Chapter 10

Thursday 29th March 2007

Ruth is unsure how long the ray of sunlight has been peeking through the gap in the curtains before it finds its way to her face; nor does she know how long it takes her to become aware of it. She fights to ignore the errant sunbeam to get back to her wonderful dream where she and Harry had been walking along a white sandy beach, but the moment has passed. Sounds begin to register in her brain. A car door slams outside. A dog barks. She's awake now.

Reluctantly she rubs her eyes to drive away the last vestiges of sleep and looks over at her bed companion. Harry is lying on his front and the sheet has slipped down, exposing the majority of his back. She aches to run her fingers over his skin; to feel it once more, but she resists the temptation. He looks so peaceful; more so than she's ever seen him look in his waking hours, so she leaves him. Slipping from the bed she finds some clean clothes and, not wanting to disturb him, makes her way to the bathroom to change.

Once dressed she makes her way downstairs, letting Scarlet out and providing food for the two animals. Then she makes a start on clearing up after last night's meal. She is on her second bowl of water when she hears her daughter's soft footfalls on the stairs.

"Morning Mummy," she greets entering the kitchen.

Ruth gives her a kiss and a cuddle. "Good morning Gracie. Breakfast?"

"Can I have egg and soldiers please?"

"Of course," Ruth beams. "Do you want to go and get your activity book for while you're waiting?"

Grace gets the suggested items and returns to the kitchen just in time to see Ruth let Scarlet back in. "Scarlet!" she beams rushing over and petting her.

After a few minutes Ruth has to intervene. "Come on sweetheart; poor Scarlet wants her breakfast. Leave her in peace."

Grace does as she's told, albeit a little reluctantly and returns to the table. She and Ruth play out their morning ritual; working on an intellectual activity as they wait for breakfast to be ready. Suddenly a thought occurs to Grace. "Mummy why is Scarlet here? Did Harry forget her?"

"No sweetie, he didn't forget her."

"So he left her here? Why?"

"He didn't leave her," Ruth explains. "He stayed over too."

"Oh. Where is he?"

"He's still in bed."

"Oh." She returns to her work for a few moments before coming up with another question. "Where did Harry sleep?"

"In my bed," Ruth answers honestly.

"Where did you sleep then?"

"I slept in my bed too."

"You shared?" Grace enquires.

"Yes," smiles Ruth, placing her daughter's breakfast in front of her.

"Like Daddy and Papa used to?"

"I suppose so yes."

Grace is confused. "But…Harry said he wasn't your boyfriend."

Harry appears at the door, but remains unseen but either occupants of the kitchen. "He wasn't then, when you asked him but after dinner Harry and I had a good talk and we decided that we'd both like it if we tried to be…together," Ruth explains

"So you're boyfriend and girlfriend now?"

Ruth nods. "Is that okay?" she checks.

"Yeh," Grace says with a nod. "I like him. I'm glad he's your boyfriend."

Harry decides to make his presence known. "It's been a long time since I've been described as somebody's boyfriend," he quips. "Bit too old I think."

"You're silly," giggles Grace.

"And good morning to you," Harry retorts, ruffling her hair.

"Hey!" she shrieks, laughing and wriggling away.

"Don't I get a good morning?" Ruth asks.

Harry crosses the kitchen to her. He glances back at Grace and sees she is engrossed in eating her breakfast, so steals a kiss from Ruth. "Morning. I missed you; I don't like waking up alone," he whispers.

"Sorry. I didn't want to disturb you. You looked so…peaceful." Harry grimaces at that description, earning a smile from Ruth. "You did," she insists.

"Well it's hardly surprising after last night is it; they say nothing relaxes you like a good round of-"

Ruth glares at him. "Breakfast?"

"Just some toast thanks," he replies with a cheeky smile.

Harry and Ruth eat their breakfast while Grace gets herself ready for school. Harry drives them, much to Grace's delight, and once she's been dropped off Harry drops Ruth for the tube before going home to change.

Saturday 28th April 2007…

One month later and Harry and Ruth are still together. They're taking things slowly but are making progress. Navigating the storms at work is still difficult; finding a balance and keeping their personal feelings off The Grid, but they're getting there. Ruth and Grace had met Catherine whilst she was back in London for Easter and the previous week Harry had attended Grace's 6th birthday party where he had, much to his surprise, been a big hit with all her friends.

This morning though, is a quiet, regular Saturday at Ruth's house. Harry sits with Grace at the breakfast table while Ruth has a shower. "Are you still okay with the plan for tonight?" he asks.

She nods enthusiastically. "Yeh. I can't wait!"

"Good. Do you think you can you keep it a secret for a few more hours?" he whispers conspiratorially.

"Yeh," she agrees.

"And you remember the plan for keeping Mummy busy this morning?" Grace nods again. "Good. That's that settled then."

"What's settled?" Ruth asks as she enters, towel drying her hair. She eyes them suspiciously. "What are you two plotting?"

"Erm…nothing!" Harry replies a little unconvincingly. "We were just talking about erm…what Grace wants to do today."

Ruth looks to Grace, trying to catch them out. But Grace knows their cover story. "Yeh…I want to watch Toy Story!"

"Again?" Ruth asks. "You only watched it last night."

"She obviously enjoys it," Harry intervenes.

"Okay, but then you'll spend some time outside. It's a lovely day."

"You will watch it with me Mummy won't you?" Grace asks.

"Oh…erm, well I…"

"Please Mummy!" she begs with puppy dog eyes.

"Oh, okay then," caves Ruth. "We'll watch it together."

"Right, and while you do that, I can have a shower and fix that bathroom door for you." He winks at Grace…they're on.

"Come on Mummy!" Grace says dragging her out of the kitchen before she can protest. "To Infinity and Beyond!"

Harry smiles; if that performance was anything to go by, Grace would make a top class agent one day. Shaking his head, for he's sure Ruth wouldn't want that for her daughter, he heads upstairs to implement the second phase of his plan.