Hi Josue,
Perhaps "Yes, Prime Minister" will be helpful.
***
I asked Bernard what Christmas presents it would be appropriate to give to the Private Office.
Bernard said that it was entirely up to me. But he recommended bottles of sherry for the Assistant Private Secretaries, large boxes of House of Commons mints for the Dairy Secretary and the Correspondence Secretary, and small boxes of House of Commons mints for the rest.
“What about the Principal Private Secretary?” I asked absent-mindedly.
“That's me,” he replied, slightly startled.
I explained that I knew who he was. But I wondered what I should give him.
“You don't have to give me anything, Minister.”
“I know that,” I said with real warmth. “But I'd like to.”
Bernard seemed quite touched. “Oh, Minister,” he replied.
“Well?” I asked.
“Well, anything really.”
He obviously didn't want to say. But I had no idea what he'd like.
“Such as?” I prompted.
“Really,” he said, “I'd like a surprise.”
I still didn't have a clue. “What sort of surprise should I give you?”
“Well,” he said cautiously, “a bottle of champagne is the customary surprise.”
***
Cheers,
Carl fogel
