This week Fiona Grew, head Fixer-Upper at Fictional Fix-Ups Dating Agency, introduced Scottish-born Minerva McGonagall to Hercule Poirot on his first trip north of the border, suggesting they take a stroll in Holyrood Park to get to know one another. Here’s what they had to say about one another…
Minerva:
A friend of mine, unbeknownst to me, submitted my details to the Agency and I was, politely expressing it, surprised to receive the invitation to meet M. Poirot this week. However, our ramble around Arthur’s Seat was pleasant, with the weather (thankfully) holding out although I established early on that walking did not seem to be an activity particularly enjoyable to my companion. I was interested to hear of M. Poirot’s line of work, a Private Detective, and his methods for solving the cases, which seemed to me to boil down to merely using his brain. As I say it was an enlightening discussion, a pleasant walk and I hope M. Poirot has enjoyed his first trip to Scotland.
Hercule:
Ms. McGonagall was a charming companion with which to spend my afternoon although I was not prepared for walking, having worn my best Italian leather shoes and only a light overcoat. As such, I felt myself somewhat distracted throughout, trying to keep the mud from my shoes (my companion did not seem to struggle, I noted in fact that her shoes seemed somewhat impervious to the conditions of the day) and concerned lest I should catch a cold. In spite of these difficulties I enjoyed hearing Ms. McGonagall’s tales of teaching and was flattered to find that she had spent some time in my own native country, Belgium, whilst en route to a school in France. I will not be remaining long in Scotland on this occasion but I hope to enjoy the company of Ms. McGonagall again on future visits and have extended the invitation to enjoy a sirop de cassis or drinking chocolates together whenever convenient.