Amid much excitement, one of the Foreign Secretary's officials dashed to grab the receiver. The voice at the other end began to dictate an order for a takeaway pizza. This government has been no more immune than its predecessors to self-delusion about Britain's place in the American scheme of things. To the arrival of George W. Bush in the White House, bringing with him a regime which challenges the cherished myths about the relationship, London has reacted by wrapping itself in a duvet of more illusion. The inauguration of Dubya moves the Foreign Secretary to gush over the 'uniquely warm friendship' between the two countries.
Diplomatic etiquette demands the maintenance of the pretence that nothing has really changed.
Assuming that the briefers from the CIA have now cleared up any lingering confusion in Dubya's mind between Britain and Burundi, it will be superficial business as usual. Though Tony Blair clearly preferred Al Gore, Number 10 was careful to hedge its bets. Mr Cook took the precaution of meeting Colin Powell many months ago. Chris Meyer and his team at the British embassy in Washington have assiduously cultivated players of influence in the Republican White House. On a personal level, Tony and Dubya can be expected to get along just dandy.