But her initial success in avoiding suspicion did not eliminate an inherent problem in her future spying role – that of preserving the smokescreen around her activities as they broadened across an unfamiliar social landscape. As in any other form of business, an unbridled success in espionage activities may create its own problems. A spy needs to be committed to preserving the status quo. The possible downside is that the more convincing the performance, and the more successful the daily processes of deception, the greater the likelihood is that these new successes will cross boundaries and possibly attract unwelcome attention from new entrants into a spy’s additional region of influence. In effect, the more ‘permanent integration’ success a foreign spy enjoys, the greater the vigilance required to ensure that these perceptions are protected. Strange behaviour from otherwise ‘normal’ people swiftly produces rumour and speculation. Annette had achieved an effective level of social integration in Australia and was seemingly at ease within the midst of her new associates and friends – although limited in number.
