Problems, Problems

Philippa Strand, Leader of the council, was fifty, warm, quick, and had a mind like a well-kept ledger. Her office held a portrait of the first Mayor and a bowl of boiled sweets she offered you both, Jonah included, with real kindness and no intention of letting it affect anything.

"Marian was a friend of this council," she said. "Whatever she told you."

"She told me the Strategy gets problems wrong."

"The Strategy gets problems rationed," said Strand. "I have eleven million pounds this cycle. I can fix about a quarter of what anyone calls a problem. The register tells me which quarter. If you have a better system, Dr Voss, I will hold the meeting in the street so everyone can hear it."