Heads You Win

“I’ve had three job offers for when I leave Cambridge, sir. My problem is that I can’t make up my mind which one to choose.”

“An embarrassment of riches,” said Mr. Dangerfield.

“Without any guarantee of riches,” admitted Sasha. “And what makes it worse, none of them is what I really want to do.”

“Now you do have me intrigued.”

“Trinity has offered me a prize fellowship, provided I get a first.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you, sir. But I don’t think I’m cut out to be a don. I prefer the battlefield to the classroom.”

“Any particular battlefield?”

“A mandarin from the Foreign Office has approached me and suggested I sit their entrance exam. But I’m not sure if they want me to be a diplomat or a spy.”

“I didn’t realize there was a distinction,” said Dangerfield. “But I’ve no doubt you’d do both well. And the third job?”

“Mr. Agnelli, the owner of Elena’s restaurant, where my mother is head chef, has asked me to join him. He has no children of his own, and has hinted that in time I could take over.”

“Cambridge don, spymaster, or restaurateur. You couldn’t have a more eclectic choice, although a restaurateur would be the closest to the battlefield, and probably the best paid.”

“Not only would it be better paid, but I’m quite well qualified for the job. For the past five years I’ve worked in a restaurant during my holidays. I started out as a washer-up, moved on to laying tables, before having spells as a barman and a waiter. It sometimes felt as if I was taking two degrees at the same time.”

“But you say that none of the three jobs is what you really want to do.”

“No, sir. Like my father, I’m a politician at heart, and Cambridge has only made me more determined to become a Member of Parliament.”

“And have you decided yet which party’s colors you will be flying under?”

“No, I haven’t, sir. The truth is, I’ve never cared for either extreme. I prefer the center ground, as I often find myself agreeing with the other person’s point of view.”

“But you’ll eventually have to jump one way or the other if you’re hoping to pursue a political career,” suggested Dangerfield. “Unless of course you decide to join the Liberals.”

“No, sir,” laughed Sasha. “I don’t believe in lost causes.”

“Neither do I, and I’ve voted Liberal all my life.”

Sasha turned bright red, and said, “I apologize, sir.”

“No need, dear boy. I think you’ll find my wife agrees with you.”

“Before I make a complete fool of myself, sir…”

“Susan’s a lifelong Conservative, although she sometimes has to hold her nose when she goes to the polls. So she’s even worse than you. But didn’t Charlie tell me that after you failed to become president of the Union, you promised her you would never stand again?”

“Never lasted for about a week, sir. Much to her dismay I’ll be standing for president again next term.”

“But being practical for a moment,” said Dangerfield, “if you were to take up Mr. Agnelli’s offer, where would you and Charlie live?”

“My mother has recently bought a large flat in Fulham, with more than enough room for the three of us.”

“Enough for four, possibly five?” said Dangerfield, raising an eyebrow.

“Both of us feel we should be established in our careers before we think about starting a family. Once Charlie has her PhD, she hopes to find a job that will make it possible for us to earn enough for two, never mind three, or four. Only my mother disagrees with me.”

“I look forward to meeting her. She sounds quite formidable. But tell me, how does she feel about her only son getting married at such a young age?”

“She adores Charlie, and doesn’t approve of us living in sin.”

“Ah, so that’s where you’ve inherited those old-fashioned values.”

*   *   *

“It would help if you knew which party you belonged to,” said Ben. “Although I’m confident you can still win as an independent, it would make my life a lot easier if you joined either the Tories or the Labour Party. Preferably the Tories.”

“That’s the problem,” said Sasha. “I still don’t know which party I support. By nature I believe in free enterprise, and less state intervention, not more. But as an immigrant, I feel more at home with the philosophy of the Labour Party. The only thing I’m certain of is that I’m not a Liberal.”

“Well, don’t tell anyone that, until the last vote has been cast. As an independent, you’ll need the support of voters from all three parties.”

“Do you have any beliefs or convictions?” asked Sasha.

“One can’t afford such luxuries until after you’ve won the election.”

“Spoken like a true Tory,” said Alex.

*   *   *

“I’m glad we’re spending the weekend with my parents,” said Charlie, “because I know my father has something he wants to ask your advice about.”

“What could I possibly advise him on? I know nothing about antiques, and he’s considered a leader in the field.”

“I’m just as interested to find out as you are. But I did warn him that you don’t know the difference between Chippendale and Conran.”

“I know which one I can afford,” said Sasha.