Having low expectations of the world did have the benefit of managing one’s disappointments rather well. Marlena would never entertain being so optimistic as to think that any government in the civilised world would do something as generous as share whatever they found – certainly she rarely knew what the colleague that sat at the nearest desk to hers was doing, let alone what her opposite number in the Egyptian government might be up to – but there was a chance that Mr Crouch was right. He had, after all, been a Ministry man for quite a bit longer than she had and his insights were not to be ignored.

“I hope so,” she said emphatically, offering him a small, wan smile. “You know better than I do how less-than-cooperative some people can be.”

Getting to her feet she brushed down her robes awkwardly and registered, finally, that he might not have been too thrilled by her impromptu interruption.

“Thank you for your time Mr Crouch. I realise you’re extremely busy so I really do appreciate it.”

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MJ: still raising the graphics bar as of 2022