Bill said: ‘Madam President, by waiting you’re giving the Chinese the chance to launch a nuclear first strike.’
‘I know,’ said Pauline.
*
Ting called Kai. Her voice was high-pitched and shaky. ‘What’s happening, Kai?’
He moved away from the stage and spoke quietly. ‘The rebels in Korea dropped a nuclear bomb on Seoul.’
‘I know! We were filming a scene and suddenly all the technicians took off their headsets and left. Work just stopped. I’m on my way home.’
‘You’re not driving yourself, I hope?’ She sounded too upset to drive safely.
‘No, I have a driver. Kai, what does this mean?’
‘We don’t know, but we’re doing all we can to make sure it doesn’t escalate.’
‘I won’t feel safe until I’m with you. What time will you be home?’
Kai hesitated, then told her the truth. ‘I’m not sure I’m going to get home at all tonight.’
‘It’s really bad, isn’t it?’
‘It might be.’
‘I’m going to pick up Mother and bring her to our apartment. You don’t mind, do you?’
‘Of course not.’
‘I just don’t want to be alone tonight,’ said Ting.
*
Pauline took off her clothes in the Lincoln Bedroom and got into the shower. She had a few minutes to freshen up and change: today of all days she could not wear a jeans jacket.
When she got out of the shower Gerry was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing pyjamas and an old-fashioned wool dressing gown.
He said: ‘Are we about to go to war?’
‘Not if I can help it.’ She picked up a towel. Suddenly she felt embarrassed to be naked in front of him. That was odd, after fifteen years of marriage. She told herself not to be so foolish, and began to rub herself dry. She said: ‘You’ve heard of Raven Rock.’
‘A nuclear bunker. Are you planning to go there?’
‘Somewhere similar, but more secret. And yes, we may have to go there today. You and Pippa should be ready.’
‘I’m not going,’ said Gerry.
Pauline knew immediately how the rest of the conversation would go. He was going to tell her that their marriage was over. She was half expecting it, but all the same it hurt. ‘What do you mean?’ she said.
‘I don’t want to go to a nuclear bunker, now or later, with you or without you.’ He stopped and looked at her, as if he had said enough.
Pauline said: ‘You don’t want to be with your wife and daughter if war breaks out?’
‘No.’
She waited, but he did not explain why.
She put on her bra, panties and tights, and felt less uncomfortable.
He was not going to say what needed to be said, so she would have to. ‘I don’t wish to torture you or even cross-examine you,’ she said. ‘Tell me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure you want to be with Amelia Judd.’
A series of emotions crossed his face: first surprise; then curiosity as he wondered how she knew and decided not to ask; then shame that he had deceived her; and finally defiance. He tilted his chin up. ‘You’re right,’ he said.
She voiced her greatest fear. ‘I hope you’re not going to try to take Pippa with you.’
He looked thankful to be asked an easy question. ‘Oh, no.’
For a moment Pauline was so relieved that she could not speak. She looked down and raised a hand to her forehead, hiding her eyes.
Gerry said: ‘I don’t even need to ask Pippa about it, because I know what she’ll say. She’ll want to stay with you.’ He had obviously thought about this and made a decision. ‘A girl needs her mother. I get that, of course.’
‘Thank you for that, anyway.’
She dressed in her most authoritative outfit, a black skirted suit over a silver-grey merino sweater.
Gerry did not leave. He had not finished. He said: ‘I don’t believe you’re innocent.’
That took her by surprise. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ve got someone else. I know you.’
‘It doesn’t really matter now but, for the record, I haven’t had sex with anyone else since we started dating. I’ve thought about it lately, though.’
‘I knew it.’
He wanted to squabble but she was not going to do that. She felt too sad to have an argument. ‘What went wrong, Gerry?’ she said. ‘We used to love each other.’
‘I think all marriages run out of steam sooner or later. The only question is whether the couple stay together out of laziness or split up and try again with other partners.’