Chapter 1

The fire burned low in the fireplace, the dying embers licking over the wooden logs letting off a faint orangey glow into the light, airy room. There were several piles of books stacked haphazardly on the floor near the bulging bookcase and a black and white cat, curled up in the corner of the sofa. Next to the sofa stood a 6ft highland fir, dressed in tinsel, baubles and twinkling fairy lights; a collection of neatly wrapped presents piled underneath.

Harry Pearce sat in one of the two armchairs, patiently waiting for his analyst. Tonight was the Security Services Christmas Ball and much to his delight, Ruth was allowing him to pick her up.

Hating the event with a passion as it involved schmoozing with politicians, Harry had managed to pull some strings for the last few years that meant Section D had been manning things back at the Grid; keeping an eye on the security of London. This year, however, the Director General had put his foot down and insisted that Section D attend the function.

The majority of the team had taken it well when he'd announced their required attendance; the younger officers enjoyed a good night out; it was an excuse to dress up and let their hair down. Even Malcolm hadn't seemed particularly bothered. Ruth hadn't looked impressed though; and he'd asked her to stay behind after the briefing to discuss it with her.

"You look about as thrilled about this as I am," he'd told her. "I'm sorry; I did try to get us out of it."

"I'm sure," she'd replied. "I suppose it's only fair; we are way overdue to go."

"Possibly," he'd smiled wryly. "Is there any particular reason you don't want to go?"

"One, it's Christmas Eve and I was planning to drive down to Cheltenham once I'd finished here. And two, well, I'm not really one for formal occasions really, especially when…" she'd trailed off, but he'd pressed her for more.

"When…?"

Ruth had looked down. "When I've no one to take with me. It's one thing attending when you're with someone but to arrive alone, well…"

"Ah yes." They'd been silent for a moment and Ruth was just about to leave the room and he knew he'd never get another chance so he'd blurted out. "I could pick you up… if you like? That way neither of us would have to arrive alone."

She'd clearly been taken aback by his offer. "I…erm…that would be…nice. If you're sure it's not too much trouble."

He'd smiled at her then. "Of course not."

And that had been that. He'd arrived ten minutes ago, at the time they'd arranged, only to find Ruth wasn't ready. She was running late. She'd assured him she'd only be a couple of minutes and ushered him into the living room to wait.

He looked at his watch and as if on cue, there was a shuffling in the hallway and then the door creaked open slowly and Harry stood up. When the door was opened fully and Ruth was revealed, Harry simply stood there, blown away by the breath-taking sight in front of him. She wore a simple dress in the deepest blue he had ever seen. It was almost off-the-shoulder, with a high neck that swept just below her collarbone and three-quarter length sleeves. The fabric flowed gently over her hips and stopped just below the knee. It was simple, not too formal, yet elegant; very Ruth.

"I am so sorry," she apologised as she moved in front of the large mirror that adorned the wall above her fireplace. She picked up the brush and began to pull it gently through her hair before pinning it up. "I'll be ready in about two minutes. Are we going to be terribly late?"

"Not terribly, no." Harry was surprised he was able to come up with a coherent answer; he was still transfixed by Ruth's appearance. The neckline had made his heart skip a few beats but now she had turned away from him and he could see the back, well that had nearly given him a full blown coronary. The dress was cut incredibly low, leaving the majority of her back bare, stopping just above the base of her spine. He couldn't take his eyes off her skin, shining in the firelight. He vowed not to think about the fact that she couldn't possibly be wearing a bra. That way madness lay.

Her hair styled, Ruth placed the brush down and, sensing Harry's gaze on her, she turned to face him. She felt self-conscious; the dress was not something she would normally wear and she didn't quite know how Jo had talked her into it buying it. She chewed her bottom lip; a sign of her nervousness and she began to fiddle with the straps and the neckline, desperate to do something with her hands.

Harry could sense her anxiety. "Everything okay?"

"I'm still not sure about this dress," she admitted. "It's a little… revealing. I…. What do you think? Do I look alright?"

"Ruth, you look wonderful."

She smiles at him. "But will I fit in at this… thing, wearing this? I've never been to the annual security service dance before."

"It will all be fine, trust me." He holds out his arm. "Now, are you ready to go, because if we don't get a move on the evening will be over and all this worrying will have been for nothing."

"Right, yes. Sorry. Just let me… I'll just get my coat." Harry followed her into the hallway and helped her into her coat. As he did so, his hands brushed her bare back, sending shivers down her spine at their touch. She grabbed her purse and turned back to him

He stood there with his arm outstretched for her to take. "Shall we?"