“What do you want to do when you are not President anymore?”

“I intend to go back to Virginia and do all the things that I haven’t got time to do at the moment. When I finish my time in the White House Ella will be three and I think she will take up a lot of my time “

“Do you want to have more babies?”

“Yes – the First Lady and I would be very happy if we were lucky enough to have another child. There is plenty of time for that “

“What sort of music do you like?”

“I like the Beatles and The Who and I also singers like Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones. I listened to Joanie Mitchell when I was younger and it may be cheesy but I love Abba”

“I love Abba! “ Amy exclaims almost shocked that Bette has named a group that she likes as well

“This is so bad for her cool cred “ Lucy says shaking her head

“My favourite Abba song is Dancing Queen – which is yours?”

“Fernando “Bette admits

“So bad for her cred “Lucy repeats

“Shut up squirt – nothing wrong with Abba “Alice admonishes her partner. That is still a weird thing for me to think - that my sister sleeps every night with my wife’s oldest friend. It’s just strange

“Do you think you are a good boss?”

Bette laughs “I think that’s a question you should ask my staff. I care very much for my staff – I couldn’t do what I do without their support and their loyalty. I hope that I am a good boss and if I am not I hope that I improve in their eyes”

“If you weren’t President what would you be doing now?”

“I don’t know – I have just been very lucky to become the President and I get up every

morning vowing to do my best for people “

>>

The interview takes an hour though there is probably just 30 minutes worth of usable stuff once the editing and the pauses are removed. When the cameras stop rolling Amy stands up and Bette gives her the most enormous hug. This sets Amy off crying and she holds onto Bette who keeps hold of her.

“Poor kid” Lucy says

I know that Bette would desperately want to tell her that it will be okay but I have told her a

thousand times that she cannot give this child a promise that she cannot deliver on. What we are doing is trying to give her a chance – tip the odds more in her favour than they are at the moment.

Annie and Chad are crying – I spot one of the cameras is still rolling. I walk across and with

great deliberation I kick one of the wires out so the power cuts. This is a moment that doesn’t need to be captured forever – it will live in the minds of the witnesses of this scene.

Bette is talking quietly to Amy who is listening to every word that the President is saying to her. I walk across to Annie and Chad

“You have a truly amazing daughter “

“She is so happy “Chad says

“I hope that today is everything that she wanted it to be. You know that if there is ever anything that Bette or I could do to help you – any pressure you need exerting – I hope that you would contact my office “

“Thank you – what the President is doing is so amazing “

“She is happy to help “

“Amy will never forget this “

“Let’s see if we can give her some more memories – have you seen the Rose Garden yet?”

>>

At Bette’s insistence her whole schedule goes out of the window. We have a very long lunch and have more photographs taken for Amy’s collection. The McBride’s only leave because Amy is so tired after the exertions of the day. She hugs Bette one last time before she gets into the car that is going to drive them to the airport. Bette watches them leave and looks at me

“I always knew that I was lucky but I had no idea just how lucky I am “
“You going back to work?”

“Maybe – I have an overwhelming need to see Ella “

I take Bette’s hand

“Lets go and see our daughter “

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