"My god, that man is unbelievable." Daisy threw her notebook down on the table. "How on earth does someone like that become the British Foreign Secretary?"
Nadine chuckled gently. "I think that's what the opposition party as well as a large part of the population wonder as well."
"I think the term most commonly associated with him was 'buffoon',"Blake said weighing into the conversation, "that is until Brexit and his appointment. Now I think instead of being amused by his antics, he's generally considered a liability."
"You did very well Ma'am." Daisy said. They'd all been impressed with the Secretary's ability to get their point across about the difficulties of a bi-lateral trade agreement while subtly reminding him that this was their choice and that there was a perfectly good trade agreement already in place between the European Union and the United States.
They'd gathered in the main conference room of the U.S. Embassy which they were using as their main base of operations while they were in London. It was a new building and they'd been given a tour when they arrived. The Secretary was standing at the window looking out over the dark waters of the Thames. It was a grey morning, but her spirits were still bright. She had, what she hoped was going to be, a fun afternoon ahead.
"Right everyone, go have some fun. There's nothing on the schedule until this evening, so go see the sights and try not to get into any trouble." Matt, Daisy and a couple of younger aides didn't need to be asked twice and were headed out the door almost before the Secretary had finished.
"Blake?" The Secretary turned to her assistant.
"All set Ma'am," he replied cryptically.
"Nadine — if you don't have anything else planned, I could use your company this afternoon."
"Of course Ma'am." Nadine said, intrigued. As far as she was aware there was nothing on the Secretary's private schedule for this afternoon. Perhaps the Secretary had arranged a meeting without her knowledge, but that would be very unusual and highly unlikely.
"Right Blake, if you could arrange for the car that would be great and we'll get going."
"Will do Ma'am." Blake picked up the phone to make the call. "They'll be downstairs in a couple of minutes Ma'am."
"Right then, lets get this adventure underway." Elizabeth winked at Blake. "Thanks for your help Blake. Have a good afternoon and we'll see you at the Theatre this evening?"
"Wouldn't miss it Ma'am. I've been trying to get tickets for three years. I can't believe I've had to come to London to see it."
"It wasn't easy to get them, but thankfully sometimes being the Secretary of State has some advantages."
"Have a fun afternoon ladies." Blake said, holding the door open for them.
Throughout this exchange Nadine had remained quiet, confused about what had been planned and surprised that Blake knew more than she did. Nadine had thought those days were over.
It wasn't until Nadine and Elizabeth were in the car and the motorcade was moving that Nadine addressed the Secretary with the unspoken question. "If you don't mind me asking Ma'am, where are we going? Do you have a meeting that I don't know about?"
Elizabeth smiled at Nadine, amused by her confusion. "No Nadine, we're off the clock — we're going on a little sight seeing tour. But first lunch. After all, I promised you a rain check last week."
"And where are we going." Nadine asked. She wasn't expecting this but was excited by the prospect of playing tourist with Elizabeth and she immediately relaxed.
"Well, first stop is The Ivy for lunch." Elizabeth was ridiculously pleased by the beaming smile that spread across Nadine's face. "And not the bar and grill, but the original. We're going to hang out with the ghosts of the West End. As they crossed over Westminster Bridge Nadine pointed towards the Palace of Westminster. She'd spent some time in London in her younger days and was thrilled to be revisiting her old haunts. She couldn't have imagined that she'd be back in London travelling in a motorcade with the woman sitting beside her.
"It's such a shame we can't see Big Ben in all it's glory. It's not quite the same covered in scaffolding, but at least it's still a useful place marker." They turned east, moving closer to their destination and pointed out sights to each other as their cars eased through London traffic.
"It's so cute how excited Blake is about seeing Hamilton tonight." Nadine said, a little excited herself.
"Never mind Blake, I'm bordering on apoplectic with anticipation. I may lose the love of my children, but I don't care. Bring it on." Elizabeth laughed. "All three of them threatened to disown me if I managed to get tickets and not bring them. Apparently the fact that I'm seeing it in London doesn't get me off the hook."
Once seated in a quiet table in the corner they ordered and looked around. "It feels slightly strange to come to The Ivy and ask for a table that is relatively discreet, considering it's probably the place most people come to be seen." Nadine commented looking around the room and seeing quite a few well known faces; but although their initial arrival had caused quite a bit of excitement, most people had gone back to their own conversations.
"And that's the positive as well. They've already forgotten about me and have moved on." Elizabeth looked up as a waiter approached.
"Ladies, your champagne." He put the ice bucket and stand next to the table and opened the bottle pouring a glass for them both.
Nadine watched the bubbles race to the top of their glasses as they were poured, then looked at her companion. "And what's the occasion?" Elizabeth hadn't ordered the champagne when they'd arrived, which Nadine assumed meant that she'd arranged for it in advance.
Elizabeth raised her glass and Nadine did the same. "To enjoying our trip and getting to spend some time together." They clinked glasses and took a sip. "Oh that's good." Elizabeth closed her eyes as the bubbles danced on her tongue. You do realise that we've only spent a few hours together that have been non-work related or out of the office in the entire time we've known each other?"
"I know, it's surreal. It doesn't feel like it though Elizabeth. I think we've come a long way in just a few weeks, but I will admit that as comfortable as the sofa in your office is, this is much more enjoyable."
"And this," Elizabeth indicated towards the waiter who was heading towards their table with two plates, "looks decidedly more appetising than the Chinese take-out I offered you last week."
After a leisurely lunch, they were sharing a cheese board, when Nadine noticed Elizabeth checking her watch.
"Is there somewhere you need to be?" She asked, disappointed at the thought that their afternoon together may be coming to an end.
"There is, but we both need to be there. It's only a few blocks away, but unfortunately diplomatic security won't let us walk, so it's back to the car and then one more quick stop. You still up for it?"
"Oh I'm game. I'm having a wonderful time so far."
Elizabeth had been right, they only travelled a few streets away. Nadine was intrigued as she recognised Covent Garden, and then confused when she found they were pulling up outside the Royal Opera House. Nadine looked at the beautiful classical columns and then turned to Elizabeth, clearly sporting a confused look as Elizabeth chuckled and grabbed her hand.
"Come on Nadine, we've got a date with the Royal Opera House." Before Nadine could respond she'd been pulled out of the car and Elizabeth had led her by the hand towards the main entrance. A man stepped out from the main door to greet them.
"Madam Secretary, Ms Tolliver, welcome to the Royal Opera House. I hope you'll enjoy your afternoon with us." The Chief Executive welcomed them both.
"Thank you so much for having us and allowing us to enjoy such a wonderful experience. We really are very grateful."
"It's our pleasure Ma'am — any friend of Ms Rostoff is a friend of ours." At the mention of Amelia's name, Nadine looked at Elizabeth who tried to look innocent, but the wink she threw at Nadine spoke otherwise.
"I'll leave you in the capable hands of Jane; she's our head tour guide. She'll show you whatever you'd like to see, and no doubt an awful lot more. She's awfully enthusiastic about the Royal Opera House and it's history and she has a little treat in store for you that I think that you're aware of Madam Secretary?"
"I am indeed, but let's keep it a secret from Ms Tolliver for just a little bit longer shall we?"
Nadine was amazed. She was about to go on a tour of the Royal Opera House with Elizabeth and she hadn't had to plan a thing. Apparently Elizabeth and Amelia had been in cahoots. She'd figure out how she felt about that later. In the meantime she planned on savouring the experience.
Jane led them through a maze of corridors, pointing out various points of interest. She was engaging and knowledgeable and they found themselves being led seamlessly throughout the back stage area and into the bowels of the building, through the various departments: orchestral, production design, costume, make-up and props. It was sometime before there was a pause long enough for Nadine to ask Elizabeth the question that had been at the back of her mind the entire tour. "Amelia?" She asked, touching Elizabeth's elbow to get her attention. Elizabeth took her hand and fed it through the crook of her elbow so that they were walking arm in arm.
"Well, I only managed a quick chat with her, but I must say, I think that she and Blake have been getting on like a house on fire."
"Oh boy," Nadine laughed. "The idea of those two conspiring scares me."
After more than an hour of wandering around the building they finally reached the part of the building that Nadine had been looking forward to seeing the most; the Royal Ballet's rehearsal rooms.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but the corps didn't have any rehearsals scheduled for today, but we can at least have a look at the rehearsal rooms to give you an idea of what to picture." Jane said, looking at a clearly disappointed Nadine.
"Oh, what a shame." Elizabeth said, squeezing Nadine's hand, "I'm really sorry Nadine, I hadn't realised they didn't rehearse every day, I should have checked."
"It's fine Elizabeth. This has been so wonderful just as it is."
"There's one last stop to make ladies. If you'll follow me, we can head up to the auditorium. As you may know, the current theatre is the third theatre built on this site. The previous two were destroyed by fire. The current theatre with its classical facade was opened in 1858 and in 1898 it was renamed the Royal Opera House. The theatre underwent a substantial renovation in the late nineteen nineties and this is how you find it today. I thought I'd take you into the dress circle and let you have a seat there and soak up the atmosphere if you'd like."
"That would be great Jane, we'd enjoy that. And thank you for taking such good care of us." Elizabeth said.
Jane showed them to the two central seats in the front row of the dress circle and they sat in silence as they took in their surroundings. Elizabeth sighed.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Nadine said. The colours, the gold, the eggshell blue in the ceiling, the curves of the balconies all contrasting with the crimson seats and stage curtain. It's so rich and luscious. It's one of the most beautiful auditoriums I've seen."
"I'm sorry we weren't able to see a rehearsal Nadine."
"Elizabeth, this has been the most wonderful surprise, it really has. I've loved every moment of it." Nadine turned away from the Royal crest on top of the proscenium arch when she noticed Elizabeth turning around and nodding to Jane; Nadine hadn't noticed that she was still at the entrance closest to them.
"Well, hopefully this will make up for it." Elizabeth said, as the auditorium lights dimmed. There was a brief moment of darkness and then Nadine gasped as the gold fringed crimson curtain began to rise and the familiar strains of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake filled the auditorium. Elizabeth recognised it immediately. She hadn't know what the corps de ballet would perform, but as soon as the music began she recognised it as the Danse des Petits Cygnes, or as Mrs Sylvester had referred to it when she was a child, the Dance of the Little Swans. As four ballerinas began the iconic dance, Elizabeth felt Nadine's hand grasp hers. It was the most beautiful moment. Elizabeth had been overwhelmed by the afternoon anyway, but being able to share this experience with Nadine, who still had a tight grip on her hand, made it so much more meaningful.
As their claps and cheers echoed round the auditorium at the end of the dance, the music began again and this time the entire corps de ballet made their way on stage for the entrance of the swans. Nadine grasped Elizabeth's hand again as soon as she stopped clapping and now her grip tightened and she leaned towards Elizabeth slightly until their shoulders touched.
"Oh Elizabeth."
Elizabeth turned and what she saw was arguably more breathtaking than the sight on stage. Nadine, face alive and enthralled had a tear falling gently down her cheek. Elizabeth smiled and felt her heart constrict at the sight of the woman who'd come to mean so much to her. She reached over and gently wiped away the tear with her thumb. They sat spellbound for the remainder of the dance, lost in the vision before them and their own thoughts, but still united in mutual joy and touch.
When the curtain fell and the lights came up, Nadine grabbed Elizabeth, holding her close and whispered "thank you."
"You're amazing." She said.
Elizabeth tightened her hold on Nadine. "So are you." She paused before adding "and so were they." She pulled back and wiped another errant tear from Nadine's face. "I think we might be expected. How do you feel about meeting the corps de ballet?"
A very un-Nadine like squeal was her answer and they left their seats and made their way towards Jane who was waiting to take them to the stage.
Nadine hadn't said much since leaving the Royal Opera House. She's been engaged and unreserved with the ballerinas and they'd been thrilled to be talking to someone as knowledgeable as Nadine. But since they'd left she'd been very quiet.
"Is everything okay Nadine?" Elizabeth said, worried about what was going through Nadine's head. They were back at the hotel and in the elevator taking them to their rooms. Elizabeth had wondered if she had been so quiet because she was uncomfortable talking with an a couple of agents in such close proximity.
Nadine didn't answer immediately, but when she did, she turned to face Elizabeth and took both her hands in hers. "Elizabeth, this has been arguably one of the most special experiences I've had in my life." Elizabeth was relieved. She was about to play it down when Nadine continued, "and it wasn't just the experience. It was that I got to share it with you. Thank you for including me."
"Nadine." Elizabeth interrupted her needing to be honest with her friend and disabuse her of her mistaken understanding of the afternoon. "This wasn't something I organised for myself that I thought you might enjoy as well. I arranged this specifically for you. I wanted to do this for you. Yes, I wanted to share it with you, but today was yours."
Elizabeth looked at Nadine; she couldn't tell what was going through her head. They arrived at their floor, and walked slowly towards their respective rooms with the agents back in their usual protective formation giving them more privacy. They walked together but Elizabeth didn't know what to make of Nadine's renewed silence. When they arrived at their doors which were opposite each other, Nadine hesitated.
"Elizabeth. I'm touched you did this for me. To be honest, I'm a little overwhelmed, but I want you to know how much it means to me. It's been a long time since I've been the object of something this special."
Sensing a sudden vulnerability in Nadine that she'd never seen before, Elizabeth hugged her. "You, my friend, are worth it and rather selfishly, it gave me immense pleasure to be able to so this for you. I'm so glad you enjoyed it."
"Hey, why don't you change quickly and I'll order us some nibbles and drinks to keep us going until tonight." Elizabeth said not wanting Nadine to be alone if she was feeling vulnerable. "Come across when you're ready and then we can meet up with the others before heading to the theatre." Checking her watch, she confirmed, "come across in about half an hour and then we'll have some time before we leave." Not getting an immediate response, Elizabeth thought she may be pushing, but then Nadine brightened.
"I can do half an hour. That's the one thing public service teaches you…a quick turn around. See you soon."
Nadine shut her bedroom door sighing as she leant against it. What a day it had been. She reached into her bag to retrieve her cell phone and noticed a number of missed texts. Checking more closely she noticed one from Amelia. All it said was 'call me,' and Nadine could almost hear the satisfied smirk in those two short words. She'd shower before calling. She expected that she'd need a little refreshing before Amelia's onslaught.