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I phone James at work He tells me that Mary has been on the e, and then back to London this afternoon11

I join Doug in the hospital He is anticipating an intervieith Exotic Foods on Wednesday or Thursday, and hopes to begin work next Monday, a week earlier than originally planned He has already spoken to Mr Belford about a roo spur, and to Mr Berlyn about his travel arrangements to Boston However, there is a fly in the oint should train his successor for a week before he leaves

710 pm

I call Chris Beetles’ gallery and wish Chris luck for the opening of the illustrators’ show Mary is hoping to drop in and see the picture I’ve selected for this year’s Christ Ca For the first time in thirty-five years, I haven’t spoken to et, she can’t call me

DAY 132

TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2001

611 am

One incident of huge significance took place today In fact, it’s a short story in its own right However, as I write, I don’t yet know, the ending But to begin halfway through

Do you recall Leon, the PhD who joined us about a week ago? He wants to h caste, but her father and mother refuse to entertain the idea, and that was before he was sent to prison (driving without a licence, six months) Well, he reappeared at SMU at three o’clock this afternoon in what can only be described as an agitated state Although we’d had ten new inductees and a labour board thisout to be a quiet afternoon I sat Leon down in the kitchen while Carl made hi to be granted his HDC and be released early on a tag The officer who deals with HDC was in her office, so I went upstairs to ask if she would see him

Ten minutes later Leon reappears and says that a decision will beas to whether he can be released early

‘Well, that’s another problem solved,’ says Carl

‘No, it isn’t,’ says Leon, ‘because if they don’t grant , it will be a disaster’

Leon doesn’t strike htly, so I enquire why He then briefs us on the latest complication in his love life

His girlfriend’s parents have found out that she plans to marry Leon as soon as he’s released froister office She told hiht that her parents have not only forbidden the match, but three men who she has never met have recently been selected as possible husbands and they will be flying in from India at the weekend She must then select one of theroom fly back to Calcutta to be married on 6 December

I now fully understand Leon’s desperation; I go in search of Mr Downs, a senior officer, who is a shrewd and caringover toeneral’s visit I brief Mr Downs and he agrees to see Leon immediately