Page 37 of The Politician

Kendra recalled thinking like that but over the years, her ideals had been quashed by reality. “I have a friend working on a conservation project in Khao Sok. She’s got the best idea and having more fun.”

“Where’s that?” Sam asked.

“Thailand,” Abi said. “It’s a national park.”

Smart kid.“She runs a small holiday camp, with huts on stilts on the edge of the lake. Treks into the jungle, canoeing, climbing, and abseiling. There are waterfalls and an elephant reserve, and they’re planting trees and regenerating habitats.” Kendra was starting to sound like a sales rep, and both the girls were staring at her with wide eyes and big smiles.

“I want to go there,” Sam said, looking towards Abi.

“Do they do things for students, like gap years for helping on the projects?” Abi asked.

Kendra shrugged. “I could find out.”

“Find out what?” Sarah asked.

Kendra turned towards her, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Here.” Sarah handed her a beer and gave the girls each a bottle of Coke.

“Kendra’s friend has a camp in Thailand. It would be awesome to go and work on the projects there.” Abi held her hands in the prayer position around the Coke bottle. “Please say I can go?”

Sarah frowned. “Well, apart from the fact that I know nothing about it, it sounds like a great experience.”

“I’ll need to check with Malee,” Kendra said. She held Sarah’s gaze and sipped her beer.

Abi almost threw herself into Sarah’s arms and hugged her tightly. “Thanks, Mum. You’re the best.”

“I’m going to speak to my dad to see if I can go,” Sam said. “Come on, Abs, let’s put some music on.”

They walked across the lawn and into the house arm in arm, chattering excitedly about saving the rainforest.

“Sounds idyllic,” Sarah said. “A week away with you in a remote place away from it all.”

Her smile looked weary, and Kendra squeezed the bottle in her hand to stop herself from reaching out and touching her. She would love time alone with Sarah, somewhere they could be themselves and see where their relationship took them. Fat chance of that happening. “You still look tired,” she said.

Sarah glanced around the garden. “This is lovely. We’re really lucky to have the weather for it.”

Kendra half-smiled at the not-so-subtle change of subject. Sarah didn’t do weakness well, and although Kendra had cared for her when she’d been very low, now they were back to normal, Sarah was more distant and didn’t want to talk about how she felt. “It’s great weather,” she said, resigned to having a non-conversation. It was one step up from not seeing Sarah at all.

“Have you been to Thailand?” Sarah asked.

Kendra shook her head. “Not yet. You?”

“I’m more into skiing. There’s something about the cold and the thrill, and the après ski of course.”

The image of them having sex, and Sarah’s strong legs wrapped around her waist caused a blush to surface. “That explains a lot,” she said and smiled.

Sarah’s cheeks coloured, and she sipped her drink. “Hm. I think you’d make a great skier.”

Kendra doubted that. Despite being fit from walking miles and the physical nature of her previous job, she had a poor sense of coordination. “Too cold,” she said.

Sarah moved towards her. “It’s never too cold for sex,” she whispered and continued straight past her.

Kendra didn’t turn around. Instead, she smiled at Jeremy as he approached. “I finished that research you wanted and left it on your desk last night,” she said, hoping a work-based conversation might lighten his mood.

“I’ll check it on Monday, thanks. I’ve been meaning to have a more formal conversation with you,” he said.

Kendra’s stomach lurched. “Oh, right.”

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