The Couple

Everyone at the Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation of Peculiar Organisms knew Jamie Glass fancied Annabel Treadwell. But no one said it aloud. It was the sort of thing which required no announcement. Not that anyone dared to either.

The couple was often spotted (and ignored almost immediately) kissing in a dark corridor and tales of their year long sabbatical in India were repeated time and time again to fresh-faced ministry colleagues. Whether there was considerable truth in these tales, no one knew. They might even have been tall tales but no one cared. Humans have long had a genetically embedded attraction to gossip. These people were only human. For them, gossip came as naturally as the change of tides. To them, Messr Glass and Mademoiselle Treadwell were an enigma; an easy lunchtime conversation topic.

Now, Jamie Glass was born lucky. Eton, Sandhurst and a stint with the Welsh Guards. He had been a dashing young captain with dark hair and the most captivating green eyes. Then pandemonium broke loose. With deep regret expressed by both parties, he was asked to leave when the General figured that his prospective regimental commander would be eternally inept at giving commands. Glass was transferred to the Ministries and to make up for the loss, given the top job at the B.I.I.P.O. In making this decision, the government had made a hypothetical supposition that a strange thing like Jamie Glass ought to deal with things more strange than himself.

Annabel Treadwell was his pretty assistant with flowing black hair and voluptous figure; albeit very similar to Demi Moore. She hardly ever spoke. And that suited Glass very well. They were married despite the fact that neither had ever proposed, taken vows or invited relatives to share their joy. Annabel didn't want to. Jamie just couldn't. To put it nicely, he was vocally impaired.