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Something about Kate

By: EgmontGrigor2011



CHAPTER 1

As a child Kate Childs would wake up crying, at that age unable to understand she had been dreaming vividly but the worry of her parents had her believing they were nightmares.

Perhaps they were. No one got into Kate's head to check it out and of course years later she couldn't remember those early childhood dreams.

In ageing Kate came to accept that generally she had good dreams. She could manipulate her gift a little by thinking of something and then within a night or two she often dreamt it. She couldn't change a dream.

Gradually Kate's mother accepted her youngest daughter possessed a gift and to her credit she told no one and urged Kate to do the same otherwise Kate would be pestered by people to dream for them to meet their expectations.

"Just keep your dreaming ability secret darling."

"Okay mom. I don't want people I don't know pestering me."

Laura's realization that her youngest had a real gift came one morning when husband Basil had taken the two older children hiking.

Kate came to her mom's bed crying.

"Oh darling what is it," Laura said, hugging the 8-year old.

"Da-da is dying."

Laura was shocked. Her father was in hospital waiting to have a benign growth removed from his stomach. Her mother had said it was just a routine procedure, that there was no need for Laura to worry.

But the shock of hearing such a positive statement about 'Da-da' as the kids had always called him made her react. Remaining reasonably calm, she said to Kate to get dressed and they would go and sit with grandma.

It was a 90-mile drive and Laura's mother was surprised she'd come but was delighted that she had arrived and brought darling Kate.

"I want to see Da-da."

Gran checked her watch and said, "He'll be in the recovery room darling. We'll see him soon."

The surgeon came to the waiting room and told grandma everything had gone well.

Later the smiling nurse said, "Only two visitors at a time please Mrs Knowles."

Astute gran said, "Then would you please mind my granddaughter while my daughter and I go in?"

"Um you can take her in Mrs Knowles but please keep her quiet."

They sat quietly and chatted with the patient who looked poorly but said a few words including asking Kate what she'd been doing at school and she told him in great detail as if she were reading script.

They were about to leave when Da-da had a seizure. The visitors were hustled out and two hours later Mrs Knowles was taken aside and told the distressing news that her husband had died, probably as the result of a blood clot.

That night when the weary Laura was patting Kate to sleep at grandma's house she murmured, "Thank god you dream darling."

She then went out to meet the rest of her family who'd arrived in a borrowed vehicle and they hugged but no mention was made of Kate's dream that enabled Kate and her mother to be with Da-da moments before he died.

* * *

At college, freshman Kate Childs was under investigation accused of cheating. Her English class had been asked to memorize as much of Milton's epic poem as they could, and with more than 10,000 lines of blank verse that request was more than a tall order. Students knew that next morning they would be tested.

Kate was third person up for the recitation and she just went on and on until the instructor called stop and asked Kate to hand over her recording playback equipment.

"What playback equipment?" Kate asked looking perplexed.

"You have quoted that poem, perhaps word perfect but who knows, for almost thirty minutes, boring us all to death. No one is that good. Yesterday no one in the class, including you, claimed to have read that poem. Please hand me the recording apparatus."

Kate denied she was reading via any recording prompt and caused further uncertainty when she said angrily anyway how on earth would she have known 'Paradise Lost' would be the test piece? Nonetheless she was reported and next day appeared before a three-person panel.

Again she denied cheating.

"What would be the purpose? What we did yesterday wasn't a marked test."

At that even the convener of the panel, Assistant Professor Knowles looked confused.

"Okay Kate," challenged Kathy Knowles, "then how did you do it?"

"Memory retention I guess. I was almost up to where I'd read the night before the test when I was stopped. That poem is in our folio of suggested reading."

"How many times did you read that section?"

"Just the once; I had other things to do."

Professor Knowles went to her side desk and returned with two copies of the college's last annual report. She handed Kate a copy.

"Have you sighted this published magazine before?"

"Yes and I skipped through it."

"Did you read the President's three-page report?"

"God no."

The panelists had to smile at that.

"Please read the President's report."

Kate asked was it some kind of test and was told yes.

Several minutes later the three members of the panel huddled over the convener's copy as Kate put down her closed copy and began to recite. After a third of the way through Professor Knowles sighed and said, "You can stop Kate. You do have phenomenal memory retention. You may go. Please understand this investigation was necessary. Um how do you do it?"

"I just seem to be able to picture what I have read but must concentrate hard if I am to see the continuing imaging of that feedback."

As Kate left one of the panel members said, "Does she have a specialist career if she retains this gift?"

Professor Knowles said, "Perhaps CIA or military intelligence, police interrogation or a supermarket career."

"A supermarket?"

"Yes she'd be employed to walk around the aisles and return to her computer and order replacement stock where shelves needed restocking."

"You're kidding."

"It would be a damn sight cheaper than automating the re-ordering system."

After that nasty experience, not liking being accused a cheat, Kate decided not to reveal her power of memory attention and the occasional flash of seeing things she later found were predictions and often came true. Her mom had been right, it would lead to her being embarrassed.

Each year at college before graduating with a master's in political science, Kate studied all the published material of class testing and always finished that year no higher than 5th position in her class. She knew the information she possessed at exam time could have placed in in the top two but that would only risk attracting attention. The effect of that was no one remembered the revelation as a freshman that she exhibited a phenomenal power of memory retention.

Kate returned home to live with her parents in Roxton, a city with more than 400,000 inhabitants and so had a variety of employment opportunities if she could appeal to recruiters. 

She failed to really impress. Well most of the interviews asked so dumb and irreverent questions such as, what was her work experience. Her answer was practically none as she'd not worked because of possessing indolent parents and good scholarships. She hadn't been asked, for example, about the theory of rocket propulsion having read about that in a tech mag once. Her shortest interview came when she applied for the position of assistant research officer for a large Women's Collective. She answered the first interview question did she plan to marry, "Of course, do you think I look as if I'm gay?" and the angry interviewer told Kate to leave.

Kate finally was hired as an office assistant in Senator Mitchell's office and was taken around at introduced to all thirty-one employees. She sat fiddling her thumbs for the remainder of that day and next morning was given a trolley by the head clerk and asked to deliver the mail. It was designed to embarrass the new recruit hired on the basis she had a degree in political science but had no office experience. Everyone in the general office concealed their mirth.

She arrived back within ten minutes and the head clerk looked at her sternly.

"This trolley is empty. What did you do with the mail? You can't have delivered all of it so quickly."

"Well I did. Now I'd like some real work."

"Like what?"

"Let me think. What about analyzing the Senator's workload over the past year?"

"For what purpose?"

Kate sighed and said to advise how he could improve his efficiency rate.

Maxine the head clerk grinned and said she would apply for authorization for the new genius from college to access the Senator's electronic diary. She then checked to find people who'd been given the wrong mail and hadn't received their usual Monday morning mail and was astonished to find everyone had their mail and said it was surprising the new girl had remembered their names.

When she returned to the office Kate said, "Please could you make that the Senator's current diary as well as his previous diary. I need both to cover the last twelve months since July last year."

"Yes Miss Childs. God is there no humility in you or awareness of the role of an office junior?"

There were sniggers around Kate and she wondered what the hell Maxine was talking about.

Not surprisingly, she received no authorization to access the electronic diaries that day and spent the day sorting mail and incoming invoices. She learned that the Senator received funding for eight staff that was divided between two locations. Others in the offices in the CBD worked in the administration of his family trust, his wife's family trusts and his portfolio of investments made when he'd sold out of his law firm that had grown to become the second largest in the city.

That night Kate's mom asked where the guys were.

"What guys?"

"Before you went to college and for much of the time you were there, guys kept coming around here sniffing."

Kate decided a tease was in order.

"Sniffing for what?"

Laura's face turned pink and she hurried from the room.

Yes thought Kate. Where were the guys? Then it hit her. Because of her absence she was no longer on the dating circuit and neither were many of her girlfriends were hanging about because they were going steady or were even engaged.

God, she was growing old!

Next morning Kate slipped out of the general office and went to the office suite of Senator Mitchell.

"Hi I'm Kate and wish to see the Senator."

"Miss you are required to make an appointment like everyone else."

The arriving Senator Mitchell looked at Kate's A1-shaped butt and said, "I'll deal with this Gaye. Come with me Ma'am."

"It's Miss Senator. Call me Kate, I'm new in general office."

Gaye appeared close to having a seizure.

"Well Kate, the Senator said turning after removing his jacket and blinking at the sight of a pair of sweet breasts.

"Here allow me," Kate said taking his jacket and opening the closet and hanging it. "I won't keep you long."

"Oh there's no rush um Kate." the Senator said and called out, "Two coffees please Gaye."

"Senator I've just started in general office and had been given no duties and so asked if I could have access to your diaries over the past year to see if I can find ways to improve your efficiency."

"Well that's very kind of you Kate but what purpose would that achieve?"

"It would give you more time with your wife and your daughters Barbara and Nikki and with Hope, Tracy and Noel and..."

"You have just started here and know the names of my daughters and their children?"

"Well I read your CV when I was hired as this business revolves entirely around you."

"And you remembered their names?"

"Yes and what's so strange about that?"

Gaye entered with coffee and snapped, "Watch your mouth when talking to the Senator young lady. Senator she's the new junior in general office and Maxine was shocked when told she's up here."

"I'm aware of Kate's role in this office and shut the door on the way out. I feel safe."

"What do you know about the federal system of politics in this republic Kate?"

Kate began delivery of what the Senator realized was an excellent resume of the republic's history since Minola became an independent nation twenty-three years ago.

"Who was the first majority leader of the inaugural parliament?"

"Our current President Lord Desmond Boon."

"Recite me the first clause of Minola's Constitution."

"The people are thankful that God is on our side."

"Well that was too easy. What about Clause 27?"

"Under a vote of two-thirds majority or more of the General Assembly vote, any qualifying female candidates may stand for election to Parliament and in due course also be elected to the Senate. The Constitution of Minola decrees that the election from the Senate of the person to serve the next ensuring five years as President of Minola may be any Senator irrespective of race, creed or being male or female."

"Excellent, your answers suggest you have good political understanding. Is Laura Childs, or as she was known in her younger days, Laura Schultz, your mother?" 

"Yes."

"Hmmm. I remember my sister babysitting you and Alice used to bring you in a stroller and you looked so cute even then."

"Looking cute gets you a long way Senator."

He laughed and asked what did her parents say when she announced she was working for Senator Richards?

"I only told them I was working downtown in an office and gave mom my direct-dial work number."

"Are you ashamed to be working for me?"

"Of course not Senator, I was attempting to be discreet in case you didn't wish people to know who worked for you. You are entitled to your privacy."

"Everyone who works for me in my role as a Senator has to be recorded on a register at parliament."

"Yes of course, for the purpose of transparency but Senator how many members of the public request to read that register? It's not online because members of the public are required to sign in before being allowed to peruse that register."

"How do you know that?"

"I read it somewhere or heard someone say that as fact."

As Kate was leaving Senator Mitchell said, "Lydia58.

"Oooh a quiz but that's too easy. Lydia is your wife's name and she's aged fifty-eight until late this year."

Tom stared at the remarkable young woman. "It's also the low-security password to my online diary."

"Good morning Senator," Kate smiled. "Have a lovely day and surprise your wife by taking home flowers to her. If she asks have you been naughty say no, you had the urge to say you love her with flowers."

Tom called his personal assistant at his office in parliament buildings.

"Shelley a young woman started working here in the general office a day or two ago by the name of Kate Childs. Her mother is Laura Childs, executive director of the State Forestry Management Corporation and her father is Dr Basil Childs, I seem to recall he's a research fellow or something that sounds like that at Bellona University. Have her checked out and if she appears clean get a full security check done on her with particular emphasis on political activity."

"Yes Tom. Will you tell me why this young woman has captured your attention?"

"You keep pestering me for an assistant. I want you to teach her everything you know about the Governments actions, its systems and its secrets between now and my retirement next year. Within a couple of months we should know if she has what it takes to become Rodney Hagen's media manager."

"So you are serious about wanting Rodney to become your successor?"

"Yes but keep that under wraps until I announce my preference."

"But Tom, are you doing the right thing about aspiring to place Rodney's political interfacing with the media in the hands of a young and untried woman?"

"You'll answer that yourself within a day of Kate working for you Shelley and by then you'll have answered that question."

"Tom it just doesn't add up."

"I know and that's why I'm so excited about this. She's also attractive enough to make Rodney desire to screw her."

"Well I suppose that's one attribute." 

* * *

Shelley called Tom three days later and asked him to come over to deal with the report she'd received from his golden girl. If he could get there in an hour the investigation officer would wait.

"Give me twenty minutes."

Tom walked into his parliamentary office, kissed Shelley, recognized the officer and shook his hand as Shelley closed the door.

"What have you got Brian?"

"She's as clean as a whistle Senator."

Shelley said, "You didn't tell me her degree is in political studies."

"Well if I'd known that I may have told you. I don't require office juniors to hold a degree."

Brian and Shelley glanced at one another nervously.

"Okay, out with it."

"Well that's the problem Tom, this girl is an enigma."

"Oh Jesus, I wanted her investigated for security rating, not to be psychoanalyzed. Give me the report."

They watched as he read quickly, frowning and scrubbing his jaw.

He finished and grinned, looking at them, and said "Jesus. I knew there was something about Kate. I meet and assess people day in and day out and tick or cross boxes but with her I failed to place Kate in any category and this report shows why."

"She entered college with a very high IQ rating and her senior high school performances suggested she was going to college as a straight A's student. But she didn't and I smell a rat. Something appears to have happened in her freshman year and what looks suspicious to me as is the line of her academic achievement. Jesus it would have to be manipulated to flat-line like that and I think the manipulation was done by the student herself."

"Question: but why? Answer: it's up to you to find it Brian. Go to her college and question her freshman year professors. The answer is there, find it and report to me day or night Brian. Oh this is the type of intrigue that really pumps my blood. It's better than... er winning a big car race. I really feel like walking on air guys because we'll have at our fingertips the best agile brain we could ever dream of securing."

"Tom the report finds she was reprimanded at college twice for being involved in two political sit-ins."

"Yes but they were campaigning for equal treatment of females at the college Shelley. Be supportive of your sex. Go get what I want Brian."

* * *

Kate was in hot water with the general office manager Mrs Frankton and head clerk Maxine Ross.

"Mrs Ross says you went to Senator Mitchell's office without authority. Why?"

"To talk to him."

"Young lady, don't be facetious with me. I..."

"I'm not being facetious. Ask me precise questions and you'll get precise answers."

"My god you are insolent. What did you ask Senator Mitchell? We have been told you were in his office."

"I asked him for the password to his diary."

Mrs Frankton sighed and shook her head.

"And he said no way, get back to your work station and keep your head down unless you wish to be fired."

"No, actually he was very pleasant and we had coffee."

Maxine glared, "Kate is that the truth? Be very careful how you answer."

"Of course it's the truth. I only lie to guys."

Mrs Frankton said, "And you came away with the diary password?"

"Yes, turn your backs so that you don't see me enter the password," Kate said, and gained access to the diary on Mrs Frankton's desk computer. She opened a page to yesterday's date.

"Omigod, Mrs Frankton puffed. "There are the meeting details with the Envoy from Washington. I saw Tom with other Senators and the majority and two minority leaders at that meeting on the TV news bulletin last night."

Kate cancelled out of the feed from the computer server.

"Senator Mitchell says he doubts that I can show him how to be more productive with his engagements but invited me to try."

"Can you?"

"I would think so Mrs Frankton. We all know men are not particularly good at time management. He probably doesn't group any appointments not requiring a particular fixed time."


Something about Kate



The two senior women laughed.

"Go ahead with your special project Kate and do a good job so this office gets the credit."

"I'll do my best Mrs Frankton and I thank you both for taking such close interest in me."

Kate left the two women looking open-mouth at her and she walked to her desk, her trim butt showing a slight waggle.

The next day Kate emailed her two-page report on her study to Faye and late that afternoon Mrs Frankton came to Kate and said, "Faye just called to say your report has impressed the boss. In an unconnected matter, you finish work here this afternoon and tomorrow you report for permanent placement at the Senator's office at Parliament. You are to ask for his PA Mrs Shelley Goodyear. You will be her assistant-in-training. Here is Faye's requisition order that will get you preliminary access into Parliament Buildings. Mrs Goodyear will explain your duties and tell you about your salary rise to senior grading. I can't believe it, senior grading to you who is just a child."

"I'm twenty-three Mrs Frankton."

"Oh god, you have an answer for everything. I'm sorry if I offended you."

"No it's okay. I'm in no hurry to grow old and die."

Mrs Frankton sighed and knew she had a story to wow her associates.

When having a pre-dinner drink with her parents that evening, Kate said, "I begin working at parliament tomorrow as a trainee."

"Have you been drinking?" asked Laura.

"Tell us more," Basil said, looking at his youngest daughter with interest.

"I have been working at the downtown offices of Senator Tom Mitchell and am being transferred to his parliamentary office to be some sort of trainee."

Basil looked at his wife. "Didn't Tom Mitchell date you at high school when he was a senior?"

"Mom!"

"Kate it's not what you think," Laura said, red-faced. "I was a 9th grader and a couple of times went to the movies with Tom who was a couple of grades ahead of me."

"And did he touch you in the dark?"

"Yes dear in a friendly fashion but never under my clothes if that's what you are getting at. For heaven's sake Kate, his sister use to babysit me."

"I bet your breasts were beginning to develop at fourteen."

"Oh was I fourteen? I thought I would have been much younger?"

"Mom you don't fool me and dad is laughing his head off. It seems to me that Tom Mitchell was lucky to become a Senator if he touched up schoolmates at that age."

"Oh don't be too tough on the guy Little One," Basil said. "It probably gave him a rounded education."

"Rather rounded I would think if mom was advanced in development for her age."

Laura went off. "Oh god, I must check on dinner."

"I'll go mom and give you time to explain your juvenile naughtiness to dad."

At dinner, with Laura apparently feeling in control again, she asked Kate what would be her duties at the Senator's office."

"I have no idea. Do you think he'll try to fondle my breasts? God if he did that would take him back."

"Hit her Basil," Laura groaned.

"You must have some idea about what you'll do," Basil said.

"None at all. My supervisor said I was to report to the Senator's PA, that she would train me and I would transfer on a higher salary and be given senior grading."

"Omigod," Laura said. "Do you mean he has more in mind for Kate than office duties?"

Both women looked at Basil who smiled and said he wouldn't think so, that probably Kate was being groomed to replace the PA.

"Do you want that to happen?" Laura asked her daughter.

"I have no idea. I'll just wait to things are explained to me and then will assess the situation. Could we talk about something else? What's happening in the lives of my brother and sister?

CHAPTER 2

Mrs Frankton had given Kate a temporary pass to get beyond the first stage of security at parliament and she had to wait at the second checkpoint for Mrs Goodyear to come down to identify her.

Kate saw the woman in her mid-fifties who was slight, mousy-haired and thought well perhaps sexiness didn't matter with Senator Tom when he hired key people. Perhaps she had a brain and that would give her an edge on clueless blondes with big boobs.

"That is Miss Childs," Mrs Goodyear said in a commanding voice.

"Yes ma'am," said the security guard in a bullet-proof enclosed sentry box. A buzzer sounded and Kate walked through the gate in the high grill.

"Just a child," Mrs Goodyear murmured, kissing and welcoming Kate. "Call me Shelley dear."

"Thank you for your warm welcome."

"Oh so polite. You have seduced me already?"

Huh?

"Don't worry, that's just a figure of speech," Shelley said. That told Kate the woman was sharp enough to have spotted Kate's reaction to the reference to seduction. Well at least the woman was interesting.

Their office suite was on the 14th floor but before proceeding Shelley took Kate into the Lower House that was presently in recess and then on the floor above they went into the more ornate senate that had a dome that projected into the third level of Parliament Building.

On the 14th they inspected the 'boss's office', met the media and the research executive officers and the three women who worked in another office and then finished at the small meeting room.

"We use this room for getting drunk and having sex orgies."

Kate felt obliged to think she was being teased and just winked and Shelley appeared to like that.

After Kate put her light jacket and handbag in the closet and locked the door with the key and put the key back in its hiding place as directed by Shelley, she sat in her desk that was at right angles and jutting out beyond the left-hand side of Shelley's larger desk.

"I make no apologies for squeezing on your space Shelley: I've been placed here to learn."

"That's an excellent opener. It's my role to educate how the parliamentary system works, how this office works and what we can and can't do and what I do and the problems I've had to deal with over the years and from our perspective how Senators are regarded as kings or queens in their offices."

"Why am I here?"

"Senator Richards will brief you about that in due course but don't assume you are being schooled to replace me. I have another four and a half years to go before I retire."

"Then why am I here... oh sorry, that's rhetoric and reflects my nervousness."

"Whatever you say dear. Now this is a piece of paper," Shelley said, pointing to the paper in front of her. "What is written on the side facing down?"

"Your husband's name so I will recognize who is calling if I answer your phone?"

"Omigod, it's true."

"What is?"

"You have extrasensory perception."

"No I don't, I have something but not that."

Shelley had one my try, asking, "What is my husband's name?"

"Frank?"

"There we go, bull's-eye."

Kate said, "Oh no we don't. I have no idea what if anything is written on the other side of that piece of paper. It just seemed logical to guess you have written down your husband's name as a first step in my briefing because his calls are important to you. On Senator Mitchell's website you are named as Shelley Ellen Goodyear, your husband is Frank Leyland Goodyear and your two sons are Ian Richard and Ben James."

Shelley gasped.

"Very well, I accept the logic of your response and obviously you have remarkable memory retention. Tom told me he senses in your something very special and already I can see that will include remarkable if not astonishing memory recall. In having a full security check done on you which is normal procedure, we have become aware of your reason for flat-lining your college grades. Your action was because of a false accusation made against you early in your freshman year."

"God is nothing sacred?"

"We found a professor who has pretty good memory recall herself and that was fortunate for us because no records where filed of the accusations and any details of the investigative hearing where the allegations were dismissed as being totally unfounded."

"What about my two reprimands for political disobedience? They must count against me?"

"We believe you were justified in protesting for female equality at your college."

"Well what an enlightened outfit this is."

Just before lunchtime the Senator called Kate.

"How are you settling on?"

"Fine thanks. Shelley is very impressive," Kate said, smiling at Shelley.

"That's why she's on senior staff."

"Quite. May I call you Tom?"

"In private with no outsiders present yes."

"Thank you Tom. Are you also calling to thank me for my recommendations about diary timetable management efficiency?"

"Yes it's an excellent report and I agree with more than 50% of the recommendations and will implement them."

"Excellent is there anything else?"

"Yes hand your phone to Shelley. I need to brief her."

As Shelley and Kate went down to the main dining room, Shelley said, "I thought when you asked could you call him Tom he'd give conditional approval. Do you think I'm gaining extrasensory perception?"

"Oh yes Shelley. Mind that chair."

"Oh so much for super perception," Shelley laughed, only just missing hitting the chair that was well out from a table. 

As they dined on chicken salads, Shelley asked, "Then what is this power you believe you have?"

"I don't think I have it, I know I have it. I sometimes dream things that are about to happen and they more or less come true, I mean perhaps not exactly how I dream them. I dream them in the form of a nightmare, from which I wake up perspiring and my heart ponding and I feel scared with a deep sense of foreboding."

"Omigod, who'd want to have a power like that?"

"Not me," Kate said devoutly. "But it's something I appear I was born with. I predicted mom's father's death and the deaths of dad's mother and my aunt but my parents only knew of my first predication about mom's father. I was too scared to reveal details about the other two because of the possibility of panicking people."

"Omigod Kate, what a cross to bear. There also is something else, isn't there? Tom asked me to chat to you about it. It's your prodigious memory recall."

"Ah yes, I might have known when learning about me being wrongfully accused of cheating at college that Tom would see that as a useful tool in transferring me to his political team. I used to worry that I'd jam too much information in my mind but the storage system appears limitless. You see I can't stop remembering things. I would prefer storing only information that I believe I might wish to retrieve at a later date."

"Wow that's a load on your mind."

They laughed and Shelley said, "Can you remember precisely where you where and what were you doing at the time President Kennedy was assassinated?"

"Shelley your question sucks. I was nowhere near Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. God Shelley, mom and dad were not even born then."

"Ah just testing," Shelley said she then said lamely she'd never make it as a quiz-master.

Soon after she got home that evening, Kate answered a knock on the door and a well-dressed young guy said hi, "Are you Kate Childs."

"Indeed I am."

"You look really cool. I'm Max Usher and my mom Faith and your mom are friends. Your mom told my mom you can't pull a date and asked if I could help out."

"My mom said what?"

"Kate does it really matter? I'd be more interested in talking to you about a date."

Kate sighed and thought perhaps she might not strangle her mom after all. The guy appeared really pleasant.

"My parents are not home yet. Come in if you think you'll be safe."

He grinned and said she had good humor.

"What say we go off somewhere now where we can talk undisturbed?"

She smiled. "You mean to park and grope in daylight?"

He looked taken aback and said he meant to a coffee shop or a bar.

"Let's go to a bar. Why don't you it in your car and listen to music to give me three minutes to get ready."

She took almost fifteen minutes. Although Max looked at his watch, nothing was said.

As Kate settled into the comfortable passenger seat of a fairly new SUV, she asked, "What do you do Max?"

"I'm in my first year of work after graduating and represent t clients on minor charges in court at present."

"Oh that's interesting. I bet your mom is proud of you?"

He looked surprised and said, "Yes she is. It was clever of you to guess that."

"I've dated a couple of law grads and met their proud mothers."

Max frowned. "I thought you were unsuccessful in being dated?"

Kate laughed and he grinned.

"Max my mother can be a bit of a liar when it suits her. She asked me a couple of evenings ago where were the guys who used to line up to date me and I indicated because of my long absences away at college, I'd become a forgotten bunny."

"Ah I see, the guys who are still around have written you off."

"That's about it. My vibrator is almost worn out."

Max tensed and drove on, not speaking.

Kate said softly, "That was meant as an adult joke." 

"Oh."

"I'm pretty upfront with what I say Max."

"Um it's okay. I'm used to cracking jokes with guys like that but most females..."

"Many of them probably do once they get to feel comfortable with a guy Max."

"Gee is that right?"

"Probably unless I have my mother's habit of lying when it suits me."

He laughed and she was very appealing.

"Appealing enough to take me to dinner?"

"You mean tonight?"

"If you wish to do that. Yeah that would be great."

"Well we'll have a couple of drinks first and when we arrive at the bar you can call your mother you won't be home for dinner because I've dated you."

He said, "I'd call my two roommates if I won't be home to dinner. You mean we've decided to date tonight?"

"If you wish to call it that. Your choice of words doesn't bother me."

"Well actually you did propose the date."

"Yes Max but it doesn't matter? But also call your mom because she will wonder if her attempt at linking us was successful. Keep it simple and tell your mother we've decided to date tonight. She won't ask who proposed the date."

"How do you know she won't?"

"I know because your mom will have more important things to think about. She'll be wondering whether you will be safe with me."

"You mean will you be safe with me."

"Oooh Max, what are you thinking?"

Max said, "Jeepers Kate, you really are a hot date."

Kate thought that sounded promising.

Kate went to work next day sexually unfulfilled but it had been a sweet evening and she'd managed to finally get him to kiss her outside her home just before she left the car, leaving him panting.

Tom was already at the office when she arrived and called her in.

"Good morning."

"Hi Tom, you look fit and good looking this morning?"

That caught him by surprise and when he finally lifted his gaze from her chest, he said: "That was an unexpectedly cheering salutation.

"I live at home and my dad tends to wake up grumpy and I work to cheer him up.

"Ah the good daughter."

"Yes Tom and I hope you'll not be disappointed in me as an effective assistant. You are about to tell me why you've promoted me aren't you?"

Tom studied her thoughtfully and then said yes and asked Kate to close the door and to keep what he was about to say confidential.

"I tend to retire next year when this term of parliament ends in early April. I propose to support the candidature of Rodney Hagen as my successor and in the meantime I want you trained in the ways political around here and to become his media adviser/manager in his pre-election team."

"Why?"

"Because I perceived you have some outstanding abilities Kate. I know you have extraordinary memory recall that would make you a key person to be standing at Rodney's shoulder when he begins his election bid by talking to every Senator. His parents are very wealthy and will finance his campaign which will include employing people like you. You have great ways about you. For instance you almost knocked me off my perch with your greeting not ten minutes ago and then later when I spoke about you being on Rodney's election team you just asked "Why?" without surrounding it with the usual piffle people do when feeling they have been flattered. You've never met Rodney Hagen have you?"

"No."

"Nor read anything about him in say the last fortnight?"

"No."

"Give me a precise of what you know about Rodney Hagen."

"Okay. Rodney is thirty or thirty-one, has a bachelor degree in political science, entered parliament representing the constituent of Maryvale/Langdon aged twenty-three after working for eighteen months as a political reporter for the Evening Standard, becoming the second youngest person to be elected to our Lower House. Was married for just over a year and wife Sally died skiing when caught in an avalanche. Political interests are law and order, bio-security and International Free Trade. Is an able debater, parents Jade and Philip own this city's largest trucking company and its largest courier company and own a number of central Downtown commercial properties. Rodney's photograph appears very frequently in the social pages of newspapers and magazines, usually in the company of beautiful women who appear not to last long in his company. He plays golf well, cycles and enjoys going to the gym and politically is classed as a Liberal. He's spokesman on bio-security and Free Trade for the Center Right party that helps the governing party retain its majority in Parliament. Those were the main points I read in two similar magazine interviews with him."

"Kate that is very impressive and as you say covers the main points about him. I have a comprehensive personal file on him that you must read. You will also divide your time between Shelley and my media manager Stephen."

Later that morning Max Usher called and invited Kate to dinner at his shared apartment.

"So your roommates wish to look me over to see if I can gain the necessary level of approval rating?"

"Um well nothing was said about that."

"But implied and they suggested the invitation?"

"Ah yes. Have you been trained in cross-examination?"

They laughed but Kate thought he'd sounded serious. She wondered if he was the right fit for adversary procedure. Perhaps working as a patent attorney would be more appropriate for him.

Freddie and Nigel were also attorneys about Max's age and working at different law offices. She was surprised how well they appeared to meld together and found they'd gone through law school together so it obviously was a brotherhood thing.

Kate accepted the Martini and knew her breasts and butt had received sly glances and she said, "Meatballs tonight guys?"

Nigel nodded.

"Oh I thought you guys would be out to impress me."

"We cook meatballs best," Freddie said.

"Oh of course. I apologize for not working that out for myself. Well put those things away. Your mothers would expect a female visitor to cook something better for you. Please excuse me while I go out for pizza."

"There's no need...." Freddie said. But Kate was already opening the door and heard Max say to leave her, that Kate was one of those unstoppable females. She grinned when she heard the other two guys mutter something uncharitable. 

Kate returned loaded with shopping bags without a pizza in sight.

"Dinner is an hour away boys," she said cheerfully. "Toss your Martinis out if you wish and grab beers. There's not need to try to impress me of your sophistication. And could we please have some racy music and you guys watch sport on TV if you wish.

They appeared to instantly metamorphose into grateful puppies and even asked if they could help but were shooed away to the sofas. 

"Take your sneakers off if you wish to put your feet up anywhere."

They dined on 'farfalle con salmone mediterranea' served with a dry light red Italian wine.




Something about Kate



"God you can cook," Freddie said, having bolted his food and looking wistfully at the empty serving dish.

"Fill the bowl Freddie, there's half left in the pan."

"Omigod," groaned Freddie and for a moment appeared to contemplate leaping the table in his haste to get across to the kitchen.

They sat at the table bringing Kate into the conversation as she worked on desert behind the counter of the open kitchen. She then placed three plates on the counter and said, "Come and get it boys."

They came across and stared in wonder at the poached pear quarters drizzled in melted chocolate sitting on an artistically spread out bed of raspberry coulis atop ready-made meringues with a big dob of thick cream to the side.

"Omigod," Freddie and Nigel cried almost in unison while Max grinned at Kate proudly.

"Kate you are the best cook we've ever had in this apartment," fat Freddie said, patting his belly. "And that is an absolute accolade because my mom has been here twice and cooked for us and she's a great cook as you can see by my size. 

As soon as the dishes were cleared away, Freddie and Nigel kissed Kate and complimented her and they left, saying to Max they would stay out till 11:00.

"I thought they would have stayed," Max said. "I thought they couldn't get enough of you."

"Max, they have abandoned ship for the next two hours to allow you to have your way with me."

Max shuffled his feet but finally said, "You mean to have sex?"

And he was tentative above sex as well, and lasted less than five minutes and apologized for not being successful in becoming erect again. What only after one bottle of beer and two wines spread over three hours?

Poor Max.

That was the end of him.

Three other guys found their way into Kate's life but none measured up although she didn't believe she set particularly high standards. Why was it she attracted duds? That was one question for which she had no answer.

* * *

The morning after Shelley told Tom, "She's ready", Tom called Rodney Hagen.

"Good morning Senator."

"Call me Tom. You know I'm a close friend of your parents and watched you grow up."

"Indeed Tom, you do go a long way back in my life."

"I'd like to meet you later today Rodney."

"I'm free after Question Time that ends at 3:30."

"Great. I'll be in the Senate Library. We can have coffee there."

The lean, good-looking parliamentarian was led across to Tom who stood and they shook hands and slapped each other's back.

"Well young man, is your life back on even keel?"

"Yes I believe so."

"Apart from the women?"

"Ah yes Tom, they just keep on a-coming but none can take Sally's place."

"Perhaps this doesn't appear to ring true Rodney but I'm long enough in the tooth to know that it will happen to you one day, as it's happened to others over centuries. Bang she will be there to knock you over."

Rodney just smiled.

"Well to business," Tom said, pouring the coffee as that sat in the small alcove that gave them privacy. I'll announce at the end of proceedings in the Senate tomorrow that I'm not seeking re-election next year."

"Gee Tom, that's totally unexpected."

"Yes and no I would think. The time has come for me to give my wife the type of retirement life she desires... travel, meeting up with old friends, spending more time on the farm she inherited from her parents. I've had a good run and have no wish to go for the presidency."

"Well I wish you well."

"Son would you like to compete for the vacancy my retirement will create?"

"Me, I'm a novice politically and have not held a senior position in government."

"True and everyone will know that. But you have already established a good track record and you are into your third term in the Lower House. The minimum time to qualify for the Senate is two terms. So why not have a crack?"

"As a new boy I'd be swamped by senior colleagues with similar aspirations. Well unless... oh god, is this what this meeting is about?"

"You are thinking unless you receive my endorsement? And yes you'd have it. I've considered every possible candidate Rodney and there is good talent available but in my opinion none appear significantly superior to you. In experience they have it over you and in seniority too, but in intellect and political nous and in the desire to take our beloved country forward, none of them can touch you. You are my man Rodney. You'll be aware I'm not in the habit of picking losers."

"God, I'll have to think about this Tom."

"You do that Rodney. Take your time. The longer people wait for my endorsement the greater its impact. My only condition of my endorsement is you appoint a female from my office as your media manager."

"What that young woman that people are talking about as having a prodigious memory?"

"Yes and with her phenomenal recall capacity and being at your side will protect you from those curly questions designed to trip you or when your own memory, under pressure, fails you momentarily."

"She's only a babe, twenty-three I think she is."

"And so says one young man with still much to learn."

"That's very rude Tom."

They grinned.

"Well I'd have no objection accepting her and I believe you have been preparing her for the role, you crafty devil."

"Ah good political nous I credited you with, did I not?"

"Yes."

"Just one more thing. Don't be surprised if she becomes your wife."

"What?"

"Tell me accurately Rodney. What was it about what I just said you didn't understand?"                                                                                                                                         

Rodney threw his hands up and said, "This has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous but I'm more than grateful to you wily toad. You are a Liberal and want a Liberal to replace you. Arrange a meeting Tom and please don't tell her she must impress me."

"I won't have to buddy. That's already a fait accompli."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."



CHAPTER 3

Kate Childs went on to Pier 21 with a slight headache after drinking cheap wine the previous night with another loser. It was Saturday morning and she should be out trawling the malls. Tom had wanted her to attend this meeting on his behalf.

On a boat for goodness sake.

She looked along the pier for something named Lady Danielle. What a pretentious name for a boat.

She looked and they had names that range from Fish-a-Plenty to Blue Horizon.

Damn it had gone without her.

A guy was coming along carrying three fishing rods and a sack that probably contained bait and beer.

"Please sir I've arrived late and was supposed to board the Lady Danielle but I think she's sailed. Can I leave a message where she anchors up?"

"You mean docks."

"Do I?"

"The Gin Palace at the end of this pier of Lady Danielle."

"God," Kate gawked. "It's a ship."

"It's an 80-footer but there are a couple of larger ones that berth here."

"Thank you sir, and good fishing."

"Lady you are too good mannered to be associating with boating people."

She smiled and grabbing the brim of her sunhat ran to the end of the pier.

"Are you Kate Childs, the late Kate Childs?"

Kate said fearlessly to the guy dressed in white and wearing a captain's hat, "Yes sir. Perhaps your watch is a little fast?"

He grinned and told her to board.

"How do I do that sir?"

"You climb up that gangway and then it will be hauled in and stowed."

"How can you do that? I believe stowed means to be put away out of sight."

"Please board. The gangway telescopes small enough to fold away in its locker that forms part of the transom structure I'm resting against."

"Oh my goodness. Someone with nous designed this ship," Kate said, darting up the gangway.

"It's classed as a boat. Ships are much bigger."

"Is it necessary to become that pedantic?"

"Yes if you don't wish to be scoffed at by seafarers."

"Oh I appreciate being educated. Is this boat named after your mother?"

"As a matter of fact it was. I had her built ten years ago on my mother's death. She left me a pile of money."

"Yes it would think pile is an adapt description."

The captain laughed and put out his hand.

"I'm pleased to meet you Kate. I'm Philip."

She looked at him quizzically. 

"Are you Rodney Hagen's father?"

"What makes you think that?"

"The intrigue of me being sent to a meeting on a boat on Pier 21 and Senator Tom Richards refusing to tell me what was the purpose of the meeting and who should I ask for."

"Yes well Tom loves intrigue and yes I'm Philip Hagen and Tom and his wife Hope are aboard along with my wife..."

"Jade."

"My wife Jade and my son Rodney and his young sister Phyllis."

Philip spoke into a hand-held radio.

"Cast off when you're ready and move out Magee."

Kate said as Tom pocketed the radio, "Do you call people who work for you by their surnames?"

"Our professional skipper is called Magee O'Carroll."

"Oooh I say. You must think I'm an idiot?"

"Not you are out of your environment and your tongue is racing ahead of your brain just a little. You appear to be very interesting and have been attempting to cover up being late."

"Oh god and you will relate all of this to the others."

"So you'd like me to shut my mouth about this?"

"No have your fun at my expense. I deserve it and have no right to try to muzzle you."

"How old are you?"

"You already know that and probably said I was much too young for the position."

"Hmnm."

"Oooh you can't make up your mind about me. That's promising and you've decided not to relate my series of goofs. Omigod, despite your misgivings I've made it to first base with you."

"Are you raving desperately attempting to hit the right cords with me or do you really believe what you are saying?"

"You now think I'm cute and interesting Philip if I may call you Philip. That's all I need to say. Shouldn't we be getting on with it? The engines are about to rumble."

The twin diesels rumbled.

"How on earth did you know that?"

"I heard a bell ring in the bowels of the boat so assumed the skipper was signaling Jeff or whatever the name of the crewman to start them up."

"You're amazing."

"And you are so nice. God Mrs Hagen must have a job keeping the marauders at bay."

"Um that's a sensitive issue Kate."

"I know. I didn't come down in the last shower. Feel confident about me Philip. Do we blow a hooter when we move off?"

Philip radioed to the skipper.

"Magee our special guest has seen the Titanic movie or something like that. She'd like to hear a couple of blasts of the siren as we move off."

Philip motioned to enter the saloon and was following her when she jumped six inches when the siren blasted the first time.

"God I almost wet myself."

Philip was unable to control his laughter.

People in the huge saloon were gathered at a round table talking and had been served champagne.

"Our special guest Miss Childs has arrived," Philip announced in a deep voice and the men stood.

Kate had observed Rodney Hagen three times from the visitors' gallery in the House so knew what he looked like in the flesh. His face was rather nice in fact and he was beautifully lean, the stuff heroes were cast as.

"I apologize for lateness everyone. I'm afraid it's an occasional bad habit of mine. Still you could have sailed without me."

"You are the purpose of this gathering Miss Childs, for us to socialize with you?"

"Have you accepted my apology Mrs Childs?" Kate asked the tired-faced genuine blonde. "Omigod Jade, you have dazzling green eyes."

"Lens implants darling and yes your apology is accepted and thank you for being so polite."

"This is a very beautiful boat, so luxurious. I have to say that because I'm practically dumbfounded that anything on water other than a cruise ship could be so beautiful."

"Thank you darling, this is my daughter Tessa who is a year older than you with the same degree."

"Hi Tess... ooops, sorry, Tessa."

"Everyone but mom calls me Tess and so shall you."

"Thank you and how's Odine?"

"You know I ride?"

"Well I suppose you still do. I recall seeing you on Odine bending over to receive a gold medal at Mansfield last year. I think the photo was in the October issue of 'My Women.'

"I think it was. So when did you read that caption?"

"In the magazine last October."

"Omigod you do have fabulous memory recall."

"Perhaps I do, actually I know I do, but I really wasn't attempting to show off. I just wished to connect with you and that imagine jumped into my mind."

Mrs Childs said, "And this is my son Rodney."

"Hi Rodney, I guess you should kiss me because I shall be working for you."

He smiled and kissed her and said that was a bit presumptuous because he'd yet to make up his mind."

"Forgive me for saying this Rodney but I had a dream a few nights ago where you were you were at a hostile press conference attempting to defend yourself with me at your side. Your opponent Linda Ross had accused you of being the laziest parliamentarian in the House."

"But that's absurd. Linda and I are good friends and she has no political ambition."

"Believe what you wish Rodney. I've learned to believe in my dreams."

"Well I can see you too will have difficulty getting along quietly," Jade smiled. "And this is my dear friend Hope."

"Hi Mrs Richards. It's so lovely to meet you at last."

"And I am glad to meet you. Tom began bringing homes flowers once a fortnight since he's met you and says what you told him to explain he wishes to express his love with flowers."

"It's just a small thing that busy men tend to forget."

"How right you are. Some of the wives of Senators I associate with have been talking about you and I guess I have too."

"I'm sure I've done nothing wrong."

"It's not that dear. It's just that no one so young has ever come on to staff within parliament and made such an impact. You haven't achieved any feats; it's just that you appear to have significant impact on anyone who bothers to give you a few minutes of their time."

"Oh god, what an epitaph: 'She talked, they listened and were duly impressed.' May I ask Mrs Richards do you believe I'll work for Rodney?"

"Yes."

"And why is that?"

"Because Tom believes in you and believes you will and that's sufficient for me."

Jade said, "All this is putting undue influence on Rodney. We believe he should hire a seasoned communications manager. I think it's strange that no one has announced they will stand for election to Tom's seat since he announced his retirement last Friday."

"There will be only two contenders Jade."

"Kate if I may say so, you are not old or experienced enough to know how politics work around here. There will be a scrap between five or six parliamentarians to become one of the two candidates for the election run-off to be chosen for the seat by the sitting Senators."

Kate said nothing and at last was given champagne. She was thirsty and had listened to enough chat. The others declined a second drink but Kate said yes please and she saw Rodney grinning. Well it was beautiful French champagne.

They were seated having lunch when Hope sitting opposite Kate called, "Wakey, wakey Kate."

Kate who was sitting upright and very still made no response.

"Leave her," said the hostess. "Kate has had three glasses of champagne and obviously can't take strong drink.

Kate stirred and said she'd like a red wine.

"I suggest you check your phone messages Rodney."

"Why?"

"This has never happened to me before. I just appeared to lapse into a trance, slowly thank goodness as it would be an awful thing to happen if I was driving and it came on quickly."

"The only thing that happened quickly was the manner in which you drank that champagne."

"I apologize for my lack of social grace Jade. But the champagne was the best I've ever tasted."

"Oh thank you darling," Jade said. "Do as you Kate says Rodders. She may just have had one of her dreams."

Rodney left the table and stood checking for messages and cried, "Omigod."

"What?" called his mother.

"Ninety minutes ago Linda Ross called a media news conference to make a special announcement. A later message says she's decided to join the race for Tom Richards' seat in the Senate."

"Omigod," Jade said, placing her hand on Kate's arm and saying, "I'm sorry dear. Oh god Philip, we must mobilize."

"Oh don't panic guys. Jade you call TV2, identify yourself to the news editor and say Linda Ross and anyone else will be wasting their time contesting the seat because it's ordained your son will win the seat. You'll be asked who has ordained it will happen and you say Senator Tom Richards."

"Is that okay Tom?"

"Yes Jade. Just do what Kate says. Kate sit alongside Jade as she makes the call. And you've made a good call to suggest TV2 Kate. It's the only TV station likely to break its program with Jade's statement as a newsflash. Let the fight to win begin."

"Philip pen and paper please," Kate said. "I'll write down what Jade should say. Rodney turn your phone on and when someone from TV2 calls you just say, "Yes I confirm what my mother has let out of the bag and at this stage that's all you wish to say. You must say what my mother has let out of the bag otherwise people will think your mother tells you what to do and that's not a good look for a politician."

"I really don't know if I should do this Kate. It's so unusual."

"Good at least you understand that. This is strategy Rodney to make you the front-runner."

Jade made her statement perfectly after being warned it would be recorded and within two minutes Rodney's phone rang and he made his statement and when asked would he make his proposed candidature a formal announcement on the News at 6:00 he looked at Kate instead of his mother and agreed to do that.

Kate said, "Rodney please call the Senate Admin Office and formerly deliver your intention to stand for selection right now. You must not miff the administrators if you wish to increase your popularity."

He spoke to the Chief Administrator who congratulated him and welcomed being consulted so early.

Tom said it was a month before the closing of nominations of candidacy with the election to follow two days later. "You have a month to play your campaign and deal with potshots from Linda. Will you hire Kate?"

"Hell yes, you are on my election team as from today Kate. Resign from Tom's employment Monday."

Jade hugged Kate and apologized for not being a believer.

"Jade that's fine. I sometimes had difficulty in believing what I can come up with myself."

Quite a party got underway and when the boat docked, Jade and Hope had to be supported by their husbands when walking down the pier to their vehicles. Both men believed they were fit enough to drive and checked out satisfactory in the alcohol breath analyzer installed in Tom's SUV.

When the skipper and his assistant left, leaving it to Rodney to set the alarm and lock up, he continued finding out about Kate and informing her of some of the personal things about himself.

He later delivered Kate home and went in to meet her parents. He'd not laid a finger on her apart to kiss her goodbye but Kate was relaxed around that. She didn't have to dream that soon he'd be banging her with gusto to know it would happen. She had a good feeling about him.

That night Kate dreamed she was at Rodney's election headquarters joining in the wake with other supporters at his rather substantial defeat. They'd fought hard but at the end of the day the parliamentarians went for his female rival who had a proven track record of seven more years in parliamentary service than Rodney and was currently Minister of Social Services.

Weeks later that dream came true. Looking tired but accepting defeat graciously when the vote of Senators was announced, Rodney came from the Senate's visitor's viewing area and found Kate waiting for him. He kissed Kate and said, "Marry me" and she hugged him as hard as she could and said, "No not yet but let's live together for a while. You are still dealing with your ghost. I won't marry you until you let go."




Something about Kate



Well that proposal had taken Kate by surprise.

At the party of Rodney's campaign team and his sponsors, Tom took Kate aside and said, "No one is blaming you. I miscalculated the conservatism of the Senators. I became too passionate about the need for change and stupidly thought they would agree with that campaign message. Did you dream of the outcome?"

She said evasively, "Wouldn't I've told you had I done that?"

"Answer the question: did you dream of Rodney's defeat?"

"No," Kate lied expertly.

Kate was disappointed late that evening when Rodney said he'd decided he wasn't ready to live with her.

"That's fine," she said, biting her hip. "I guess this is the end of our association."

"My PA resigned today. She wants to leave work to try to become pregnant. She's under pressure from her husband. The job is yours if you want it."

"Yes please that will be great. I was wondering what to do next."

"I'll be continuing my old ways with women."

"Fine and I'll continue attracting unappealing males."

They laughed.

Rodney then said, "The Prime Minister called to offer commiserations. He then said he will announce shortly that he will be reshuffling his cabinet. He offered me and I accepted the post of Minister of Customs and Bio Security because the leader of our Center Right Party, who is Minister of Agriculture, has demanded another Cabinet posting in return for our party's continuing support of the minority governing party coalition."

"Oooh good for you. That will keep me busy because you'll be on a big learning curve. I predict in six years you will be elected Prime Minister."

"Have you seen that in one of your dreams?"

"No it's just my prediction. I guess you have aspirations in that direction?"

"Um yes. But six years is a long way off."

"You will be required to be experienced before you are elected PM by your colleagues young man. Don't be in such a hurry."

Two days later Kevin Locke, the Prime Minister's adviser on economic affairs, joined Kate who was having late lunch and sitting alone.

"Hi it's Kate isn't it?"

"As if you didn't know."

He grinned. "They all say you are pretty cool."

"And who exactly are they? Are you thinking of dating me?"

Kevin ran a finger inside his shirt collar.

"I have thought about asking Kate but I'm a divorcee."

"Oh and does that have relevance?"

"Um some females think once a loser always a loser."

"According to THEY, you found out your wife was having sex with her brother and you divorced her."

"Oh damn, how the fuck did that get out... oh I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"You know what."

"Yes well you are speaking to me privately and yes I'll date you. I've been thinking I really need a powerfully built man like you."

"But I haven't asked..."

"Kevin do you need to be so pedantic?"

"Um my house tomorrow night at 6:00 with you cooking for us. They say you are a stunning cook."

"I wish THEY would stop poking their noses into my private life. Will THEY get to know you are fucking me?"

Kevin's finger dived under his shirt collar.

"Yes Kate but I guess that is unlikely to worry you."

"Then go back and get the PM's approval. Oh and tell him I've been appointed Rodney Hagen's personal assistant. That will tell the PM we're in the same camp."

"You have great mental horsepower Kate."

"Yeah well if you have the physical horsepower in bed we could have a future together."

"God you are such an inspirational romantic."

Huh?

THE END