A few days later Ruth was sipping her coffee anxiously, waiting for Mark to turn up. She knew he was coming around but it still made her anxious, and Harry wasn't leaving her alone either. She jumped when the doorbell rang. "Shall I get it?" Harry asked. Ruth nodded quietly and heard the deafening silence as both men came back into her kitchen, glaring at each other. She bit her lip to hold her smile as Mark looked uncomfortable with the stare Harry was giving him. Harry waited for a minute and then left he kitchen, closing the door with a snap. Ruth knew he was listening though.

"What do you want?" Ruth asked standing up to face him.

"What on earth do you see in him?" Mark asked, nodding at the door.

"Is that really the way you want to start this conversation?" Ruth asked bewildered. She sighed and carried on when he said nothing. "He has qualities that are completely foreign to you. Like honour and integrity?"

"Short life span, large bank balance?" Mark suggested with a cheeky smile she used to find attractive.

"How dare you," she said quietly. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't throw you out of my house?"

"Look, I don't want to argue," Mark said. "Ruth… I'm in a bit of trouble here."

"Why am I not shocked?" Ruth said sarcastically.

"Basically I've got on the bad side of the wrong people. And I've borrowed some money.

"Ah, I see where this is going," Ruth said with a raised eyebrow.

"Look, I know you don't like me but I went to a lot of trouble to find you."

"Why?" Ruth said incredulously. "And how did you find me by the way?"

"Your mother," he said quietly.

"Of course," Ruth cursed to herself. "She always did have a soft spot for you. She has bad taste. Mark, you are one of the last people on the planet I would want to help."

"I don't really have any friends to ask," he said. "You're the only person I can turn to."

"What a sad life you must lead," she said trying to hold her ground. "The only person you can turn to is your ex-wife who you haven't seen in ten years. Why would I help you?"
"I'll sign the divorce papers," he said looking down. "You're not my ex-wife yet. Give me three grand and I'll sign the papers and you will never have to see me again."

"I'm not giving you any money," Ruth said firmly. Mark opened his mouth to argue when Harry barged in.

"Wait a minute," Harry said, looking at Ruth. "Maybe we should talk about this."

"You're not serious?" Ruth said walking closer to Harry. "You want to give him money? We should kick him out not pay him!" Mark watched both Harry and Ruth as it became increasingly apparent that neither of them were paying him the slightest bit of attention.

"I want him out of our lives Ruth," he said, taking her hand in his. "Its that simple. I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and he's getting in the way." Ruth smiled slightly. "Just pay him and let him disappear."

"You want to marry me?" she asked quietly, her face smiling slowly.

"Of course I do," he said, eyes twinkling. "Why on earth wouldn't I?"

"I don't have three grand," Ruth said simply.

"Use one of our slush funds," Harry said quietly. "You go and get the money while I have a conversation with our house guest."

"Okay," Ruth said. Harry went to grab a pen and write down the account numbers she would need but she stopped him. "Don't bother. I already know them."

"Is there anything you don't know?" he asked, an arm around her waist lightly.

"I'm sure there'll be something," Ruth said with a smile. She reached forward and kissed him lightly, or at least that was the intention. It turned into a deeper embrace which she reluctantly pulled away from. Ruth opened her kitchen drawer and pulled open the false bottom. She carried the papers over to the table and put them in front of Mark.

"Be careful," Harry said as she left, more out of habit than anything else. She smiled as she disappeared around the corner. They heard the door slam and Harry looked at Mark, wondering if he had the upper hand yet. Mark was wondering how long he was going to be left with an angry Harry who was clearly not happy with him. There was total silence in the kitchen and neither wanted to be the first to break it.


Okay, leaving it on a little bit of a cliffhanger! Hope you're enjoying it so far. Next Harry talks to Ruth's husband. I have a vague outline but any suggestions? Ideas or lines might be incorporated if you want...