Image in the water

"When a heart attack brings Simon Russell's premiership to an abrupt and unexpected close, the Tory Party is thrown into disarray. Not only was Russell immensely well liked, but his successor is far from obvious: Roger Courtauld, the Home Secretary, feels it should be him; Joan Freetown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, reckons the job is hers; Peter Makewell, Russell's Foreign Secretary and acting Prime Minister, doesn't mind who it is as long as it isn't him." "But Tory leadership elections have a habit of throwing up an unexpected victor, and this contest is no exception. Joan Freetown looks to be winning, thanks to a ruthless campaign orchestrated by the scheming, ambitious David Alcester, and scurrilous tabloid the Thunder digging up dirt from Courtauld's past. But Conservatives never like newspapers telling them what to do, and rather than accept Freetown's inevitable ascension, Makewell is persuaded to stay on." "Alcester's ambition is anything but dimmed by defeat: he only ever saw supporting Freetown as a stepping-stone towards his own success anyway. It isn't long before he himself is Chancellor, and following an election defeat, Leader of the Opposition. His New England move