Chapter Text
April 6th 2010
Dt - too many. Sl.
Gym - rp
Biscuits - DO ginger and candied lemon, 4 (to deal with dt). Another sl.
New strategies/policies - 4. Rp.
The election has been called (HM, as always, graciously acquiescing to PM's request to dissolve Parliament). Excitement threatening to reach fever pitch at Westminster.
Poor Malcolm; one does wonder whether the extra stress is quite good for him, though he does appear to thrive on it. (Note: ensure, without nagging, that the man eats between now and May 6th). And, as he pointed out himself today, these final stages of a campaign are best suited to his protege's talents - MT feels his work has been done during the mise en scene. Though naturally it is his lowering presence that helps keep everyone in line. We must all fervently hope young James's talents are only unleashed under the strict supervision of his master (not - oh dear, that does make James sound feral).
All now anxious about funding (elections so frightfully expensive - all those posters and battle omnibus (Malcolm was rather combative when I pointed out the right plural: 3rd dec. ablative). Champagne reception this evening with some donors (past, present and potential future). MT utterly unscrupulous about ethics of donation, provided no proof can ever reach papers. Rather low remark this evening that he didn't care if they're donors "in the f~ing Alderhey sense" as long as the Party has the necessary funds. (Note: remark recorded solely as reminder to self that MT can be a truly NB with a nasty mind no matter how well he wears black tie.)
April 10th
Dt - Hardly any. Rp
Gym - Day of rest
Biscuits - Petit fours following lunch; Sam's mother's shortbread (1 small slice), 2 rich tea (disappointing). Sl.
New strategies/policies - 1. Rp (fewer needed now election gearing up)
Lunch with Quintin today. Dear fellow amusing as always (astounding how lunch with schoolfellows either makes one feel five years younger or twenty older - thankfully Quintin is one of the former type). Kept safely to matters non-political (though Quintin had brief spell of his usual twitting - the boy is the most revolting apathetic pragmatist).
Q related an interesting rumour ('rumour' to be confirmed tomorrow, one understands) that JB's wife may be expecting again.
One does so hate to listen to gossip (even over a rather delightful fillet of lemon sole en papillote followed by a frankly indecent delice of fools - gooseberry, raspberry and raspberry; delice of fools wd make a rather amusing title for a book, wouldn't it?). Anyway, I ramble on. Should the rumour prove true, I will wish JB and his wife all happiness.(Note: flowers? Perhaps not quite done during an election... and JB might not appreciate- not quite brought up to expect such gestures, though he should have picked it up at school).
Still, I cannot help but wonder whether that rather pokey flat above the office is really quite the thing for a growing family. Nor how JB will cope with his numerous duties if, as I expect and hope he will, he follows the (admirable) modern practice of taking paternity leave and being a "hands-on dad" as the expression has it. Such an improvement on our fusty generation, where fathers were little more than a stern figure in the study. Not to mention all the unpleasantness when poor Quintin was in the Lower Fifth. Could cheerfully have wrung his father's neck myself. And then one thinks of Douglas's relationship with his father...
Must remind self that youthful experiences of my set and self are hardly representative. I was, as MT so memorably put it, born with a silver spoon inserted in my behind.
[I do strive for accuracy in this journal - which will remain private for my lifetime at least. So perhaps I should record that what Malcolm in fact said was that I had been born with a silver spoon up my a~e, which no doubt only got removed when I arrived at Eton and the prefects wanted to indulge in some competitive buggery. It is perhaps kinder that I not recall the whole remark. After all, Malcolm meant no harm and has said far worse to others (even people he likes). And it's not as though he could possibly have known.]
To return to the subject at hand, however admirable "hs.o" fathering might be, it does leave scarce time for running the country. I fully expect Malcolm and his team to be scathing. (Note: make attempt to temper MT's retaliation. He can be somewhat odd on family matters).