The thirteenth chairΒΆ

Pale lime-washed walls, dark wooden beams, a long oak table receding into cool silvery northern light. Plain identical wooden chairs ranged along the near side of the table, the row continuing past the edge of the frame; each visible chair carries a small brass nameplate, the foreground ones reading I, II, III. Set back from the table against the wall, not aligned with the others, stands a single plainer chair with a small brass plate reading XIII.

The thirteenth chair is the one not in the seating plan. The meeting has twelve seats, for principals, institutional leads, the chair. An advisor may have a chair too. It is usually not listed in the formal record. The views advice carries can shape the briefing paper and the options on the table. Advice does not sign decisions.