The Odd Couple

He’s the flamboyant, best-selling novelist and former politician who famously spent two years in jail. She’s the cool chemistry don who miraculously stood by his side. William Langley meets Jeffrey and Mary Archer in their stunning London home.

In the sumptuous surroundings of their famous London apartment, Lord Archer, the best-selling novelist, and his wife, Dame Mary, are seated, knees together, elbow-to-elbow, much as they were on their first date, 56 years ago. They went to see Dr No at a cinema in Oxford, where both were students. Shy, studious Mary had no idea who James Bond was, and didn’t know much more about the young man sitting next to her. The years have taught her a lot, and as the brainier half of one of the most picked-over marriages of modern times, Mary may be the only person who truly understands the boisterous, baffling, bundle of energy that is her husband. “I wouldn’t say I’m surprised that Jeffrey and I are still together, but I am quietly pleased about it,” Mary is saying. “Lots of people I know have very complicated lives, so for us, the simple, if slightly unusual, life we have takes out much of the tension, and that helps us.”

Jeffrey nods appreciatively. He has sold more than 400 million books and been called “the greatest storyteller of our age”, but could also be looked at as one of the greatest stories of our age, being an extraordinary, true-life tale of triumph, disaster, power, scandal, good works and ignominy. Now, at the age of 80, he is newly embarked on a seven-part series of novels, which, he says, with a slight wince, “Obliges me to stay around for a bit longer.”

“I’m sure you will manage it, darling,” says Mary, reassuringly.