Page 43 of The Politician

“Fat chance we get for that,” Kendra said.

“Oh my God. I can’t believe you’re telling me this.”

Kendra shook her head. “I know. I shouldn’t be saying anything to anyone, and I hadn’t intended to tell you, but I have. I trust you. And I just needed someone to talk to about it.” She wiped the tears from her cheek and held back from sobbing down the line.

“You’ve got it bad, haven’t you?”

Kendra sighed. “Yes.”

“Oh, fucking hell, Kenny. You sure know how to dig a trench and dive right in, don’t you?”

“It’s not like that. She’s in an open relationship with her husband.”

Malee whistled. “Well, who’d have thought?”

Kendra took a deep breath and stemmed the tears. “No one knows.”

“Don’t tell me, she’s in love with you?”

Kendra shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

“Fucking right it’s complicated. Of all the women in the world, Kenny.”

“I know. I didn’t mean for it to—”

“I know. I know. No one means to fall for the wrong person. What are you going to do?”

Kendra paced around the living space, tempted to open the champagne and drink away the day so she didn’t have to think about any of it. “There’s nothing I can do.”

“She’s not giving up PM for you then?”

“I wouldn’t ask her to do that.” The ensuing silence put Kendra on edge.

“You’re too bloody good for her,” Malee said, her tone softer. “Well, when it all goes tits up, which these things always do, you can come here and work with me. We need more hands, and it’ll get you away from the pain of rejection you’re inevitably going to feel.”

“Don’t ever think of joining the Samaritans, eh?”

“Someone needs to talk some sense into you.”

A sinking feeling landed in Kendra’s stomach. Malee was right. If she had to give up Sarah, she would feel gutted, and lost, and betrayed even though she’d told herself she had no right to feel any of those things. She took the champagne out of the fridge and poured a glass. “So, how’s life in the jungle?” she asked and slumped onto the beanbag, half listening to Malee and half thinking about Sarah heading back to London. She wished Sarah was sharing the bottle with her as she sipped her drink. What was Sarah thinking right now? Did she miss Kendra, as Kendra missed her, or had she moved effortlessly on to her family and lunch plans? Kendra rubbed her chest, curled up in the beanbag, and wiped a tear from her cheek. Everything about being with Sarah was so wonderful. And this…this absence sucked.

18.

“IJUST NEED TOcatch up on a few things,” Sarah said as they entered the house after the picnic in the park.

“I’ll make tea.” Mark carried the hamper box into the kitchen.

Abi passed Sarah and ran up the stairs. The closing of a bedroom door indicated she was going to hide out for a while. Reece had gone to a friend’s house after the park, and Sarah’s parents had headed straight home, thankfully. The picnic had been tolerable, but the children were too old for hanging around for a photoshoot, and she was sure both would have rather spent their time doing anything that didn’t involve being with their parents and grandparents. Sarah had been distracted by thoughts of Kendra, and she’d spent most of the time with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She’d forced herself to be enthusiastic because it was expected of her and had been left with a stinking headache for her efforts.

She entered her office and took out the paracetamol from the top drawer of her desk. She sat and started to read through the papers. Mark brought her a cup of tea, and she took two pills.

“You okay, love?” he asked.

She smiled wearily. He’d known where she’d spent the night and hadn’t asked any questions of her. “I’m fine. I won’t be long.”

“I thought we’d get a takeaway tonight, watch a bit of TV, and chill out. The children have their boot camp starting tomorrow.”

“Are they packed?” she said.

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