‘Love’s young dream,’ Tom said wryly. ‘But, seriously, don’t miss that bloody train tomorrow or all of this hard work will be for nothing.’

‘Five thirty a.m., Willowbury station. I’ll be there.’ The two men shook hands. ‘Thanks, Tom,’ Charlie said quietly, ‘for everything. I know I’ve put you through a lot in the time I’ve been in office here, but I certainly wouldn’t have got this far without you.’

‘Don’t thank me until you’re out of that chamber tomorrow,’ Tom said gruffly, to hide how touched he was. ‘And make sure you smash it.’

‘I’ll give it my best shot,’ Charlie replied.

Tom bade goodnight to Holly, repeating his warnings not to stay up too late, and once more they were alone, barring Arthur, who strolled through, demanding his bedtime treats.

‘Right,’ Holly said. ‘You heard your agent. You’d best get back home, since you don’t have any spare suits here, and I’m certainly not going to iron you a shirt.’

‘Yes, Ma’am!’ Lingering at the door to Holly’s flat, Charlie kissed her, long and deep.

‘Break a leg,’ Holly murmured as they broke apart. ‘And see you when you come home.’

‘I’m counting on it,’ Charlie pulled her close in a tight hug before wandering out to her doorstep. ‘I do love you, you know.’

‘I know.’ Watching Charlie leave, Holly was filled with a mixture of hope and heartbreak. This was a massive step for the campaign, and having Charlie back on board was a huge bonus, but as he left, all she could thing about was tiny little Harry, who had come home from hospital yesterday morning, much better but still fighting the disease that wanted to steal his lungs. ‘Please God, make this happen,’ she was shocked to hear herself saying out loud, to the moon and the waking stars. She’d never been a churchgoer, but just for a moment she wanted to believe that someone out there was watching over Harry, and keeping him safe.

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