you.’
‘Before I make a complete fool of myself, sir...’
‘Susan’s a life-long Conservative, although she sometimes has to hold her nose when she goes to the polls. So she’s even worse than you. But didn’t Charlie tell me that after you failed to become president of the Union, you promised her you would never stand again?’
‘Never lasted for about a week, sir. Much to her dismay I’ll be standing for president again next term.’
‘But being practical for a moment,’ said Dangerfield, ‘if you were to take up Mr Agnelli’s offer, where would you and Charlie live?’
‘My mother has recently bought a large flat in Fulham, with more than enough room for the three of us.’
‘Enough for four, possibly five?’ said Dangerfield, raising an eyebrow.
‘Both of us feel we should be established in our careers before we think about starting a family. Once Charlie has her PhD, she hopes to find a job that will make it possible for us to earn enough for two, never mind three or four. Only my mother disagrees with me.’
‘I look forward to meeting her. She sounds quite formidable. But tell me, how does she feel about her only son getting married at such a young age?’
‘She adores Charlie, and doesn’t approve of us living in sin.’
‘Ah, so that’s where you’ve inherited those old-fashioned values.’
‘It would help if you knew which party you belonged to,’ said Ben. ‘Although I’m confident you can still win as an independent, it would make my life a lot easier if you joined either the Tories or the Labour Party. Preferably the Tories.’
‘That’s the problem,’ said Sasha. ‘I still don’t know which party I support. By nature I believe in free enterprise, and less state intervention, not more. But as an immigrant, I feel more at home with the philosophy of the Labour Party. The only thing I’m certain of is that I’m not a Liberal.’
‘Well, don’t tell anyone that, until the last vote has been cast. As an independent, you’ll need the support of voters from all three parties.’
‘Do you have any beliefs or convictions?’ asked Sasha.
‘One can’t afford such luxuries until after you’ve won the election.’
‘Spoken like a true Tory,’ said Alex.
‘I’m glad we’re spending the weekend with my parents,’ said Charlie, ‘because I know my father has something he wants to ask your advice about.’
‘What could I possibly advise him on? I know nothing about antiques, and he’s considered a leader in the field.’
‘I’m just as interested to find out as you are. But I did warn him that you don’t know the difference between Chippendale and Conran.’
‘I know which one I can afford,’ said Sasha.
‘You should read more Oscar Wilde,’ said Charlie, ‘and less Maynard Keynes. By the way, will your mother be joining us? You know how my parents are looking forward to meeting her.’
‘She plans to come on Saturday morning. Which should give me enough time to warn them that she’s already chosen the names of our first three children.’
‘Have you warned her that that might not be for some time?’
When Ted Heath sat down at the end of the debate, Sasha was no nearer to deciding which party he felt more in sympathy with. The Prime Minister’s speech had been competent and workmanlike, but lacked passion, even though he was speaking on a subject he felt passionately about. Despite the recent success of his campaign to secure Britain’s membership of the Common Market, some people were unable to stifle the occasional yawn, including one or two of his own supporters.
Michael Foot, who opposed the motion on behalf of the Labour Party, was in a different class altogether. His brilliant oratory mesmerized the undergraduates, although he clearly didn’t have the same detailed knowledge of the subject as the proposer of the motion.
Sasha, like Heath, believed in a stronger Europe as a counterforce to the communist bloc, so he ignored Ben’s advice and voted for the motion, not the man.
‘I thought Heath was brilliant,’ said Ben as they left the building following the post-debate dinner.
‘No, you didn’t,’ said Sasha. ‘He may have known the subject backwards, but Foot was by far the more persuasive of the two.’
‘But who would you rather have running the country?’ demanded Ben. ‘A brilliant orator or a—’
‘A grocer?’ said Sasha. ‘The jury’s still out, so I’ll stand as an independent.’
‘Then we’ve got a busy weekend ahead of us.’
‘Doing what?’
‘Delivering your manifesto to every college, putting up posters on all the noticeboards, and when no one’s looking, removing your rivals’.’
‘You can forget that, Ben. As you well know, it’s against Union rules to take down or deface your opponents’ posters. If you were stupid enough to do that, I could be disqualified. And I wouldn’t put it past Fiona to produce a photograph of you caught in the act, because nothing would give her greater pleasure than to see me fail a second time.’
‘Then we’ll have to be satisfied with putting your posters on top of your opponents’.’
‘Ben, you’re not listening, and what’s worse, I won’t be around to keep an eye on you.’
‘Why not?’
‘Charlie and I are spending the weekend with her parents to celebrate our engagement, and my mother will be meeting them for the first time.’
‘Where’s this historic meeting taking place?’
‘Why do you ask?’
‘Because I’ve only experienced your mother’s cooking once, and I can’t wait to be invited to sample it a second time.’
‘You won’t have long to wait, because you’re going to be best man at our wedding.’
Sasha enjoyed the rare experience of his closest friend being lost for words.
‘Call me Mike,’ said Mr Dangerfield.