Harry noted that Dempsey seemed to back off and all day Wednesday and Thursday he simply seemed to knuckle down and do more paper work than she had known him ever attack before. Somehow he also managed to manipulate things so that they had an interview mid afternoon that he volunteered to do alone and so desperate for the time Makepeace had just taken the hours as gifts without question or even thanks.

She had been at the museum until 3am Wednesday night / Thursday morning preparing everything and now it was Thursday evening.

Just after she had arrived home a huge bouquet of flowers had arrived with a note expressing good wishes for the night. She rang her father to thank him but he protested that they weren't from him and in horror she concluded they were from William. The prospect of seeing him there filled her with dismay and she slowed her preparations unconsciously which meant she rushed into the auditorium late. She skimmed the crowd with her eyes but was dissatisfied with the result. She should have been pleased with the numbers attending the launch event but there were only two people she was interested in seeing there and now it looked as if neither had come.

It had been as she rushed off home that Harry had finally told Dempsey that tonight was the launch event for the project she had worked on at the Natural History Museum. She had to admit it wasn't much notice and she regretted not being more honest with him earlier but it had been so preoccupying she had had no time to reason these things out. She took a drink and started to circulate, protesting frequently that it wasn't just her work that was on display but that of a whole team and the years of work of Professor Copson. Suddenly she found herself in front of an overbearing woman dressed in a twin set and pearls.

"Harriet Winfield"

"Harriet Makepeace Mrs DeKindersley, I married remember"

"Ah yes my dear but I assumed as you hade filed for divorce you would be reverting to your maiden name"

"My business has nothing to do with you and is entirely private" Makepeace was furious but refrained from lowering herself to ask how the information had been acquired. She hadn't told anybody so she assumed it must have been the family solicitor and that seriously disappointed her. Mrs DeKindersley though proudly went on to explain how her Godson had passed his degree and was now working at the Solicitors practice.

"I think you'll find the term 'was' is explicitly correct" Harry tersely replied and started to move away and then thought to add "I trust you have a touch more discretion than he"

Mrs DeKindersley had an incredibly thick skin and just walked along with her asking 'If she thought this occupation much more befitting?'

Makepeace stopped and turned back to her "I'm not so sure I understand the question?"

"More becoming than a policewoman?"

"Mrs DeKindersley I'm not sure what else you may think you have heard but just for your information I'm NOT about to jack in the day job" Harry made to step away again and was flabbergasted by the woman's continued utterances "Such a shame no one is here to support you dear, my William thinks it is so important to show…"

"Mrs DeKindersley" Harry cut across her "there are around 60 people here I am very happy." She tried to sound as definitive as a terse reply with a firm cut off at the end could be but her tormentor just continued on. "Ah my dear" Harry was now getting enraged at the frequent use of the term, especially given that it was more than 100 percent false "but I saw you scanning the room; who ever you were looking for is not here" she said knowingly and despite Harry's look of prostration again continued stoically "I guess it's not too late to find out where your true support comes from."

The battle axe had worn Makepeace down and she took the punch with a sickening stomach; she just had no energy left to fight at that moment in time and simply waited for the next few statements to pommel her down to the ground.

"William is here tonight" with no response she just continued "when he heard that you were working for Proff Copson he felt he may have been a little hasty in some of his assumptions" Harry suddenly saw who the push had been behind the whole William encounter, it hadn't been him as much as his mother and she despised his weakness whilst at the same time pitied him for having such a woman for a mother. "No Mrs DeKindersley I don't think he was in any way"

"William was talking to Proff Copson earlier tonight…" She didn't even actually hear Harry's retort however as if on cue Professor Copson took to the small portable lectern to deliver his welcome.

Harry stood at the front next to the professor as he welcomed everyone and thanked Lady Harriet for her invaluable support and research. He went on to say how her skills as a first class detective had helped put the present evidence in such a compelling manner. He said he hoped it wouldn't be the last time she took time out to help him on a project but that he did appreciate that she had an amazing career to consider in one of the elite London Police squads.

Harry stood next to give an outline to the exhibition and a brief verbal guide around the various displays. As she was speaking her eyes started scanning again until they rested on William DeKindersley and his mother. Her sentence stuttered and stumbled as she guiltily stopped her looking whilst she continued to speak. The brightness that had lit her face as she had talked passionately also drained away and several of the more observant within the congregation also noted it and wondered.

The speeches over and the exhibition officially open Harry stood down. Professor Copson touched her shoulder "I had an enthralling discussion with your friend Harriet; I do hope that now you've settled back to your career you'll find a nice level status in your personal life as well"

Makepeace cursed inwardly "Did you speak for long?" she asked knowing that William would expose his true boorish colours after 5 minutes maximum.

"Oh gosh – well yes, 20 minutes I'd say. He was lapping up all the evidence – that's another reason I mentioned your police mind set in those opening remarks; it certainly has brought great clarity of thinking to your mind"

Harry gave a small sarcastic laugh "Sometimes it doesn't feel like it at all; I still feel as if I am wading through murky waters."

"Well as I said your friend really seemed to understand you so well and he has a real concern for you. I don't think he would stand in your way if you wanted to do a bit more of this from time to time."

"I bet; but for me it's out there, on the streets that I can make a real difference."

"Just as I was saying Harriett" the professor said but Harry wasn't so sure, however he continued "but do remember to come and help me out once a year; oh and do let me know the date of the wedding" he finished

"Oh I don't think there will be any weddings" as Harry was speaking she saw Mrs DeKindersley slide her way towards Proff Copson with William following dutifully in her wake. Harry decided to slip away; Mrs DeKindersley started well before she reached the professor thus ensuring his attention over any neighbouring visitors "Fascinating exhibition I must say Professor Copson, William has found it absolutely mesmerizing haven't you William? Come and discuss the carbon dating of leaf material with the professor again William"

Harry watch William, he definitely was good looking but all that flowed from her heart was a loathing and she detested him all the more for beguiling her mentor – even he thought she needed to 'settle down'.

She positioned herself on the far side of the room and watch both Professor Copson and the two DeKindersleys talking and laughing. She lowered her head, suddenly feeling sick. Nothing it seemed was any further resolved in her life: she had finally recognised that she was truly in love with James, resigned to avoid facing the possibility of seeing him die, gone back to work because – she contemplated that one once again – because she didn't want to see his life screwed up by him quitting the police and also because she hoped, really hoped, that there may be a time when there would be something more between her and him after all he had said some things… But already her decision to go back was being called into question – was she really going to end up marrying someone like bloody William? Oh it would never be him but her disappointment that Dempsey hadn't shown up, not even late, was not sitting well in her turbulent mind. On top of that although she had instructed her father on no account to come she had expected him to be there and he wasn't either – so much for supporting her whatever her decision. She watched everyone pass around the exhibition, look and rave but felt nothing other than bitter disappointment.