Handbagged

An erstwhile Cabinet Secretary was taking over the post under Mrs Thatcher. He asked his predecessor if he had any tips for him. "Yes!" the other man exclaimed. "Mrs T likes to make dramatic entrances and exits from Cabinet meetings. She is always the first in and the first out. You will be seated on her right. Between your chairs will be her handbag. Do not make the mistake I once did of inadvertently putting your chair leg over the handle of the bag!"