The TV shows Simone and Dempsey at breakfast time, Simone is struggling with drink problems
Next morning, as was becoming too much of a habit, Makepeace pulled on her professional face, confirmed to Spikings that Simone had indeed caught up with Dempsey and buried herself in work in an attempted to keep her over active brain occupied. Her resolve stoutly determined to display acceptance at all times, and never to show any signs of weakness. As the clock ticked by the green eyed monster started to rear its ugly head, but before it had much chance to become concrete Dempsey walked in.
Dempsey had made a deliberate choice not to let Simone know where he was, it was now nearly two years since he'd last seen her and to be honest he'd not missed her. That wasn't to say he hadn't had good times with her but her constant drinking had become a real drag and he had lost any sense of passion for her some time before that. He had been supportive because of the good times, but when likewise she seemed to make no effort to find out about him either he assumed that she considered it all over also.
Simone, it appeared, had finally decided to track him down when his mother had implied he was intending to stay in England. He had made that decision back before Christmas when Coltrane had been nailed; Spikings had asked Dempsey if he wanted to rescind the special agreement and work plan and he had simply looked back out into the main office and watched Harry for a brief moment before turning back to Spikings and spoken those words "I think I'll stay a bit longer, seems I've gotten used to the climate". Spikings hadn't seemed the least surprised; something that had surprised Dempsey at the time.
Dempsey had been keen to hear all about New York, but Simone hadn't really any news of people he knew, just that she had called on his mother and he was glad not to have to hide his frustration for long. Jet lag caught Simone and Dempsey gave her his bed and took the spare quilt with him onto the sofa, she had tried to catch his eye but he had deliberately withheld it.
Like old times in the morning she seemed full of life again and flashes of fun were easy to fall into, that at least felt good, however Dempsey was worried when she obviously hoped to at least catch his lips after her flirting over breakfast and their brief jive. He wanted to say something but she had stopped him as he spoke her pet name and set him a challenge instead by inviting him back into the old relationship. He purposefully kissed her on either cheek as he left but he genuinely regretted having to leave her alone in London; he'd given her his spare key and hoped she'd enjoy a few famous sights.
Simone's fishing questions hadn't gone unnoticed, he batted them off one by one with no intention of giving anything away; the annoying thing was that it merely highlighted his confused position and myriad uncertainties, that thanks to her were now bobbing above the surface of his consciousness yet again.
Fortunately work kept Dempsey and Makepeace both heavily occupied, their minds used working out the connections within the underworld. As such they also forgot the complications of life outside work and settled comfortably into each others skins once again.
Simone was downing more Vodka; as soon as Dempsey had left she retrieved the bottle from the shelf he had placed it on and poured herself a neat double. She had known in her heart of hearts that she had no chance. After all he had obviously chosen not to contact her after he was free too; her conversation with his mother had indicated that he hadn't even enquired after her. Oh she had been very kind and tried to soften the blow and in a way that was why she was here now, making a fool of herself. When she had placed herself available and close to his lips and he'd started to say 'Mona' she had known what was about to leave his lips. She had come to fight for him and so she had set her pitch: 'she knew he needed her' and she also knew the mission was futile as she had looked into his eyes and seen nothing, absolutely nothing; the pain hurt and the only way she knew to kill the pain was to drink. She had downed the vodka and offered him juice and pretended she was made of sterner stuff. The kiss on the cheek had been like the nails in the coffin and she couldn't hide the irony from her voice as she wished him a good day at the office. She had to go out, but only as far as the local pubs. Stabilised in an excessive alcoholic state she prepared herself for the evening, drawing strength from the booze she determined to show him she had only come as a friend not as a spurned lover. She found one with live music and decided that would make a good venue for the evening's entertainment.
Determined to do the best friend role, given that constant re analysis kept coming up with the best friend solution, Makepeace asked about Simone. As Harry listened to a few of his memories she realised that this brought back New York. He spoke with fondness and in a gentle way when reminiscing and she found her self not just fearing that his heart would reawaken feelings for an ex but he would feel the pull of America. Steely eye determination held her as she realised that not only may he may not have any feelings for her but that he may not always stay here in the UK.
She reminded herself that she had a date this Saturday; William McKindersley had invited her to join him at a weekend battle re enactment happening at his fathers place. She did have a life with out Dempsey, and he one without her it seemed.