Tony was sitting at his desk when Gordon Brown entered the room. "Morning Prime Minister", said Brown, his eyes drawn to a bowl of petunias Tony had placed on his desk, a gift from the Omagh East Primary School.

"What a fine and dandy day it is, Chancellor of mine" said Tony, smiling. "You are doing such a wonderful job at the Exchequer, the best Chancellor this century and of that there is no mistake."

"High Five" replied Brown, and both men stood up to clap their hands in the air. They laughed and took tea together.

Gordon, after a fashion, then went back to his office. Tony drank a cup of tea and discussed Northern Ireland with me.

Extract © Alistair 'No Good Bits' Campbell.