Chapter 15

When Willow and Marian went into the apartment, Garry was sitting with the TV on. He got up gave Willow a hug and a kiss, and then hugged Marian.

“I expect that you’ve eaten already. I had dinner here, so why don’t I grab a bottle out of the kitchen, and you can relax for a little while.”

The girls sat down while he went to get a bottle and some glasses. After they had all taken a sip, he looked at Willow.

“So, what great feats of governance have you achieved today?”

“I took Marian to Red Wolf and then to Watford, to see what we have at out fingertips to work with. We have an appointment on Monday to talk about the Variety Performance, and Marian has a big list for us, which will take us through the next few weeks.”

“What about Friday?”

“We’re going up to Leicester to show her the studio, and to talk to the Alliance people. I’ll try to talk to the council while we’re there. School’s not back yet, so I won’t go to see them. We have the official swearing in during the afternoon, so we’ll have to get back for that.”

“You have the weekend off?”

“At the moment, yes. Marian, do you want to stay here, or go to Brighton?”

“If I can, I’ll get Ken to come up for Friday and Saturday night. I’ve got a dress that he can bring me for Monday, and there’s a few other things that would be good to have. It will let him know where to come to.”

“All right. When you call him, tell him to park in Foley Street to drop the things, and your Angie, off. I’ll give him a card for the parking station, so that your car is secure and under cover. He can hang on to it for future times. We’ve picked up an extra six spaces to add to the two that came with the apartments.”

“That’s great! We’ll take Angie to see a few things over the two days. It will be good to come down from the high that I’m on now. It’s a whole new, and different world that you’ve been living.”

“It just creeps up on you. When I was at school, we just did one thing after another, and we were suddenly on huge stages, in front of tens of thousands. The rush was enough to make you want to do it again and again. The last tour, with ‘Garreth’ was enough to wear you out. We went around the world over nearly two years, with only a few weeks off, every now and then.”

“But seeing all those places, that would be good.”

“Mostly, we saw the airport, the hotel, the stage and back to the airport. Whenever we saw other things, it was usually with a bunch of cameramen. That’s not a leisurely holiday. That’s one of the reasons we jumped at the chance of buying Red Wolf.”

Marian went upstairs to call her husband, and the Randalls watched yet another program about the ancient wonders of Egypt before going to bed. The next day was Marians’ first morning of a breakfast in the restaurant before going to work. When the car arrived for them, the security detail introduced herself as Elaine. She was dressed in a good pant suit, with a loose jacket, the same style that Peter wore. Willow gave Morrie the address in Leicester, and they chatted as they went north.

Willow had phoned the Alliance woman at breakfast and had arranged to meet them when she was there visiting the studio. She guessed that they would have seen the papers regarding the election results. When they arrived at the site, there were several cars parked, and the Alliance crew came out to welcome them as they got out of their car, Elaine being very wary.

“Good morning, Willow, congratulations on your election win. What can we help you with? The mayoress is coming to say hello, soon.”

“I’m here to show my companion the studio, but when the mayoress arrives, send her in. My friend here is Marian. She is the member for Brighton and had been allocated to help us out in the Ministry of Culture, Media, and Sport. I’ve been made the Under Secretary to the Minister.”

“So, you’ll be having some say in a lot of what we do? Like funding?”

“That’s right. We do have a big list of duties already. We’ll be at Clarence House, on Monday, to sort out the Variety Performance.”

“You’ll be meeting the King?”

“Not sure, yet, but we need to know who they want on stage.”

“Oh, my! You’ll be a good person to know.”

“I thought I was, already.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Look, I know what you mean, and you know what I can do for you, and the Alliance. It makes no difference to the running of this site, but, if there’s any hint of a visit to the area, I’ll do my best to see that you get a chance to be visited.”

“Thank you, Willow. You’ve always been good to us.”

They went back into their office and Willow led the others into the long shed. Elaine walked beside her.

“That was slick. How much pull do those ladies have?”

“They are in contact with every school, drama group, theatre and dance school in Leicester and the surrounds. Now, this studio had been the main rehearsal studio for the English National Opera for a few years, now transferred to Watford. Come on in and meet the crew.”

She guided them in and the other three were speechless as they looked at the awards and pictures on the two walls. Willow let them take it all in.

“We had to take some over to the office to put up new ones. Elaine, the others have seen Watford, which is twice the size of this studio. Come on through to the control room.”

It was quiet when they went in. Willow looked through into the studio to see a couple of cars with a group of people milling around. A teenager turned around as they walked in.

“Good morning, Willow. I’m Ben, and I’ve taken over here. The others are sorting out the take for a commercial. They’ll be doing the speaking to a backing track when they’ve decided on what they really want to say. When we played back what they had in the script, it sounded false. What can we do for you today?”

“This is just a quick visit, Ben, to show Marian the site. The guy is Morrie, my government driver, and the lady is Elaine, my security detail, today.”

“Yes, I did hear that you were elected as an MP.”

“So was Marian, she won Brighton. Do I see Hugh in there?”

“Yes. He’s a regular now. A stickler for detail and always happy when they get it right. He never has cause to blame us, though.”

“Does any of the team in there have buds?”

“They do.”

“Can you ask one of them to tell Hugh that I’m here, please.”

He switched the mic on and leaned towards it.

“Charlie, can you please tell Mister Kelly that Willow is here.”

They saw one of the team speak to Hugh, who strode towards the door with a smile on his face. He came through the airlock and hugged Willow.

“Willow Randall, MP, no less. I’d ask you what you’re doing here, but it is your property, after all.”

“Just a quick visit, Hugh. You would have heard that I was made the Under Secretary to the Minister. This lady is Marian Johnson, the MP for Brighton, and sharing my office for the next few years. Maude has sent us off to get her acquainted with some of the things that we’ll have access to. Marian, this fine gentleman is Hugh Kelly, the man behind Kelly Industries, and a friend since I was at school.”

Marian went to put her hand out, but Hugh gave her a hug.

“Marian, the longer you’re around Willow, the more you’ll learn. She has one of the brightest minds in the country. I suppose that you’ll be staying in her apartment?”

“I am, sir, and she has been very kind to me since we met, only a couple of days ago.”

“I’ve never seen Willow being unkind to anyone. Are you here for long?”

“No, we have to get back to Whitehall for the ceremony.”

“Pity. Who do I call to make appointments for lunch?”

“Marian has the Batphone, Hugh, and is in charge of getting me from place to place, from Monday on.”

Marian dug in her bag for cards, and Hugh asked for a few to pass on the others. While that was happening, an elegant lady came in. Willow saw her.

“Excuse us, Hugh, this is the Lady Mayoress, and we need to have a chat.”

“All right, Willow. I’ll get back to what we came for, and I’ll be in touch soon. We’ll meet again, Marian.”

He went back into the studio, and Willow guided everyone back into the rest area.

“Madam Mayoress, thank you for coming. I’m here to show Marian the studio, as part of what we have access to over the next few years while we’re in the culture, media and sport office. Marian is the elected member for Brighton and also a newbie to Whitehall, just like me. This is the first place we’ve been to where we can talk about the future. I’ve had a word with the Alliance ladies and have told them our door is open. Marian will give you a card with her contact details. I’m saying that you can call, anytime, if you have any problems.”

“That’s very good of you, Mrs. Randall.”

“I’m Willow, ma-am. Mrs. Randall would have been my mother-in-law; god rest her soul.”

“Alright, Willow. I’m Agatha. Thank you for what you’ve done for our city in the past. The money raised with the charity shows has help a lot, and the money spent by your clients in the studio have kept several businesses going.”

“That’s one thing I wanted to tell you, Agatha. Since we opened up a new studio in Watford, we’ve cut this one back to business hours, but I’m sure that it won’t be long before we have enough bookings to open longer. When you look at the awards on these walls, you’ll see just how many hit albums have been recorded, and I expect that both studios will be flat out by the end of the year. Look, it’s been good to see you, but we do have to head back to London.”

“All right, Willow. Anything you need help with, just give me a call.”

She swapped cards with Marian, shook Willows’ hand, and led them back to the outside. The driver opened the door for Willow, while Elaine opened for Marian, and they all got in. As they left the site, Morrie asked where they were going.

“Back to the office, Morrie. We’ll be there in time for lunch and the ceremony. I think that we’ve done enough this morning.”

Elaine snorted.

“I would think so! You’ve been here an hour and have the mayoress eating out of your hand, not to mention those Alliance ladies. That’s made you probably more powerful here than the sitting member.”

“It’s not power I’m looking for, it’s contacts and links. There will be a time, during the next five years, when what we did today will form into an event which will be easier to manage because of the goodwill. I didn’t go into politics for power, Elaine, I went into it because I’m an artistic director at heart.”

“With anybody else, Willow, I would be thinking that you’re talking BS. With you, and everything I’ve read about you, it sounds sincere. We’ll just have to wait until you’ve been in the job for a few years to see if you remain true.”

They arrived back in London in plenty of time for lunch in the Members Dining room, after which, all the new members from all parties were taken into the House of Commons, where, one by one, they took the Oath of Allegiance while standing by the Despatch Box, in the presence of the Speaker of the House. After that, the Cabinet Members were driven to Buckingham Palace to be approved by the King. Both Willow and Marian accompanied Maude, an old hand at this.

After the official ceremony, there was an informal gathering with the King and Queen talking to them. Willow and Marian were introduced to them as the new members, now part of Maudes’ office. The King took Willows’ hand.

“Last time you were here, I presented you with an OBE for services to the crown. Now you’re here in Parliament. I won’t say that you may be crazy, but it’s a hard job.”

“I know, your Highness. My father has been a Minister for ten years, and I’ve seen how hard the job is. I do have an appointment at Clarence House on Monday to discuss the Variety Performance. My music experience is being used for the organising.”

“Seeing it will be you coming along, why don’t we shift the meeting here. My Secretary will email your office with the new time and entry door. There’ll be someone to bring you up to the private apartment. Most of the family have been fans for years and will want you to sign their albums. We already have a bit of a list of entertainers that we want to see, and you, young Willow, you and Vivienne are on that list. Just an early warning. Actually, my eldest has watched that last big show that you were in and has asked if we could repeat some of it.”

“There are parts that are now impossible to reproduce, sir, because of events since that time, but we could do something for you. We’ll think about it over the weekend.”

When they were back in the office, Marian made the two of them cups of tea, and they sat in their office in silence, both thinking of the afternoon. Marian broke the silence.

“You know, I wondered how we were authorised to be in the House. Now it’s happened. It’s a very slick operation.”

“It would be, Marian, seeing that it’s been done every election for several hundred years.”

“The King spoke to you for a while?”

“He was talking about our meeting on Monday. He’s shifted it to the private apartments in Buck House. There’ll be an email with the new times and the door we need to arrive at.”

“You’re telling me that we’re being met in the inner sanctum?”

“Yes, and he said that there may be a few of the family there, with albums for me to sign.”

Willow looked up as Marian was trying to swallow the mouthful of tea without spraying it over her desk. She managed to swallow it and was breathing hard with a flushed face.

“Are you all right, Marian, I thought you were going to choke.”

“Don’t do that to me again, please. That’s a crazy thought.”

“True as I sit here in the ministers’ offices. He said that the family are fans and he even mentioned that VivWillow is on their list of suitable acts.”

“I’ve seen that big DVD; it was quite popular in Brighton. You could recreate a scene from it, with semi-naked girls dancing around you.”

“Marian, that’s a great idea! The young princes will lap it up, but I don’t think that it would pass the decency test. Keep thinking like that. I’m waiting to see who they want before I start working out the show.”

“Don’t they have an artistic director and a producer that the TV company provide?”

“That may be how it’s been done, but, this year, it’s our show to produce, and I’ve got the experience. In the past, it’s all been separate acts. I’m thinking of something continuous, as long as they don’t overload the show with stand-up comedians.”

She picked up the phone and dialled Red Wolf. When she got through, she asked if there was any news about what the Royal Family would like. Sue said that they had researched and had a preliminary list. Willow gave her the email address to send it to Marians’ computer, after Marian had showed the email address to her on her card.

Five minutes later, the computer beeped, and Marian did a print for them to look at. Sue had, where possible, added the agency that represented the different acts. The bulk of the singers were part of the Red Wolf agency, and there were a few others, mainly comedians, who were with someone else. Marian did another print for herself, and they sat and looked at it.

“You were right. You’re listed, along with Vivianne and that Zara. I see that the Queen likes Lee James. You could do a set with the four of you singing those numbers from the Phantom.”

“It looks as if that charity show is pretty popular with the family, looking at some of the names. We could get Howard and the Blue Note Orchestra. After we’ve spoken to them on Monday, we’ll have a better idea. There are a few here that are now impossible, as I doubt that we could get the Rocks back together, although ‘Garreth’ is a possibility. Ken Stroll is here but is now acting as a female in America. ‘Cauldron’ would be happy to be there, I’m certain. If we get ‘Third Rating’ on stage, we could do some of the old Summer Rose pieces. It all depends on what they want on Monday.”

Before they left, they had a quick meeting with Maude to let her know what was happening. She called to Janice, who came in with a sheet of paper, passing it to Marian.

“This just came through. It’s a new appointment for Monday for Willow. By the looks of it, she’s meeting the family at home. That will be a feather in our cap, Maude.”

“Yes, Willow was just letting me know about it. From what’s been said, our Under Secretary will be performing. That’s more than a feather, that’s almost a headdress.”

Janice had another email that she gave to Marian.

“This is a last-minute request for the Minister to attend an event in Birmingham tomorrow evening. It’s the Midlands Media Club, where the editors of all the newspapers and TV stations in the area meet. This is their annual dinner, and I guess that they were waiting to see who was sitting in the seat before they asked. It’s at Bottega, and it includes a partner.”

Maude smiled.

“That’s one you can take, Willow. It will expose you to a lot of people that you probably already know and will be a good lead in with the media side of our office. I’ve been a couple of times, and they normally put on a good meal. You don’t have to take Garry, as having Marian beside you as your PA is acceptable, especially if they want to ask favours or make suggestions about legislation they don’t like. What do you say?”

“I suppose that it wouldn’t harm, if you want me to be your stand-in. How about you, Marian?”

“Ken is bringing Angie up tonight, but it would be good for him to realise just how invasive this job is. He thinks that I’ll be home every weekend.”

Maude made a note in her daybook.

“All right. You two take the places. Janice, please reply that the Under Secretary will be taking my place as I have a previous engagement. Make sure you tell them that Willow will have her PA with her. Marian, make sure that you have a fresh notebook and a supply of writing equipment. That will go for the meeting on Monday as well. Now, I think it’s a good time to head home.”

Janice went off the reply to the invitation and to call down to the garage to let them know that Maude was on her way. Willow and Marian went into their office to read the two emails and to plan the next few days.

“Look, we need to look good for Saturday night. It says evening wear, so the guys will be in dinner suits and all of us women will be in long dresses. You and I will need to go out and get something new and suitable in the morning. We will also need something good, but businesslike for Monday. I’ve been given a clothing allowance with a debit card and a good balance, so we’ll hit the shops. Now, can you call downstairs and let them know that we’re going home now, and will need transport for tomorrow afternoon and into the early hours. And forewarn them of where the meeting is on Monday morning.”

She went to take a comfort stop and check her lipstick. It had been an interesting day. The two of them went down to the car, and Morrie took them back to the apartment, parking behind Ashleys’ car and putting the card on the dashboard before following his passengers into the restaurant. Carlo greeted them.

“Your parents are downstairs. There’s nobody else in the cellar until eight, so it will be quieter for you. There’s another gentleman with a cute kiddie there as well.”

They went down to the cellar, where Marian was hugged by her husband and daughter. He was introduced to Willow, who smiled and welcomed him to the madness that was her life. Marian and Willow went out and up to the apartment, Ken carrying the two cases that he had brought from Brighton. Elaine followed them up, to check out the living accommodation. Changed, Willow led Elaine back downstairs, telling Elaine that Marian already had the keys. Before they went into the restaurant, Elaine stopped and looked around.

“This is a great place to live, Willow. You’re a lucky woman to have found it. I’ve been listed as your detail on Saturday, with Shelly doing the driving. We’ll also be with you on Monday, as we’ve both been to Buck House before. We’ll stay near the car while you’re taken to see the family. The security there are all serving members of the Regiment, so you’ll be perfectly safe. Tomorrow night we’ll be given something to eat in a side room. We both accompanied Maude before.”

“It’s good that you’ve got the experience, Elaine. This is mostly new to me. I’ve met a lot of interesting people in my time, even royalty when we played in Copenhagen.”

“Yes, I researched that Hugh Kelly this afternoon. That is one very rich man, with a lot of rich friends. That meeting has increased my respect for your growing place in the House.”

“I seem to have people come to me whatever I do. In those days, all I ever wanted to do was to get through school, and to play our music wherever we could.”

They went into the restaurant and down to the cellar. Little Angie was sitting with John, both engrossed in a colouring book. Willow went over to them.

“Hello, little bro, who’s your friend?”

“This is Angie, big sis, she’s staying here for a couple of nights. She’s very good with crayons.”

“Hello, Angie. I’m Willow. I believe that you’re named after my friend Angelina.”

“She’s brilliant, I love dancing to your shows. You’re both my heroes.”

“That’s nice. When we were friends, she called herself Gina. I didn’t know her real name until she went to Italy to play piano.”

“I want to play piano when I grow up.”

“Well, you had better start soon. I wasn’t that much older than you when I started learning on a teeny, little piano that I was given for Christmas. Angelina was taking lessons from the age of eight. When your Mummy and Daddy get back, you’ll have to ask them about that. Playing piano can be good for anything you want to do when you get older. Now, I’m hungry, let’s eat.”

It was another full table that evening, full of chatter and laughter. Ken was taken by the friendship he saw, with the others from the university as included as everyone else. He had never met Theodore and was surprised that he had been remembered. Garry was told about the arrangements for the next day and said that he would go to Marlow to work on songs and see everyone for Sunday breakfast.

That night, Garry and Willow made quiet love, while Marian and Ken were even quieter, with Angie in her small bed in the sitting room. For both Willow and Marian, the next few days would be defining their new place in the world.

Marianne Gregory © 2025