The Final Cut

He paused as through the drizzle ahead emerged the rear lights of an old Escort, still trying to prove it was all TRi and not knackered to death. The Escort’s youthful driver cursed; the rotted rubber of his wipers had transformed the motorway into a smear of confusing messages and he was straining to make sense of the scene ahead. He had no eyes for what lay behind. The Minister’s driver decided not to risk waking his passenger by braking suddenly, not with the match about to start. He drew over to the middle lane to pass the other vehicle on the inside.

Some events in life – and death – lie beyond reasonable explanation. Afterwards men of learning, experience and great forensic ability may gather to offer their views, yet all too frequently such views serve less as explanation than excuse. Sometimes it is as easy to accept that there are moments when Fate rouses herself from an afternoon nap and, sleep still heavy upon her eyes, points her finger capriciously and with chaotic intent. For it was just as the Minister’s driver was leaning towards the radio button once more, less than six feet to the rear and on the inside of the other vehicle, that the Escort’s rear offside burst. Fate. It swerved violently in front of the Ministerial limousine whose driver, one-handed, snatched at the wheel. The Jaguar hit the central reservation and turned a full, elegant circle on the damp road before crossing the hard shoulder and disappearing down an earth bank.

It came to rest against the trunk of an elm tree. When the driver recovered from his shock, he found the Ministerial box battered and torn on the front seat beside him. And so was the Minister.

CHAPTER TWO (#u4fa29f1c-e1ee-54d9-9341-e3474d619253)

I hate outbreaks of unnecessary violence. They strip the violence that is essential of its pleasures.

‘Francis Urquhart, peacemaker?’

Brynford-Jones made no attempt to hide the incredulity in his voice and he stared closely at Makepeace to gauge the reaction.

‘We live in an exciting new world, Bryan. Anything is possible.’

‘Agreed. But Francis Urquhart?’

They had stood in line with the other guests on the stairs of Downing Street, waiting to be greeted formally by the Urquharts before being introduced to the Presidents of the divided Cypriot communities. The previous day, on the neutral territory of the ballroom of Lancaster House and under the public eye of the British Prime Minister, Turk and Greek had agreed the principles of peace and undertaken to settle all outstanding details within three months. The Confederated Republics of Cyprus were about to be born, conflict eschewed, the Right Honourable Francis Urquhart, MP, Acting Midwife, Peacemaker.

Now came celebration. The powers that be within the land had been gathered together in the first-floor reception rooms of Downing Street, in order that they might offer thanks to peace and to Francis Urquhart. It was a levelling, for some almost humbling, experience. No matter how wealthy or well-known, they had been treated alike. No cars, no eminence, no exceptions. Stopped at the wrought-iron gates barring entrance to Downing Street from Whitehall. Scrutinized by police before being allowed to walk with their wives the full length of the street to the guarded front door. Being made to wait while their coats were exchanged for a wrinkled paper cloakroom ticket. Five minutes spent in line, shuffling piously up the stairs, step by single step, past the portraits of former leaders, the Walpoles, Pitts, Palmerstons, Disraelis, Churchills, and the one and only Margaret Thatcher. ‘To those we have crucified,’ Brynford-Jones had muttered. Then the formal introduction by some red-coated alien from another galaxy who seemed to recognize no one and had great trouble with pronunciation. ‘Mr Bimford-Jones’ had not been impressed, but then he rarely was.

‘It must have been like this at the Court of Versailles,’ he offered. ‘Just before the tumbrels arrived.’

‘Bryan, your cynicism runs away with you. Great changes require a little ruthlessness. Credit where it is due,’ Makepeace protested.

‘And are you ruthless, Tom? Ruthless enough to snatch old Francis’ crown? Because he’s not going to hand it over for Christmas. You’re going to have to snatch it, like he did. Like they all had to. Do you really have what it takes?’

‘You need luck, too, in politics,’ Makepeace responded, trying to deflect the question but showing no anxiety to finish with either the conversation or the editor.

‘Men should be masters of their own fates.’

‘You know I’d love the job but the question doesn’t arise. Yet.’

‘It never arises when you expect it. You want to achieve great things, you grab Fortune by the balls and hang on for the ride.’

‘Bryan, at times I think you’re trying to tempt me.’

‘No, not me. I simply present ambition to a man and see if ambition tempts him. I’m strictly a voyeur, the prerogative of the press. The dirty work I leave up to you guys – and girls!’ he exclaimed, reaching out to grab the elbow of another guest as she edged through the throng.

Claire Carlsen turned and smiled, her face lighting up in recognition. She was also an MP, at thirty-eight a dozen years younger than Makepeace and the editor.

‘And what have you done to earn your place amidst this glittering herd?’ Brynford-Jones enquired. ‘I thought nobody below the rank of Earl or Archbishop was allowed at this trough. Certainly not a humble backbencher.’

‘It’s called tokenism, Bryan. Apparently professional middle-aged moralizers like you like to have a bit of skirt around to remind them of lost youth. You know, slobber a bit and go away happy. That’s the plan.’ The smile was warm but the autumn-blue eyes searching. She was tall, almost eye-to-eye with the rotund editor who enjoyed the glint of evening sunlight shining through her blonde hair.

Brynford-Jones laughed loudly. ‘You’re too late for confession. I’ve already owned up to being a voyeur and in your case I’ll happily plead guilty. If ever that husband of yours throws you out, you’d be more than welcome to come and stir my evening cocoa.’

‘If ever I throw that husband of mine out,’ she corrected, ‘I’d hope to be stirring more than cocoa in the evenings. Anyway, what have you two been plotting? Stripper-grams to the Synod, or something frivolous?’

‘I was enquiring whether our friend here has what it takes to succeed in politics, the necessary qualities of energy and ambition to become the next Prime Minister. Would you lay money on him, Claire?’

She arched an eyebrow – she possessed a highly expressive face and, when relaxed, an aura of refreshing mischief. In response to Brynford-Jones’ invitation, she examined Makepeace as though for the first time, the end of her nose puckered in scepticism, seeming to reach some conclusion before deliberately throwing their attention in an entirely different direction.

‘If energy and ambition were all, then our next leader is surely standing over there by the window.’

‘Not our Geoff? I’d rather emigrate,’ the editor chuckled, irreverent though not entirely incredulous.

They turned to follow her gaze. In the bay of a grand Georgian window overlooking the garden, the Transport Secretary had pinned the Governor of the Bank of England against the elegant drape.

‘Liquid engineering,’ Claire continued. ‘He handles it so smoothly the Governor won’t even realize when he’s been set aside for the next name on the list.’

‘Our Geoff’s got a list?’ the editor enquired.

‘Surely. Typed on a card in his breast pocket. He has an hour here, so he asks for a copy of the invitation list beforehand, sees how many people he wants to impress or to harangue, then splits his time. Six minutes each. Digital precision.’

In silence they watched as Booza-Pitt, without pause for breath or apparent reference to his watch, took the Governor’s hand and bade farewell. Then he was moving across the room, shaking hands and offering salutations as he passed, but not stopping.

‘Chances are he’ll end the programme with somebody’s bored wife,’ Claire continued. ‘It’s a regular routine, particularly since he separated from his own wife.’

‘His second wife,’ Makepeace corrected.

‘Fascinating. The man goes up in my estimation,’ Brynford-Jones admitted. ‘Which, I’m forced to admit, still doesn’t take him very far. But how do you come by all this delicious and wicked information?’

She pursed her lips. ‘You know how we girls like to gossip. And you don’t think he types his own list, do you?’

The editor knew she was mocking more than Booza-Pitt. He noticed how steady the blue eyes remained throughout her conversation, examining, judging. She didn’t miss much. He suspected she used men much more than was used by them. Her clothes were expensively discreet from some of Knightsbridge’s most fashionable couturiers, her sexuality unobtrusive but apparent and all her own, his desire for her growing by the minute. But he suspected she was not a woman to cross, or to fall for one of his customary ‘would you like to discuss your profile over supper’ ploys. It would be a mistake to miss the woman within by merely tracing over the superficial packaging.

‘I believe I should talk to you more often, Claire,’ he offered.

‘I believe you should.’

‘Aren’t you the Booza’s parliamentary twin?’ he continued. ‘I seem to remember reading somewhere. You both came into the House together, what – seven years ago? Same age. Both wealthy, darlings of the party conference. Both tipped to go far.’

‘If only I had his talent.’

‘Foreign Secretary, d’you think, in a Makepeace Cabinet?’ He turned back to his original target.

Makepeace paused, as though to emphasize his words with elaborate consideration. ‘Not in a million dawns,’ he replied softly. ‘The man wouldn’t recognize a political principle or an original idea if it were served up en croûte with oysters.’

‘Ah, at last! A breach in your famous collective Ministerial loyalty, Tom. There’s hope for you yet,’ the editor said, beaming, delighted to have discovered a point of such obvious antipathy. He turned to Claire. ‘I feel an editorial coming on. Although to tell you the truth, my dear, I’m a little worried by all his talk about principles and original ideas. It’s not good for an ambitious man. We’re going to have to work on him.’

She laughed, a genuine expression full of white teeth and pleasure. ‘You know, Bryan, I think we are.’

CHAPTER THREE (#u4fa29f1c-e1ee-54d9-9341-e3474d619253)

Great men are usually bad men. I intend to be a very great man.

Civilian Area, Dhekelia Army Base, British Sovereign Territory, Cyprus