‘He’s good with words. He’ll speak well at candidate meetings,’ said Helen. She had the chequebook out and was sorting through a sheaf of letters from charities to determine those they usually supported and how much to give. Pearly played no part in this. Once a year she did it and then it was over, another minor efficiency. It was a common tableau in their marriage — she doing some useful job and at the same time contributing to discussion with Pearly as he laid out his ideas. Often as she prepared a meal he would stand unoccupied beside her and describe his day, or he would come to the edge of the garden as she worked there and share some observation of the world, including his own impact on it.

‘You don’t think I can match him?’ he said. He watched her winnowing the appeal leaflets. Almost all those to do with children fell in the pile to receive support, but he was thinking of his own abilities when on the platform. He could only remember one occasion on which he’d been conspicuously overshadowed, and that was by a television presenter who had come down to front a talent quest. A smart alec who scored a considerable laugh by making a connection between latrine fittings and Pearly’s mayoral chain.

‘I’m just saying he’s no pushover, and he’s been energetic on council. And an effective deputy for you.’

‘I don’t dislike him. If he’d been prepared to wait another term I’d have supported him then myself.’

‘I think we should give more to fewer,’ said Helen, after a pause. Because he had been watching her, Pearly followed the switch of subject.

‘Why’s that?’ he said.

‘Instead of a scattergun approach, I mean. Next year we should decide on four or five causes and give a decent dollop to them and leave the rest.’

‘What do you call a decent amount?’

‘Well, $200, I suppose.’

‘Each?’

‘Of course each,’ she said. ‘Overall it would be much the same. And that’s not thinking of all the raffle tickets you take.’ Dozens in the course of a year. A mayor had to set an example, and so Pearly was a soft touch for every kindergarten, Pilates group and hospice fundraiser.

‘And I’ve won bugger all,’ said Pearly, in a tone of mild surprise rather than bitterness.

‘Anyway, Philip may get the younger voters.’

‘If they vote,’ said Pearly dismissively.

‘They might for him. And what about business backing? He’s a businessman.’

‘I hardly think his bookshop is in the league of Rawleigh and Gates.’

‘Oh, so you’re a tycoon now.’ She smiled.

‘You know what I mean,’ said Pearly.