The night that John McCarthy was freed in Beirut, Les, Gerry and Guy Gumm (the grand masters of Leith) found themselves in a pocket-sized restaurant in Bath. The proprietor shared the news with them.
They promptly ordered a couple of bottles of Chateau Musar. According to Mr Farrell, the best Lebanese red in the world (and better yet, only a fiver a bottle at the time). The owner and his missis plonked themselves down with them and they toasted John McCarthy`s release. Until four in the morning.
Waking up this morning to hear that Alan Johnston had at last been given his get-out-of-jail card, Gerry drove with purpose to Sainsburys and bought handfuls of Celebrations for the agency. Almost as good as a few bottles of Chateau Musar.
He proceeded to scatter them throughout the building with little notes on the boxes entreating passers-by to liberate a chocolate. A lovely and honourable intention.
Thwarted only by the fact that he didn't sign any of the notes so visitors to reception spent the day thanking the glamourous Shayne for her gift.