Felt the need to write something, so here's a quick dialogue, set S10. Ruth is working for Towers, Harry regretting her move.
TOWERS: Forget it, Harry. I'm not a man for U turns.
HP: Forgive me, Home Secretary but I think you'll find that you're wrong.
TOWERS: (laughs)
HP: Fine. Whatever you believe. But I know Ruth.
TOWERS: And I do not?
HP: You have no idea.
TOWERS: (smiles) We'll see Harry. We'll see. Perhaps you don't know her as well as you think you do.
HP: I would never presume to know a woman as complex as Ruth.
TOWERS: You should … after all you have known her long enough.
HP: (eyebrows raised questioningly)
TOWERS: And people will talk.
HP: About what?
TOWERS: About you. And Ruth.
HP: There is nothing to be said about Ruth and I.
TOWERS: Really?
HP: (silent)
TOWERS: Perhaps you should ask her Harry. Ask her, or at least talk to the woman. For all our sakes.
HP: She is not in my employ any more.
TOWERS: And that's what all this is about, is it not?
HP: She should have the choice.
TOWERS: Then for god sake, talk to her. I've got a meeting with the Chinese tomorrow and I'd like my Head of Security to be available. Note, my Head of Security, not your former senior analyst. But if you really believe that's about to change then, as I say, ask her.
HP: (standing)
TOWERS: I believe she's in Victoria Gardens, having her lunch.
HP: (nods) Home Secretary.
RE: (surprised) Harry….
HP: Hi.
RE: Hi.
HP: May I?
RE: (nods)
HP: (sitting beside her)
RE: Meeting?
HP: Towers.
RE: Not scheduled?
HP: No. It was more a…personal matter.
RE: (eyebrows raised)
HP: Sometimes it's only when things change that you realise change is the last thing you want. Only then that you can recognise where it all begins to fall apart.
RE: Nothing's falling apart, Harry.
HP: I am.
RE: (smiling) Thames House itself could crumble and you'd still be there, immovable, unimpaired, unperturbed.
HP: Perhaps on the outside, Ruth.
RE: I doubt that..
HP: You're wrong. It's the foundations you need to worry about. What may appear seemless and unaffected is hardly that. Beneath there's a void. An unfillable void, beneath the building...Beneath me.
RE: (looks away)
HP: I need you to come back.
RE: Why?
HP: To fill the void.
RE: Find a new analyst, Harry.
HP: I have.
RE: Then give them time.
HP: I haven't got time. I want you.
RE: Don't be ridiculous, they'll be fine.
HP: You're my analyst.
RE: I work for Towers.
HP: Work for me.
RE: No.
HP: Ruth?
RE: No, Harry. I've made my choice. You made me make my choice.
HP: I was wrong.
RE: You were right. I deserve this. This is my time.
HP: (nods sadly)
RE: I like working for him. It suits me.
HP: Then I'm glad,.
RE: Me too.
HP: (standing) Can't fault a man for trying.
RE: Did you really think you could persuade me?
HP: Yes.
RE: You usually do.
HP: I know. (turning away) I'm sorry.
RE: Harry?
HP: (pausing)
RE: He's not you.
HP: (turning back)
RE: Besides I prefer your choice of wine.
HP: My choice of wine?
RE: (smiling) Yes.
HP: What….Burgundy?
RE: White burgundy.
HP: With dinner?
RE: Naturally.
HP: (smiles)
RE: Eight o'clock?
HP: Eight o'clock.
RE: Don't be late.
HP: Nor you.
RE: Me? I'm a civil servant, didn't you know.
HP: Did I ever tell you how much I rate civil servants, Ruth?
RE: Up there with politicians, wasn't it?
HP: (smiles) I think you'll find, Ruth, that they are my favourite department.
RE: Since when?
HP:(looking at his watch) Oh, about five minutes ago.
RE: (smiles) That's fortunate, then.
HP: Isn't it just.