The mayor behind the scenes

The mayor behind the scenes

Last spring, Harbourton very nearly appointed its first ever teenage town mayor. However, (9) ________ most people don’t realise is that in the late nineteenth century one determined deputy quietly assumed the mayoral role, (10) ________ all but name. Although never officially elected, as the assistant of town mayor Arthur Bell, Clara Bell quietly managed the entire council for over a year while the mayor was seriously ill. Upon (11) ________, it was love at first sight between Clara and Arthur, and she soon became one of his trusted deputies, despite having no political experience, a development with which Arthur’s council team were ill at (12) ________ to say the least. Despite objections, Clara and Arthur soon collaborated and she became engaged (13) ________ helping the Mayor with his work, unofficially, with full access to all kinds of confidential documents. When Arthur suddenly developed pneumonia, Clara would not contemplate that he should resign from the role as Mayor and have the senior councillor step in. She decided instead to cover (14) ________ his illness by taking on his duties in secret. According to her and the council physicians, Arthur was working from his bedroom, and she insisted that all mayoral work come (15) ________ her, even firing staff members who disobeyed. Many at the time claimed it was clear to see the lack of governance, but all things considered, for a self-taught deputy who had to (16) ________ it by ear, she didn’t do a bad job.