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“I’d be quite willing to do that,” said Harry without hesitation “But I will expect so in return”

“I’ll do anything within my power”

“I want the foreign secretary to make an official protest about the imprisonment of Anatoly Babakov”

“Stalin’s interpreter? Didn’t he write a book that was banned—as it called…”

“Uncle Joe,” said Harry

“Ah yes, of course Well, I’ll do what I can, but I can’t guarantee anything”

“And he must also n press agencies the day before I fly to Russia”

“I can’t pron secretary supports your can to have Mr Babakov released”

“I’m sure you will, Sir Alan But if you are unable to assist er off and find soer boy”

Harry’s words had exactly the effect he had hoped for The cabinet secretary was speechless

Emma looked up as her secretary entered the office, accompanied by ato like She ushered Mr Mellor toward two comfortable chairs by the fireplace

“It’s very nice to meet you at last, Mrs Clifton,” he said “I’ve heard, and read, so much about you over the years”

“And I’ve recently been reading a great deal about you, Mr Mellor,” said Emma as she sat down and took a closer look at the man seated opposite her She knew from a recent profile in the Financial Tiun his working life as a booking clerk at Cooks Travel By the age of 23, he’d started up his own company, which he’d recently sold for close to £2the way But Emma accepted that that would be true of most successful entrepreneurs She had been prepared for his charer than his forty-eight years He was clearly fit, with no surplus pounds that needed to be shed, and she had to agree with her secretary that he was a good-looking man, even if his dress sense hadn’t quite kept pace with his financial success

“Not all bad, I hope,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh

“Well, if your recent takeover battle is anything to go by, Mr Mellor, you certainly don’t believe in taking prisoners”