For King and Country

King and Country Chapter One- Old Blighty Flight FR228 10:15 pm August 30th Madeleine Highchurch stretched out her long tanned legs and took a sip of her sparkling wine, she was glad to have a private jet. She could not imagine what Terminal 5 looked like this morning and she was glad she never had to deal with that mess again. No, there were definitely perks to being Prime Minister to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Her long dark hair was twisted up into a wave secured with a diamond clip, a few tendrils fell loose around her face sun-bleached to a lighter brunette in the long summer sun. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled more prominent now against her freshly sun-kissed face renewed freckles tinged across her nose and cheeks. Her face was smooth, you never got to see her laugh lines around her eyes she kept that laugh to herself and a few people she could really let her guard down with. She wore a signature satin red lipstick perfectly applied that even out her wide high cheekbones against her small chin.  She lowered her sunglasses revealing a pair of perfectly arched eyebrows as the seatbelt sign flashed off, and she adjusted herself in her seat to make herself more comfortable.   It had been a long summer gallivanting around the world meeting with foreign leaders from different countries she could never turn off being a politician and properly relax, the press had hounded her everywhere, even to the vineyards of Italy where she had nearly secured a lucrative trade deal of prosecco and parmesan. She would have secured it as well, she had been all but a handshake away, but unfortunately, the Italian Prime Minister had an incredibly jealous wife who wouldn't even allow a handshake let alone anything else.  Italy had been wonderful for her stress levels though she had finally had a chance to relax for the first time this summer, tucked away in a Tuscan corner, surrounded by good food and even better wine, it had been marvellous. Madeleine had finally been able to eat carbs without feeling guilty and so much great food, as well, walking through the vineyards and small towns always flanked by bodyguards standing approximately 20 feet from even as she lay on a sunbather with no one to bother her. Madeleine twirled the sparkling wine in one hand, before taking a sip, English wine was good, but it was no substitute for the real thing, to think she could have been celebrating with Prosecco right now! She would have to try again as soon as she got back to No. 10, she would look at the deal from another angle, if she came at it through official channels then the PrimeMinister's wife would be out of the way. Hmm, that was a good idea, she would get on to that straight away. A politician's work was never done. 'I know the Italian trade deal going south was a disappointment to you,' came a deep voice beside her. It was a voice she knew well. A wiry man slid into the seat opposite her, he had a keen, shrewd look in his eyes, he placed his own glass of sparkling wine into the cup holder, it bounced a little as they experience some turbulence.  'Matthew,' Madeleine addressed him, 'I am not 'disappointed' about the deal, because it is not done yet.' Matthew stroked his salt-and-pepper beard, he had a weather-beaten face, indicating a past life as a manual worker or maybe something a bit more covert. His beard was less of a beard and more a cross-hatching of stubble. His smart grey fitted suit was impeccably suited to a man in his career but his dark smile revealed him to be the rogue that he once played. 'That's my girl,' he crowed, 'You're like a dog with a bone, never gonna give up.' Madeleine straightened up,  'That's not the case, I simply won't stand for less than the best, Matt.' she clarified Matthew laughed,  'This Italian deal is the best way forward for our trading relationship, I'm not going to give it up so easily.' 'You sound like such a politician Madeleine' he told her, 'I'll get the Trade Dept. on to it as soon as we land. Oh and I think whatshisname wants to talk to you before we land.' She shot him a smile and took another sip of her wine. Oh! not a good idea. He personal assistant Eric came bumbling over, he collapsed into the seat Matthew had just vacated and dropped several piles of his files. Madeleine had no idea how he managed to remain so organised whilst also seeming in complete disarray, but Eric had been with her since day 1, she had hired him as an intern when she had first started out working as a junior in the Department of Welfare and Social Services. Wherever she went Eric would be there as well, she knew as well as he didn't that behind every power woman was someone running their diary. 'What's the matter, Eric?' Madeleine asked him this question about four times a day. 'Your polling, do you know you are down 0.55%?'  'No, I didn't Eric.' she answered calmly, 'That's your job.' Eric shot her a sour look. 'I've got a few fluff events to prop up your ratings until we can get to the bottom of what has happened. Honestly. I think it is just things averaging out, you've been riding too high for too long people get suspicious they think no one can be that good.' 'Schedule in some fluff, I'll kiss a baby, hold a puppy, as long as it doesn't conflict with anything, you know my rules.' 'I know. I know.' Eric said flicking over a page. 'You do know what would solve some of your rating issues though?' 'Don't say it, Eric.' 'Getting married..' 'I told you not to say it, Eric.' Madeleine warned him 'I have a list of perfectly good bachelors here, I know what you like, and these are audience approved as well. There was even a TV segment who you should marry. The people want it, Madeleine! A wedding would see you through the next election and beyond.' 'I said no Eric, I don't have time to play wife, I have a country to run!'  'This is for the country, the longer you are in power the more good you can do, stop being so stubborn, Madeleine.' 'Eric.' Madeleine said in a voice that held no room for argument. 'Ok, ok.' Eric closed the folder on eligible bachelors, 'You could just date one of them,' he muttered under his breath Madeleine pointedly ignored him 'Is there anything else?' 'I brought some of the press coverage from the summer, I know you like to keep on top of it.' Madeleine took the iPad Eric handed her and looked through the clippings they were mostly press journalism from French and German tabloids. She didn't mind that she was hounded for her fashion and appearance as well as her politics it was another part of the job, and something she took seriously her image was something she cultivated it brought her a lot of power. Goddammit, she looked good in a jumpsuit and sunglasses, she was rocking that look, it was a shame summer was over, although she did love a power suit.  In fact, she might get a collection of these outfits together and have Eric slip a story of how good she looked on to morning TV, she did love a puff piece about her fashion choices to make her feel good. Especially if she later saw people copying her style, and summer wasn't quite over yet.  Happily, Madeleine flicked past the candid pictures tourist had happened to snap of her by accident until she paused on the last piece Eric had left her with a gif; it was only seconds long but it should her laughing and flipping her hair over her should coquettishly. Madeleine knew immediately where it must have been filmed from the background of a restaurant in Germany where she had been having dinner with several important investors and businessmen. She was furious. Her hands gripped around the iPad tightly and eyes beginning to water.  She had been made to look like some floozy, some naive little teenage b***h flirting her way through a meal. Eric came over and eased the iPad out of her hands. 'Yes.' he said measuredly, 'I was worried about how you would react to that particular one. I assure you it's not as bad as it seems.' Madeliene nearly spat out her wine. 'Not as bad as it seems.' Her fingers nearly crushed the wine glass in her hand. 'Ok, that was a lie.' 'I want it gone. Now.' 'I can't do that. And I won't' Eric said calmly, 'If I somehow managed to get rid of the original, which already has 3.5 million views, there are numerous other versions floating about that would soon re-emerge. It would be an endless cycle.' 'You're not making me any happier, Eric.' 'Look it's a passing thing, it will be gone in a few days, people are already forgetting about it.' 'It's on the internet Eric, nothing is ever forgotten about.' 'You have to let these things go.' he tried to reason. 'Do you know how hard it is to be a woman and a politician especially one that holds any kind of power. It's not easy. Any kind of mark, anything that undermines even just a little, is death for me, it brings me another day closer to losing my job, and to you losing yours. Or worse having to concede on something we don't want to, to save face. It's cruel but it's true. I don't want to do that, Eric.' 'All right, I'll find another way around this ok.' 'Do that.'  'But I think you should see this first,' Eric handed her back the iPad,  Madeleine took it numbly and watched in dumb shock, as a young girl sitting at a green garden patio furniture tossed her hair back and forth saying 'I'm Madeleine Highchurch'. The t****k was only three seconds long. Madeleine had to admit she did a good impression, maybe not of her but of the woman in the gif, the woman Madeleine did not want to be. 'Your name is trending a lot recently.' Eric said, 'You know you can come across as a bit of a b***h, this is a different side of you, you may want to try it out.' 'Eric, do f**k off.' Eric rolled his eyes and took the iPad back switching it over so that he could resume playing sudoku for the rest of the journey.  Madeleine took a sip of wine and looked out of the window over the fields, they were nearly back home. The yellow dust coloured fields lay like a patchwork over the ground far beneath her, as they flew in over Kent. It had been a long dry summer and all of Great Britain and Northern Ireland prayed for rain for the remaining crops.  The wheat in the fields had been harvested and even from up high, Madeliene could see the long patterns of the tractors crisscrossing the fields, this sight that made up the countryside was so familiar to her. Madeleine had never been away from her country for this long before, the trip she had taken had very much been an extended one, with so much to see and do. Now flying back in she felt overwhelmed. When she was away she felt that little old England could very much take care of itself, it had the nerve and resistance not to fall to pieces when she was gone. It kept chugging along, everyone working side by side. However, now that she was back she could see the cracks that needed fixing.  It was up to her and her alone, after all, it was her job, ultimately she was in charge not only for the lives of every man, woman, child and dog but also of their happiness. They had every right to knock on her door and say 'I'm not happy' and what was more disappointing was that sometimes she couldn't make them all happy. But gosh was she going to try first. The flight followed the sandy flats up along the river into central London, the river was low from the lack of rain and dark as they flew over the city. The green and blue water winding them closer to their destination. As they continued to dip below the clouds and the city came into view. Matthew had arranged for the plane to land at an airbase just outside of London, at the same time the UK PM's plane would be landing at Heathrow. He liked every so often to arrange these diversions just to keep everyone on their toes. Frankly, Madeleine just thought they were more work for him, he was the one who had the furthest car ride home from the new landing spot. 'Goodbye Matt,' she said 'See you tomorrow, Prime Minister.' he replied with a wink, making his way to the car. Oh yes, she thought, they weren't on holiday any more. No.10 Downing Street pulled into view with its famous black door shining in the now moonlight, the light glinting off the gold knocker. She was glad to be home surrounding by the staff, and even Larry the cat who was waiting outside the door as she arrived. Madeleine reached down to pet him, but he scampered inside as soon as she saw him. He didn't want to be seen as going soft on a PM. Even Larry had a reputation to upkeep. Madeleine nodded a quick 'hello' at Jim the policeman who stood sentry as she swept inside. Soon, she was quickly divulged of her coat, bag and luggage as she greeted all her staff. 'Welcome home, Ma'am.' 'Thank you. It is good to be back. I trust you've all been well.' There were nods, and 'yes, thank yous' as her staff collectively disappeared to their various jobs and left Madeliene to wander into the sitting room. Her hand paused over the television remote but decided she could leave whatever the news had to say for the morning.  On the coffee table stood a thicker than average brown leather folder. She had embraced this folder every morning that she had got it. It was a summary of all the previous days' events, anything she may have missed, the front pages of all the broadsheet newspapers and much more combined. Madeleine had been away all summer, she had been kept fairly well up to date, but there had been plenty of stuff that she could simply not keep up with whilst she was organising trade deals and negotiating international relations.  Madeleine opened it, a quick peek wouldn't hurt, she shut it again. No. She needed sleep, besides there was nothing she could do whilst the whole of London was sleeping. She needed to get up early tomorrow and deal with things then. After much persuading from both the cook and the housekeeper, she managed to convince them both that she was simply not hungry and all she wanted was a shower and to go to sleep. Eventually, she settled on half a sandwich in case she got hungry in the night and left for bed with a glass of water. Her hair still wet from the shower, Madeleine pulled on her cotton plaid pyjama set. Every time she pulled on the thick pyjamas she remembered what her first security manager had said: if you are going to be kidnapped it will be in the middle of the night, don't be naked. She had taken that advice very much to heart and ordered a lot of full-length twin set pyjamas the very next day, she had even considered buying a Union Flag set but thought that was a bit ridiculous, no one would actually believe the pictures if they saw her in those. Madeleine was just getting into bed as she heard a knock at her bedroom door. Who could that be at this time of night? All the staff knew that she had gone to bed, Madeliene glanced at her security light, it was lit up green so she knew it was working. Maybe it was just the housekeeper offering her a cup of cocoa for the night. She put an ear to the door, she wished the doors weren't so thick in this old house, she couldn't hear anything on the other side. 'Hello?' she asked carefully, pulling the door open just a crack, crossing one arm over herself to support her breasts. She peered out into the corridor.