He tried hard not to show it but David Trimble looked distinctly nervous as he moved around the Upper Bann count.
Last time, he had been jeered and jostled by angry loyalists. But it wasn't just the fear of a DUP ambush in the corridors of Banbridge Leisure Centre.
There were the results. All over Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionists seemed to be struggling and the DUP was on the march. Even before Mr Trimble and his wife arrived in Banbridge, the Rev Ian Paisley's men were bullish as news of gains came in thick and fast.
David and Daphne arrived around 2 p.m. The UUP leader was all nervous skips and smiles. But he did have an appetite. The Trimbles tucked into roast beef, potatoes, broccoli and carrots in the canteen.
Then it was downstairs to watch the votes being counted. Several uniformed police officers, as well as his normal under-cover bodyguards, moved everywhere with him.
"What does it tell you when the riot squad is needed to protect a leader in his own constituency?" declared a DUP canvasser.
Counting began at 9 a.m. but it was almost 10 hours later before even the first preferences were announced.
The UUP leader had intense mobile phone conversations from quiet corners of the building throughout the day.
Still, there was no personal embarrassment for Mr Trimble who topped the poll in his own constituency. He began his victory speech in his inimitable style: "Ladies and gentlemen..." He was delighted the UUP had increased its share of first preference votes in Upper Bann. And he talked tough.
Asked about DUP advances all over the province, he retorted: "I don't know about that!"
In another corner, the DUP was growing excited as news arrived of predicted gains in Strangford, East Belfast, Lagan Valley and even republican West Belfast.
The leisure centre has a huge swimming pool. "We're so happy we might just strip off and jump in!" threatened a DUP worker.
Someone else was more adventurous: "What about some synchronised line-dancing?"
Hadn't Dr Paisley denounced line-dancing as immoral? The DUP man wasn't worried: "Sure even Ian wouldn't mind on a day like this!"