your Act provides that the Federal Government steps in and covers the cost the insurer won’t. Because of the usual terrorism exemptions in the insurance contracts, of course.’
‘Presumably we have a discretion as well,’ said Julie, dryly. ‘As to whether we want to.’
‘Well, of course you do, Minister, but I can’t imagine why—’
‘Ah – thank you for that careful summary, Michaela,’ said Barton. ‘As Federal Minister for Resources I’m with you one hundred per cent. One hundred per cent. And I’m sure Josh as Treasurer will be too, and Energy. Singing from one song sheet there, no question. We need to get those plants up and running again as soon as possible.’
‘You’ve got our agreement there,’ said Michaela. ‘Haven’t they, Robert? She was looking at him. ‘Robert?’
‘What? Oh,’ he said, putting his phone back face down on the table. ‘Sorry. Yes.’ Then he glanced at Michaela and spoke pointedly into the microphone. ‘Especially at the prices the other states are charging for their electricity right now.’ Two could play this game. ‘See what you can do about that.’
‘You give me some arrests,’ said the Minister for Home Affairs, ‘and I’ll give you whatever you want. Can we have your Police Minister on the call now, please?’
‘Sure – oh,’ said Michaela. The light had stopped flashing. ‘He’s gone.’
‘Sorry, chaps,’ the Federal Minister for Resources chimed in. ‘Just had a text from Josh. He’s a bit tied up at the moment, he says. Can we reschedule? Say this afternoon?’
Robert kept his face carefully expressionless, hoping frantically that it meant at least this excruciating conversation would be over, and also that now he could call Colin, which he would do as soon as everyone rang off.
‘Just going to make a phone call,’ he said when they did, smiling at Carl cheerfully. ‘Won’t be a sec.’
He stepped out into the hallway but there was a security detail snoozing at one end. Damn.
‘Um, sorry, Carl, need my bags for a minute,’ he said, as the State Minister for Energy took up deep conversation with Michaela on the white leather couch. ‘Can you tell me which one’s mine?’
‘Oh, sure, Bob – you’re last one down the hall. Think Damo already put your bags in there, mate.’ He grinned and turned back to Michaela.
‘Ah, great, thanks.’
The wood-panelled hallway seemed to go on forever but at last he found the room, and his two matching leather suitcases were in it. The room was tiny and had an awful lavender and white lace bedspread, but it was private. He shut the door and pressed Colin’s speed dial on his phone, praying for reception. Colin answered on the second ring. At the sound of his lover’s chipper Cockney, Robert’s body suffused with warmth.
‘Ahh, darlin’,’ said Colin. ‘Bout fookin’ time I talked to you. How are you?’
‘Oh,’ Robert said, dabbing at his eyes, which had stupidly dampened. ‘All the better for speaking to you. Is everything okay?’
‘Oh yeah, you know – they’re all fookin’ loonie round here and won’t let us go anywhere, but I’ve got me paints so I’m – I’m alright. You?’
‘Oh you know,’ said Robert, passing a hand across his face, ‘out in the middle of nowhere without you, but other than that fine. The Feds have themselves all in a tizzy and demanding arrests, of course, but that’s to be expected. I suppose they think I can just plant evidence or something. Or have someone else do it. Mind you I would have thought that was their department on a Commonwealth crime. Anyway. What’s up?’
‘It’s fantastic though, isn’t it! You must be so excited now that this has happened.’
‘Sorry, what?’
‘Well – I mean, come on, you were telling me about how the fossil fuel mob is such a pain in the arse, always wanting something from you. Now’s your chance!’
‘Um …’
‘Well three of their power plants have been blown up, right? So …’
‘So?’
‘Renewable energy!’
‘Sorry – what?’
‘Oh my darlin’ – finally, you guys can actually lead the world! The technology’s ready, you know it is! You guys have the most amazing solar access on the planet! You could start now – wall to wall solar plants. Oh Robert – I’m going to be so proud of you!’
Robert closed his eyes and exhaled. He loved Colin dearly, but his lover really did know how to get caught up in things.
‘Colin …’
‘Yes? What?’ he said, with an expectant pause.
‘It’s not … it’s not like that. It can’t be.’
‘What? Why not?’ Now there was an edge to his voice. Robert leant back against the wall, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Their views on politics – or the way the world is, as Colin preferred to describe it – were wildly divergent and they had come to unspoken agreement years ago to discuss it as little as possible.
‘Because …’ He didn’t even know where to start. He remembered the image of the four of them sitting out there on the phone to the Federal Ministers, Michaela in her crisp blue suit, and nearly laughed. Solar power. They’d laugh in his face.
‘Because what?’
‘Because it’s never going to happen, that’s why!’
There was a silence, and it was almost as if Colin was there in the room with him, glaring at him.
‘Not without leadership from people in power, no.’
In power, Robert thought. In power.
‘If you’ll excuse the pun, Colin,’ he said, keeping his voice gentle, ‘there’s nothing “in power” about me. And any mention of renewables right now is going to blow up any chance I have of any, just as much as those loonies did. I’m sorry. I can’t.’ For a moment all he could hear was the sound of his own breathing against the receiver, and the sound of muffled voices outside in the kitchen. ‘Colin? Are you still there?’
‘Yeah,’ he said.
‘I’m really sorry. Look, can we talk about something else now? How’s the food there?’
‘The food?’
‘Yeah. Are they ordering in pizza for you? Any alcohol?’
‘Oh. No. No, they’re not. Wow, Robert, I’m sorry. Look, I have to go. They’re … well actually, it’s just that, you know, I was so excited about talking to you about this and now … well now I just feel like shite. Sorry. Not your fault. We’ll talk later, okay?’
Robert
