Ch 3 - The Result
At long last the polls had closed and now all that remained was for the results to be declared. City Hall's main conference room was packed with candidates, their partners, friends, party activists and, inevitably, representatives of the press. Despite the fatigue of campaigning – felt by all the candidates and their loved ones – there was an air of expectation and anticipation. Woodchester was a three way marginal and this particular election in May 2010 was billed to be somewhat unusual with widespread predictions of a hung parliament.
Brian was at his smartest, sporting a new grey suit for the occasion and navy blue tie to match his the rosette on his lapel. Anne wore the cream blouse he liked to see her in, a favourite brooch, and the blue skirt she'd done so much of her canvassing in. Simply but immaculately turned out, she looked a million dollars. However something deep down told her that all wasn't well. Tired and not a little excited, her mind turned to the conversation she and Brian had had as they'd left their Attleton Market home three hours earlier.
"Annie, have you been to the loo?"
"Yes."
Her "yes" had been a barefaced lie, but one told for the very best of reasons. With a long night still ahead of them they were both tired and she wanted to avoid the row that admitting the truth would have precipitated. They'd been married for long enough and Brian probably knew the truth, but Anne realised there were times when it was expedient to tell him what he wanted to hear, and this was one such occasion.
It wouldn't have mattered if it was simply a question of peeing as a thirty second delay in leaving home would have been neither here nor there. However she didn't need to pee. No, she needed to poo. It was hardly surprising as she'd not moved her bowels since Tuesday morning and it was now the small hours of Friday morning. As so often happened in Anne's case, the desire to defecate hadn't been sudden and it wasn't urgent. No, it had gradually developed from small beginnings with a feeling of slightly more than comfortable fullness down below and, slowly but surely, become a definite pressure on her bowel until the point had been reached when the need to go was unmistakable. Unlike some women who regarded the least sensation of needing to go as anathema and headed for a toilet as soon it was felt, Anne loved the feeling. Not surprisingly she sought every opportunity to savour and enjoy it. As it gradually grew more intense she'd become more turned on and, if privacy allowed, masturbate.
Tonight though there was no such privacy and, well aware that her bowels were getting increasingly full, Anne wished she'd gone on the toilet earlier. She was anxious not to let Brian down on what might well be his big night. Thus far she'd managed to avoid farting, which whilst it would have relieved some pressure, would also have blown her cover – quite literally – and shattered Brian's dream of a wife who smelt as gorgeous as she looked. Clenching her buttocks and hoping the distinct glow on her her forehead wouldn't be taken for the perspiration that it really was, she smiled and did her best to pretend that all was well, even though the reality was somewhat different.
Glancing at the walk clock as she tried to make small talk with Brian's agent, Anne noticed it was nearly two thirty. As the chimes of the cathedral clock rang out, the Returning Officer made his way to the dais at the front of the hall, paper in hand and prepared to deliver the verdict. Hush swept through the hall and the candidates were joined by their respective partners, eager to hear the results. With all the solemnity due to his office and to the occasion, the Returning Officer announced the long awaited results.
"I, Thomas Sparrow, Returning Officer for the Woodchester Borough Constituency, hereby give notice that the total number of votes given for each candidate at the election of Thursday 6th May was as follows. Helen Mary Atherton, Liberal Democrat, seven thousand four hundred and thirty eight. David Edward Barnes, British National Party, two hundred and eighty two. Darren Hugh Davis, Independent, seven hundred and seventy eight. Henry Arthur Dunn, Labour Party, fifteen thousand two hundred and forty two. Clive Alec Fotheringay, United Kingdom Independence Party, five hundred and twenty five. Diane Joyce Garnham, Green Party, three hundred and two. Brian Edgar Selwyn Timpson, Conservative Party, nineteen thousand three hundred and twenty two. And that Brian Edgar Selwyn Timpson has been duly elected to serve as Member of Parliament for the Woodchester Borough Constituency."
Loud cheers rang out and not a few boos too as cameras flashed, eager to capture the new MP's face in readiness for the front page of the Woodchester Mercury. Elated but a little dazed, Brian made his way to the dais to give his acceptance speech. Her mind temporarily distracted from the increasing fullness of her bowels, Anne walked proudly beside him, not fully grasping the implications of what lay ahead but simply thrilled that her husband's dream had become a reality. Although slightly stunned by his victory, Brian wasn't long lost for words and his performance, well rehearsed, was a polished one.
"Ladies and gentleman, it gives me enormous pleasure to stand here as your new Member of Parliament. It is not just a pleasure though but a tremendous responsibility with which I have been entrusted. To quote an old Chinese proverb, we are living in interesting times, and the months, possibly years, which lie ahead will not be easy - whichever party or combination of parties - gets to form the new government. However ours is a great country and Woodchester is a great city with a high performing university, state of the art hospital, glorious medieval cathedral which equals any in the land and, despite the economic downturn, a vibrant commercial centre. All of this is good but I believe that it can be even better. I have long been committed to securing a direct rail link between Woodchester and London. It is my belief that such a link will enhance our economic prosperity and add to the city's attractiveness as a place to live. It is therefore my intention to do everything within my power to make it a reality during my time as your Member of Parliament. To conclude I must thank first of all the other candidates for ensuring that a robust but clean and fair campaign was fought. I do not share their convictions or else I would not be stood here tonight. However they are all people of honour, integrity and deep conviction to which I must pay tribute. Secondly, I must thank those friends, particularly the good people of Woodchester Conservative Association who put their faith in me and, without whose unstinting efforts on the campaign trail, I most certainly would not be stood here tonight. My thanks go to the people of this city who had the courage to vote for change and for something new. Rest assured, I will not let you down. Last but by no means least I must pay tribute to my beautiful long-suffering wife, Anne, without whose love, patience, good humour and hard work I would have stood no chance of ever representing you in parliament."
Applause filled the room. However as Brian left the dais, Anne finally lost the battle to control her bowels as her anal sphincter gave up the fight. Unable to stop if if she'd wanted, she sensed a familiar warmth and muddiness, as well as a gentle crackling sound, as her panties filled with rich brown poo. The smell, her characteristic 'stewed veg' aroma, was overpowering. Before she could react to what was happening a pair of familiar arms tenderly encircled her and she was gently led away to the toilets by Wendy, her old friend.
Escorting her into a cubicle, Wendy closed the door firmly behind her. She had about her the firm but kindly air of someone determined to take charge and who would brook no argument.
"Right Anne. Give me that skirt. At least if we can salvage that it will be something."
Anne obediently did as she was told. It was clear from Wendy's tone that any attempt at protest would be as inadvisable as it was fruitless. Meekly handing her skirt over she decided that some attempt at an apology would be in order.
