28th April 1997
London
"Have you noticed something different about Harry?" Danny asks, twiddling his pen between his fingers.
"Yes," Zoe replies. "He seems up-beat."
"I wonder what it is," Danny murmurs thoughtfully.
"What's what?" Sally interjects.
"The reason for Harry's good mood," Zoe explains.
"Sex," Tom states matter of factly.
"Really?" Danny asks incredulously. "But when? He's always here, isn't he?"
"Argh!" Sally exclaims. "I really don't want that picture in my head."
"Maybe it's someone in Five," Tom shrugs.
"Oh, like who?" Zoe asks. "Sally, Ruth, and I are too young for him."
"Oh, Zoe, Zoe, Zoe," Tom smirks. "A woman is never too young for a man."
"Argh!" Sally exclaims, "That's it. I'm leaving."
"I guess we know it's not Sally then," Danny teases.
"Which leaves me or Ruth I suppose," Zoe glares.
"I know it's not you, dear flat mate," Danny replies smugly.
"So you're telling me it's Ruth!" she exclaims.
"Hmmm..." Tom murmurs. "They do both work late most nights."
"You two are full of it," Zoe says and turns back to her work.
"Anyway," Sally re-enters the conversation, "it's bound to be someone from a different section."
"Who is?" Harry asks, walking up behind her.
Everyone avoids his gaze and quickly returns to work.
"Nothing, Harry," Tom murmurs. "We were just trying to figure out who, um..."
"Who what?" Harry presses.
Tom suddenly spots Ruth passing by on the way to the forgery suite and says, "Who Ruth's dating. We think it's someone from Five."
Harry raises his eyebrows and says, "Well, she hasn't filled in a Permission to Socialize Form. What evidence do you have that she's seeing someone?"
"Um..." Tom murmurs. "None really. We just think she looks happy."
Harry raises his eyebrows again and says, "Happy? That's it?! I suggest that you all stop wasting your time and mine, get back to work, and leave poor Ruth to enjoy her happiness."
Harry turns his back on the group and walks to his office, a broad grin spreading across his face.
"Did you see that?" Danny whispers.
"What?" Zoe and Sally say almost at the same time.
"Harry," Danny murmurs. "The spring in his step. Tom's right. He's definitely getting some."
