“I need to speak to you urgently sir”
“Don't tell me there's another catastrophe somewhere in the world - just as I'm about to make my speech to the party delegates”.
“No sir, but there's a young man who says he wants to speak to you and says is very important”.
Well surely you've found out what it's about”.
“He says its personal sir; something to do with your time at Cambridge University”.
“Cambridge? Better ask him to come up but stay in the adjoining room in case you are needed. Is Blake on duty outside the room?”
“Yes sir”.
A tall young man with blonde hair and blue eyes was led into the room by James Horrocks. The Prime Minister gestured with his hand to a seat for the young man and with a nod for his personal secretary to leave the room.
“Well young man, better introduce yourself and be pretty quick about whatever it is as I'm on a very tight schedule”.
“My name is Jonathan Pearce. My mother is Mary Pearce and I have a twin sister Maryanne”.
“You told my private secretary it was something to do with Cambridge”.
“Yes, well….I understand you had a relationship with my mother when you were both students at Cambridge. My mother left University in her final year and you lost contact”.
The Prime Minister stroked his chin and stared into space before replying.
“Yes, I do recall I had a friend called Mary but her surname I'm sure wasn't Pearce”.
“No, it was Redford, her married name is Pearce”.
“Okay, come to the point - I really am running out of time”.
Jonathan stood up and moved to the window where he looked down on to the promenade.
“My mother is in St. Stephen's Hospice in Mitcham and has only days to live. John Pearce is not our father. My mother would never tell us the name of our father but yesterday she broke her silence and named you”.
The Prime Minister was visibly taken aback by the news and called for Horrocks to come into the room. He quickly explained the circumstances for the young man's visit and looking at his wrist watch explained to Jonathan he had to leave immediately for the party conference and asked him to give Horrocks his name and address so that he could make contact. After a shake of hands he left the room and entered the en suite where he grasped the basin and trembled.
All sorts of thoughts flooded through his mind - what a heyday the tabloids and media would have - how would the news affect his wife and children and he was intending to announce the date of the General Election during his speech to the delegates. Staring at himself in the mirror he wanted to believe it was a mistake and it was just a coincidence the boy had blonde hair and blue eyes the same as himself. It could be a set up. He splashed his face with cold water and re-entered the now vacant room. After a few minutes Horrocks returned and advised the car was ready.
During the drive to the conference hall Horrocks explained he had asked Jonathan not to speak to anyone, allowing them time to corroborate the boy's story.
On arrival the Prime Minister was ushered into a private reception room where his wife, Gloria, was already waiting. He gave her a light kiss.
“I was beginning to get worried, you're cutting it fine”.
“A quick glass of water and we'll make our entrance. How was your visit to the children's ward?”
As they entered the vast hall they were greeted by loud cheers and applause. The Prime Minister proceeded to the stage to join members of the Cabinet as his wife took her reserved seat in the auditorium.
The speeches were well received and there was great anticipation the date of the General Election would be announced by the Prime Minister during his speech. As he moved towards the podium he had sharp pains and clutching his chest collapsed. The delegates were dumbstruck and his colleagues rushed to his aide.
Outside St. Mary's Hospital the TV crews and journalists waited anxiously for news. At midnight a bulletin was posted advising the Prime Minister had suffered a heart attack and was critical. There was frenzy as the news was received and relayed.
Horrocks had left the bedside vigil at the hospital and was putting together the dossier on Mary Pearce and her twins, Jonathan and Maryanne when his 'phone rang and he received the news Mary Pearce had died that evening of heart failure. His phone rang again some minutes later and as he replaced the receiver his eyes filled with tears - the Prime Minister was dead.
The next morning Horrocks telephoned Jonathan and offered sympathy at the loss of his mother and advised following the death of the Prime Minister the question of paternity was now considered closed.
