Page 21 of The Politician

He went to the stereo and a moment later, Adele’s voice came through the surround sound speakers. He turned it down.

“Best not cause a noise nuisance,” he said and chuckled.

“I’ve invited Sarah for dinner,” Kendra said.

“Do you like Indian?” Audrey asked.

“I love it,” Sarah said.

“That’s sorted then. Make yourselves comfortable,” Audrey said and left the room.

“What are you going to do for the country?” Leela asked. She sat in an armchair with her knees pressed to her chest and her arms wrapped around her bent legs.

“Enough of that, Leela,” Vikram said. “Sarah hasn’t come here to talk politics. Sarah, where’s your favourite holiday destination? We were thinking of going to Thailand while Kenny was out there but since she’s not going anymore, we can’t decide between Spain or Greece.”

“I cancelled because of the job,” Kendra said. She took a seat on the two-seater couch.

Sarah sat next to her, impressed by Kendra’s dedication.

“You can house-sit George while we’re away,” Audrey said.

“Deal.” Kendra turned to Sarah. “George is the family pet rabbit.”

Sarah nodded. The couch was too small for her comfort under the circumstances, and she was aware that Leela hadn’t stopped staring at her, except for when she glanced at her sister. Kendra’s arm and thigh touched hers, and Kendra seemed to be wound up tighter than a ball of elastic bands. Perhaps they should have just gone to a restaurant after all. She inched a little space between them. Not because she wanted to, but because the closeness was causing her to perspire. She felt like a beacon advertising her desire. She cleared her throat and took a sip of whisky. “I like both places. We went to Alicante with the children a few years back. I went to Crete and Athens when I was at uni. Do you like Spanish and Greek food?”

“We like all types of food.” Vikram patted his stomach. “Do you like to play board games, Sarah?” he asked.

“Dad. Sarah doesn’t need entertaining,” Leela said.

“Sorry, Sarah. They keep telling me I’m over the top. Scrabble or Monopoly?”

Kendra rolled her eyes. “Dad, seriously.”

“I don’t mind,” Sarah said. “I’ll whip your butt at Monopoly if you like.”

Vikram chuckled. “A woman after my own heart. You need a good grasp of finance if you’re going to take the top job, I always say.” He pulled a box from the shelf and started setting out the game on the table.

“Sorry,” Kendra whispered.

Sarah smiled. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to play.” She held Kendra’s gaze, gripped by her intensity, and Kendra looked away.

“Come on then,” Kendra said and stood. “Let’s see who’s gonna whoop whose butt. I’m on a twelve-game winning streak.”

Sarah grabbed her drink, and Kendra tugged her to her feet. She didn’t let go. Kendra did, but not before they’d shared another look. She sat at the table, grateful for the distance between them to calm her desire and picked the top hat as her game piece. Kendra selected the boot.

“Is that to kick my butt with?” Sarah asked.

Kendra rolled the dice. “Highest number goes first.” She threw a six, looked at Sarah and shrugged.

Sarah threw a six, and then a second six to Kendra’s four. “Brace yourself,” she said, and took a sip of whisky as she threw the dice again and moved her piece along the board.

Kendra finished her whisky and poured them all a second. Vikram landed on Marylebone Station and bought it.

“You can’t buy the first time around the board,” Sarah said.

“House rules apply here,” Vikram said. “We buy from the off.”

“Oh, I see how this is going. Any other rules I should know about?”

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