‘I’m well, thank you, Jimmy, and you?’
‘Just great. I’m afraid Mom and Dad are out at some function, but I could make you a cup of tea?’
‘No thank you, I have to be back in time to chair a meeting of the Hospital Trust, but please remember to pass on my best wishes to your parents.’
Jimmy carried one of Fletcher’s suitcases up to the spare room. ‘I’ve put you next to me,’ he said, ‘which means we have to share the same bathroom.’
Fletcher put his other suitcase on the bed, before studying the pictures on the walls — prints of the Civil War, just in case a southerner should come to stay and might have forgotten who won. They reminded Jimmy to ask Fletcher if he’d finished his essay on Lincoln.
‘Yes, but have you found out Diane’s phone number?’
‘I’ve gone one better. I’ve discovered which coffee shop she goes to most afternoons. So I thought we might just drop in casually, say around five, and should that fail, my father has invited her parents to a reception at the Capitol tomorrow evening.’
‘But they might not come.’
‘I’ve checked the guest list, and they’ve accepted.’
Fletcher suddenly remembered the trade-off he’d agreed with the senator. ‘How far have you got with your homework?’
‘Haven’t even started,’ admitted Jimmy.
‘Jimmy, if you don’t get a pass grade next term, you’ll be put on probation and then I won’t be able to help.’
‘I know, but I’m also aware of the deal you struck with my father.’
‘Then if I’m to keep it, we’ll have to start work first thing tomorrow. We’ll begin by doing two hours every morning.’
‘Yes sir,’ said Jimmy, snapping to attention. ‘But before we worry about tomorrow, perhaps you should get changed,’ he added.
Fletcher had packed half a dozen shirts and a couple of pairs of slacks, but still hadn’t a clue what to wear on his first date. He was about to seek his friend’s advice, when Jimmy said, ‘Once you’ve unpacked why don’t you come down and join us in the living room? The bathroom’s at the end of the hall.’
Fletcher changed quickly into the shirt and slacks he’d bought the previous day at a local tailor his father had recommended. He checked himself in the long mirror. He had no idea how he looked, because he’d never taken any interest in clothes before. Act casual, look sharp, he’d heard a disc jockey telling his radio audience, but what did that mean? He’d worry about it later. As Fletcher walked downstairs, he could hear voices coming from the front room, one of which he didn’t recognize.
‘Mom, you remember Fletcher,’ Jimmy said as his friend strolled into the room.
‘Yes, of course I do. My husband never stops telling everyone about the fascinating conversation the two of you had at the Taft game.’
‘That’s kind of him to remember,’ said Fletcher, not looking at her.
‘And I know he’s looking forward to seeing you again.’
‘That’s kind of him,’ said Fletcher a second time.
‘And this is my kid sister, Annie,’ said Jimmy.
Annie blushed, and not only because she hated being described by Jimmy as his kid sister: his friend hadn’t taken his eyes off her from the moment he’d walked into the room.
9
‘Good evening, Mrs Coulter, how nice to meet you and your husband, and this must be your daughter Diane, if I remember correctly.’ Mr and Mrs Coulter were impressed because they had never met the senator before, and not only had their son scored the winning touchdown against Hotchkiss, but they were also registered Republicans. ‘Now, Diane,’ continued the senator, ‘I have someone I want you to meet.’ Harry Gates’s eyes swept the room, searching for Fletcher, who had been standing by his side only a moment before. ‘Strange,’ he said, ‘but you mustn’t leave without meeting him. Otherwise I won’t have kept my end of the bargain,’ he added without explanation.
‘Where’s Fletcher disappeared off to?’ Harry Gates asked his son once the Coulters had joined the other guests.
‘If you can spot Annie, you won’t find Fletcher far behind; he hasn’t left her side since he arrived in Hartford. In fact I’m thinking of buying him a dog leash and calling him Fletch.’
‘Is that right?’ said the senator. ‘I hope he doesn’t think that releases him from our deal.’
‘No, he doesn’t,’ said Jimmy. ‘In fact we studied Romeo and Juliet for two hours this morning, and guess who he sees himself as.’
The senator smiled. ‘And which part do you imagine fits your character?’ he asked.
‘I think I’m Mercutio.’
‘No,’ said Harry Gates, ‘you can only be Mercutio if he starts to chase Diane.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Ask Fletcher. He’ll explain it to you.’
Tricia answered the door. She was dressed for a game of tennis.
‘Is Diane home?’ Nat asked.
‘No, she’s gone to some party at the Capitol with my parents. She should be back in about an hour. I’m Tricia, by the way. I spoke to you on the phone. I was just going to have a Coke. Want to join me?’
‘Is your brother at home?’
‘No, he’s training down at the gym.’
‘Yes, please.’
Tricia led Nat through to the kitchen and pointed towards a stool on the other side of the table. Nat sat down and didn’t speak as Tricia pulled open the fridge door. As she bent over to remove two Cokes, her short skirt rose. Nat couldn’t stop staring at her white tennis panties.
‘What time are you expecting them back?’ he asked as she added some ice cubes to his drink.
‘No idea, so for the time being, you’re stuck with me.’
Nat sipped his drink, not sure what to say, because he thought he and Diana had agreed to see To Kill a Mockingbird.
‘I don’t know what you see in her,’ said Jimmy.
‘She’s got everything you haven’t,’ said Fletcher smiling. ‘She’s bright, pretty, fun to be with and...’
‘Are you sure we’re talking about my sister?’
‘Yes, which is why you’re the one who has to wear glasses.’
‘By the way, Diane Coulter has just turned up with her parents. Dad wants to know if you’re still hoping to meet her.’
‘Not particularly, she’s gone from A to Z, so she’s now a natural for you.’
‘No thanks,’ said Jimmy, ‘I don’t need your cast offs. By the way, I told Dad about Romeo and Juliet, and said I saw myself as Mercutio.’
‘Only if I start to date Dan Coulter’s sister, but I’m no longer interested in the daughter of that house.’
‘I still don’t understand.’
‘I’ll explain tomorrow morning,’ said Fletcher, as Jimmy’s sister reappeared carrying two Dr Peppers. Annie scowled at her brother, and he quickly disappeared.
For some time, neither of them spoke, until Annie said, ‘Would you like me to show you the Senate Chamber?’
‘Sure, that would be great,’ said Fletcher. She turned and began walking towards the door, with Fletcher following a pace behind.
‘Do you see what I see?’ said Harry Gates, turning to his wife as Fletcher and his daughter disappeared out of the room.
‘I certainly do,’ replied Martha Gates, ‘but I shouldn’t get too worried about it, as I doubt if either of them is capable of seducing the other.’
‘It didn’t stop me trying at that age, as I feel sure you remember.’
‘Typical politician. That’s another story you’ve embellished over the years. Because if I remember correctly, it was me who seduced you.’