Tribal markings

tie, sported by the taller of the two, a man with a fine aquiline nose and a general air of distinction, even if faded, bore the motif of the Bank of Scotland; the other proclaimed, in bold silver and maroon stripes, membership of the Watsonian Rugby Club.

To the casual observer, these two would seem to be typical Edinburgh businessmen, one obviously employed by the Bank of Scotland, the other possibly a member of one of the law firms that had migrated from Charlotte Square to the financial quarter behind the old Caledonian Hotel. Such an observer, had he or she bothered to speculate, might suggest that the meeting of these two would be the prequel to a larger meeting to take place at one of the banks or investment firms – an opportunity to discuss strategy or explore a position before the dynamics changed and people commercial property managers, was the Secretary of the Association. When they had both recently assumed office, neither had been aware of the looming crisis that now threatened to divide the Association.

It was this crisis that had disturbed the sleep of the Chairman for the last two nights and had prompted him to telephone the Secretary with the suggestion that they meet for coffee and a chat at Big Lou’s. Big Lou’s was, in fact, convenient for both of them that day as they were both to attend an earlier meeting at the headquarters of the Association in Moray Place. That was only a few blocks west of Big Lou’s – an elegant Georgian circus looking in upon a sedate urban garden. The garden, with its shady canopy of trees and its well-kept paths, was a favourite haunt of members of the Association, and was the site of the wellattended