"I don't know who is worse, your dad or Dirty Des here?" I said smirking. Des protested his innocence vociferously and Simon sat laughing.

Easy As.......
by: A........
part: 15doz -1

I sat eating sandwiches and glowering at Simon. For two pins I'd go home and sod the lot of them. Sensing movement and expecting Helen Brody the news reader, I was surprised to see Des walk in the door.

"Hi Simon," he said walking over to me, he added, "Hi gorgeous," It was a wind up for Simon, but as usual he wasn't playing.

"So what's going down?" he asked of me.

"I find it a very curious coincident that they have just rubbed me up the wrong way and you appear. What are the odds of that happening?"

He looked momentarily guilty, but he soon recovered, let's face it he had more neck than the average giraffe. "I warned 'em that you were temperamental," he winked at Simon but I saw it.

"She's got a temper and I'm mental," said Simon.

"Don't I know it," said Des, "on both counts."

I glared at him, "If you're here to get me talk to Jermey Paxman, you're wasting your time."

"Nah, he'll talk you into that himself, he is extremely charming in person, you'll love him. I'm here to talk Simon into going on as well."

Simon did a double take, then visibly paled. "Why?" then added, "The bank?"

Des nodded.

"I can't, I don't have the authority to do that, they have proper spokespeople."

" I have an email from your dad," he showed it to Simon.

"How do I know it's genuine?" he asked.

"Call him up, if you don't trust me, while I have a quick snog with your girlfriend."

Simon pulled out his mobile and hit a rapid dial, "Hi Dad, did you send an email to Des? I can on the points mentioned, just push the attempt to malign and disrupt the proper takeover and mergers protocols. Okay, yes I'll tell her." He looked over to me, "Henry says break a leg or something."

"I'm not going on the stage tell him."

"You tell him," he handed me the phone.

"Hello Henry, it's Cathy."

"You sound as sweet as ever young lady."

"As do you kind sir," I could flannel too.

"You flatter me."

"Why do you want Simon to do Newsnight, or me for that matter?"

"Because I think it's the best way to break down the prejudice and it also gives us a chance to fight back against these thugs who are damaging my bank."

"Do you really think it will do either?"

"It's got to help your case for a beautiful, intelligent and articulate woman to charm the viewers out of their seats. And Simon can get the jump on the bandits after the bank. Will you do it?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"If we get through this crisis, there's a job for you as environmental advisor."

"I don't have time Henry, I want to finish my degree."

"It won't require you do very much at all, but it will make us look good and put 50K a year into your pocket before tax of course."

"That is tantamount to bribery Henry, aren't you as bad as the guys you're trying to fight?"

"No, it's something the board has been looking to appoint for some time. I mean you can do it for free if you want and donate the money to charity, but I'd have thought, what with a car to run and a wardrobe to maintain, it might be useful and it also gives you independence from Simon."

"It could compromise other things later on," I suggested.

"Don't do it then, but at least speak to Profesor Agnew before you decline officially. I'd like you to do it because you have more charm than Bill Oddie or David Bellamy, they don't turn me on like you do."

"What is it with you lot?"

"Oh I come from a long line of hot blooded ancestors."

"You are a rogue Henry Cameron."

"Yes but a classy one, don't you think?"

"Undoubtedly. I have to go."

I handed the phone back to Simon, who looked surprised at my conversation.

"I don't know who is worse, your dad or Dirty Des here?" I said smirking. Des protested his innocence vociferously and Simon sat laughing.

"So you gonna do Paxman?" asked Des.

"When it comes by Lordly decree, do I have a choice, besides he said he'd sack Simon if I didn't."

"He wouldn't dare," riposted Simon, "I know too much." He smiled smugly.

"I can believe that," quipped Des at which Simon gave him a Paddington hard stare.

Helen Brody arrived and we shook hands, I introduced her to Simon and Des.

"Are you sitting in on Cathy's interview as well, to reinforce your acceptance of her as a female."

"I find that patronising," he said, "anyone can see she's female, if they can't they need glasses."

"I agree entirely Lord Cameron, but it's not me you need to convince. When I met her before I had no idea of her past, and I still have difficulty believing it. I also don't consider it newsworthy any more, except for the marrying into a noble family."

"Her family is possibly more noble than mine, mine are a long line of twisters and crooks who made friends in high places."

"Wow a deconstructionist peer, have you been talking to Tony Benn?"

"Not recently, besides he chose to give up his peerage to sit in the commons, I'd prefer the benches in the Lords, were I to take an interest in politics."

I thought Simon handled himself very well, but it would be nice to have him there. If I asked him he'd do it, but I don't want that responsibility. He has to make up his own mind.

"Cathy you're still happy to talk to me on the programme?" asked Helen.

"Yes but live, I won't do a recording."

"Okay, as long as you stick to the agenda we set?" she said looking me in the eye.

"My thoughts entirely," I stared back.

At this she nodded and laughed. "Deal?" she proferred her hand.

"Deal," I agreed shaking it.