Occasionally, when there is something I simply have to remember, I ring the exchange and ask for a call a few minutes before the appointed time. It’s like a knot in one’s handkerchief, but a knot can’t ring a bell at you, can it?’ Smiley peered at her. His throat felt rather dry, and he had to swallow before he spoke. ‘And what was the call for this time, Mrs Fennan?’ Again the enchanting smile: ‘There you are. I completely forget.’
