Later that evening, a glass in the hand, Harry was reading the resumés that Debra Langham had prepared for him. It provided important information on their status and performances, the fines for speeding and illegal parking and novelty this year, the current websites they were visiting…
"Bloody technology", he grumbled. He didn't seem to fully understand the value of expressing his life on the internet. What was the point telling the world he liked eating sausages, drinking overpriced whisky or the fact that he was sleeping in the middle of his king sized bed? Maybe it was just a generation conflict, or maybe his brain didn't fully understand the concept of human stupidity.
His attention was mostly focused on two mainly, based on objective criteria and not obviously by the lack of twitter or facebook accounts who would make excellent additions to his section. He wasn't against the fact that they worked for 6 or GCHQ, he believed the service needed people from new horizons, and he needed badly a decent analyst.
Sighing, he downed the glass in one go and stood up for another when Malcolm came in his office.
"Which case justifies pouring another drink, Harry?"
"Interviews for the new analyst"
"I see. And no one stands above the competition?"
"Maybe, anyway that's just bloody paperwork; I'll see tomorrow what they're made of"
"I must confess that I know one of the candidates, a very good friend of mine and…"
'Stop it Malcolm. It's the same for everybody, I won't play favouritism. '
"I know, Harry and I didn't mean that, moreover my friend doesn't need me to get the job"
"Really? That's a bit presumptuous, even for you Malcolm!"
"It is the truth, pure and simple"
Particularly intrigued by the unusual attitude of his friend, Harry re read the resumés again and tried to find out who this person so suited for the job.
"Okay, let me guess… neither her nor her… their profiles doesn't correspond with yours…"
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It seems impossible that you could have a friend who loves Korean drama or one that makes decorations in papier-maché. I know you like to stimulate your creativity and your intellect but sorry I can't buy that!"
"Touché"
"So, only three remaining… and you said she was a friend"
"I said no such thing! But I have to confess it's a she"
''I get it, Ruth Evershed from GCHQ. God Malcolm, you're fraternizing with the enemy."
He looked down again at the photo of the woman; she was quite pretty for an analyst but nothing glamorous or stunning about her.
"I don't fraternize like you said so elegantly, Ruth has been my contact there for years now. We're just friends sharing the same love about literature. In addition, I can assure you that this photo in black and white doesn't do her justice."
"Hmm, if you say so. I do concede that she has an impressive resumé, let's hope she's not as arrogant as the usual GCHQ staff"
"I can assure you she's not, she's the kindest person, with a strong sense of moral, Harry. Anyway, you will see yourself. Then I think I'm going to head off"
"See you tomorrow" he muttered. He watched the picture still wondering what was so exceptional about this brunette.
Please be lenient with me and with this prologue. Thanks for reading.