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Chapter 4
Harry watched her go, saw her address the tall man outside the conference room and head off in the direction of the kitchen area. He tried to steady his breathing, to determine whereabouts to begin the story of the last four years. She'd already guessed he needed her help, so there was little point in sugar coating. He could just come straight to the point.
He sighed loudly and tugged at his collar despite the fact it wasn't buttoned up. It was eerie being back in this room, it felt as if that previous life of his that he had shared with her here, belonged to someone he didn't know, or couldn't quite remember. The place had changed so much since he'd first walked through the doors all those years ago, he felt he wouldn't recognise the person that Sam and Leo had first worked with when he'd started. But despite everything he had made his way back and he could only hope that the woman he had found here was still as good at finding the answers he had always needed.
He felt another tap on his knee and looked down to see his son gesticulating wildly under the table.
"I told you, that was the last one. Nikki's bringing you something to eat and a drink. Could you please stop screaming? Nikki is our friend." He held his hands out in front of him as if he was shaking hands with himself. "Nikki – friend." The child shook its head and tapped the back of its own hand.
"I told you, that was the last one!" replied Harry. But he made a show of checking through the minion back pack and patted all his pockets. He finally found what the boy was looking for, a silver toy Porsche convertible. He held it out on the palm of his hand, his son took it and added it to the neat line of toys cars stretching under the table with a low brumming sound.
Nikki returned with the coffees and he noted gratefully, a plate of biscuits. Her Lyell Centre colleague - Jack, had she called him? Had not strayed far from the door. She handed Harry the cup of milk and he passed it under the table.
"His mother always wanted to get him tested," Harry blurted out and then shook his head, of all the places to start, that surely was the worst.
"Maybe you should start at the beginning Harry." Nikki suggested. She glared at Jack through the window and he finally backed off.
Harry felt another tug on his trouser leg and looked down. He retrieved the now empty mug and passed down the plate of biscuits. He'd not tasted a chocolate digestive in years but he needed time to tell his story and for that he didn't need a face full of food. He could also rest in the knowledge that at least he had given his son something to eat that day.