Finally got this ready for posting so thanks to my readers and especially reviewers for their patience. I'm unlikely to speed up my writing rate in the near future due to a major change in domestic circumstances so apologies. For now though our spooks are still trying to work out how to work together.

It was around ten o'clock the next morning when the team members found themselves reunited inside the imposing foyer of Havensworth. Before any of them had had an opportunity to sum up their surroundings spook style, other than to note the obvious, namely that the ambiance oozed money, a stony faced Ros was ushering them along a corridor embellished with rich wool carpets and hand decorated wallpaper interspersed with solid oaken doors sporting discreet locks, guarding whatever secrets lay in the rooms and suites beyond. Their eventual destination; a small meeting room which, owing to its being furnished with long table flanked by chairs, could best be characterized as Briefing Room lite but posh with it. Any intention of the part of the regular members of Section D tolerate the authority assuming Ros Myers nearly flying through the crystal clear double glazed windows affording a view of the extensive grounds in which, they presumed, the other invisible spooks were camping, when the subject of irritation demanded,

"Where is Mr Pearce? He should have arrived by now." Her entire manner implying that when Harry appeared he would be required to prostrate himself before Madam in a gesture of abject apology. ''As if' being the thought of four persons present, while Adam, the odd man, was wincing internally at this further demonstration of 'how not to endear yourself to new colleagues'.

It fell to Malcolm, as the senior member of those representing Section D to utter a mild rebuke, "Harry prefers us to all to be on first name terms. It helps to create operational cohesion. " Leaving Ros to process this he informed her, "I believe you had departed from home before he was contacted by the DG. According to the text he sent me he was summoned to an urgent meeting."

Preferring to ignore the implied criticism Ros snapped back, "Why?"

Malcolm, while preserving his rarely revealed temper with an effort, a life skill honed from years of coping with a demanding mother, was able to claim a truly genuine ignorance, "He either didn't know or wasn't prepared to say, but if it does impact on this operation I'm sure he'll inform us all." With the barest of inflections being placed on that final word.

Temporarily bested Ros recovered sufficiently to complain, "We can't afford to waste time. Until he arrives I suppose Danny and Zoe can visit the uniform store, but otherwise this throws the whole timetable out, especially since Ruth must vis …" only to be interrupted by Adam's hasty intervention,

"Not to worry about Ruth's planned afternoon. Fiona will understand, she's already contacted the fashion houses on your list Ros, plus a couple of others, to pull up a selection of suitable clothes, so that should help timewise."

Ros might just have been soothed, but anything gained from calming her objections was now stymied by Ruth protesting. "But how did she…"

Adam threw her his most charming smile, the one he hadn't used on Ros. Why waste a weapon uselessly on granite? "Harry emailed me a photograph last night along with your measurements…" A statement productive of an interesting tinge of colour in Ruth's normally pale cheeks, as she contemplating the horrific possibility that Harry might have taken a covert intimate happy snap…surely not… surely he had more class that to sextext a souvenir of their few days as lovers …but she had trusted him only to discover he was a fraud and ….. Adam, while wondering what had given occasion this reaction hurriedly clarified the nature of the information received. "It was a head and shoulders shot with the MI5 file measurements." Even more interestingly Ruth's face exchanged flush for a flood of relief. Continuing as if he hadn't registered anything untoward Adam turned to Ros, supplying Ruth with time to recover herself, "Just a thought, will Ruth be attending the actual Muslim ceremony because if so she'll need something a little more ethnic."

Ros for once looked uncertain, "I would assume so but ….."

Ruth intervened, not relishing a discussion over her head in her presence on a topic concerning her directly, "It might seem presumptuous to assume an invitation. Can I suggest that we arrange for an emergency sari to be couriered if necessary." While Ros was briefly on the ropes Zoe added her shilling's worth of contribution. "Plus some over the top jewellery."

At which statement Ruth gave vent to a groan, "I'll look like an Asian version of Barbie."

Adam who had zoned out of this discourse slightly suddenly shot back in, "Now I think about it will Harry in his official capacity have to be present because if so…"

With the first glimmering of humour Ros had ever revealed to the team she smirked, "There you are Ruth, Harry can go as Ken." A comment that had Malcolm willing himself not to close his eyes in horror, not helped by Danny's interjection, "Although Harry presumably still has his balls." A piece of unintended tactlessness that meant Ruth for the second time in five minutes was struggling not to blush. It was battle she lost which, while noted by all, went unremarked for the moment.

Malcolm searching for an excuse to exit, although recognising that however annoying her manner, Ros was correct in expressing the view that just sitting around waiting for Harry materialise was a waste of time made his move, "If no one objects I'd like to take a walk around the exterior." A suggestion that while not producing a firm negative from Ros did produce an "And your reason?"

Malcolm fell back on professional expertise, "The trees and tall buildings can interfere with GSP readings and I'd also like to get the feel of the space for the exterior CCTV." Ruth, also wanting to vacate before the conversation reverted once again to issues that skirted around matters personal, agreed, "I'll come with you. I want to find some options for dead drops if I can't communicate directly with the team or if I need to find somewhere to talk privately with Aaisha."

Ros, with all the air of kindergarten teacher deciding that her restless charges required fresh air and a change of scene, nodded, "Very well, it might be useful for us all to do so." A scenario that was not what Malcolm, referencing his inner Greta Garbo, had had in mind but unable was to argue against.

Once outside, with Ros bringing up the rear due to the need to leave a message with the Reception Desk in anticipation of Harry's eventual arrival, the atmosphere lightened somewhat. A slow stroll along the gravelled path that led along the side of the hall, while being warmed by the early autumn air and sun allowed the group to relax just a little. Ros in particular, once she caught up with them, seemed to be inhaling appreciably the damp woody laden scents emanating from the nearby trees and then pausing to survey with an almost nostalgic expression the sight of the sparkling lake surrounded by yet more manicured woodland, just revealing its autumn tints, some distance from the hotel. Catching the eye of the all noticing Malcolm she ruefully remarked, "I'd almost forgotten how lovely the English landscape can be." A revealing statement that sparked in Malcolm the consideration that if she was truly ignorant of her father's machinations perhaps Ros was deserving of some degree of sympathy . Given her family's recent history with Harry, being pitchforked into Section D, where inevitably she would be confronted with a frisson of suspicion radiating out of every operative, was hardly a comfortable scenario, perhaps that surface spikiness was a protective shield. Not dissimilar in type to Harry's defence mechanism of stoical sarcasm

Unaware of Malcolm's thoughts, having indulged in this mild moment of softening, Ros was now calling across to the team, "Everyone needs to commit the layout of this side of the building to memory as it contains the suites that will house the wedding party." As the others had already been occupied in a thorough survey of the number of windows and placing of balconies as seen, while comparing the physical appearances with the plans displayed on a variety of ipads, this patronising remark made Zoe inform Ros, "We did check the schematic last night as part of our homework but…."

Before Ros could open her mouth to let fly some withering reposit to this defiance Zoe outlined her reservation. "I wasn't sure from the plans provided where exactly Ruth sleeps."

"With Harry." A piece of information that made Malcolm wince, even as Ros qualified the statement, "Not in the same room obviously." He'd acquit Ros of any deliberate attempt to embarrass, but as Ruth's face turned a shade of strawberry yet again he leapt to her defence, "Actually Ros that wasn't entirely clear as regards Harry, Ruth and myself."

Emboldened by Malcolm's support Ruth added a further query, "And what exactly does Aaisha know? Do I have a legend or does she know I'm with Five? That wasn't mentioned in the documents either."

If Ros was feeling beleaguered she disguised it well, "The final touches of your cover will be sent later today. Aaisha has been told that you are Harry's PA and that Harry is a senior civil servant attached to the Foreign Office."

Leading Danny out of her earshot to mutter to Zoe, "That's one way to describe Six."

Ros oblivious to this disparaging comment was still informing Ruth what was what, "The wedding party believe that Harry has been seconded in a diplomatic role to ensure that all goes smoothly given the British support for Ali's home province."

While the thought of Harry posing as a suave diplomat had produced a chorus of choking from the three more seasoned members of Section D - that would be an interesting legend for him to sustain - Adam, who knew rather more than the others about Ros' work in the far flung areas of Pakistan, wrinkled his brow a trifle asking, "Is there any? Support I mean."

"Pure self interest Adam – now as regards sleeping arrangements Harry and Ruth will have rooms next to each other so they can communicate easily, located in the corridor between the two suites, one for the male party and one for the women due to…" The appalled expression on Ruth's face at this gem passed unnoticed, due to attention being diverted by Danny saying impatiently.

"Yes Ros we are all aware of the Muslim sex segregation rules." An intervention that allowed Ruth to recover her countenance which had, boringly, flared up yet again at the information that only a party wall would separating herself and Harry, combined with the prospect of having to report to him privately.

Ros, glaring at the interruption, let that go as she answered the final part of that query. "Malcolm will be housed in the staff wing. Now any other questions?"

If she had hoped to shut down the issue she was disappointed when Adam having wandered a little further towards the lake beckoned the group forward and then with a wave of his hand indicated a small summerhouse built on the lakeside edge.

"That definitely wasn't in the plans we received."

Ros following the line of his pointed finger didn't argue while Malcolm after a quick interrogation of his ipad announced, 'The plans we were given were dated for last year'. A pronouncement which from the annoyance washing over Ros' face implied that someone somewhere would shortly be regretting their error. For now she followed Adam who had led the others down to examine the offending building.

Once inside, after a cursory glance at the panorama afforded by wide double glazed windows that looked out over the gently lapping lake, inhabited by a few waterfowl fishing undisturbed in the quietness, the spooks turned their attention from bird spotting to assess the interior. Like the hotel it was expensively furnished, principally with light wood chairs and sofa, plus plenty of scatter cushions in muted shades blending with natural surroundings it was intruding upon. Judging by the ambience and limited sight lines from the hotel the construction seemed designed to encourage private dalliance. Zoe, after a quick sniff announced "Hardly Ros' fault this is so new you can smell the paint." With Ros' back turned Zoe was stood at the entrance scanning the rear of the hotel as Danny mouthed, "Crawler' at his flat mate, while Adam looking at Ruth grinned, "Well you now have a suitable venue to talk to Aaisha out of earshot,"

Ruth grateful to concentrate on the central theme of the operation smiled back, "Somehow I doubt that - I can see Malcolm is already planning his bugs."

Ros having satisfied herself with reference to whatever had been concerning her, plumped herself authoritatively on one of the low light wood chairs scattered inside saying, "At least we can enjoy the view while we wait for Harry to turn up, if he ever does."

A pleasure no longer delayed when, as if on cue, Harry marched through the door making them all jump with surprise. Noting this he almost snapped, "Lucky I'm not a terrorist, I could have killed all of Five and Six's presumed finest." Adam, with an act of either bravery or folly, depending on viewpoint chose to ignore both the tone and the grim expression as he smirked, "The country would still have had you to rely on." Rendering the next sally from Ros' direction even more inappropriate, or would have been had she not issued it in a voice that anticipated a negative response was anticipated.

"Enjoyed yourself with Dolby?"

"Not really. As the Cousins might say Houston we have a problem."

Malcolm, the long term witness to Harry's ongoing skirmishes with the CIA sighed stoically, "If you're quoting the Cousins it must be serious."

Pausing for a moment Harry barked two words, "Ali's uncle."

After a couple of seconds to register this explanation Adam queried, "The misogynist who disapproves of the marriage?"

"The very same."

Ros clawing back into the conversation was frowning, "So, he's in Pakistan. "

Harry pausing for effect, after sending his laser like stare around the room, making Ros and Adam realise for the first time exactly why he had acquired his formidable reputation, unleashed his bombshell.

"Past tense was in Pakistan. But he's here and has announced that in the absence of the groom's father it is his duty to support his nephew."

Ros gave him back stare for stare as she asked with disbelief, "Does that mean…"

Interrupting Harry clarified, "Exactly Rosalind. As I stated, he's here, in London and will be attending the wedding."

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