This from Sir Humphrey Beeching...
A most pleasant luncheon at Boisdale, in Pimlico today.
Over a thoroughly agreeable postprandial dram (the 35 year old Glenfarclas) my erstwhile colleague and I reflected upon young Philip Hammond's recent performance.
We both agreed that the Thameslink decision was masterful and I complimented my dining partner on the way it had played out.
"Of course" she continued, "our man has come on leaps and bounds in recent weeks."
"When was the last time," she asked "that you heard a Secretary of State admitting to opening his own envelopes?"
I looked at her in awe and refreshed our glasses.
"Perhaps," she suggested "it is a little unfair to call our man Petrol-head?".
"We much prefer Paper-knife!" she concluded with the smallest of chuckles.
It goes without saying that I picked up the bill.
