Thursday
"Ruth is everything okay?"
"Of course, Harry."
"You've been a little quiet this week and I thought you looked tired."
"Quiet because I'm busy, tired because, well, because I've not been sleeping. But I'm fine, really."
"Why've you not been sleeping?'
"It's personal," she answered, knowing that that would do the trick.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…. Sorry, Ruth," blundered Harry and walked away, embarrassed in case he had embarrassed her.
"Why is it that when a woman says she's fine, she blatantly isn't?" asked Harry of Alec who was in the kitchen making a very strong coffee.
"One of the seven rules of the Universe," was his profound answer.
"And the others?"
"Oh no, Harry, it's taken me an alcohol problem, a dismissal and two ex wives to discover the other six. I'll have to take that secret to the grave."
Harry smiled and did not doubt it.
Friday
"So, you're definitely coming tomorrow, Ruth?"
"Yes, I'll be there, Harry."
"That's good."
"Why is it important that I come?'
"I don't know, friendly face."
Thanks thought Ruth. That hurt.
Beth, Dimitri, Alec and Tariq sat in the briefing room, there was no briefing, they were just depressed.
"Let's go to the George," suggested Alec.
"How's that going to help?" said Beth.
"It won't," said Alec.
"What do you say, Dimitri?" asked Tariq.
"I'm saying nothing, I'll only put my foot in it."
"Wise man,' agreed Beth.
Ruth was on the roof.
She was saying goodbye to Harry.
He wasn't there.
But that was the point.
She touched the rail and thought of him standing there. She thought of his face when she was trying to explain why she'd refused to marry him. She saw afresh the emotion in his face as his breathing had become heavier and heavier. And she wondered what he had been thinking.
"Goodbye, Harry," she said to the wind.
Prob one more to go!