Another nomination for mayor did come in. A retired history teacher with no community profile and a conviction that the town would be under water within twenty years. A very gaunt man who wore out-of-date, carefully pressed suits when he went out, and played chess on the net during those more numerous nights he stayed in. He talked a great deal about his dead wife and the long-superseded thesis that he’d written on the Land Wars. A born loser who gave lustre to Pearly’s oratorical skill by having none of his own. Pearly treated him with respect, knowing that he wouldn’t succeed and that after this brief appearance at the surface of society he would disappear once more.

Three debates were staged, and the dwindling audiences were an endorsement for Pearly strangely enough, so obvious was his superiority in all matters relating to municipal leadership. In reality it was a one-horse race once Utterspan withdrew, and people knew it. They were already familiar with Pearly’s mantra and had little interest in hearing from a thin, bereaved nonentity. Pearly could tell he had it in the bag, but he didn’t let on of course.

Helen and Pearly hosted a party the evening after the election results were known. Nothing too garish or self-congratulatory. Richie and Natalie, his closest supporters among the councillors and in the business community, Anne and Kylie from the office with their husbands, Esther Hall and her husband, Gumbo and a few other personal friends. Philip and Deidre Utterspan as well, for Pearly held no grudge and took the opportunity to say he wanted Philip to be his deputy for his final term. He had no wish to hinder the Utterspans any more than had been necessary to get his own way. No council staff were present because the appearance of their political impartiality had to be maintained, but Pearly planned on an unofficial shout for them at chambers a few days later. He was known for his generosity to staff, including, in his first term, pushing through a performance salary increment provision.

Pearly enjoyed his party. There were aspects of the mayoralty that were tiresome as well as tiring, and he had learnt that gratitude was surprisingly rare, so he enjoyed the good moments when they came. Esther proposed a toast, and Pearly kept his response short, finishing by producing the mayoral chain and putting it around Helen’s neck as he thanked her for being prepared to run the household and much besides while he was preoccupied with other things. ‘And she’s assuming a considerable role herself. She’s accepted a senior shared nursing position at the hospital starting next year. Maybe I’ll have fewer cooked dinners, but the best of medical attention will continue.’

‘I expect a good deal more help with housework,’ Helen said.

‘I can drive a vacuum cleaner with the best of them,’ Pearly claimed.