"But seriously I do understand the issue with the Times. Let's discuss over country supper soon. On the party it was because I had asked a number of NI [News International] people to Manchester post endorsement and they were disappointed not to see you. But as always Sam was wonderful (and I thought it was OE's [Old Etonians] were charm personfied!) I am so rooting for you tomorrow not just as a proud friend but because professionally we're definitely in this together! Speech of your life? Yes he Cam"
No-one's going to suggest that Cameron and Brooks were having an affair, mostly because there's not the slightest evidence or suggestion of any impropriety on anyone's part. But you can't help thinking La Brooks had the idea in mind. Her text message is excruciating, and conjures up coquettish hair twirling, high colour in her cheeks and a special bottle of perfume for the occasion.But for all Jonathan Freedland's excellent exegesis [1], he appears to miss the obvious reference. I'm not sure Brooks is widely enough read to have done it deliberately, but it's hard to imagine Cameron not thinking of:
HAMLET: Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
OPHELIA: No, my lord.
H: I mean, my head upon your lap?
O: Ay, my lord.
H: Do you think I meant country matters?
H: I mean, my head upon your lap?
O: Ay, my lord.
H: Do you think I meant country matters?
(III.2, ll 112--116).
Rebecca Wade as a pre-Raphaelite Ophelia, her innocent heart broken by the man she loves, which leads her to self-destruction? Well, she looks like the Millais painting, doesn't she? I just can't quite see David Cameron handling Act V terribly well...
ian