Philip’s tone was reasonable, even conciliatory, but Pearly knew that he wasn’t unhappy to have the mayor’s pet project become the focus of criticism. Pearly made a mental note not to miss any council meetings before the elections. He didn’t want Philip to occupy the chair and so have procedural influence on discussion and consequent decisions. Philip wore his customary corduroy jacket and rather less usual tan leather shoes. He looked like a polytechnic lecturer from the 1990s. A tuft of hair stood up from his crown, and he had a habit of casting his head back and pausing when he considered he had made a point. Pearly let him run on, and spent the time assessing each councillor in turn regarding loyalty. He decided his own backers still remained a majority. A challenge was on, though, no doubt about that: as an old campaigner, Pearly could scent it in the air.

Consultants’ fees were always an easy target for opponents. Only the recipients liked them, for they were without exception excessive and the resultant reports often of limited benefit. In an age of increasing scrutiny and accountability, however, external professional evaluation was an essential safeguard for council, and the mayor in particular. Pearly didn’t dwell on that in his reply to Utterspan, but stressed the technical nature of much of the port plan and the value of expert advice and comment when seeking government financial support. ‘As to greater public awareness,’ Pearly said, ‘I’ve no doubt this issue will be among those vigorously debated at forthcoming candidate meetings. I must say that attendances at public meetings in the past haven’t indicated any great, unfulfilled thirst for information.’ Pearly paused for effect, then said with a smile towards Philip, ‘Of course your presence and eloquence will perhaps change that.’ Pearly noted those councillors who laughed — and those who didn’t.

‘I’ll beat him one on one,’ Pearly told Helen later at home. ‘He’s a great one for his committees and posters of threatened wildlife habitats, but I’ll take him on concerning solid economic issues like the hospital, the industrial precinct and the port. When it comes down to it, that’s what people are interested in — what they have to pay in rates and what they’re getting for it in return. Wetlands and skate parks are well down the list.’