'Think it over and get back to me if you think I can help,' Bridget had told Ruth as she was leaving. Time well spent as far as Bridget was concerned, but with the door still left open after they'd talked some more. During which time she'd told her that she was more than happy to come and see her again, and or Harry for that matter. After Ruth had said there was something about her incarceration that was causing her to lose sleep, but without going into specifics. That she wasn't sure that Harry was the right person, or if he was, that she'd quite like to have Bridget around. To help him understand that she just needed to get it off her chest. Much in the same way that he'd listened to all the other ridiculous and as it had turned out, unwarranted concerns. To which Bridget had responded by telling her they were neither ridiculous or unwarranted.

Which was why a week later she was back. With the firm belief that Ruth refusing to go anywhere where she couldn't see the sea, was because of something that had happened during her kidnap and not because of it. An escape route if you like.

Right in her assumption and then some, when the three of them were sitting as they had done on her previous visit, in what had now been designated as Ruth's corner of the garden. Where she and Harry had spent a good deal of time since she'd last seen them. Enjoying the calm after the storm. Relaxing and just being them, with Ruth doing as Bridget had suggested, so had listened as Harry had told her about his plans for their future together. With the pain subsiding on a daily basis and with it a real sense of excitement at the prospect of a different sort of Grand Tour on the horizon. With not a city in sight, but mile upon mile of open spaces and countryside to enjoy. All of which they were going to take at a gentle pace, but with no particular country in mind, or with any pressure to make a decision as to where they were going to live. Harry had been in Ruth's words, 'just lovely'. To the point where she was no longer worried about the way she looked and so intimacy had become second nature. Swimming together on a daily basis, which had helped her to regain her strength, going for short walks and even a trip out to get a change of scenery. Added to which, Paul was home, so Harry had been set free from his childminding duties, but still with no pressure that they should leave.

Pressure though of a different kind, had continued to build for Ruth and had reached the point where she knew that if she didn't tell Harry now, that somewhere down the line, she'd either have a relapse or say something which would make him question what he'd said or done to upset her. Which wasn't fair, or a good basis on which a future together and was why Bridget was encouraging her to speak up.

'It wasn't just the indignity of having to use that filthy bathroom with a door that didn't lock, or the lack of food, most of which I gave to Nico, although that was bad enough,' she told him. All the time staring at her feet because she couldn't bear to look him in the eye. Something that only changed when Bridget prompted her to go on. At which point she looked up, but instead of looking at Harry, she turned her attention to a rose bush that was over his left shoulder. 'It was the hours of silent treatment and the nights when we were left on our own, which were the worst,' she told the man who had no idea what was coming, so in an attempt to encourage her had moved closer.

'I used to stand on my tiptoes and look out of this tiny window where I could see the sea, praying that Nico wouldn't wake up and start asking me questions that I couldn't answer. That and not knowing when Mani would be coming back, but when he did, that Nico would scream. It eventually reached the point where I knew that Mani would run out of patience and I was terrified that he'd hurt Nico. It was then that I persuaded him to let Nico go.'

'Ruth,' again from Harry, because she wasn't looking at him and she finally did.

'In retrospect that was stupid, because what happened after that, is something that I can't quite get out of my head,' she told him. Words he remembered from the day when Maudsley had jump in front of a train and in the same tone. The moment which had kick started this nightmare. One that now they were together again, he'd assumed was over.

'You know you can tell me anything,' he told her.

'That's just it, I'm not sure I can in this case,' was said as she reached out towards him, but without making contact. Her hand within inches of his, before she pulled it back.

An unconscious attempt to delay the inevitable or what in her mind was a confession? As though what she was about to tell him it was her fault? Were all possible reasons in Harry's mind. Which is why he waited, despite the panic he could feel building and his face being close enough, that if he leant forward he could kiss her.

Ruth knew this, so studied the worry lines on his forehead instead. Kiss me when it's over was all she wanted, for now she needed to find the right words.

'It was after the fourth night I think and the first that I'd spent on my own. In fact, it was the only night that I'd slept well. Not having to worry about Nico I suppose, so I was still lying on the bed when I heard the car come back. All those days without a proper wash and I just wanted to curl up in a ball and make it all go away. I tried to be brave and hide how I was feeling, but Mani had already planned what he was going to say. He knew what he was doing Harry and the effect it would have on me. He manhandled me off the bed and onto a chair. Then he just stared at me, licking his lips. I could feel myself squirming. I couldn't hide it. It was then that told me if there was anything that would get you to tell him where the uranium was, it would be for you to imagine me being raped by one of his men. He said they were outside deciding which one of them was going to do it and how they were going to contact you. Knowing that you'd come over and how they'd force you to watch. Mani said he knew what had happened between us in Baghdad and that compared to what his colleague was going to do to me, I could only imagine. That no matter how much I struggled, or you pleaded, he wouldn't stop until I said I was enjoying it. He even suggested that they'd take it in turns. I imagined you sitting behind your desk at Thames House and how you'd react to getting the call and how it might be days before you got here. I was so scared Harry. If I'd known you were already here and looking for me, maybe I would have coped better that I did. I mean just look at the state I'm still in.'

Harry was looking. Anger building and disbelief all over his face, he simply took Ruth's hand and pulled her into his arms. Neither of them seeing Bridget walk quietly away.

.

'Hi Paul, how's it going?' Asked Ros, who was just about to leave the grid and go home after an all-nighter and was surprised to hear his voice.

'Swimmingly would you believe. I've just come home after a week-long exercise and am looking forward to a few days with my feet up.'

'And Harry and Ruth?'

'Sticking to each other like glue, which is why I'm ringing. Harry says to ask you to ignore the usual channels and dispose of Mani in the most painful way possible. He said you'd understand.'

'Are you going to tell me why, or do I have to guess?'

'I doubt you could, but a nutshell, Mani threated to rape Ruth and force Harry to watch. You can imagine how that went down.'

'Jesus, is Ruth alright?'

'Let's just say she's getting there. The question is, will you deal with it?'

'Bloody right I will.'

'Thanks Ros, I'll let Harry know. Take care of yourself now.'

Paul was making the call in the kitchen while he was helping Ellie prepare food for the BBQ, while the boys were playing football with Maddie and with Nico about to arrive. Harry who had been assured by Ruth that she'd manage, was wandering over to where a very one-sided game was taking place, only to be followed by Nico who had come armed with his own football. Leaving Ruth he hoped, able to cope on her own.

Very well if he'd been able to hear the conversation that Nico's aunt kick started.

'I can see why you like him,' her opening words. Nodding in Harry's direction as she was being guided to the seats where Ruth had been preparing herself for an onslaught of negative comments. Harry who Ruth could see wasn't concentrating, having lost the ball to Charlie and obviously not taking the game too seriously. Probably because he had one eye on her. Harry who she'd always thought had eyes in the back of his head, having reluctantly conceded that she needed to have this meeting on her own. If for no other reason than they'd both assumed it would be George who would be bringing Nico. Not knowing that George had cried off at the last moment and could only guess who the woman that Ruth was talking to was. Missing a clear goal scoring opportunity in the process and raising a cheer from the opposition.

Before Vivienne who Ruth had met on several occasions, released the pressure on Ruth even further, when she came out with a statement that virtually exonerated her from all blame.

'I love my brother and I always will. But I also know that he's an acquired taste. Everything with him is either black or white. There's no middle ground. Finish your breakfast Nico. Go to your room Nico. Have you finished your homework Nico because it's getting late? But then you know all that don't you.'

Did Ruth know this? She wasn't sure, but Viv hadn't finished. 'What I'm sure you don't know, because George never talks about her, is that Nico takes after his mother. She was a free spirit and didn't take life seriously. The complete opposite of George. So even at this young age, Nico has never been under the illusion that having lost her, that his life was going to be anything but difficult. Your arrival changed that for a while, but George wanting you to marry him, was him just chasing an impossible rainbow. I'm sorry to say this, but if it hadn't been you that he'd stumbled upon, it would have been someone else Ruth. You were right to turn him down. As for the other business, it has nothing to do with me, other than to say I will be eternally grateful that you saved Nico's life.'

Nico who right on cue, turned and was waving, had no idea that as a stunned Ruth waved back, that the sun had come out again in her head.

Give Paul and Ellie their due, they knew how to entertain and everyone enjoyed the Barbeque. It was still early in the evening, so an excited Maddie who had joined in a game of beach cricket, was still wide awake and being presented with a trophy. A game won, coincidently or not by team Nico, Ruth no longer cared. Or the fact that they were all racing into the sea, so she could watch Harry interacting with the children. While she, Ellie and Viv, were watching from their vantage point higher up the beach. Where there was an unspoken understanding that today was the last time that the children in front of them as well as the adults would be together. Nico going home with the assurance that his aunt would take him under her wing. While at the same time, explain to her brother that he needed to bend a little in his attitude. Because children in no small way, needed to forge their own destiny and for Harry and Ruth to say goodbye to the family who had brought them to this moment. The only difference being that Harry and Ruth would be able to keep in touch, whereas for Ruth and Nico, this was a final goodbye. One which when it happened, was in Ruth's corner of the garden and in complete privacy. Where no tears were shed, but with a huge hug and a silent thank you from both of them.

After which Harry and Ruth had gone to bed. Worn out, both emotionally and physically, it was the first chance that he'd had to tell her that he truly understood everything and for her to tell him that she was ready to leave.

.

It was another few days before that happened. Days that amongst other things, had seen Ruth going through the bag which Viv had brought with her. Deciding what to keep, other than her passport and a couple of books that she'd managed to grab from her house before the police had come looking for her. Bridget having told her not to be too hasty in dismissing her memories of those years before she'd come to Cyprus, or to throw things away. Which was why in the end she kept all but the coat, boots and scarf that she'd left in. With the decision made to lease a car rather than buy one, because at the end of how ever many weeks, they'd have to decide where they wanted to live and that might dictate what they bought. Whilst at the moment it was more important that it was comfortable, enough for Ruth to be able to relax. A car that they were going to pick up at the airport, after a flight to mainland France. To Perpignan, which was in an area that Ruth hadn't visited and where after a short drive, they'd reach Collioure. A small and compact village by British standards, rather than a town. Where at this time of year, the locals would outnumber tourists and where the seafood restaurants were supplied by the local fishermen. Where the Pyrenees tumbled into the sea and where the border with Spain was within touching distance. Harry agreeing it would be perfect as a starting point for them to in effect start living together, but not mentioning that he was still hoping to take Ruth to Paris one day.

Bridget having returned for one more time, with a prescription for lower grade painkillers that Ruth could spread out over the course of a day, rather than in the morning and before she went to bed. With the guarantee that she wouldn't feel nauseous. At least that had been Bridget's excuse for seeing them one more time. All of which had made the time go quickly and with it, the realisation that this was finally happening.

Which meant that it was a bright and sunny morning, when wasn't it Harry had come to realise, that they were packed and ready to go. Maddie having been told that they were leaving, still insisting that Harry was her favourite uncle and that she'd write to him and send him pictures, whilst she was taking him on what she didn't know was a final tour of the garden. Ruth watching them through the kitchen window and marvelling not for the first time, the many sides of the man she was in love with. Chatting away to this small child that he had balanced on his hip. Almost as though she was his own.