Missing in Egypt Read Free

myself with the new layout as I was still doing relief work in Canberra from time to time.   What an amazing building!   From its impressive entrance to its huge marble pillared forecourt, sweeping staircase up to the Members’ offices and the beautiful Chambers it is an architectural marvel that all Australians can be proud to call their seat of Government.   Much of it is made of glass and it is a very spacious, light and airy building.   I marvelled at our suite of offices – a huge office for the Member, with ensuite; a large reception area and desk plus another office, a filing room and a kitchenette!   In addition it is set in large grassed grounds overlooking the mountains.   There are tennis courts for the use of Members and staff and underneath is a huge parking area.  
    By this time I was driving down to Canberra as I found it more convenient to have my car there and by the time I went to the airport and then waited for a car the other end, there was not much difference in the timing.   It was tiring but it sure beat those occasions when a plane strike was called on a Friday evening, deliberately aimed at the politicians and we were all sitting at Canberra airport wondering if we were going to get home that week-end.
    I went back to my motel and changed quickly and returned to the House.   Drinks were served and as Jim was circulating I was left pretty much on my own.   One of the other Shadow Ministers, whose Parliamentary office was close to ours, kindly came over to talk to me with his wife.   However, when she realised I was not Jim’s wife she gave me a look of disdain and quickly moved him along!   I was not only embarrassed, but humiliated. I knew I had flushed bright red as she obviously thought Jim and I were having an affair.   Jim was not a womaniser and I was certainly not interested in anything but a professional relationship in my working life.
    I determined not to let this spoil my evening.   Fortunately it was not long before we sat down to dinner, underneath the famous, if somewhat contentious, painting “Blue Poles”.   The Prime Minister gave a welcoming address and the rest of the evening passed pleasantly – the food was delicious and even the speeches were mostly entertaining.
    I stayed in Canberra for the rest of the week and soon became familiar with our new setting.   Without the rabbit warren of corridors of the old Parliament House it was easier to find your way around and the building was spacious, filled with light and surrounded by lovely courtyards with grass-edged pavers and trees.   Tables and chairs were strategically placed – some in the shade for those few warm days and the rest in the direct sun.   The staff cafeteria was a huge area with an improved selection of food – it was like eating in a restaurant every day.   Although I didn’t go to the bar, it was very well frequented in the evenings, by members and staffers alike.   However, I couldn’t help hankering just a little for the camaraderie which existed in the old Parliament House.   Our grand new office suites were quite self-contained, so there was very little need to venture outside them. It was really only at the photocopier or cafeteria that people met up.   There was less whispering in the corridors and I missed the gossip!  
    I went into Question Time one afternoon.   The new gallery was very modern and the glass wall which cut you off from the politicians was so clear you felt you were actually in the Chamber.   A couple of times I took papers into Jim whilst the House was in session – there were seats at the rear of the Chamber for politicians to converse with their staffers.   Life in Canberra was an entirely different world – a mini-city with a feeling of surrealness, dislocated from real life.
     
     
     
     

2. Kareem
     
    Kareem Hazif contacted me a couple of times whilst I waited to hear back from the Minister’s office.   He was always very polite and courteous,