Adam's threat that Wes was holding a multi sleepover was of course a ruse. He had begged his dad to let him stay up late, he loved Uncle Harry and Auntie Ruth and it wouldn't be fair if he had to go to bed at his usual time. Deciding that rather than have him pester the life out of his newly found favourite Uncle and Auntie, he and Fiona had invited his friend Sam to stay.

Zaf and his cohorts had done them proud. There was plenty to eat and certainly plenty to drink. They had bought paper plates and glasses, there was no way they were leaving him with washing up Adam had said. They had rearranged the furniture to create room to dance and Dimitri, the designated DJ for the evening and sporting a smart waistcoat and party hat was sorting through his collection of music.

It was a very long time since either Harry or Ruth had been to this sort of party and they were both feeling a bit like fish out of water.

'You do realise you're not the boss any more,' said a grinning Zaf to Harry 'so I'm sure you won't mind if I ask Ruth to dance?'

Dear Gods thought Harry, first the Home Secretary, then Dimitri and now Zaf all within the course of one day appeared to fancy Ruth. I'm the one who will be taking her home he thought and that's what really matters.

Wes and Sam were having a great time. They were sitting half way up the stairs with a plate of food between them and were deep in conversation about how silly grown-ups obviously got after dark. Dancing with girls was something that they thought was gross, Robert in their class had told them that you caught something nasty if you kissed one.

Uncle Zaf was dancing with Auntie Ruth which couldn't be right said Wes because she was living with Uncle Harry. He then went on to explain how he had helped them when Ruth had moved and how they had all had a great time. He wanted to stay with them in the school holidays because they were moving to the seaside, he was sure they would be pleased.

Had Harry been able to hear him he would have been apoplectic, as it was he was too busy keeping his eye on Zaf. Ruth looked lovely and was obviously enjoying herself but as soon as the music slowed he wanted to dance with her himself. As luck would have it, Catherine who was sitting with Dimitri, had been watching Harry watching Ruth. She was aware that her Dad was looking uncomfortable and that this was probably the first time for years that he had spent an evening in someone's house doing something that wasn't work related. Most of his colleagues had probably never have seen him outside work either unless it were at an official function of some sort. She remembered how relaxed he had been on New Year's Eve. He needs to be with Ruth she thought.

'Dimitri, pass me those CDs.' she said.

The music changed and Catherine continued to watch as Harry visibly relaxed. Here was her Dad who she had misunderstood for so many years, completely out of his depth without the one person who truly understood him. He had reached Zaf and Ruth and was obviously going to step in. It wasn't a contest and Zaf graciously stepped aside. They fitted together so naturally thought Catherine, made for each other crossed her mind. She felt sad that it had taken until now for him to be this happy but relieved they were now both free of the services and together.

'Look at them,' said Dimitri out of the blue obviously aware why Catherine had asked him to play something slow. He hadn't known Harry very long but had grown to respect him somewhat like he did his own father. As for Ruth, well she was just the best. He had felt so out of his depth during his first few weeks in Section D, probably having the scary Ros as a boss hadn't helped, but Ruth had always been there with a quiet word more like a mum really than a colleague. Harry Pearce was a seriously lucky man he thought.

Almost everyone was dancing now apart from Dimitri and Catherine, although she had already been to replenish his glass and still sitting next to him so all might not be lost he thought. What might Harry think if he asked Catherine out, well he wasn't his boss any more so why not.

Harry and Ruth were now sitting quietly on Adam's huge settee and apart from Malcolm and Ros were the only two not dancing. Ruth had realised how he had been feeling and had dragged him away to a quiet corner to help him relax. They were sitting as close as you could do in someone else's home with some food and two glasses of white wine on the small table in front of them. It had been a lovely evening but Harry wanted to leave. Malcolm bailed them out by saying that he needed to get back to his mother and was going to share a taxi with Ros.

He wished them every happiness and with the promise that he would come and see them before the end of the year. He and Harry had been friends for over a decade and colleagues for even longer. For Malcolm especially, this was a difficult moment.

'Take care of her Harry,' he said as he shook his hand warmly.

Half an hour later with the Jo, Catherine and Dimitri tidying up, Harry and Ruth were ready to make their departure. Ruth knew that Jo would keep in touch and that Catherine would be round on moving day to help them out, which left the rest of their colleagues to say goodbye. It was Adam that they would both miss the most and Ruth hugged him for ages before they left. Just let it crinkle out he whispered, Harry will do the rest.

To have said goodbye once when they had left the office had been difficult enough but to do it twice was too much for Ruth and she had cried all the way home in the taxi. They were happy tears she kept telling him and she was sorry to be making a mess of his shirt. Usually uncomfortable around crying females this was different, this was Ruth one of the gentlest and most caring souls on earth. Wrapped in his arms his face buried in his hair, he was marvelling how lucky he was. She was vulnerable as was he but she was his to love.