YesBut have a nice weekend - Part 2

Continued from yesterday


For YesBut’s Image posted on 15th August 2007, Pope Terry suggested the caption -


Lady one: "Margery, that strange man is still following us, quick get your taser out a fry the git"


The photograph suggested the following story to me:

The three of them had a wonderful evening. Yousif wanted to introduce Geraldine to Algerian culinary delights. Ann had a broad smile of pride on her face as she watched him be so charming and attentive. She was so happy that the two most important people in her life had finally met. Geraldine had been her best friend since they met at University. Geraldine’s career in the diplomatic service had taken her out of the country for long periods, but now she had applied to work in the Prime Ministers Office, they will be able to spend more time together.

Geraldine looked across the table and was pleased her friend had found her soul mate. As for herself, she had made the decision years ago to make her career her priority; and now she was getting close to achieving her ambition - working as a Foreign Affairs Advisor at the Prime Ministers Office, the centre of power.

When he arrived at his office the next day Roger found a note pinned to the MI5 file on his desk. It was a summary report from Axis Security Services on Geraldine Montgomery-Smith. There were two names Ann Johnston and Yousif al-Rahman. The system didn’t flag up anything of concern about Ann Johnston, but there was a report on al-Rahman. He had been politically active in Algeria, escaped to Britain, and granted political asylum on the grounds his life was in danger in Algeria. Nine months ago he should have re-applied for an extension but had failed to do so. His name was also on the list of people who had visited Finsbury Park mosque at the time Abu Hamza was preaching there.

Roger put the file on his desk. Normally he would have taken longer over preparing the vetting report on Montgomery-Smith, but his department was under strain with all the monitoring of suspected terrorist groups. Plus he had to be careful not to overrun his operating budget by employing external agencies. He turned to his computer and typed his report.

A few days later, Geraldine anxiously opened the envelope bearing the Downing Street emblem. Even before reading the letter, she knew what it said - it was too short a letter. Curtly but politely she was informed that she had not been selected to work in the Prime Ministers Office. She knew the system well enough, and knew the full implications of the letter; it also meant her career was over.

She was shaken out of her state of gloom by the shrill ringing of the telephone, it was Ann.

YesBut have a nice weekend - Part 1

For YesBut’s Image posted on 15th August 2007, Pope Terry suggested the caption -


Lady one: "Margery, that strange man is still following us, quick get your taser out a fry the git"


The photograph suggested the following story to me:

“Its so good to see you.”

“And you.”

“I’m glad you’ve finally got around to spending the weekend with us”.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to meeting Yousif”

“He’s looking forward to meeting you, I’ve told him so much about you”.

“Gosh, I hope not everything!”

“Don’t be silly there are some things which must always remain our little secret”

“Well how are things with you two”.

“I’ll tell you everything when we get back to the flat, but I can’t wait to tell you Yousif has asked me to marry him”.

“Congratulations, wonderful, that’s a surprise”.

“Your surprised, how do you think I feel. We‘ve been living together for nearly three years, and we‘ve never even discussed getting married.”


He realised he was getting too close to them, he had to be careful, he didn’t want them to suspect they were being followed.

Roger looked out of his office window at the people crossing Lambeth Bridge. He was one of the few working for MI5, the British Security Service, who had a view of the Thames from his office. The telephone rang. Brian could only hear one side of the conversation.

“You followed them up at Waterloo Station?”

“Where is she now?”

“Find out the name of the other woman, and we’ll see if she’s on the system”

“Good. Phone me when you get more”.


Roger put down the phone and turned to face his visitor.

“Who was that?”

“Mathews, one of Axis Security Services operatives”.

“Your using ASS?”

“Yes, we have had to, with all the monitoring operations we currently have we’re fully stretched.”

“But ASS?”

“Don’t worry, it’s a low key surveillance, we’ve been asked to vet someone who’s asked for a transfer from our Brussels Embassy to work in Downing Street.”


When they got to the flat, they found Yousif waiting for them. After being introduced he kissed Geraldine on the cheek. She sat on the settee and looked at him, “yes” she thought, “I can see why Ann has fallen for him, he’s really handsome. But why has he suddenly decided to ask her to marry him?”


To be continued tomorrow - Bookmark this page.