Another Baille Chap - almost
Bernard came back into the room with Jim's appointment diary. Jim and Humphrey were still seated at Jim's desk.
"If I may Minister," began Bernard. "We're running a little late this morning, so I do think we ought to be getting on with your appointments."
"Yes," replied Jim. "So what's it today then?"
Bernard opened the diary.
"Well Minister," he began. "10:30 meeting of the Local Authority Committee, 11:15 Art Galleries and Museums Committee, 12:00 BBC charter renewal meeting. 2:00 meeting with the press about the renewal...
"BBC charter renewal?" asked Jim, confused.
"Yes Minister," said Bernard. "As Minister responsible for the Arts, one of your duties is to discuss the renewal of the BBC's charter."
"Have I been briefed on it?" asked Jim."
Humphrey's eyes scanned the desk and then he picked up the relevant file.
"Here you are Minister," he said smiling. "But don't worry, I'll be at the meeting also and if you forget... I mean run into any difficulties I'll be there to bail you out... I mean give one or two subtle reminders."
Jim narrowed his eyes slightly in Humphrey's direction.
"Yes thank-you Humphrey," he said then turned his attention back to Bernard. "Anything else?"
"Yes Minister," said Bernard. "A meeting with the Town and Country Planning Association at 2:15, and meeting with Sir Adam Patterson from The Royal Opera House and you have a vote in the house at 5 o'clock."
"Sir Adam Patterson?" asked Jim.
"Yes, he's coming about the government grant made to Covent Garden," explained Bernard.
"But that's merely a formality," said Humphrey.
"What do you mean a formality?" asked Jim.
"Well Minister," Humphrey said. "The grant to Covent Garden was given last week, but it must look like one is 'discussing the possibilities of renewal' as it were."
He looked rather smug Jim thought.
"Already been paid?" asked Jim, furious. "Now look here Humphrey..."
He was cut off by a knock at the door. It opened and Henrietta entered.
"Sorry to trouble you Minister," she was saying. She looked up and saw Humphrey and Bernard also in the room.
"Oh sorry," she said. "Are you in the middle of something?"
"No, no my dear," said Humphrey. "We were just discussing the Minister's schedule."
"Oh good," said Henrietta. "We've just had a phone call Minister from Sir Adam from the Royal Opera House, he says he's very sorry but he can't make it to your meeting this afternoon. I rearranged it for Thursday at 2:30 is that alright?"
Bernard flipped the pages of the diary to Thursday then nodded.
"Good," replied Henrietta. "Oh Minister, if I'm not being too bold, may I sit in on some of your meetings today? I'd really like to have the opportunity to erm..."
"Practice your shorthand?" suggested Humphrey. "And drawing up minutes?"
Henrietta looked at him with her warm smile on her face.
"Yes," she said, turning to look at Jim. "To gain experience in drawing up minutes."
"Well I don't see any problem," said Jim smiling at her. "Humphrey?"
"I think it's a splendid idea," said Humphrey, also smiling. "I shall look forward to seeing you in the meetings my dear."
"Excellent," said Jim. He turned to Bernard. "Bernard."
"Er well um... yes... well of course... if that's what the Minister wants... how can I..." he stuttered.
"Oh Bernard," said Henrietta. "You'll be at the meetings too of course. I merely want to sit in to get the feel for Ministerial meetings. I'm not trying to edge you out of you job as Principle Private Secretary!"
Bernard's mind was put instantly at ease.
"Well of course I didn't think..." he began. Jim noticed he was blushing slightly.
Henrietta giggled.
"Well I'll leave you boys to it," she said. "I'll see you later."
After she had left the room, Humphrey turned to Jim.
"What do you think of your new Private Secretary?" he asked.
"Perfect," said Jim. "I think she'll be an asset to the DAA."
"I couldn't agree more," said Humphrey. "What do you think Bernard?"
"Oh er I think she's um perfect too," he replied.
"Good, good," said Humphrey. "Sir Michael will be most pleased."
The rest of the day passed without any real incident. Henrietta sat in on several of the meetings and both she and Bernard took notes.
"We can compare them later," she had said to him before the first meeting.
Jim returned from the House at five-thirty, Humphrey, Bernard and Henrietta were all in his office.
Jim went to the drinks cabinet and poured three glasses of sherry. He paused before pouring a fourth.
"Sherry Hen?" she asked.
"Oh thank-you Minister," she said warmly.
Jim poured the fourth glass and handed it to her. He gave Humphrey and Bernard a glass and motioned for them to sit down before taking his own glass and sitting down himself.
"Cheers," he said raising his glass in the direction of his officials. "Had a good first day Hen?"
"Oh yes Minister," she said. "But really it's just how I'd imagined it would be."
"Oh really?" asked Jim.
"Oh yes," Hen replied. "I suppose growing up with my father in the Service and Uncle Humphrey of course,"
"Teach her everything she knows eh Humphrey?" asked Jim.
"Well it is a Godfather's duty to teach his Godchild all he knows," said Humphrey with a smile.
"Oh incidentally Minister," said Hen, taking a sip of her drink. "I was going through some files brought over from the Home Office. It seems they want to start that Propanol/metadioxin thing again."
"What?" asked Jim. "But I thought we'd got that all cleared up last year."
"Yes," replied Hen. "According to the files so did the Home Office, but the BCC want to give it another go. In Scotland this time apparently."
"Oh God," moaned Jim. "I can't believe we have to go through that again. Do you know anything about Propanol Hen?"
"How do you mean Minister?" asked Hen.
"I think what the Minister means Hen, is do you know anything about chemistry?" explained Humphrey.
"Chemistry?" asked Hen. "I've not studied Chemistry since oh... year nine?"
"You mean you actually studied it?" asked Humphrey, apparently amazed.
"Well I say studied," said Hen and laughed. Humphrey and Bernard laughed too.
"Of course," said Humphrey.
"Well as you know Chemistry would do me no good whatsoever in getting into Ox... university," said Hen.
"What did you study?" asked Jim.
"History, English Lit and Classic," said Hen. "At Oxford, same as Daddy and Uncle Humphrey actually."
"Ah I see," said Jim. "You didn't happen to go to Baillie College did you?"
Hen looked at Humphrey who was staring at the door and then to Bernard who was looking in her direction rather oddly. She turned back to Jim and smiled cautiously.
"Yes Minister," she said and finished her drink.
To be continued...
(In the next chapter a romance of sorts begins. But it is quickly ended!)
To Laura - even though she's not had the chance to read it yet!