Cowley looked at the expanding plume of cigar smoke. Behind was the austere figure of Sir Jeremy McCloud, ensconced in a fine leather high backed chair. Tea arrived. Sir Jeremy cleared his throat.
"George, you can appreciate that this is a matter of some delicacy" he said, adjusting his cufflinks.
" You can rely on my discretion, Sir Jeremy" said Cowley, thinking that sometimes the Guards Tie brigade lived in a pre-war era.
"Well" Sir Jeremy leaned forward " The whispers in the corridors indicate that there's a bit more coming and going than is strictly necessary." He paused. "You know how the Red Tops lap this sort of thing up. Our moral guardians!"
Cowley nodded. Sex scandals were only released to the papers when politically expedient.
" If it was one or two silly buggers playing away from home, then it could be sat upon. This seems to be quite a rash of impropriety, if you pardon the expression. A little epidemic of priapic behaviour. Not the sort of thing we want getting out to the great unwashed, eh?".said Sir Jeremy.
Although Sir Jeremy's words were inclusive, he inwardly winced at having to deal with the cloak and dagger brigade. Usually such poor upbringings, not a shred of class. Take George Cowley for instance. A nice tailor couldn't mask his upper-middle class upbringing. Probably went to a Grammar. More downstairs than upstairs.
" This impropriety, would it involve ...unusual tastes?" enquired Cowley. These really were good biscuits. He wished he could get invited to Blacks more often.
"Oh No, none of that sort of malarkey!" humphed Sir Jeremy "Straight bat stuff but unfortunately somewhat extra-curricular"
"Ah" replied Cowley. " These activities. Would they be of a ….professional nature?"
"Quite so" said Sir Jeremy " Although we are talking a very high class sort of girl, not some tarts from Soho. The point is that many of the usual agencies are somewhat shop-soiled in this matter and CI5 have a reputation for keeping mum. Can I rely on you to put the matter to bed, so to speak?"
Cowley indicated in the affirmative. He looked at the departing back of Sir Jeremy. There goes a man who wouldn't hesitate to hang him out to dry but wants a dirty laundry case handled discretely.
"As if I haven't got enough on my plate" thought Cowley.