Two weeks later, they were headed back to London. Eleanor dropped David and the kids off at Vicki's so the kids could get ready for back to school. Charlie and Ella barreled out of the suv, yelling their thanks and goodbyes as they raced up the front steps to a waiting Vicki, who had a beaming smile. David was going to stay for dinner.
"Thanks for the holiday, love." He said, pulling Eleanor in close. "It was brilliant." They said their goodbyes as well and after he got the bags out of the boot, she was off. The family was still in Norfolk through the weekend and she wasn't scheduled on anything until mid week. She had been keeping in contact with the ladies of the family, but beyond Harry's visit, there was no movement. She told Kate that they destroyed the folder without even opening it, even though it was in her suitcase. She had wanted to, but David wanted to know what was in it; what they knew. They hadn't looked though, not yet.
"I told them that was what you would do." Kate replied. It was her birthday weekend, so Eleanor had called to wish her well. "Once you've set your mind, there's no getting you to do otherwise. You would think your brothers would realize that now, but I guess glass houses and all that."
"I'm sure when dad is back there will be something."
Kate agreed and they talked some more. She thought that everyone would eventually come around, especially since Charles wasn't exactly opposed. He wasn't fully on board, but it was something. The Cambridges would be back on Monday for school as well, so they made plans to see each other for dinner later on in the week and hung up.
Eleanor faffed about the house, empty but for a few staff, and did some paperwork. Letter writing, sorting out invitations to go over with Alyssa, thank you cards for well wishers, reviewed her diary for the next week. She had dinner with Rose and their other mate, Fiona, catching up with them. She headed home, texting David, who was headed back to his flat in a cab. They said their goodnights and Eleanor slid her phone into her purse.
David was originally planning on heading home, but decided on a change in plans. He leaned forward in the cab, giving the driver a new destination. He had the driver stop a little bit from the gate since the cab wouldn't be allowed to enter. He walked the rest of the way, nodding at the uniformed guard, who instantly let him in. He took the stairs to the vestibule two at a time and continued up to the top floor.
The shower was running when he got to Eleanor's suite, a fire in the stone fireplace opposite the bed. He had learned in Scotland that having a fire burning in a fireplace was one of her things and if it was even close to cold enough, she would inevitably light one and leave it burning all night, no other lights on. They had many nights together with the kids and without, eating biscuits and snuggling by the fire.
The shower tap shut off and the door opened, steam pouring out into the bedroom. She jumped when she saw him, a little yelp of surprise.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, smiling and walking over to where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. She was wrapped in a towel, little drops of water still on her shoulders, her hair twisted up. He pulled her close, arms around her waist, and she leaned into him, his head on her torso.
"I missed you." He said. He felt her laugh vibrate through her as she ran her hands through his hair.
"We just spent two weeks together."
"I know and the thought of going home to an empty flat is depressing."
"You can sleep over whenever you'd like." She said, pushing off his jacket climbing into his lap, her towel riding up. His clothes soon joined that towel on the floor and they were coming together with tender kisses and sweet words and gentle touches. They were slow and relaxed, no urgency or rush.
Afterward, snuggled together, they talked about everything and nothing. He eventually asked her about the folder.
"You can have it." She replied, leaning up on her elbow to look at him. "I don't want it." She told him where it was and he went to retrieve it, coming back to the bed. They pulled the blankets around themselves and he opened it, fanning the contents out over the plush duvet.
There were the reports on the bombing and the sniper attack that he had seen before. Eleanor couldn't read it over his shoulder, but when he got to the photos, a loud gasp came from her and she covered her mouth. The first photo was of him wearing the suicide vest, his face battered and bloody, full of despair. Eleanor reached around to take it and look closer.
"Tell me, please." It came out a whisper and her eyes went to him and back to the photo and back to him. He didn't answer, just continued to sort through the photos. There was a photo of the bullet riddled BMW after Thornton Circus and another of the aftermath of the bombing at the school. There was no mention of his relationship with Julia, but he knew the report would contain his omission regarding his relationship with Andy.
"I remember this…" Eleanor said, looking at the photo of the car that easily could have held her or a member of her family. "I was on tour in Belgium, but everyone back home was terrified. They moved Gran to Scotland for a month." David still hadn't spoken. He hadn't seen any of this in over two years and now he wasn't sure he made the right choice in opening the folder. "Tell me about this." She continued, motioning toward the photo of him. "You...why are you in this device?" Her eyes were pleading with him, imploring him to speak. "You...your face…" she trailed off, visibly upset about the photograph.
"I was...I was set up." David finally spoke, his voice quiet, but steady. She nodded, her mouth in a tight line. "I was the Home Secretary's PPO and on duty both of these times." He motioned to the photos on the bed. "She...She was killed in the second attack and I had to find out why. When I got too close to the truth…" he continued, the words pouring out. He told her everything from the attempted train attack to his relationship with Andy and the involvement of his boss and organized crime. Then, he took a deep breath and told her about Julia.
Eleanor was staring at him; she hadn't spoken, but she looked like she wanted to; her mouth opening and closing with no words. Finally, she bent over, grabbed his jumper off the floor and pulled it over her head. She scrambled up all the papers and photos and shoved them back into the folder. In one motion, she got up and threw it all into the fire, setting it ablaze. Then, she headed for the balcony.
David pulled on his jeans and followed her out after a few minutes. It was freezing, but she was sitting on a metal chair, his jumper over her pulled up knees, smoking a cigarette. He pulled up the second chair, shifting it closer to her. She shifted her cigarette to the other hand and took a drag. Then, after exhaling away, she turned toward him, emerald eyes big and watery.
"I...I don't know what to do here, David." She finally spoke. "I'm so...I just…" she couldn't find the words and just shook her head. She exhaled the last of her cigarette and stubbed it out. He watched her; she didn't seem angry, more confused or even sad.
He stood, holding out his hand and was relieved when she took it.