AN: Bit of a bridging chapter here, let me know what you think!
Chapter Eleven
With Whitsun now over it was back to business as usual for Ana. Not that she'd had a break, the Prime Minister couldn't take a day off apparently though the decision had been made she could have a two-week honeymoon after her wedding because it would be during Summer Recess. She'd been up since 6am working on her red box, naked under Christian's orders, and of course she'd also worked on old stripy, the blue box with a red stripe which was a confidential briefcase between her and her Private Secretary.
Christian was still snoring, as he always was at this time in the morning. This was Ana's alone time to work and she found it the most productive time of her day because no one interrupted her, things didn't change at the last minute and she didn't have other people needing her attention. When Christian came through at eight am Ana's work was all packed away and Ana was given permission to dress before they shared breakfast together, something so ordinary in a life that had become anything but.
"Did you hear anything back from the wedding dress designer?" Christian asked. Ana had been approached by a designer who wanted to custom make a gown for the Prime Minister's big day.
"No, hoping to hear today." Ana replied, she'd expressed concern about getting a custom gown with the wedding so close and had suggested choosing a dress which could be edited instead. However, a designer had come through and with a few ideas from Ana she'd said it was doable. Though Ana loved the idea of having a gown that would be all hers, it wasn't the most important aspect of the wedding for her.
"Ok. And the Church?"
"No, hoping to hear today." Ana muttered, she was slowly starting to regret the short time frame for the wedding, it was causing a lot of unnecessary added stress to her already stressful world.
After eating they made their way down the ground floor and into the terracotta room, so named due to the colours of the wall, to meet with the Downing Room Staff. Ana would get her briefing and schedule for the day as would Christian and then anything that needed her attention would be brought up before she would get to work again.
"Good morning everyone thank you for being punctual as always." Hugo said taking control of the session. "Now then, Prime Minister I can confirm that Her Majesty The Queen has given special dispensation for you and Mr Grey to marry at either St Pauls or Westminster Abbey. In her personal response to our request she expressed that we were right, because there is no convention for the first marriage of a Prime Minister in office, a new tradition was necessary as you may be the first, but it was unlikely you would be the last." Hugo said before handing the letter to Ana, she slipped it into her file knowing she would look at it in detail later. "So, you two need to choose, preferably today."
"That's easy, the Abbey." Ana replied, St Paul's was where she'd attended the memorial after the Islington Bombing, she didn't want to get married there. Christian said nothing, he didn't really care where the ceremony happened, just that it did happen and that Ana would finally become his wife.
"Ok, Westminster Abbey wedding it is." Hugo smiled, glad to be ticking one item off his list, with the old plans for both Her Majesty's wedding and Prince William's wedding there was at least something to work from for security purposes.
The next half hour was discussions about everything from the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Ana having chosen to reserve only four seats, for herself, Christian and her parents meaning the rest would go into ballot after being given to High Commissioners. Then there was the fact she'd been asked to lead the London Pride Parade in July which she agreed to, it would be another first, a British Prime Minister had never led Pride before, and she'd been asked because of the Transgender Bill they were introducing.
When the meeting was finished Christian and Ana divided ways, Ana going through to Number 11 to meet with the chancellor and the deputy prime minister to discuss the upcoming votes this week, the second reading of the Transgender Bill was expected to be a fraught one.
"So, any news on the wedding?"
"We're getting married in Westminster Abbey." Ana beamed excitedly when she told Emma, she couldn't believe the Queen had given her permission to be married there and it excited her so much.
"That's amazing!" Emma smiled, genuinely happy for her friend.
"There's so much to do before the big day but the Downing Street Team are on it. So, I'm pretty relaxed about that." Ana smiled. "Now, let's talk Transgender Rights, what are we thinking?"
"Well, we have a majority of a hundred and eighty so I'm not to concerned. What I am concerned about is some of the PLP saying transphobic or discriminative things."
"So, what do we do if there are?" The Chancellor asked calmly.
"Refer to the National Executive Committee." Ana replied. "I'm not dealing with it directly, but my recommendation is we refer to the NEC Discipline committee with the recommendation of suspension from the party. If they want to be re-admitted into the party they will have to apologise publicly. We haven't got room for that kind of attitude in our midst." Ana stated firmly, she'd thought long and hard about this and she was not going to change her mind easily on it.
"I have to agree with Ana." Emma said nodding her head and the Chancellor being outnumbered decided to leave it there, it made sense to leave it to the NEC.
"Then we need to decide what we're going to do with the budget, it's coming thick and fast." Ana said. "How is it coming along?"
"I think I'm ready to present it to Cabinet. I'll have it circulated after Wednesday's meeting to give everyone a week to get through it and send me any suggestions."
"Ok." Ana smiled, things were going smoothly so far today, it was what she considered a typical day. "So that's it for this, I will see you both on Wednesday if I don't see you sooner." Ana said rising to her feet, she shook their hands before making her way through the connecting door back to number ten.
It was coffee time, or phone call time, though Ana liked to focus on having her coffee more than thinking about the gargantuan number of phone calls she needed to make over the next hour. From the President of Kenya to the Prime Minister of Australia there were dozens of calls she had to make. Some would be done now and some again later at more agreeable times for those receiving them.
This was when Christian would join her, his own coffee in hand. He loved watching her work and as always took her feet into his lap so he could massage them while she worked. This was him taking care of her, a small act during the day where she could have his attention even when she couldn't give him hers. Her eyes would glow as she'd chat away polite but formal always. She spoke as though she was the Prime Minister, not the Ana that he knew and loved, though when she looked at him her eyes sparkled, and he saw her there. His Ana.
When she was finished, they spent five minutes making out, with Christian getting to fondle Ana through her clothes and make her want him and yearn for him for the rest of the day. It was one of his favourite games to play when he could.
"I love you." She said already heading for the door.
"I love you too." Christian replied sighing, hating that she was always having to rush off somewhere.
Ana was now off to a lunch meeting in Whitehall with the Education Department to see how they were doing coming up with a spending review to make sure schools had equal capital per head. Afterwards she and Christian were going together to view a property that the Mayor of London had taken over with Government funding to open a halfway house for homeless people leaving mental health units. She would be officially opening the house for business after she'd been given a tour of it by the staff. This, she was looking forward to because she had legislation in the works to ensure people in these types of accommodation were considered to have a home allowing them to have an address for the purpose of claiming benefits and getting employment. It was a crazy project in the minds of so many even in her own Party, but she'd worked hard to prove it could work and now she could only pray it would.
The lunch meeting went on and on, Ana thankfully was able to eat a sandwich and some cake before she had to make her excuses, she had other engagements and the Department had been told she would have to leave, after all, it was their fault the meeting ran over. Though, she was happy with the work they were doing to fix the discrepancy that saw schools in the same town getting different spending limits per child.
"Well a joint engagement isn't this a welcome change." Ana teased climbing into the Prime Minister's car. Christian smirked, he was excited to get to do something with her and he'd even put a suit on for the occasion.
"I'm just glad to get your time for more than fifteen minutes for a change." Christian joked back but they both knew there was some honesty in that too.
"I believe it was Thatcher that said being Prime Minister is a lonely job. I guess when you don't have anyone to rely on, a spouse, it's less depressing than when there's someone in your life you love and want to be with but can't. I've spent a lot of time wondering how Blair did it with his children, like did he ever see them?" Ana replied, she had been feeling lonely during her days without Christian, it sometimes felt like the world was conspiring against them having any time together.
"It's a good job I knew what it would mean, otherwise I may have run a mile." Christian joked, he had known if Ana became Prime Minister her work would take far more time than anyone could imagine.
"Your eyes were more open than mine then." Ana sighed, she knew it was going to be heavy work, but she could never have anticipated how much a Prime Minister would have to do in the day, even on weekends and Sundays there was always something needing her attention.
When they rolled to a stop outside the new halfway house, Ana pasted a smile on her face for the cameras. The conversation she and Christian had shared had depressed her as she realised the first few years of their marriage would be spent more apart than together.
"Good afternoon Prime Minister, Mr Grey." The Mayor of London Salik Khatri smiled taking Ana's hand in a firm handshake.
"Good afternoon Mayor." Ana replied politely.
"If you would like to come this way I'll introduce you to the staff and the first residents of the house fondly known as Steele House." Salik smiled while Ana's eyebrows shot towards the heavens, she didn't know until now they'd chosen to name the building after her.
Ana shook everyone's hand who reached for her. As they'd been during the General Election and since, some were star struck, some curtsied as if she was royal, and others acted as though they'd known her all her life. She loved the different personalities she met and what made this one even better was that Christian was right behind her, his hand on the small of her back giving her continuous comfort as he too shook hands politely and gave his knicker-dropping smile. They were a power couple when they were together.
"This is Lloyd Rowlands, he is one of our councillors here, he was homeless and got himself straight, so he has personal experience to share with residents." Dylan the manager of the house introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you." Ana smiled shaking Lloyds hand, he was smiling broadly at her.
"Good to see you again Prime Minister." He said and Ana's eyes widened, he claimed to know her?
"I'm sorry… have we met?" She asked trying to see if anything familiar about him but failing miserably. Of course, she'd met thousands of people over the years being in politics so he could have been someone she'd said hello to on a visit or other.
"Nearly five years ago when I was on the streets of London, an incredible young woman booked me into a hotel, gave me some money and told me to get a haircut and some clothes and then told me to go a mental health unit and tell them I was hearing voices." He explained and the penny dropped for Ana.
"Lloyd!" She gasped and threw her arms around him not caring about the press going wild, their cameras clicking like tap dancers on a stage as they snapped this incredible moment. She pulled back and clutched his cleanly shaven face in her hands, he looked nothing like the poor, miserable and dirty man he'd looked like all those years ago. He looked incredible and no wonder she didn't recognise him, he looked years younger and clean.
"I'm here today because of you Prime Minister." He said while she blinked back the tears in her eyes. "You gave me a chance when no one else did."
"And you turned your life around." Ana beamed, she couldn't believe this was happening, getting to see Lloyd again. Christian interrupted so he could shake Lloyd's hand, he too remembered the homeless veteran Ana had helped all those years before.
"And you Mr Grey, thank you for stopping to talk to me that day. If you hadn't well who knows where I'd have ended up." Lloyd smiled, he was a handsome guy, with a charming smile, and sparkling eyes. Ana couldn't believe the change in him and to know he was now working at the new halfway house was amazing too.
"Are you ready for the tour?" Ana was asked and she nodded but took Lloyd's hand, he was coming too.
Ana and Christian were shown around the old office complex. It had been made into studio apartments with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. It wasn't perfect but it was better than park benches and shop doorways and they were only supposed to be short term until people could be moved on, it was a bridging house from homelessness to home. They weren't big units but they did have enough room for a bed, a couch and a desk and for one person they were bigger than some London apartments. This building was specifically for single men so she didn't have to think about anyone with a family coming to a place like this, which is something the Conservatives tried, saving money by converting old office buildings into apartments and putting families into unsafe shoeboxes.
After seeing around the building Ana was asked to unveil the brass plaque announcing she had opened the building on this day. It was an honour for her, this was something she had been so passionate about because of Lloyd, the homeless man she'd met on the streets of London, what made it all the more special was knowing Lloyd worked here. She was presented with a miniature version of the plaque on a mount and a huge bouquet of flowers too to thank her, from Steele House residents, which almost had her crying again, she didn't want thanks for getting things done but it was always nice to know the work she did was appreciated.
"Ok, I am going to get someone from Downing Street to get in touch with you so you can come over for dinner, I want to hear all about the last few years for you." Ana said as she was saying goodbye to Lloyd, her schedule was tight and she had to go but she wanted to know about Lloyd's journey.
"That would be wonderful Prime Minister." Lloyd smiled before he leant in and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "You are why I'm alive today." He whispered into her ear.
"You did the hard work." Ana replied quietly. "I'll see you soon."
Christian shook Lloyd's hand again before leading Ana to the car, she still had a million and one things to do before the day was over but it was obvious if she wasn't led away, she wouldn't leave.
Back at Downing Street Christian and Ana were able to have a quick dinner together. It was interrupted though by Kate who wanted to talk wedding.
"The invites are going out this week, we need you to make a final decision on the reception venue because they think Whitehall is too close and will be a security issue." Kate explained handing a list of possible venues over to Ana. "Plus, umm we've not yet been able to fill the Abbey as Christian doesn't have any family and your family is small we were wondering what other guests we could consider inviting after the House of Commons, Labour peers, Labour MSPs, Labour AMs and MEPs." Kate cringed, it wasn't easy to tell them they didn't have a full Abbey when it needed to be.
"Have you got any ideas?" Ana asked, not wanting to dwell on it too much.
"No."
"How about the Victims and families of the Islington Bombings and the staff and residents of Steele House." Ana replied and Kate's eyes widened, and she nodded excitedly. "I'm also going to see this charity that works with women who have been trafficked into prostitution, maybe the staff there could be too. Also, the Chesham and Amersham Conservative and Labour Parties."
"And the staff and users of the foodbank Mia works at." Christian stated making Ana nod in agreement.
"Wonderful idea." Kate beamed. "And finally, bridesmaids and flower girls, do you not have any family member who has a young child?"
"No Kate." Ana replied. "Leave it with me and I'll have a think about it ok?"
"You don't have long." Kate replied. "Not if we're going to get the dresses sorted in time and colour scheme needs finalising."
"Ok, just let us have our dinner now please." Ana smiled and Kate gave an apologetic nod before leaving the couple alone again. "Maybe planning a wedding in the craziness of life at Downing Street wasn't the wisest idea we had." Ana teased.
"I know right, but it will be worth it, we will be married." Christian smirked. That was the bottom line for both of them, what was important at the end of it was they would be married. "And we're getting a two-week honeymoon away from all of this."
"I know, I can't wait." Ana beamed.
After dinner it was off to the city centre to the charity that tried to support prostitutes. Ana was horrified to learn that the number of prostitutes in the City was at an all-time high following the last Conservative Government.
"Where we have a serious issue is when the girls are prosecuted for prostitution it becomes nearly impossible to get out. They can't get employment easily with a criminal record, it then becomes a vicious cycle." Rebecca explained as Ana helped back the meal packs to be taken to the prostitutes. "The worst is when they're convicted underage. We have so many young girls who have been forced into the job, trafficked, abused, they get prosecuted and that's it, their whole lives over when in fact they're victims."
"As in, underage girls being convicted for prostitution?" Ana asked horrified, she couldn't believe that happened.
"Yes, some with multiple convictions because once taken in it becomes hard to get out. There's never been anything in place to help these girls when they get caught, they're just taken to court and prosecuted."
"That can't possibly be right." Ana sighed sadly.
"I was twelve when I was trafficked by my step-father, by fifteen I had five convictions for prostitution." Rebecca explained, surprising Ana, she didn't know this lady who did so much to help the girls had been a prostitute herself. "I wasn't even legally old enough to have sex but had sex crimes attached to me."
"That's terrible." Ana replied shocked.
"I can't work with children, I can't work with the elderly. I can't get a clean DBS check. I was a child, I had been forced into the position I was in."
"Rebecca. I don't know if I can help but I think I need to try. I'm going to go back and speak to Cabinet, see about calling a serious case review. I would like to think maybe we can have these convictions of people like you wiped so they don't exist and bring in legislation to protect children who are trafficked." Ana said thinking she had to do something. "It isn't going to happen overnight though, but I promise you I'm going to try." As Ana finished a little girl with dark hair and eyes came skipping into the room with a few bags of Bananas in her arms.
"Oh, Prime Minister, this is my daughter Alice." Rebecca introduced.
"Hello Alice, it's really nice to meet you." Ana smiled.
"Mummy is she the princess lady from the TV?" Alice asked softly making Ana laugh.
"I'm not a princess I'm the Prime Minister." Ana replied. "I work for the Queen, I run the country for her."
"Wow, that's cool. I want to be Prime Minister when I grow up." Alice announced making Ana beam.
"I think you should." Ana chuckled, maybe she would be someone to inspire the next line of female politicians.
When Ana left she emailed Emma straight away to find out what they could do about these old prostitution convictions. Then as she travelled across London, she thought long and hard about the wedding. Kate insisted she needed to have a good-sized bridal party because of the size of the Abbey but she didn't have anyone other than Kate and Hannah in her life that she wanted to ask. Most of her school friends had been killed in the Parliament Square attack, Kate had been her only friend in college she'd stayed in touch with.
She thought of all the children she'd met so far, all the little girls who would be beautiful in little flower girl and bridesmaid dresses. She didn't have anyone like that in her life. As she cast her mind back, a light bulb turned on for her. She could have any little girl in the country if she wanted to. She thought about it, would it be viewed as a publicity stunt? Or was it the right thing to do to ask some of the children she had connected to. There were a couple she could think of she would have liked to ask but whether it was possible and whether they would accept would be another thing. She'd need to talk it over with the Downing Street Staff and see how they would feel about these children being her flower girls and with Kate and Hannah, she'd have her Bridal Party.