‘I don’t need a morality lecture from you.’
‘So you’re not yet divorced?’
‘No, I put a hold on it.’
‘And if you go back to him, what will happen to the new bride-to-be?’
‘He’ll break it off with her. He’s using her as leverage. He admitted as much.’
‘Then I don’t see you have a choice. Stand your ground and we’re both at the centre of a shitstorm or do as he asks and we’re free.’
‘He doesn’t want me and I don’t want him. He just wants to control me. You haven’t got to where you are today by rolling over and doing what you’re told, have you? So why should I?’
‘Then I’ll ask again, what do you want me to do about it?’
‘Our finances are invested in land he’s purchased and is selling to the Government for the creation of New Towns. I need you to ask one of your colleagues to put pressure on him to rethink his choices at home or risk his contracts.’
Harrison snapped her head back and laughed. ‘And what makes you think I have any level of influence over other departments?’
‘You helped to pull the wool over voters’ eyes and got them to sign up to the Marriage Act. If you can do that, you can do anything.’
‘And if I agree?’
‘I’ll delete the video.’
‘That means nothing when your husband has it too.’
‘I’ll tell him this morning that I’ll go back to him and that I’ll play the dutiful housewife. I’ll make it my only stipulation that he surrenders that recording. He will do just about anything if it means he thinks he’s beaten me.’
‘And what do your Freedom for All compatriots have to say about you using me for your own gain?’
Corrine’s failure to answer was answer enough.
‘They don’t know, do they?’ Harrison laughed. ‘Your ability to be so self-serving would make you a very useful Member of Parliament.’
Corrine looked away like a scolded dog.
‘I will help but it’s not going to happen overnight.’
‘I know that. When, though?’
‘When it happens. There’s a paper and a pen in that top drawer.’ Harrison pointed to a console desk next to the sofa. ‘Write down his name and the name of the company.’
Corrine did as she was asked then made her way to the front door.
‘You know, you and I are not that dissimilar,’ Harrison added. ‘We’ll both screw over anyone who gets in our way to get what we want.’
‘We are nothing alike,’ Corrine snapped.
‘Keep telling yourself that. And, FYI, you were right not to accept the whiskey.’ Harrison poured the contents of her own untouched glass into a plant pot. ‘You’ll hear from me in due course.’
Corrine wanted to leave her with a wounding, parting shot. But her armoury was exhausted. Instead, she made her way out of the building, disappointed in herself for colluding with one enemy to topple the other.
69
Anthony
Anthony was unsure of why he had been summoned to theYoung Citizen Camp project meeting in London. Much of what was being discussed in another disused building he had been driven to had little, if anything, to do with his work. He could only conclude his presence was Hyde’s way of reminding him who was in charge.
