Free Party Games by E J Greenway

afterwards.
    “Reckon you’ve got enough Cavaliers to see off Colin Scott’s Roundheads, eh, Mr Richmond?”  The Engager correspondent asked him during a history ‘lesson’ about the English civil war. The children looked blank as Rodney continue to smile, ignoring the ache in his cheeks as he waved away the comment with a quip about sticking to today’s lesson.
    “Rodney’s doing an amazing job as leader, and will continue to do so.”  Barty interjected stiffly.  Rodney tried not to let his smile falter.
    To his surprise, Clare wasn’t listening to the conversation.  It was all too apparent by her expression that something was wrong.  As he headed towards the door with his entourage, he glanced at her for a visual sign as to how she thought the visit was going.  As he caught her eye and saw ‘that look’ on her face, his public smile froze.   Arnold.  But when?
     
    *****
     
    “Order, order.  Questions to the Prime Minister, Mr Alan Foster...”
    As usual for a Wednesday the Chamber was packed, MPs squeezed together, the atmosphere charged.  The headlines from the school visit were now tomorrow’s worry and Rodney had psyched himself up for his weekly boxing match with the Prime Minister.  Robert Williams, his dependable PPS, sat behind him, literally and figuratively watching his back, while Colin Scott and Shadow Chancellor Heidi Talbot flanked him.  He glanced along the bench at his team, buoyed by a smile from Anthea.  Colin crossed his arms, looking dead ahead at the Government benches, but Rodney felt a frosty presence even the heat of the Chamber couldn’t melt.  The weekly nausea was present in his gut, but he was a master at hiding it.
    “Mr Rodney Richmond!”
    All too aware of Tristan Rivers’ heavy stare from further up the benches, Rodney rose to his feet to a roar of approval behind him.
    “Thank you, Mr Speaker.  Can I ask the Prime Minister, why is it that only groups supporting the Government’s position on Cornish devolution were asked to
     
    contribute to the initial consultation process?  Does he agree with me that the consultation was flawed, that it wasn't an open consultation but was instead biased in the extreme just so he and his right honourable Friend the Secretary of State could get the outcome they wanted rather than one which reflects the majority view in Cornwall?”  Rodney jabbed his finger at the despatch box, his tone accusing yet concerned.  He sat back onto the bench defiantly to a resonant shout of support from his own benches, already relaxing into the theatre of the occasion.  The rush of adrenaline now surging through him had nothing to do with Anthea’s nods of agreement and approving gaze.
    The Prime Minister was on his feet.  He forced a rattled grimace as a dissenting grumble rippled over the Government back benches. 
    “I think the Right Honourable Gentleman should get his facts straight before hurling his usual opportunist accusations!  The consultation, Mr Speaker, the consultation…”
    “Order!”  The Speaker blustered, this time turning his exasperated attention to the over-excited Opposition bench.  Shouts of ‘answer the question!’ resonated around the Chamber.
     “The consultation, Mr Speaker, covered a wide range of groups and my Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State has already made a statement on this issue.  We have gone ahead with this Bill because there is much support for a devolved assembly in Cornwall.  However I am unsurprised that the Leader of the Opposition has chosen to disregard the results of the consultation as his party refuses to listen, and as a result suffered its worst defeat for twenty years at the last election!”
    A triumphant smile and a deafening Labour cheer precipitated Rodney’s rebuttal, but he ignored their mocking eyes and fixed his gaze on the Government despatch box.
    “As usual, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister fails to answer the question!”  He announced smoothly,