A strange turn of events. Lord Cameron in Buenos Aires as President Javier Milei’s guest, (despite the Falkland Islands or should I say ‘Malvenas’ issues), the USA and UK jointly spying on the Neuquén Chinese ‘Space Station’, and our heroes Bond and Xiomara apparently being hunted by Peruvian agents.
In the meantime, Gianniana, with her large dog ‘Ghost’, remains hidden at Palacio Haedo in downtown Buenos Aires.
We are now on the palace terrace overlooking San Martin, a fresh breeze rising from the river Plata rustling leaves along the roof-top garden. Ghost lies panting in the shade whilst Giannina stretches out on a lounger in the sun. He hand drops to a glass of limonada with ice chilling against a golden, sweet-scented Senna.
‘Did they say where they were going?’ asks Raul, his old straw hat perched forward across his brow, secateurs in hand.
‘Neither of them have shared anything, including their plans for my future,’ she replies with a tone of despondency rather than annoyance. ‘Mind you, not that I am complaining. This beats having to work an evening shift at Duhau.’
It is at this precise moment that Bond and Xiomara return. The palace lift clanks to a stop, trellis gates clatter, and their footsteps echo on the stone staircase leading up to the terrace.
‘James, we were just speaking of you,’ says Raul. Ghost stirs, momentarily lifting his head and flicking a tail before returning to his slumbers. ‘And I was asking when it would be safe for me to leave your paradise,’ adds Giannina, her tone suggesting reluctance rather than supplication.
‘Giannina, I have news for you. Mr Bond and I have just met with your President Milei and Deputy Mondino. They have a job for you, for which you will, of course, be rewarded.’
Giannina looks up, aghast at the thought that she has come to the attention of the Argentine President, but also, if we discern her response correctly, intrigued at the prospect of being noticed.
‘You can’t be serious,’ she replies, ‘they haven’t a clue who I am.’
‘But now they do, you see. You may be the only person who can save the Republic from Chinese infiltration. Save for Spain (since Javier Milei insulted the wife of their President) the Western World is backing Milei against the Chinese. But we have a problem - their Peruvian allies have become involved, and, as far as they are concerned, you alone know the identity of their two foremost agents.’
‘You have choices, Giannina, but neither of them are great.’
Xiomara continues, ‘one choice is a bit better than the other, for with that one you get our support and protection - and at the end of it a new, paid-for home. As for the other choice, it is just a question of time before they eliminate you.’
You will have heard the expression ‘turning grey’, but perhaps never witnessed it in real life. At this moment Giannina’s face becomes ashen, lifeless, despondent, unmoving. She looks up. ‘It sounds as if I have no real option, doesn’t it,’ she replies. ‘If I do as you ask, tell me about this house in Salta?’
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