My Name Is Gideon

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 12 Apr 2020
  • 1096 reads
4 comments
 
It is a week since I moved into the garden chalet that Jessica has kindly put at my disposal. I couldn't ask for more. I could easily settle here permanently.
 
It is an annexe to the main house, very spacious, self-contained and functional. It has a kitchen and living area, a shower and toilet room, a bedroom (with a double bed) and a wardrobe.
 
This modern structure on the grounds of a Victorian villa is somewhat anachronistic
compared to the house's architecture.
 
It can be accessed either via a path that runs parallel to the house or through a conservatory at the back of the main residence.
 
It makes a good observation point: from here I can see Jessica's silhouette in the first floor bedroom's window. She is about to close the curtains before retiring for the night.
 
My cell phone pings and a text appears on the screen:
 
“Goodnight, Gideon. Sleep well.”
◊ ◊ ◊
 
The organisation for which I work is always looking out for fresh blood to replace old officers who get knighted and retire.
 
We have scouts on university campuses keeping an eye for talents that might be suitable for recruitment.
 
Jessica M., a girl who had recently graduated with a First in modern languages stood out among a bunch of possible candidates.
 
Her name had been put forward by her university's tutor and the career adviser of her faculty suggested that employment in the Civil Service offered many opportunities for advancement.
 
Her formal application for employment was what brought her to our attention and I was the one chosen to assess her suitability.
 
Prior to making a thorough examination of her background, I decided to conduct a preliminary interview and booked an interview room in central London.
 
I introduced myself.
 
“Good afternoon, Ms Mazziarello. Take a seat. My name is Gideon McQuoid.and I run the import/export company which I understand you wish to join.”
 
She looked at me quizzically as if to say: WTF, import/export?
 
Then the penny dropped as she understood that that epithet was a euphemism for our outfit.
 
“Tell me something about yourself”, I said, “so that we can ascertain a position to suit your personality.”
 
She spoke about wanting to visit far and interesting places having travelled throughout Europe with her uncle Jeremy since she was a child.
Of her sporting prowess and achievements but her main ambition was to be involved in challenging and adventurous situations.
Talked enthusiastically about secret agents real and fictional and her imagination seemed to transcend into fantasy..
I feel like a heel for indulging her in this romantic dream and not spelling out the unvarnished truth.
 
I told her to be patient and that I would get in touch as soon as a decision was made.
 
I will have to evaluate the situation and report to my superiors but my instinct tells me that we should be prepared to take a gamble with this young lady or at least put her on probation as long as the vetting, that our investigators are already carrying out, proves to be satisfactory.
 
 
© Luigi Pagano 2020
Certificate U
Story
Just Stories
Drama

Comments

Submitted by onemorething on

Ahhhh. The vetting process. I wonder what this involves, looking at the suitability of her silhouette in a bedroom window so far. I like that she has noticed this. Have no doubt either than it's less glamorous than it appears. Enjoyed as usual. Rachel x

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Although he can't deny that he finds Jessica attractive, Gideon is not a PeepingTom and at the moment he is privy to classified information that he can't reveal to her.

Thanks for being a follower of these ramblings, Rachel. Few more things to unravel.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Looking forward to the unravelling Luigi!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Cheers, Claudine.

Luigi x