In my few months working as Gordon Brown's intern, I never expected David Cameron, of all people, to turn up at the office. But, turn up he did. Just who did he think he was? I fumed. Did he actually expect Gordon to talk to him after the ridiculous way he had spoken to him in Parliament?
Although not blessed with Gordon's dark good looks, Mr Cameron's fair hair and angular features had a different sort of appeal. I noticed his fingers and his unnervingly blue eyes.
"The Prime Minister is very busy at the moment and is away" I told him.
Leaning over my desk, Mr Cameron replied, "Look, I know he's here. Why don't you just send me in?"
"He is really very busy." I insisted.
"In that case, then.." His gaze drifted back to me at this, "I think we can come to some sort of an arrangement."
He smiled, sure of himself. I was silent.
"No wonder the Prime Minister finds you so appealing" he began. "All men appreciate a good woman who knows how to keep her mouth shut. They are so rare nowadays."
"Just because I seem passive to you, Mr Cameron, you may be assured that I am, in fact, not." I told him this plainly.
"I'm sure..." he pronounced. Then, "But Gordon Brown, I mean, come on. What's the appeal?"
"He knows his own mind." I said firmly.
"Ah, but does he know his friend's minds? That, I assure you, remains to be seen." He paused.
"Now, I don't want to seem like a total boor, but please, let me take you out to lunch today. Gordon doesn't have to find out. It'll be our little secret. What do you have to lose? And, of course, it's my treat."
I hesitated. Living in a hand-to-mouth household as a child had taught me to never pass up gifts, food or otherwise, especially as they came so rarely.
But then again, the nerve of the man! I could just as well pay. Maybe not a five-star restaurant, which he was probably thinking, but still. It was the principle of the thing. Yet, I ventured,
"What shall I tell the Prime Minister?"
"Oh, erm, just tell him that you were out having lunch with a friend. Which you will be."
He then turned to leave. I wondered what I'd just done.
A few minutes later, a call came for me. It was a woman I'd never spoken to before.
"This is your friend Lucy. Are you availiable for lunch?"
"But I don't know anyone named Lucy." I insisted.
She spoke insistingly, "You know, Lucy? Your "friend" from primary?"
"Oh."
It became clear to me. This woman was someone from Cameron's office, sent to collect me. I hesitated, then said,