'I wanted to make Christmas Day all about the boys, which is why I chose this evening,' Malcolm told Harry and Ruth, when Harry arrived back having driven Ron home. To discover that the short-term problem of Finn sleep walking, if that's what it is, has been resolved. Thomas having suggested that he move his bed so that Finn will have to climb over him to leave the room.
'You're a kind man,' Harry responded, pouring them both a drink. Before kicking off his shoes and slumping down in his favourite chair. A sure sign that he's tired.
Which with the curtains closed and the side lamps on – Harry has never really liked overhead lighting, combined with the firelight and the lights on the Christmas Tree and there is really no need to add more thinks Ruth. Apart from wondering how it can be that a man like Malcolm, who she has only once seen lose his temper, can have ended up alone? That Christmas might effectively be over for another year, but whatever happens in the future, that she'll always remember this one as being special.
Without needing to look, she knows that Harry is already miles away. Gazing into the fire making pictures. Just one of the many things that he and Thomas do together. A father son thing. One of the many that she'd encouraged from the beginning and still does. How in the early days, Malcolm had told her that she was an equal part of what Thomas had become and he'd been right. Except that her input had been different. She'd been used to small boys after all and had sailed through the needy side of Thomas's existence. Plasters on knees, cuddles at bedtime. Made so much easier, because from the moment that Harry had said 'what if we take him' a reference to Thomas who was being threatened with a children's home, their whole relationship had taken on a new dimension. Yes, he can still have his moments, but then who doesn't. They're a reminder of who he used to be and she'd loved him then as fiercely as she does now. This darling man, who would still do anything to keep them safe and is the reason that she hadn't been able to control the tears that had flowed down her cheeks when she looked at the pictures. Especially the one where Harry had been trying to encourage her to dance with him and then the one when they had.
'I'm tired so I'm off to bed,' Malcolm told them, not entirely convincingly. Dragging himself out of his chair and stretching, before adding, 'I've been told I'm on snowman duty in the morning.'
'That and sledging,' Harry reminded him. Knowing that it's late and that he and Ruth should go to bed as well, but not wanting to break up the moment. Waiting until he hears Malcolm's bedroom door close, before revisiting the photos on the screen. The one outside the church, which as far as he can remember was taken by Graham. Where Thomas and Alice are walking hand in hand towards the car and looking so grown up. With Ruth bending down to talk to them and to straighten Thomas's tie. Another that was taken around lunchtime, when the family were together in the garden. Before they'd headed down to the beach for the evening. Scenes with the sun going down over the sea, where the entire village looks as though they're there. Until the moment when the music kicks in and Beth Neilson Chapman is singing 'All I have'. The song that will always be theirs and is why when he stands up, he holds out his hand. An action that would make any audience smile and Beth in particular had she been able to see him. In fact, she would probably have told him that the song had been written for them alone. This time there is no hesitation in Ruth's eyes, as she takes his hand and walks into his arms. Harry's only thought, apart from wanting to relive the moment, is does Ruth still have that dress? And if so, then there has to be an occasion for her to wear it. As with a gentleness that is born out of their true love for each other, they barely move from the spot. There is no need. Until the song finally comes to an and her ask me again later question is answered.
.
'Dad and I will look after him, I promise,' Thomas told Ruth, who was helping Finn put on his boots for the umpteenth time and worrying that Finn was going to be hurtling down the slope at the same speed as the rest of them. Harry and Malcolm having gone out to the shed to retrieve the sledge, as soon Rose had rung to say that they were on their way and was it alright if Robert came as well?
'No rides with anyone other than you or your Dad,' she reminded him, as Rose walked into the kitchen. A welcome distraction.
The hillside wasn't overly steep, but over the years the children had carved out several runs. One of which had been christened The Switchback. With a lot of twists and turns, that were guaranteed to turn the morning into a competition. The reigning champion Thomas, who Ruth knew would be silently roared on by Harry as he hurtled fearlessly down the slope. With her feeling compelled to watch, despite everything.
'The twins have been told the situation and Robert's sensible,' Rose assured her as they sat in front of the window and waited for the first competitor. Ladies first prevailing, when Maisie made a good fist of proving that girls could fly, by veering off at the first corner and continuing on without the sledge. Before dusting herself down and climbing back up to the start.
'Harry and I took Finn to the beach yesterday and he loved it,' Ruth told Rose as a means of distraction. Dragging her eyes away from where Thomas was standing at the top of the slope, to where Harry, with Finn on his lap several metres away from the others, was about to make a much gentler decent.
'Who, Harry or Finn?' Rose asked her. Part in jest and part meaning it. Harry who is a man with a zest for life that never ceases to amaze her. Relieving the tension and succeeding in making Ruth smile. Before she confessed that it was probably both of them. Before Rose reminded her about the New Year's Eve dance. Something that had completely slipped Ruth's mind. Besides Ruth has had the only dance that matters and with a small child to look after, they have the perfect excuse not to go.
'My parents are babysitting, so your two can sleep at the vicarage,' Rose told her. Never one to give up where Harry and Ruth are concerned.
Your two Rose had said. 'I'll let you know when I've talked it over with Harry,' she told her.
Rose of course knows that they'd both once worked for the security services. But what she doesn't know is the true extent of the sacrifices that they'd had to make during those years. Something that has left them a problem when a human being is under threat in any way. Especially one as small and vulnerable as Finn.
At which point Robert appeared over her shoulder. Taller than she is now and looking so much more like his father, he's no longer the boy that had been set apart from his classmates by his shyness.
'I think is nearly snowman time, so I've come to give you a hand with the drinks,' he told her. Knowing exactly where everything is in their kitchen as he lines up the mugs ready for the hot chocolate. Two more than last year thinks Ruth, as she watches Rose reach for a plate and then open a tin containing assorted biscuits. One of the few things that have survived the previous evenings banquet. As a rush of pure affection floods through her at the thought of this extended family and how they're always there when they need them.
.
Two large shovels which Malcolm and Robert have been wielding and the base for the snowman is completed. The others looking. One of which is the super model, who for the past couple of years has let the kids have their fun, but has always drawn the line when it comes to obliging them with a twirl. This year deciding that he'd rather be in the warmth of the kitchen, so is sitting between Ruth and Rose. All three pairs of eyes are trained on Finn, who up until now has been filling a bucket with snow, not entirely successfully. Before handing it to Thomas, who has religiously carried it to where the other children have been completing the task. Looking after Finn as he'd promised he would, by keeping him away from the frenzy. Until the moment when Finn is being called forward, for what is usually Thomas's privilege. Something that normally requires Harry to go and stand next to the snowman, to be compared with their work of art. The adding of the nose ceremony. One carrot, rescued from the jaws of the rabbits, is among the accessories that he's dutifully handed over. His old hat and scarf are already in place so all it takes is for Thomas to lift Finn up and to point.
Finn obliges, remarkably well all things considered, although the snowman's nose does end up at an alarmingly jaunty angle, almost as though it's broken. Nobody appears to notice other than Harry, who for one dreadful moment, thinks that he saw the eyes move in alignment. He really must get some new glasses. Not so the children, who are giving Finn a hearty round of applause. Something that makes him take hold of Ruth's hand and link his fingers through hers.
.
Ruth is upstairs when the phone rings, ploughing her way through a Thomas the Tank story at Finn's bedtime. A story that she's read to Thomas so many times, that she could do it with her eyes closed. Henry, the large and severe looking green engine is having a conversation with the Fat Controller, who is pointing to James the small red engine. While Toby the Tram Engine is talking to Percy another green engine. All very gender biased as far as Ruth is concerned, but then she'd liked to read been Little Women. Jo had been her favourite character. No don't go there she tells herself. Finn helping to drag her back to the present by turning a page.
While Harry who has answered the phone, finds himself in a one- way conversation with Miss Harrington. Thomas's one- time social worker and the woman that had been instrumental in them securing his adoption. Someone who when they'd first met, had made Harry feel as though he ought to be wearing a suit and standing to attention, but who is now apologising to him. Had she not been away when Finn had needed to be located, she would in her own words, 'have been delighted to see them both again. Something that she'd like to rectify by visiting them in the morning. To see Thomas again and to judge how Finn is settling in. At ten on the dot if that's alright as she has a busy day. Nothing to worry about it's just routine and that she'll bring the appropriate paperwork.'
'We'll look forward to it,' Harry tells her. Before realising that he's talking to himself because the line has gone dead.
.
'What's she like?' Malcolm asked him, as Harry looked at his watch and sighed.
'Juliet Shaw on steroids, a real charmer,' and Malcolm decides that he'll go and see Ron until further notice.
Thomas has no such concerns. He can barely remember what Miss Harrington looks like. All that matters to him, is that she'd said yes to him being adopted, which means that when the doorbell rings, he's very happy to open the door.
After a hearty handshake with Harry, Ruth is avoiding getting her hand crushed, so is in the kitchen. That and having jointly decided it will look less staged if she stays out of the way for a while, on the pretext of making coffee, Miss Harrington sits down and surveys the room. She has never been to their house, but her preconceived ideas are realised. A home where the children take precedence over pride, but where there is still evidence of order. Albeit a little curled up at the edges. Something that can't be said for the man who is sitting in front of her. Who although she will never tell him, she had liked from the start. Most men whither under her gaze, whereas he'd faced her head on. A very nice face and still is in her opinion, but she isn't here to pass judgement on Harry's face, or anything else for that matter. Just to tie up any loose ends. She knows of course that he and Ruth are now married and financially they're well able to support a second child, but that there's more to Finn than perhaps they realise. This small boy, who through no fault of his own has a history. One that cannot be allowed to continue in the same vein. Something that she knows won't happen if Harry and Ruth take him on. Because having re read her own report. The one where she'd told the courts that Thomas had changed beyond recognition in their care, the adoption had been granted at the first hearing.
'I need you to read this,' she told them, when Ruth came into the room. The other half of a perfect pairing as far as she's concerned. She'd rubber stamp it now, but the rules dictate that she has to see Finn, in what will be his home environment before she gives her approval. That and produce a written statement. One that will require her to visit them again in a week's time, when they've had time to digest all the information.
But for the moment she accepts her cup of coffee and sits back to watch. As Ruth unconsciously ruffles Finn's hair, before he totters over to Harry and hands him his teddy bear. Then settles himself down in front of the latest train crash and says, 'mend,' to Thomas.
Left with the envelope that contains the report that they desperately want to read, what's left of the day does unbearably slowly. Until the moment when Harry puts Finn to bed and sits with him until his eyes finally close. Malcolm dutifully performing his status as an uncle, by accompanying Thomas along the South Bank of the Thames, where they're currently discussing the merits of The Shard, giving Harry and Ruth the opportunity to disappear into the kitchen.
The first line of the report, is in itself distressing. Finn had been given up for adoption even before he'd been born. Details of his mother and father are not available, or the reason that they hadn't wanted to keep him. His prospective adoptees – again not named, had pulled out at the last moment, having found out that they were expecting a child of their own. At which point Finn had been destined for a children's home at the age of three months. From where he'd been fostered twice, again with no details, other than they know that his last home had been with the Russell's. The only significant information at this stage is his date of birth, which tells them that Finn will be four years old next week.
But it isn't until later when Ruth is on her own and reading the small print for clues, that she realises that there aren't any dates listed as to when each of these transitions had taken place. Other than she knows that the last one had been in the run up to Christmas. If and it's a big if, it's always happened around this time and whether a child as young as Finn has been able to make the connection isn't clear. But until she's told otherwise, she prepared to believe that it is. She's also a realist, who has worked with young children for the past five years and has heard many stories that she'd thought to be fanciful, only to be proved true. Which means that in advance of the meeting, there is only one question that needs answering and why Harry will be calling Miss. Harrington in the morning. Is there anything in Finn's records, to suggest that what other children perceive as being a time of joy, to him is one where he will be rejected?
.
'Why are you smiling?' Asked Thomas, looking between his parents. As Finn's voice can be heard telling Malcolm that he knows how to build a castle. Harry having made the call, to be told that Ruth is right in her assumption. But that if they still want him, that Finn's future is secure with them.
'Because we're going to have a party next week on Finn's birthday. But between now and then, we're going to do quiet things. Which means that we won't be going out on New Year's Eve.' Ruth explains.
'Not even during the day, like we always do?' Asked the usually accepting Thomas.
To be told. 'Wouldn't it be better if we go to the beach on Finn's birthday instead.'
'Can we light a fire?' Thomas pressed on. Having seen an opening that will make his Dad surrender. Because his Mum has passed him a chocolate biscuit. A question that has Ruth wondering if Thomas has read her own personal terms and conditions, when it comes to getting what she wants out of Harry?