‘Could do. He’d have more support than anybody else I can think of.’ Utterspan owned a bookshop and was a bit of a greenie, popular with younger people and very involved in the community. ‘He’s in more bloody organisations than you can shake a stick at,’ said Pearly.

‘How much younger is he?’

‘I dunno. Maybe early fifties.’

‘He always wears corduroy jackets.’

‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ Pearly asked. He put his watch on the bedside table and lay down on his back in bed. When ready for sleep he would turn on his side.

‘I’m just saying. He’s a good conversationalist. He listens and responds. I quite like him. At functions he doesn’t just stand around with the guys. Deidre’s pleasant enough too.’

‘He’s not much of a businessman,’ said Pearly. ‘I know for a fact he’s got a hefty mortgage, but he does take being a councillor seriously. He reads all his papers, and that’s more than some do, and he’s open to reason. Speaks well in public even off the cuff.’ Pearly knew to give others their due.

‘If he does stand, will you still go ahead?’

‘I’d have to sound people out,’ Pearly said. ‘Anyway, are you okay with it now that you’ve got the nursing certification thing going on with the poly?’

‘That’s fine.’

‘But then you’ll be looking for a job, won’t you?’

‘Probably just part-time. In the beginning anyway.’

‘I don’t want my responsibilities to stop you doing anything. You’re a damn good nurse.’

‘Don’t be histrionic, Pearly,’ Helen said. He’d made her smile, and she reached over and pushed his shoulder. ‘You’re not prime minister, just a tin-pot small-town part-time mayor. I think you can do that with a wife who works. A lot of mayors do.’

‘I guess so,’ he said, recognising both her reassurance and the puncturing of his pomposity.