Just a short chapter but I thought I'd better update because if people leave it too long in between chapters I usually forget where I'd got to and have to re-read the last few chapters. Seems like a few of you have been having a tough time lately so I'm determined not to take too long to get the inevitably fluffy final chapter done to cheer you up, hope you like this for the time being :)


Leo left Harry to rejoin the party.

Harry had been taken aback by how direct Leo had been. His boss usually steered clear of his colleagues' personal lives and ordinarily Harry dismissed other people's relationship advice, how could they know how to deal with his situation better than he did? But Leo... he respected Leo and everything he had said had struck a chord with Harry. It was inescapable, procrastinating wasn't going to wash anymore. Harry couldn't face returning to the party, he had a lot to think about and decided he could sneak out of the back unnoticed.

Even though Harry had left the party early it was still into the early hours of the morning by the time he got to bed. So much had happened the previous day that he just couldn't shut off he kept reliving conversations and shared glances and tried to decide whether he really was going to open up to Nikki properly before she got called away. In those moments in Leo's garden everything felt right, the setting, the mood, the slightly raised blood alcohol, Harry had to accept that he'd missed his chance, again.

Despite all Harry's tossing and turning and half-formed thoughts tormenting him he had obviously managed to get to sleep at some point but as soon as he woke his mind seemed to continue from where it had left off. The last clear thought Harry could remember having was that he'd missed another perfect opportunity with Nikki. Leo's wise words came back to him, if he wanted things to work out between himself and Nikki he was going to have to stop allowing things to get in the way and work a bit harder for his dreams.

Harry stretched and folded his arms behind his head as he began to put a plan into action. Having discarded several approaches he finally had a good idea, but he was going to need Leo to help. Harry was suprised by his own determination once he had made his mind up that this was the right thing to do. He washed, dressed and brushed his teeth within 15 minutes but had to take a few more to calm down before he rang Leo. Harry couldn't decide whether he was feeling feeling excited or nervous the symptoms were the same, he guessed it was a bit of both. He'd never really been nervous when it came to women , it was something that usually came naturally to Harry, but this was Nikki. After a few more deep breaths and a trip to the loo Harry rang Leo.

"Leo, its Harry."

"Harry...? I didn't think you'd be up yet? Where did you go anyway, you didn't say goodnight."

"Well you'd given me a lot to think about, I just needed a bit of space. Anyway look, I have an ulterior motive for phoning. I need to ask you a favour..."


Nikki had managed to get away from the crimescene she'd been called to relatively quickly and in contrast to Harry, had managed to have a good night's sleep which meant she hadn't needed her midnight muesli snack and was starving. As she was preparing herself something for breakfast she heard her phone ringing but couldn't remember where she'd left it. Nikki eventually retrieved the phone from her jacket pocket.

"Morning Harry, you're up early."

"Well as I'm embarking on my 5th decade of life I thought I'd better start living by the carpe diem philosophy. Look, I was thinking, Leo's house looked like a tornado had hit it when I left last night and he mentioned that he'd arranged to go and visit his inlaws in that nursing home so he's not going to get chance to clear up so I thought perhaps he could do with some help."

"That's very considerate of you, I think you must be becoming a softy in your old age. No seriously I'm sure Leo would really appreciate your help, he always seems drained after a trip to the in-laws so I imagine cleaning will be the last thing on his mind"

".. wait... MY help... did you miss my subtle suggestion? I thought you could come and lend a hand."

"You've already told Leo I've volunteering haven't you."

"Well not exactly but don't I still have some residual birthday priviledges left? Can't I call in a favour?"

"Oh, go on then. What time are you going round?"

"I thought I'd go over this evening, I've got a few things to do this afternoon."

"As long as I'm back in time to watch Vera"

"I can't gaurantee anything, it'll depend how much elbow grease you put in"

"Hmm, you'd better do your fair share of the greasing, you've used up all your birthday favours now."

"Great, I'll see you at Leo's then."

"I'll bring my marigolds. Bye Harry."

Harry hung up but kept his gaze on the phone as he focussed on what he needed to do next. He grabbed his wallet, keys and coat, took a deep breath and set of to set the next stage of his plan into motion.