With no further comment from Ros during lunch, Harry felt the knots in his shoulders beginning to unwind. Not sufficiently that he wanted his and Ruth's walk back to the hotel to be pulled to pieces again. His chance to tell Adam that he and Ruth would follow on in their own time, coming when Ruth was drawn into a conversation with a couple at a nearby table whose dog she'd been admiring.

'If this is because of Ros, you can stop worrying,' said Adam, who after a quick glance over his shoulder, could see that Ros was also preoccupied. In her case contemplating the subject of a picture on the wall on her way to collect their coats from the stand in the corner. 'Best case scenario is that we're wrong and the avalanche was nothing more than an accident waiting to happen. But either way I think we need to move into alternative accommodation.'

'And Ros agrees with this does she?'

'I have no idea what Ros thinks and nor do I intend asking her. I just think we need to be somewhere that will offer us anonymity, maybe into a privately owned chalet. Let's face it Harry, there are going to be a whole heap of cancellations from people who were planning a skiing holiday and won't want to come.'

'Not that I don't think it's a good idea Adam, but I can't imagine Ruth agreeing to us sleeping in a bedroom with Ros on the other side of the wall. And I know I shouldn't be putting my feelings for Ruth ahead of the operation and God knows how many times I've told others that work has to take priority, but the last few days have made me see things differently.'

You don't say, thought Adam. Only to be surprised when Harry continued. 'Which can you believe, was highlighted when I spent an hour in freezing cold cowshed, whilst Ruth was chopping vegetables and tidying up in the farmhouse kitchen. Before we finished the day in front of a blazing fire, eating dinner with a couple who spend their lives doing something they enjoy.'

'That and of course there's the no so small matter that you're in love with her,' said Adam, who was no longer worrying that he might be chancing his arm by being so direct. Because what had amounted to a confession on Harry's part, had been delivered in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

Which when Harry nodded, he decided to press his advantage by telling him what he'd wanted to say to him when the gossip had first started.

'Everyone deserves to be happy Harry and despite what I now know to be unnecessary reticence on my part when it comes to giving the two of you the nudge you needed, I for one want to ensure that what you have with Ruth, isn't brought to a grinding halt by someone who we have yet to identify. So, when it comes to digging around, Ros and I are more than capable of posing as a couple of nosey tourists and who knows, we might even stumble across someone who is loose lipped enough for us to be able to decide what's fact and what's guesswork. Which will leave you and Ruth free to decide where your future lies. And if that's not enough to cheer you up, I've told Ros that if she isn't prepared to back off and treat Ruth as an equal, she can go home.'

'And Ros accepted that?' Asked Harry, wondering how in the space of a few moments, his and Adam's roles had been reversed.

'Accept might be too strong a word, but she didn't argue. She wants to get in on the action Harry. In fact, I think she'd be a good addition to the section long term. So, talk to Ruth and if she agrees, we could be out of that hotel and sleeping in the village tonight.'

.

The chalet that they are about to move into, pretty much chooses itself. Because not only does it sit four-square in the centre of the village with a clear view of the road in and across the valley, but it's spacious enough that they won't be tripping over each other at every turn. That they are friends who always holiday together, the owner accepts without asking for any identification. At which point, Harry signs on the dotted line and pays for a week in the name of James Treadwell. When they're asked if they have any questions, Adam chips in by asking about the various ski slopes and which if any, shops and restaurants he can recommend?

For it to have happened at all after Harry had spoken to Ruth, had only been made possible because Adam had assured Harry yet again, that there would be no more speculation, or would he discuss with Ros what they'd talked about. Both of which make for a very different atmosphere on their first evening, as he and Ruth make omelettes and a salad accompanied oven chips, not ideal but the best they can rustle up at such short notice, helped down by a couple of bottles of wine. After which and wanting to avoid talking about the real reason they're there, they dig around in the cupboards and find a scrabble board. That Ros win hands down without any connivance, comes with the bonus that if she or Adam win, they get the only other bedroom with a double bed. Which means that not only does Adam end up in a single, but leads them nicely on to bedtime. Where again, nothing is said to suggest that this is anything other than what they've been doing for years.

.

'Being here rather than in the hotel, almost makes me feel as though we're on holiday again,' says Ruth, when Harry turns off the light after what has been an emotionally fraught day, before shuffling across the bed and wrapping his arms around her.

'I agree,' is the only possible answer, given what he's told Adam. What isn't, because this newly invented them is still very much in its infancy, is him telling her that Adam's suggestion that they move out of the hotel is to ensure their safety. And that he knows he should probably have discussed it with her first, but when Adam had caught him on the hop, he'd told him about the day they'd got lost and ended up staying with Anton and Louisa. How it had opened his eyes to what life could be like if they weren't bound together by the boss and his analyst label.

Expecting her to say, no you shouldn't have Harry, she surprises him again, by simply asking what Adam had said?

'That he knew I was in love with you and had been for a long time, plus a not so subtle hint, that he thought it was time I disposed of my suit and tie and walked off into the sunset holding your hand.'

'That's very -'

'Unlikely knowing me. Or romantic, given that I can imagine us doing it?'

'And what about Ros?'

'I suspect that Ros sees us somewhat differently.'

'So why is she behaving as though she's had a change of heart. Has Adam said something?'

'You know Adam better than that Ruth. The conversation between Adam and I didn't require me to go into specifics and certainly hasn't been passed on to Ros. Adam knows us as well as anyone does, except perhaps Malcolm. It's not as though we've done a good job of hiding how we feel is it, despite the years it's taken me to tell you.'

'He must have said something?'

'He told her she could either back off or go home.'

'And she accepted that?'

'That's what I said when he told me.'

'So, where does that leave us?'

'Safe in Adam's opinion, providing we stay within the confines of the house and the village. Now come on we need our sleep, or we'll be fit for nothing in the morning.'

.

'Habit of a lifetime,' says Harry, meaning his inability to sleep beyond seven and having had the foresight to pull on a pair of track pants, when Adam walks into the kitchen to find him making tea for the second morning in a row.

Only to discover that unlike him, Adam isn't planning on going back to bed, when he asks,' anymore thoughts on what we discussed yesterday?' Before refusing Harry's offer to pour him a cup in favour of making himself a coffee.

'Only that I need you to promise me that you'll be careful. It's all very well you offering me advice, but I need to know that you won't do anything foolhardy.'

'I'm guessing that you haven't looked out of the window then?'

'I haven't,' says Harry pulling back the curtains, not only to see that it is snowing heavily, but by the depth, looks to have been doing so all night.

'Perfect cover I'd say,' is Adam's analysis.

'As I said, don't do anything foolhardy,' is Harry's. Before heading back to where Ruth is wonderfully warm and hopefully less tired than she'd been the previous night.