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.He was taken into a beautifully proportioned room.The Foreign Secretary stood in front of an Adam fireplace over which hung a portrait of Lord Palmerston."Gould, how kind of you to come at such short notice.I do hope it has not caused you any inconvenience." Platitudes, thought Raymond."I know you are a busy man.Can we get down to the point at issue, Foreign Secretary?" Raymond demanded."Of course," Sir Alec said drily."Forgive me for taking so much of your time." Without a further word, he handed Raymond a file marked "Richard M.HodgeConfidential." "Although members of Parliament are not subject to the Official Secrets Act, I know you will respect the fact that this file is classified." Another bluff, thought Raymond.He flicked back the cover.It was true, exactly as he had suspected: In the six months since he had been jailed, Ricky Hodge had never been formally charged.He turned the page."Rome, child prostitution; Marseilles, narcotics; Paris, black mail"-page after page, ending in Turkey, where Hodge had been found in possession of four pounds of heroin, which he had been selling in small packets on the black market.It was true that he had no criminal record in England, but at only twenty-nine, Ricky Hodge had spent eleven of the last fourteen years in foreign jails.174FIRST AMONG EQUALSRaymond closed the file and could feel the sweat on his forehead.It was some moments before he spoke."I apologize, Foreign Secretary," he said."I have made a fool of myself." "When I was a young man," said Sir Alec, "I made a similar mistake on behalf of a constituent.Ernie Bevin was Foreign Secretary at the time.He could have crucified me in the House with the knowledge he had.Instead he revealed everything over a drink in this room.I sometimes wish the public could see members in their quiet moments as well as in their rowdy ones." Raymond thanked Sir Alec and walked thoughtfully back to the House.When Raymond conducted his next office hours in Leeds North two weeks later he was surprised to see that Mrs.Bloxharn had made an appointment.When he greeted her at the door he was even more surprised, for in place of her shabby clothes and carpet slippers, she was wearing a new polished cotton dress and a shiny pair of squeaky brown leather shoes.She looked as if "Our Blessed Lady" might have to wait a few more years to receive her after all.Raymond motioned her to a seat."I came to thank your wife, Mr.Gould," she said, once she was settled."What for?" asked Raymond puzzled."For sending that nice young man around from Chris-tees.They auctioned Great-Grandma's table for me.I couldn't believe my luck--it fetched fourteen hundred pounds." Raymond was speechless."So it don't matter about the stain on the dress any more.It even made up for having to eat off the floor for three months."During the long hot summer of 1972, clause after clause of the Common Market Bill was voted on, often175FIRST AMONG EQUALSthrough the night.On some occasions, the Government managed majorities of only five or six, but somehow the bill remained intact.Charles would often arrive home at Eaton Square at three in the morning to find Fiona asleep, only to leave again before she had woken.Veterans of the House confirmed they had never experienced any issue so demanding since the Second World War.Then, suddenly, the last vote was taken and the marathon was over.The Common Market Bill was passed through the Commons and on its way to the House of Lords to receive their Lordships' approval.Charles wondered what he would do with all the hours that were suddenly left him in the day.When the bill finally received the "Royal Assent" in October, the Chief Whip held a celebration lunch at the Carlton Club in St.James's to thank all of his team."And in particular, Charles Hampton," he said, raising his glass during an impromptu speech.When the lunch broke up, the Chief Whip offered Charles a tift back to the Commons in his official car.They traveled along Piccadilly, down Haymarket, through Trafalgar Square and into Whitehall.Just as the Commons came into sight, the black Rover turned into Downing Street, as Charles assumed, to drop the Chief Whip at Number 12.But as the car stopped, the Chief Whip said, "The Prime Minister is expecting you in five minutes." "What? Why?" said Charles.it rather well, didn't V" said the -Chief Whip-and headed off toward Number 12.Charles stood alone in front of Number 10 Downing Street.The door was opened by a man in a long black coat."Good afternoon, Mr.Hampton." The Prime Minister saw Charles in his study and, as ever, wasted no time on small talk."Thank you for all the hard work you have put in on the Common Market Bill."176FIRST AMONG EQUALS"It was a tremendous challenge," said Charles, searching for words.As will be your next job," said Mr.Heath."It's time for you to test your skills in another department.I want you to take over as one of the Ministers of State at the Department of Trade and Industry." Charles was speechless
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