Chapter Text
1966
It was a Thursday evening, specifically Bernard's first Thursday in Whitehall; it had taken him till now to gather up the courage to go to his new club. There were a few other members milling around the bar, adding to its ambience with their indistinguishable conversation. It was peaceful; somewhere Bernard could be alone with his thoughts but not entirely devoid of company. Just the way he liked it. Although, he was now starting to regret his decision as his efforts to catch the attention of the bartender were proving futile, perhaps it was a test, set to prove the determination and persistence of all new civil servants, or perhaps it was it just him.
This doubt had just begun to seep into his mind, as it so often did, when Bernard noticed someone else walk in, a man slightly taller than himself, of a similar age with an impeccable jaw line and dark brown eyes, the kind that Bernard worried he would get lost if he stared for too long. Clearly, he had been staring because the man turned to make eye contact but he looked downwards before the man could catch his gaze.
This stranger had noticed Bernard as soon as he walked in, how could he not, the young man was looking increasingly desperate trying to make contact with the bartender but that wasn't the only thing, it was the look of innocence and youth in his wide blue eyes, his straight brown hair neatly combed with no strand out of place and a slight smile in the corners of his lips that he hadn't lost despite his situation.
Bernard felt the man amble over to his side and watched as he called the bartender over with one swift gesture of his hand. Oh superb he thought. His thoughts, however, were rudely interrupted
" What are you drinking?" The mans voice was silky, rich and rounded.
" Oh...erm...I...ah" The man raised one thick eyebrow "I only wanted a gin and tonic" was Bernard's sheepish reply.
"A glass of the house claret, my good man and a gin and tonic for my friend here"
The bartender busied himself with pouring their drinks and The man turned back to Bernard.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Humphrey Appleby" The man- Mr Appleby- extended his hand for Bernard to shake.
"Bernard Woolley, and er thank you for the drink" gladly accepting the handshake.
"Ah think nothing of it, and I'm sure you shall repay the favour at a later date" Mr Appleby smiled wryly and gestured for Bernard to follow him to a low table with two old wingback arm chairs. The leather on the chair was worn and cracked but no less comfortable as Bernard sank down into it.
"So, Mr Woolley, you're not a face I recognise are you new?" Mr Appleby broke the contented silence in the same calm tone that had Bernard wondering if this man was ever unnerved by anything at all.
"I only started on Monday, it's all quite new to me" He replied before taking a sip of his drink.
"Oh that really is new then, which department are you in? How are you finding it so far?"
"Transport, It's mainly passing documents from one person to another nothing too arduous so far"
"Well I suppose that's what transport is there for, taking things from A to B". Both men chuckled at Mr Appleby's witty response, feeble though it was. Bernard did feel as though this was rather an interrogation rather than an introduction and he knew nothing of the man sat before him.
"So er, how long have been ...here?" Bernard asked, realising he didn't know which department Mr Appleby worked at and inwardly cringing.
"I work at the DAA," he replied clocking Bernards panic "I've been there since i left university 8 years ago""Oh that's like me I've just graduated. Oxbridge?"
"Oxford"
"Oxford!"
"Balliol?"
"Magdalen."
That was it, Bernard may as well have know the man sat before him all his life, the conversation was easy and flowing as they exchanged tales of errant Professors, college dinners and late night antics in halls. Bernard did not know how much time had passed since they'd sat down nor did he really care but it was darker now and the warm glow of the table lamp was casting faint shadows across Mr Appleby's face that only accentuated his elegant nose and cheekbones.
"It's getting late, would you like to come back to my apartment Mr Woolley, we can continue our conversation and I could dispense some advice about surviving in the civil service, if that suits?"
"Oh I'd love to, that really is awfully kind Mr Appleby" He replied, slightly giddy for reasons he couldn't yet pin down
"Humphrey, please" Humphrey gave a small but genuine smile as he stood and began to walk towards the door, Bernard smiled in return; it was the most at ease he'd felt all week and the most appreciated he'd felt in longer than he cared to admit.
Humphrey's flat was neatly decorated with the type of ornaments Bernard expected from a man such as Humphrey; decanters filled with various drinks with matching glasses, stacks of books on various surfaces, detailed brass lamps and a dark leather button-back sofa. The refined sophistication of the apartment, Bernard felt, reflected Humphrey Appleby perfectly. There was a sense of comfort, of warmth and belonging to the place just as there was to the man.
"Are my living arrangements up to your standards" Humphrey enquired with wide eyes. Bernard had been gawping, he knew he had been as soon as Humphrey broke his trance.
"Oh ... no, I mean, yes, I'm sorry, it's a lovely flat" he attempted to backpedal
Humphrey just chuckled, clearly amused by Bernard's clumsy attempt at an apology
"Please, sit down Bernard. Can I get you a drink? Brandy? Sherry?"
"Oh sherry please, thank you" he sat down feeling slightly out of place, like he shouldn't be there but when Humphrey passed him the glass of sherry and sat at the opposite end, turned partially to face Bernard with his legs crossed and one elbow on the arm of the sofa, Bernard let out a quiet sigh and sank backwards almost mirroring Humphrey. The conversation was just as flowing as it had been earlier, about nothing in particular but it was nice nonetheless. Bernard hardly noticed the passing of the hours or the dropping level of liquid in the decanter, so when he finally looked at his watch it took him by surprise.
"Humphrey" He whispered, "It's one o'clock in the morning" He ran his hand through his hair as visions of the office in the morning flashed through his mind.
"I suppose we should get to bed. You make very fine company Bernard, i'd like to do this again if you would?" Humphrey asked tentatively
"Thank you, yes I would. But I would like even more to get some sleep before tomorrow, well today". Both men chuckled and Humphrey helped Bernard with his coat before waving him off into the night.
When Bernard arrived at the office, there was a memo on his desk. He never got Memos this early in the morning. It simply read
BW
Lunch?
HA