It might make Ashley relax and give him an opportunity to strike. It’d solve his other problem too.
Win-win.
12 – Soaring in the Polls
Ashley entered her office just after seven-thirty the next morning. Today, she wore a dress that skimmed her figure without stepping into tacky. It was a forest-green with cream polka dots, and she could hardly wait for the press reaction.
“Great news in the latest poll,” Robert said, a spring in his step.
“I heard. Geoffrey rang me,” Ashley said. “We have a fighting chance of winning now.”
“I’ll admit I worried when the party decided you should lead us. I know you’re efficient and capable. It wasn’t that. You’re young compared to other leaders we’ve had in the past. You don’t have the experience of the other candidates.”
“I have experienced advisors,” Ashley countered, having heard these same comments earlier in the week. “I think voters—some at least—are hungry for new ideas or twists on the policies and ideals we’ve counted on before.” She checked the time. “I’d better get moving with the correspondence. I have a full day today.”
“For two weeks.”
Ashley smiled. “I’ll certainly need sleep by the time we get to election day. Fifteen days to go.” She entered her office and set her handbag and laptop near her desk. “Anything interesting in the correspondence?”
“Just the usual. The campaign manager has finalized your itinerary. I’ll print it out for you so you can check it during the drive to the Waikato. Call if you need clarification. I’m going to book airline tickets to Wellington and for your few days in the South Island. Will your fiancé be going with you?”
“Yes. Charge me for Josh’s tickets and expenses. Oh, and print out three extra copies of the itinerary. Nelson and Gerry will want to know what we’re doing during the upcoming weeks.”
“Will do,” Robert said.
Ashley’s hand shook as she reached for the first letter in her pile, but today, nothing loitered there to scare her.
A tap on her door half an hour later announced Josh’s arrival. He filled the doorway. “We’re ready when you are.”
She picked up her handbag and rifled through until she found her bright pink purse. “Can you give my credit card to Robert for me? I’m paying for personal expenses.”
“Sure.”
“Another ten minutes. I won’t be much longer than that,” Ashley promised, and she doubled down on her correspondence pile.
Josh closed the door behind him, confident Ashley was safe since Gerry stood guard outside her office. He prowled over to Robert’s desk, intent on prizing information from the taciturn man.
“Ashley asked me to give you her credit card. She said she needed to pay personal expenses.”
“Yes, for your flights.”
“My flights?” Josh sat on one of the two seats arranged in front of Robert’s desk. “Am I going somewhere?”
“Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. You’ll hire a car from Dunedin and drive to several of the southern towns including Invercargill.”
“Huh.” Although Ashley had mentioned travel, Josh hadn’t understood exactly how much was involved. “Do you attend the meetings and functions?”
“If Ashley needs me. I attended more before you arrived.” Robert raised his head. “Sorry. That sounded as if I resent your presence. I’m not interested in Ashley in that way. We’re friends. Have been for a long time.”
“Are you married?”
Robert hesitated, his gaze falling to his desk before he replied. “Divorced. Dating now.”
Hmm, a touchy subject. Ashley had told him Robert was gay. Perhaps that was it? “Do you live locally or do you fight your way through Auckland traffic every day?”
“I live in Conifer Grove. My place is only ten minutes away, but getting past the motorway on-ramps can be a nightmare, especially with the roadworks.”
“I hear you,” Josh said. “I grew up in Eketahuna. It took me a while to get used to the traffic up here.”
