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“Put him on” Griff listened for some time before he slammed the phone down “That’s all I need”
“So what’s the news that can’t possibly wait?”
“The Tories have announced their candidate”
“Anyone we know?”
“Major Alex Fisher”
Giles burst out laughing “I can’t believe how far you’re prepared to go, Griff, just to make sure I stand”
20
“Good ton, and I’eneral election on Thursday June eighteenth Vote Labour Vote Barrington on June eighteenth Good , my name is…”
Giles had fought seven elections in the last twenty-five years, and won all seven of the his overnments, when the Conservatives hadn’t been expected to win Bristol Docklands, and the Liberals knew they couldn’t
The last time Giles had called for a recount hen his opponent was Major Alex Fisher, and on that occasion Giles had won by just four votes, and only after three recounts It had been a dirty, personal cainia entering the fray when she came down to Bristol to support the major, who she described as “an honest and decent man”
Now, fifteen years later, Giles was facing a rerun against the same opponent, and talk of another divorce Gwyneth, thank heavens, hadpapers until after the election, and although she had no intention of visiting the constituency, she would not be suggesting that anyone should vote for Fisher
“Thank the Lord for small mercies” was all Griff Haskins had to say He didn’t raise the subject again
When the prime minister asked the Queen to dissolve Parlia day to begin the three-week election ca, he was pleasantly surprised by the welcome he received, and by ho people raised the subject of Berlin, or asked where his as The British are not a judgeh Giles didn’t adhts He wrote to her every night, just before going to bed and, like a schoolboy, eagerly checked the post eachBut there was never an envelope with an East German stamp on it
Emma, Harry, and Seb, plus the redoubtable Labour Party stalwart Miss Parish, who had taken three weeks off work as she did for every election ca Emma dealt with those wonation frohteen-year-olds, ould be voting for the first time
But the surprise package was Harry, who proved popular on several levels There were those constituents anted to kno his ca, while others wondered what Detective Inspector Warould be up to next Whenever he was asked who he’d be voting for, Harry always replied, “Like all sensible Bristolians,