“Tell me something “

“Sure “

“Are you going to write a book about the administration ?”

“Its in the air – Carmen kind of wants to writes a joint book – sort of from both our angles”

“Sounds good “It wouldn’t be a stitch up “

“Shane – someone will – it’s a given that someone will spill some secrets. There is huge interest “

“What about you ? you are the one whose account the world really wants to read “

“I think its something that I will do. “

“With Tina ?”

“Tina’s been offered a fortune to write about her journey from Afghanistan to CNN to the President’s bedroom “

“Will she do it ?”

“I don’t know and I don’t really mind. Tina is a better writer than me “

“So team up “

“There has been too much happening but I do need to start making concrete plans”

“How much longer do you want to stay here ?”

“I get a say in that ?” I say grinning

“Of course you do “

“What time is it ?”

“Half nine “

“How long do you think I need to stay – so I don’t offend anyone ?”

“We have exit strategies “

“You do ?”

“Of course – you say the word and we can come up with lots of different excuses – you feeling unwell, Ella teething, un-named State business “

I look across at Holly who is trying to look around to see what I am doing . There is no way that she doesn’t know that she is being played by my team – that I have given them orders to keep her away from me. That is going to really annoy her – she has her own personal assistants but from what I can remember is that she never let anyone tell her what to do – even if it was for the best reasons in the world. Have I done the right thing here ? should I have faced her myself and laid it down that her attentions are unwelcome ?

This is when I miss Tina – I miss her take on things. I want to talk to her – really I want her back but I know the reality is that she has her own role to carry out in my administration and she does it really well.