Johnny English 3

Part 1 of 18

Angus Bough is alone and working late in his office. He looks up with a satisfied sigh. His office. Large. Well-appointed. Neat. Stuffed with secret knowledge. The outer bulwark to the inner sanctum. The inner sanctum where his salvation and rescue abides every day.

He glances down at his desk top and picks up the framed photograph he is so proud of. His family. His uncommonly beautiful wife, Celeste, (how had he ever managed that, he wonders not for the first time?) and his absolutely ineffable offspring; Sorcha, Padrag, and Lachlan (how had she managed them, he always adds. Surely HE had nothing to do with such perfection, apart from the green eyes, of course.) He kisses the glass gently and nestles the frame back into its prominent position. There! Everyone is safe and I can get back to work.

Just as he is reaching for the last file that he needs to handle tonight, a quiet voice almost gives him a heart attack! "Ah, Bough. I'm so happy to see you so happy."

Angus surges to his feet, whirls, and drops into a reflex defense position without even thinking about it. Just as his lungs are swelling with the necessary oxygen in order to carry out his attack, his eyes pick out a vague shape slouched against his locked door.

His eyes widen. He stands up straight and his eyes widen further. After only a moment of stunned silence, he leaps forward with a glad cry, "Sir!" and sweeps Johnny English into his arms.

Johnny is laughing as they waltz around the office for several moments before the gentle reproof is murmured, "Yes, yes, Bough. We're just old friends, after all, and not on our honeymoon."

Angus laughs with delight and steps back to look his old friend, mentor, and former superior officer up and down, "You've lost weight, sir. Are you taller? Is that possible?"

Johnny laughs low in his throat, "Yes, I've lost weight. Nothing like the love of a good woman to keep a man fit and in fighting trim. As for being taller, I'm not sure. It wouldn't surprise me, though. What about you? I see you have a family now. Keeping you on your toes, are they?"

"Oh, yes, they do! How a dullard like me could sire three such brain boxes, I'm sure I don't know! But…" he falters, looks apprehensive. "But why are you here now, after so many years?" He frowns, "Are you in trouble? Do you need my help in some way?"

Johnny takes his old comrade-in-arms by the shoulders and intones, "My dear Bough, how well you know me even after all this time. Yes, I am in trouble, and yes, I do need your help. Tell me, my old friend, are you willing to answer the clarion call of duty to Queen and country once more?"

Bough's shining eyes slowly dim and his smile falters, "Duty? Do you mean…?"

"Yes, Angus. I mean I have been called out of retirement due to catastrophic mayhem on the spy-front. I must hie to England once more and I would feel so much safer if you were at my side. What say you?"

"Oh, sir! I can't. Not now. I have a wife and children to consider not to mention my duties here on Saint-Marie. The Commissioner wouldn't last a day without me and his D.I. would blame me for whatever disasters occur in my absence. He's scary in his own right but she is down-right terrifying."

Dark eyes regard him with regret, "Ah, I see. You have lost your edge, my boy."

Bough shakes his head sadly, "I haven't lost my edge, sir. I have found my true purpose in life and it involves taking care of the people I love the most."

Johnny slaps a hand over his heart, "Oh, Bough! You wound me."

Angus sighs, "Sorry but I really don't think I can just go off on a jaunt with you, risking life and limb, knowing my wife will murder me if I survive!"

Johnny holds up a finger, "Ah! Life and limb. Excellent! I have something here that may persuade you otherwise." He takes an envelope out of his inner jacket-pocket and hands it over. Bough takes it to his desk and opens it to read. His brow clears and now he looks puzzled.

"Am I to understand that…?"

"Yes, you are. And now, if you are willing to come with me, I need you to help me with the next step of our mission which may be the most dangerous part of all."

Bough folds the contents up, slips it back into the envelope, and hands it back to Johnny, "And what is that, may I ask?"

Johnny lays a hand on Bough's arm and murmurs, "You must help me persuade Richard to join us."

Bough's eyes fly open in shock, "Richard?! But… but… Camille!"

Johnny nods in commiseration, "Yes, indeed. Camille."

To be continued after I see the movie in 2 days