“When I look at my peers, when I go to Westminster, I see a government so unbelievably removed from representing our people. The majority are white, middle-aged men who are well educated and have lived their life to become a politician. They haven’t lived the struggles that exist for the people in this country. They haven’t gone through and experienced the broken social care systems, the very systems that are in place to support and keep people safe. The very same social care system that their cuts have crippled. They are arrogant, selfish, and corrupt. And things have got to change. A little girl once told me that there were monsters.”
He seeks me out in the crowd, and our eyes lock.
“And those monsters do terrible things to little children. I used to tell her monsters weren’t real, and I would always protect her. But I let her down, in the worst possible of ways.”
I bow my head, not willing to see his expression, not willing to let him see mine. My body’s hot and clammy, emotions clawing their way through my chest and into my throat.
“I let the monsters in, and I am so truly sorry. And now monsters live in the politicians that are there to protect, who arethere to improve things for people like me, people like you, our children, our children’s children.”
My body is so still, but inside I’m vibrating with rage. How dare he use our story,mystory, to help his political position. I want to stand up and walk out, but I’m glued to the spot, refusing to move.
Refusing to look at the beautiful Owen King, who is now launching his political career to the next level, using me.
Using us.
Was this what Andrews had in his plan?
No, it couldn’t have been. There was no way. Cooper’s reaction was completely natural. He was surprised to see me. Except maybe he is just as much of a lying bastard as the rest of them.
“I’m so fed up with it all. How broken it is. How the politics in this country is so dominated by left and right winged out of touch political parties. So, ladies and gentlemen, that brings me to my announcement. They say I’m making waves because I challenge. I don’t think I’m naturally challenging. But I do hold people accountable, and we’ve lost that in this country. Every interview these people do, they don’t answer questions. They hide behind nonsense, and they point the finger at each other. They comment on what the other party is doing, to misdirect us. Everything, everyone, has an agenda. And to be honest, I’m no different. I have an agenda.”
Of course he fucking does.
“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell you that I am, as of next week going to start a new political party. With the core set of values of integrity, honesty and transparency. I want to remove the politics and go back to basics. I want to do what’s right for the people of this great nation and do it in the right way. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to take blood, sweat and tears, butI am going to continue to make those waves. And Number Ten, I’m a fucking tsunami.”
The crowd roars its appreciation, and Owen literally drops the mic. The clang of it when it hits the stage echoes through the sound system.
Around the room, people are standing, and shouting, and clapping. Owen shakes the man’s hand and shakes hands with people who are in his way as he slowly makes his way back to the table.
I’m watching his every move, how he interacts, how he smiles, how he looks proud and pleased with himself.
Me? Well, I still want to murder him with a fucking butter knife.
“Wow! He did it.” Jules scoots next to me. “He’s going to be our next Prime Minister one day.”
“Hmm,” I say, tapping my lips, watching him.
“Was this the first time you’ve heard him give a speech?”
“Yes. I don’t follow politics. Like Owen says, they are all corrupt, lying arseholes.”
Jules smiles kindly and nods. “Well, he is going to make a change.”
Of course, he bloody is. He’s sitting on a huge bloody conspiracy, and in my eyes, he is as bad as those currently in power. He’s used the information he has, he’s used our childhood, and he’s taken the opportunity that is in front of him to launch his new political party.
They all start off with the best intention in mind. How they will be the change, but the sad truth, is give him a year he will be just as corrupted. And that, I think, makes me sad.
Just how bloody naïve he is.
8
Owen - Age 8
They’reshouting.
It’s bad tonight.
Because of the park.
