And second, (referring to my other question) can one use the phrase, "Ils m'ont permis de les accompagner"?

Hi Ann,

You could use this expression but the tense is wrong it should be-

Ils m'avaient permis de les accompagner = They had allowed me to accompany them

and it is more formal than -

They had let me come with them = Ils m'avaient laissé venir avec eux

Hope this helps!