The Private Life of Spies

by Alexander McCall Smith

Now it was him upon whom the fulcrum of history rested. Him: Archie Clark Kerr, Australian, Scotsman, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, who had wandered into history and now had to do what history demanded of him. ‘Prime Minister,’ he said, his voice more controlled now. ‘Prime Minister, Stalin wants in his own rather clumsy way to patch things up. I saw what happened last night at the dinner. I saw him following you to the door. He wanted to talk. He wanted to say sorry – once again, in his own, unusual way. It would cost you nothing to rise above his social ineptitude. You are a man of standing – you come from a background of distinction and achievement. He comes from nothing. He hasn’t had your advantages. You should extend a hand to him. It would make all the difference, believe me.’