Page 41 of The Politician

“Maybe, but in this one, I learned to cook with Mum.”

Sarah ate another strip of carrot. “In that case I have high expectations.”

“I was a landscape gardener before, remember?”

“Did you enjoy it?”

Kendra nodded. “I love being outdoors and working in nature. I didn’t think I was cut out for an office job. I’m still not convinced.”

Sarah frowned. “Why did you take this job then?”

Kendra caramelised the sugar then added fish sauce and tamarind. “My dad thought I should get a proper job, which means one with a pension. That translates to being tied to a desk for thirty years and hoping you don’t die before the pension kicks in.” She rolled her eyes.

“That smells delicious. But this is maternity cover and with none of those benefits.”

“Don’t tell him that.” Kendra smiled. “It’s a start. I thought if I liked it, there might be a way to stay on and get more involved. I liked the idea of working in your office. I didn’t expect to be working for the next PM though.” She stared at Sarah, and her stomach threw a somersault. “As it happens, she’s quite hot.”

“Quite.”

Fire threaded through Kendra’s veins and fizzed in her core. She took another drink and continued to cook. “I also wanted to earn more money, so I could move out of my parents’ house. Much as I love them, living with them does my head in.”

“Reece said the same thing to me the other day.”

Kendra sensed Sarah’s disappointment and turned her attention from cooking. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

Sarah sighed. “I know. I feel the same way about my parents. It’s tough having it thrown at you by your son though.”

Kendra shrugged. “It’s a sign he’s growing up. He still loves you.”

Sarah’s smile looked tight. “Tell me what you love about gardening.”

“Turning a plot into a piece of art.” Kendra was grateful for the shift in conversation. She should have been more sensitive to Sarah’s conflict over her kids growing up. Kendra’s parents hadn’t wanted her to leave their home this time around, and Kendra was an adult. “I love playing with the balance of colours and textures, so that the feature has something to offer for all seasons.”

The intensity in Sarah’s expression deepened, and Kendra found it hard to breathe. She swallowed hard and turned her attention to cooking.

“You’re very talented.”

Kendra threw in the chicken pieces and stirred. “I cut off my nose sometimes.”

“How?”

“I refused to work contracts if I didn’t like the client’s principles.”

“Perhaps you wouldn’t make a good politician after all.” Sarah laughed. “Sticking to your principles isn’t always easy working in government. I intended to, and I battled for a long time, but sometimes you have to compromise.”

Kendra loaded a spoon from the wok and held it out to Sarah. “Taste. Let me know if you want more spice?”

Sarah closed her eyes and chewed. “Hm, that’s incredible.”

“How far do you compromise before you’ve gone too far?”

Sarah swallowed and took a deep breath. “I don’t know, and anyway, you promised a no-politics night.”

Kendra threw in the noodles and stirred. “That was for the night three weeks ago, but you cancelled on me.”

Sarah laughed. “That was out of political necessity.”

Kendra was well acquainted with the challenges of being Sarah’s lover. When Sarah’s attention was needed elsewhere, she had to go. Kendra would always come last. She served their food and directed Sarah to the beanbag in the living space. “See, I bought a second one,” she said and handed Sarah a plate.

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