Chapter 8: Chris And Gillian Move

As David was about to leave after a quicky session one evening Gillian said, “Have you got a moment?”

“Yes, of course. Is this to do with Chris moving to London and taking a job with the Ministry of Defence?”

Gillian sat down suddenly, as she had not realised that David knew of the proposed move. “Did he tell you?” she asked.

“No. The Ministry’s security people came asking questions.”

“Oh. What questions?”

“Well their main concern was whether you would be going with him or staying here with me,” David replied honestly, “But I have not told you that. You aren’t supposed to know officially that you have been vetted. On the other hand it is fairly obvious that anyone with the level of clearance needed to work on our projects would have their family and closest friends looked at.”

“So they know about us?” she asked.

“I notified them of our first private meeting when you rang me after our first dinner willing to have lunch.”

“And what did you say? That you intended to seduce me?” she was angry now.

“It was implied, but not stated as such,” David replied, “And there is no reason to get angry. If I hadn’t reported it before it happened then I, and more particularly Chris could have lost our clearances and our jobs. Face it, your life is closely connected to your husband’s and as he works in a very sensitive area they have to assess everyone who might influence him. That’s why so many who work in the defence world are married to other people in same world.”

The room went quiet while Gillian sat assimilating this, and she soon realised the truth of what he had said.

“I assume you know whether you are going with him, or staying here?” David half asked.

“Do you care?” she countered.

“Yes. Believe it or not, I want you to be happy, and I rather think you would be happier to discard your once-upon-a-time Master in favour of your husband.”

Her silence said it all.

David went out of the door saying, “I wish the both of you all the luck in the world and as my father used to say, ‘May the bluebird of happiness fly up your nose’, and I mean that most sincerely.”