Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Dempsey drove up and parked outside 187 Camberwell Drive. During the drive home he had talked endlessly, mainly banal observations because he couldn't bear the pain that occupied the silence. "I knew you would be alright" he told her again although it was far from the truth. "You deserve this one, getting the faces - the profile - great stuff." "You did great Makepeace - all day I mean. You know in the park and the warehouse, on the radio..." "How the hell did he watch us?" "He got lucky - I mean you going out on your own"

Harry said nothing; her mind was numb and just not functioning at all.

Once parked Dempsey wrapped his arm round Harry and led her up the steps, using his own key to open her door. Inside he took his coat off of Makepeace and pulled her into himself, holding her so tight "Harry, O Harry" he whispered and she clung to him.

Eventually he led her into the kitchen with him, put on the kettle and sat her down. He put sugar in her tea and she protested "I'd rather slug something stronger"

Tell you what I'll run you a bath then you can decide.

She listened to him as he ran upstairs and prepared her bath, he searched around and found some essence and some bubbles. He turned on the taps and hunted out a couple of bath towels and called down as to where to find some pyjamas.

Harry was surprised that she didn't feel inclined to go up and find them herself but she didn't. She sat holding her mug firmly in her two hands and sipping her sweet tea.

Dempsey was himself surprised that she hadn't made her way up; he went back down and suggested she could take her bath. He asked her if she wanted anything to eat, but she said she didn't.

Whilst she bathed he raided the fridge and lit the fire in the lounge. It was now about 1.00 in the morning, he heard Harry come down the stairs, "I could eat something I think"

"You want to go to bed? I'll bring you a chicken sandwich" he offered

"I don't know." She really didn't know what she wanted to do; she was just so glad that Dempsey was there. "You don't mind staying do you" she confirmed

"Never" he smiled encouragingly

"Thank you" it was delivered with a very weak smile. She sat and watched him make her sandwich and took a tiny bit out of the bread but she couldn't swallow, she put the plate back down "I'm sorry"

"No worries, tell you what why don't we go in the lounge for a while first hey?" Dempsey suggested

Harry obediently did so. Dempsey went with her, he sat on the sofa "Come on, come and sit with me" he gently encouraged, he sat tucked up into the corner of the sofa sideways on with his right leg pushed along the back of the seat, his left on the floor, his back to the window watching the flames of the fire flicker. Harry obediently came and sat so her back leaned against him, her slim body fitting onto the rest of the sofa, her knees bent bringing her legs into her chest, almost in the foetal position. Dempsey lifted his left leg and locked her onto the sofa, he leaned forward wrapping his body onto hers, his arms encircling her, he held her hands crossed against her knees his body heat warming her and reassuring her. They watched the flames together, saying nothing. As the coals started to fade Harry shivered

"What about bed now?" Suggested Dempsey

She nodded her assent and he released her, she stood to go up and he followed her

"I'll be ok" she insisted

"I know you will, but I won't be unless I can see you." This was genuine, not making excuses, he couldn't care tuppence about his promise to Spikings, protective custody, and all that stuff - his promise to himself over wrote everything.

She climbed into bed and he sat on the chair in the corner and put his feet on the bed

"Will you be alright?" she asked, wanting his presence but feeling guilty at the same time

"Sure"

Harry turned off the bedside light, then as soon as she experienced the blackness of the night immediately turned it back on

"Dempsey" she called quietly

"Princess?"

"Will you hold me?"

He lay on top of the bed clothes and she moved so she could sleep in his arms. The duvet seemed twisted and awkward,

"Properly" she whispered

He got up and removed his jacket, undid the buckle and belt on his trousers and got under the quilt with her.

He turned the light out and with his arm around her back her head rested on his shoulder. He could hear her taking deep breathes, trying to control the fear that was rising inside her, he also knew the next task. Dempsey brushed her hair away from her face, "Princess" he paused again, all night he had wanted to ask, but been afraid. Now, now that the lack of vision meant he could be spared the sorrow he'd see in her eyes, he posed his question "Did he do anything to you Harry? He didn't harm you did he?" James was petrified of the answer, he half thought that if he had he'd go and put a bullet through the dead man, just to satisfy his anger if the answer was affirmative.

Harry wondered if you had to be physically raped for it to count as harm, she knew where his question lay "putting that wig on me, touching my face – he made my skin crawl" she whispered "but no he didn't rape me, not my body anyway"

James's right arm slipped under her and held her waist tight as his left hand continued to stroke her hair; his silent tears fell from his face onto hers. Harry found a strange fulfilment; she hadn't been able to cry the hurt that she felt but his tears shed on her behalf satisfied her expression of sorrow.

Sometime later she lay across him feeling the security of his arms holding her safe, both of theirs' breathing now much more even "try and get some sleep princess" Dempsey said.