(no subject)

[therealpm]

Just to be clear, I have been far too busy over the past few months to have had anything to do with the recent IT problems. That said, had the proposals contained in my report been implemented in full, I am confident this situtation would not have occurred.

Edit: It seems (belated) birthday wishes are in order for Baroness D'Souza. Congratulations etc.

Edit 2: Fuck off, Kinnock Junior

Comments

[bamfbercow]

...thank you for that timely reminder.

It would appear that a hurried trip to W H Smiths is in order once more.

[therealpm]

...I don't suppose I could sign it as well?

Have you bought a present?

[bamfbercow]

Peter I am sure that you are more than capable of acquiring your own card.

And, not that it is of any importance or relevance, no I have not bought her a present.

[therealpm]

Well if you're going to Smith's anyway you could at least pick up another one. Preferably one without a bear.

Does she drink? What about flowers?

[bamfbercow]

Oh very well.

Well obviously one cannot be completely certain of another's preferred drinking habits but I have noticed that her intake of alcoholic beverages has noticeably increased since coming into a position of responsibility for people such as yourself.

[therealpm]

...

just go and fetch a card.

*He drags his ipad over and pokes it into life. Sadly, wikipedia is of no help and he doubts anything The Machine could drag up would be of any use - Frances has been far too good with warding spells for Peter to discover any dirt by any means so he doubts information on her hobbies will be more forthcoming.*

[bamfbercow]

*John (eventually) returns with two cards - both tastefully understated and inoffensive in nature. He throws them down on the table for Peter to choose.*

They didn't have a great range of choice and these were the best available I'm afraid to say.

Have you got a gift prepared?

[therealpm]

*After about 5 minutes of searching online, Peter gave up and went back to his reading. It's not that he couldn't see the potential advantages of keeping in D'Souza's good books, it's just that he's pretty sure the only way of doing that would be to actually turn up to the House on at least a semi regular basis and to be honest, even with the occasional risk of a Mace binding, it's just not worth it. John's reappearance with gifts therefore takes him somewhat by surprise.*

...uh.

*He examines both cards carefully and eventually selects the slightly less effusive of the two.*

Not as such. Why?

[bamfbercow]

*John digs around in the far too large carrier bag the young man on the checkout put his few items in and pulls out a couple of gift vouchers - a regular one and one for one of those ebook things. The throws them on the table as well.*

It isn't a great deal but I don't think she is expecting anything so it should be enough.

[therealpm]

*Peter digs out his wallet and pushes enough notes across to cover the regular voucher. Anyone can buy a book, but if Frances doesn't have an e-reader then the second voucher's pretty useless.

It's the work of a couple of minutes to scrawl something in the card, then pop it and the voucher in the envelope.*

If you're heading back to the House, would you mind putting this in her pigeon hole?

[bamfbercow]

*John picks up the finished cards.*

It shouldn't be too much bother, I'm sure.

*John says a quick goodbye and heads through the fireplace to deliver the cards.*