The Absent Husband

If Helen didn’t manage to convince them soon, her career in politics would be over before it really began!

- Alison Carter

One of the men in the campaign team came up to Helen’s desk. She thought he might be the head honcho, but she couldn’t be sure. A vast pile of work had landed in front of her as soon as she’d walked in and introductions had been fast and confusing. The man had strolled casually across the room and leaned in towards her, placing one hand on the corner of Helen’s desk.

‘You won’t last,’ he said.

Helen wasn’t sure that she’d heard right.

‘What won’t last?’ she asked, confused.

‘You,’ he repeated.

Helen couldn’t for the life of her remember his name. They all looked a little alike, these campaign team men.

‘You’re not married,’ the man went on, ‘and Frank’s wife can’t have that.’

Helen gathered her thoughts. She had known there would be obstacles to working for a parliamentary candidate and in being the only female among a dozen men.

‘And what makes you think I’m not married?’ she asked.

He fixed his gaze on her hand. Helen moved it behind her back.

‘Are you married?’ she asked, just to say something back, but she reflected immediately that it was probably rather unwise to be mouthy. Helen badly wanted to work in politics, and the Frank Prothero campaign was her first chance – a great chance.

The man looked startled. But they were interrupted – thank goodness! – by the arrival of Frank himself.

‘Mr Prothero in the corridor,’ someone called out.

Helen hadn’t yet met Prothero and she looked towards the door, expecting an imposing presence to sweep in and take over.