Page 105 of Power Moves
‘Apparently your Expenditure Review Committee needs more time to consider the policy proposal.’
‘No, no, no, no, no.’ I shake my head. We are not wasting this photo op with the PM. Not now. Not today. ‘Give me five,’ I say, pulling out my phone and walking to the far end of the quadrangle so I can grovel to Gregory in private.
Seven minutes later, I hang up.
‘Okay we’re back on,’ I announce, striding back to Arabella.
‘How on earth?’
I shrug, slightly embarrassed. ‘I’m a policy nerd. I had a gut feeling they hadn’t checked the carry-forward from the literacy framework underspend, and lo and behold …’
Arabella shakes her head in disbelief. ‘Well, with that news, I feel like it’s going to be a great day.’
I’m about to agree when, abruptly, the air pressure shifts. A cloud floats over the low-lying sun and the shadows darken. I turn, knowing what I’m about to see.
Archie walks up the decades-old university steps and, as always, he’s perfectly calibrated, his boyish charm tempered by his dignified suit and confident stride. He’s a chameleon, I realise. His whole life, he’s let people project their judgements onto him, and rather than calling them out and making them uncomfortable, he’s endured it in silence. He’s letpeople—including me—reduce him to nothing more than a football player, a Tinder bro, a talking head, his dad’s son, his mum’s son.
Since I’ve known him, I’ve tried to pigeonhole him and label him. I thought if I could define him neatly, he would finally make sense to me, but that’s impossible. He’s complex, he’s flawed, he’s hilarious, he’s irrational, he’s immature, he’s caring, he’s the smartest guy I know, and he’smy friend. Or at least, he was. Every minute I spent with Archie challenged me, lifted me and, often, inspired me. He made me work harder, race faster, laugh louder, bounce back higher. His strength made me stronger, and, though I never realised it, his caring cushioned me.
He pauses under the sandstone arch and looks back over his shoulder as if he’s waiting for someone. I hear the chime of her laugh before I see the swish of her ponytail, and I almost faint from panic.
It feels like my chest is splitting in half and a cold wind is blowing through the gap.
Archie Cohen is here to interview the Prime Minister. And he’s brought Norwegian Kristina.
CHAPTER 50
‘Excuse me,’ I say to Arabella.
The sun is higher now but in the shadows of the sandstone cloisters, Archie’s eyes are impenetrably dark. His cheeks are freshly shaven. The brown stain on my trousers is momentarily forgotten.
‘Millsy, hi,’ exclaims Kristina, noticing me approach. Her heart-shaped face is beautifully framed by the blonde tendrils escaping her high ponytail. ‘I’m so glad to finally meet you. Archie told me you’d be here. I’ve heard so much about you.’
She smiles and I smile back helplessly.
We’ve never properly met before and, crestfallen, I realise that she’s a person who doesn’t get awkward when there haven’t yet been formal introductions; she skips straight to friendship. Already, I know she’s a much better person than me.
‘Great to meet you too,’ I reply. My face feels numb. ‘Did you come to watch the press conference?’
Kristina laughs before she speaks. ‘Oh no. I hate politics. No, I need to study for exams. Archie suggested I should practise my rooting.’
I almost choke.What?
‘Writing!’ Kristina corrects herself with a smile. ‘I need to improve mywriting. And my pronunciation, evidently.’
‘The library is through the archway and down the stairs,’ says Archie stiffly.
I’m still too rattled to offer anything more than a weak grimace.
As Kristina waves goodbye and strolls towards the library, I call after her, trying to atone for my previous lack of interpersonal skills. ‘The library cafe has good coffee. And they have really good buns,’ I add. ‘Like, literal buns. Jam ones. Not … you know …’
Oh far out. I try not to look at Archie in my periphery.
‘She’s nice,’ I mutter, staring at the grass.
Archie says nothing.
I start nodding, trying to work up the courage to give them my blessing. Not that they need it or want it, but if I do, I might be able to convince myself I have some control over the situation.
