Set after end of 9.3… maybe 3 or 4 chapters. Ideally I would like to see Ruth aggravate Harry, Harry get angry at Ruth and then Ruth make the effort to "give him that chance" he's been after for a few series... we'll see how it pans out.
It had been two weeks since Beth had moved in and although she mainly kept to herself Ruth felt the lack of space. It was the noises through the other rooms, the jars rearranged in the fridge, foreign clothes in the dryer or the feeling that Beth could walk into a room at any time. Ruth knew it was trivial but she had become accustom to the solitude and now couldn't wind down without it. She had explained her situation to a preoccupied Lucas and enquired as to how long the flat sharing would have to continue. His response was typical, 'until we trust her'.
Everything had intertwined. The grid and her flat had fused into one complex system separated only by a bus trip which yet again she sometimes had to share with Beth. She wasn't a selfish person but all this sharing of her space, of herself was taking its toll and then there was Harry ….sometimes too little and always too much.
His words kept reverberating around her head,
Sometimes you've got to give a man a chance Ruth… to show you who he really is. Sometimes you've got to give a man a chance…
She swirled her wine and his words swirled with it before eventually becoming still.
The next morning Harry's phone rang.
"Morning Ruth."
"Would you like to go for a walk sometime today if you're not busy?" Ruth asked timidly. She'd worked up the courage but as always lacked the assertive execution. "I just feel like a need some space."
"Space?" Harry questioned, "you want to walk with me and have space, therefore space with me in it? Hmmm.. Yet when I want space with you Ruth …" He stopped and left the open ended question lingering.
Ruth was clutching at nothing, "Something to eat, a drink, a walk. I don't mind, just something to get out of the house." With no more than a few words Harry had highlighted the one consistent facet of their unequal relationship she tried to forget.
"Which is it Ruth? Eating, drinking or walking? You do realise what you are asking me to do?
"Yes Harry."
"Against my better judgement we walk. I'll come to you through, probably not a good idea you coming here." He checked the wall clock, "I'll be at yours by 11."
Knock, Knock, Knock
Harry noticed a slightly surprised look on Beth's face as she opened the door.
"Morning Beth… Ruth there? We're walking."
"Yes she's here," she inspected his look. Black jeans, t-shirt and a light jumper. Hardly walking attire she thought. "Ruth, Harry is here," she called from the door way before turning her attention back to her boss, "and arr you plan to get a sweat up?" She asked slowly, a small smile at her lips.
"Depends on how fast Ruth walks." Harry replied, face passive before turning and walking to the footpath.
Ruth slid past Beth and joined Harry, "bye Beth, see you later."
"Maybe not," Beth replied with a wink, "I've things to do, people to see, might not be back for a while… Enjoy your walk," she called after them as they turned and walked away.