31 October, 8am. Miles Mandelson's house.

[therealpm]

*Peter sips his very milky tea and does his best to ignore Miles, who is chattering away about a "very good physiotherapist, he lives in the next village.  I'll give him a ring and see if he can come round today."  Eventually, he points out that actually, he is perfectly capable of walking and doesn't need any assistance; a notion that Miles quickly shoots down by reminding him of his ill-fated attempts to get out of the car and walk up the garden path by himself yesterday.

His mood further deteriorates when Miles points out that being a werewolf would be an excellent hallowen costume.  There's a pang of loss at the thought of his other form, which he doesn't quite know how to deal with.  Instead, he gets out his phone, ignoring Miles' protestations about work at the breakfast table and texts John:*

Text from 07### ######

Bercow,

I haven't died.
Miles is somehow managing to be even more annoying than you.
wish the children a Happy Hallowe'en for me.

-Mandelson

Comments

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Miles frowns when Peter's phone interrupts dinner, but any scathing comment is halted as Peter's face lights up when he sees the name. He dumps his spoon in the bowl of soup and hastily types a reply.*

Text from 07### ######

Tony,

Thank you for your support. Obviously want to get back into things as soon as possible.

Best,
-Peter

[theoneandtony.livejournal.com]

*Peter's reply arrives before Tony has even put his phone down. He raises his eyebrows in amusement.*

Text from 07## ######

Peter,

I'm sure everything's been in quite a state without your guidance. Good luck making up the lost ground.

- Tony

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Miles has wrestled Peter's phone away, with a reminder that he needs to eat. Peter's perfectly sensible objections that he is a) not hungry, b) feels sick and c) has a headache are ignored. His legs feel all jittery too. It's annoying. A kind of restless energy, even though he's exhausted from the relatively easy exercises the physio demanded he attempt earlier.

His phone buzzes on the table mat, next to Miles' plate, who sighs when he sees the name and pushes the phone across to Peter.*

Text from 07### ######

Tony,

I've dabbled, here and there. Always good to keep one's hand in. How are the children?

Best,
Peter

[theoneandtony.livejournal.com]

Text from 07### ######

Peter,

Well, I wouldn't know about that. The kids are doing us proud as ever, although they're not really children any more! Kathryn was called to the bar recently and we're all doing fine. How is your

*Tony can't remember how to finish that question. Damn. He's normally so much better at people, but then again Peter's never been very open about this stuff.*

personal life? I hope the whole werewolf thing hasn't been too much of an issue.

- Tony

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Text from 07### ######

Tony,

please pass my congratulations on to her.

No, Miles has risen to the occasion, as ever when there's some sort of crisis.

Best,
Peter

*He carefully doesn't mention Osborne. That might lead to thinking about the whole sorry business.*

[theoneandtony.livejournal.com]

*Miles? Tony remembers there being a Miles, but was that the boyfriend or the brother? Or the brother-in-law? Best to play it safe.*

Text from 07### ######

Peter,

Will do. Good old Miles! Say hi to him from me.

We must catch up properly at some point - it's been too long.

- Tony

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Text from 07### ######

Tony,

of course. Do let me know when you next have a spare moment or two in London.

Best,
Peter

[theoneandtony.livejournal.com]

*Tony reads the text, picturing as he does so Peter's eagerness in typing it out. It's rather touching. Tony makes a mental note to contact him one of these days, then pockets his phone and brushes away the crumbs of his croissant.*