Free Little Grey Mice by Brian Freemantle

representative had become a mere formality, after the slipshod work had actually been produced for him to see. Elke hadn’t expected Werle’s personal intervention, when he’d heard of the requested interview. All he’d said afterwards was that he’d supported her, in everything, but Elke suspected there had been more than that. The improvement hadn’t removed Gerda’s resentment, but Elke was wearily accustomed to that.
    â€˜â€¦ almost every case on record would have been preventable if the proper alertness had been shown, at the proper time … ’
    Ida had been right, about Kissel serving the same disgusting wine because she’d praised it on the first occasion. Poor man.
    â€˜â€¦ reporting suspicion about other people in a department is not unnecessary interference … ’
    Elke feared that a woman in the Chancellor’s Secretariat whom she did not know by name, only to return an acknowledging smile, was definitely asleep. Elke wished she were closer, to nudge her awake.
    â€˜â€¦ our secrets ensure our future … our security …’
    Elke decided the moustached intelligence official was more pompous than any they’d listened to before. She was looking forward to lunching with Ida, and hoped she wouldn’t cancel it as she’d cancelled the visit to Ursula. She had to get some more bathroom cleanser. Polish, too. She’d do the bedrooms tonight. Like all things, the arrangement was very regulated, according to days of the week.
    â€˜â€¦ questions ?’
    Elke began to concentrate, realizing the address was over. She saw, gratefully, that the secretariat official had her eyes open. The intelligence man looked hopefully around the room. No one spoke.
    â€˜I want to emphasize the importance of what I’ve said,’ the man insisted. ‘It’s easy, I know, to believe that talks like this are irrelevant now. They’re not: none of you should imagine that. The opening of the borders and demolition of the Wall increases rather than decreases espionage activities. Never forget that!’
    There was a muttering of assent and some head nodding, throughout the room.
    â€˜I hope you do,’ said the man, disappointed at the lack of responses. ‘I thank you all for your attention. I hope to see you again …’ He paused, for the prepared joke. ‘… But only in this capacity.’
    Everyone smiled and sniggered politely. There was an eagerness to stand and leave. Elke managed to insert herself into the middle of the departing line. There were five logged calls waiting, none from Ida. Elke dealt with them and ensured there were no queries from the outside staff and was at the restaurant precisely on time. Ida, predictably, was late. Elke felt exposed, on view, at the table by herself and wished she had a newspaper or a book. Without either she made the pretence of studying the menu, although she had already decided upon a salad: according to the scales she had lost the weight she’d put on, and she was determined against gaining it again.
    Ida flustered in fifteen minutes late, striding assuredly across the restaurant. Elke was conscious of men at two separate tables following her sister’s progress: the waiter came immediately, inquiring about an aperitif. Ida said they’d have wine, without consulting Elke. It was offered without question for Ida to approve, which she did. As she sipped from her full glass Ida said: ‘Bloody sight better than what Horst serves.’
    â€˜I was sorry you couldn’t make last Sunday,’ said Elke, expecting an explanation.
    â€˜Soon, I promise,’ said Ida, without offering one.
    â€˜We walked, in the grounds. Had lunch in the conservatory. She’s growing quite tall. I have to get her some new clothes.’
    â€˜Doris might have something she’s outgrown.’
    â€˜She’s much bigger than Doris,’ Elke reminded, politely.