So here it finally is the next chapter. Many thanks to my reviewers and anyone who is reading this for their patience. Unfortunately real life keeps crashing in on my writing time
Having steered his way through all the undercurrents in the foyer Harry felt it was something of a relief to escape into the small room under the hotel eaves, inhabited by the otherwise solitary Malcolm and his array of equipment, and not just to give his aching knee a respite. Dissimilar as he and Malcolm were in so many ways over the years they had established a close working partnership, along with an unspoken friendship, if not exactly Ying to Yang, definitely calm to choleric. While Harry was by temperament very much a front man, his salient characteristics being sarcasm, scheming and an unrivalled ability to think on his feet, Malcolm, usually a deskbound shadow was the possessor of an unsurpassed technical genius, the level of which was responsible for Harry's one misgiving concerning their relationship. Namely that Malcolm would, some day, succumb to the blandishments of Six or, even worse, set up as a freelance, in which latter case the service would probably not be able to afford his likely consultancy fees.
Having entered Malcolm's den, an area dominated by quietly humming gadgetry, plus those essential accessories to the long distance watch, a kettle, coffee and mugs, Harry noticed that Malcolm had again read his mind. A pair of headphones attached to a viewing screen and an inviting chair were already set up.
Being a man of Quakerish tendencies, if it wasn't true, kind or necessary he preferred not to comment, Malcolm nodded acknowledgement to Harry's entrance before advising him, "You haven't missed anything vital."
Muttering a terse 'good' Harry clamped the headphones over his ears and fixed his eyes on the screen feed from Aaisha's suite. The pixels, although a little grainy, were clear enough to allow him to distinguish Aaisha ensconced hand in hand with Ali on a small sofa while opposite, separated by a coffee table groaning with a variety of sweets and soft drinks, a larger sofa was occupied by Faizan and Zahra with Ruth, as became her role as chaperone, dividing them. Although judging by the conversation now filtering into Harry's ears, whatever their physical placing the separate parts of the group were more or less united in thought.
Harry had tuned in just in time to hear Ali, his voice and expression both heavy with concern, chide his wayward cousin, "Really Zahra you shouldn't provoke your father, you know what he's like."
Zahra's reply to this rebuke confirmed what Harry had already suspected, that when set free to express an opinion, mincing her words was not a facet of her character and, judging by her response, she possessed an excellent command of English with which to indulge the tendency. "You mean he's a power hungry misogynist git." A description of her sire that had Harry nodding in invisible agreement. It was Faizan, a stranger to uncle and the MI5 files, who attempted some defence, "But surely if he allowed you and your sisters to be educated…" faltering under a scorching glare from Zahra that, even with the shield of distance and a screen, was making Harry wince. In a like circumstance Ros Myers' reply would have been icy whereas Zahra 's breathed fire, but the overall effect projected onto the unfortunate onlooker was much the same: near alienation. Before Faizan was shrivelled to the status of a cinder Ali enlightened his soon to be brother in caustic cadences, "That Fazian is because my father insists that everyone in our family, including mere women, have to be educated." With Zahra adding, "And told my father that it would make us more marriageable with people who matter."
Sensing the implied criticism Ali reminded her, "Means to an end Zahra."
Zahra sighed a semi apology for the potential offence given, "I know, and don't think that I'm ungrateful to your father. I love him and just wish I was your sister, not your cousin. It's just that now mine is insisting if I don't marry you I have to marry that old goat in the neighbouring province who is putting out feelers."
Unlike the others Ali who had been lolling against the sofa cushions could clearly identify the individual so charmingly described by his cousin, in consequence of which he suddenly sat bolt upright with shock, "What but…."
"Exactly has two wives already, is sixty, and makes my father look slim. I really can't bear the idea of his fingers on me, let alone the prospect of having his probably Viagra aided prick shoved up my…"
At this she halted, the bold façade crumbling into a very real distress, while, after a nod of permission from Aaisha, Ali moved to put his arm around her. "Once my father knows about this I'm sure he'd not agree."
"I know but Ali..." Sitting up, having mastered herself Zahra swallowed and then sighing said, "I'm not supposed to know this but I sneaked into my father's study and …well Ali there's no easy way to say this but your father…" Giving Ali a moment to prepare she pushed on. "He has cancer and it's terminal – my father is, I think, planning to try and get placemen in so that you won't be able to continue with you father's policies. Even if you decide return shortly after the wedding it will be too late for me."
Harry could see Ali suddenly slumped in shock while Aaisha was biting her lip as they both absorbed the reality of that bombshell. It was Aaisha who understandably recovered first, robustly stating, "Well as you can't marry Ali we'll just have to sort out some way of thwarting your father." Taking a deep breath will Ali was still assembling his thoughts she assured Zahra, "We'll have to reconsider our plans long term, but I'm sure we could arrange to visit Ali's father asap after the wedding."
Ali finally managing to speak endorsed this, "Obviously we have quite a lot to wind up before moving back permanently but we could see my father and…"
Zahra shook her head very decidedly, "NO you need to stay out of it. Support me and my father will just use it to make your life more difficult. I'm grateful for your concern but I plan on finding some way to leave this hotel and ….."
At which, while both Ali and Faizan almost in chorus shouted, "Are you mad…", it was Aaisha from the feminine perspective who replied for Zahra, "No just desperate."
Zahra managed to sketch a wry smile, "I said we'd be friends – just a shame that I'll not be around to help ease you into life in the province…"
Aaisha, noting the despondent silence that was now blanketing the group, came clean and informed them, "Actually Ali had told me a little about the situation before you arrived so I did ask Ruth if there was any chance of you claiming asylum or something." Turning to Ruth she enquired hopefully, "Have you been able to approach Harry yet?"
Ruth, having guessed what was coming, and being equally certain that Harry was probably listening in, had taken the time during the interval when the others were conversing to consider her own reply. "I've asked him and he is taking advice, but it may take sometime to obtain a response."
Harry up in the hotel attic was breathing with relief, spot on as a reply if he really was a diplomat, but he'd have to think quickly before the situation span out of control, and especially before the headstrong Zahra decided to make an unsupported break for freedom, with consequences that could have serious repercussions.
"So we'll just have to think of something," was Faizan's contribution, "Presumably we are okay until the two marriage ceremonies are over."
Harry his gaze irresistibly drawn towards Ruth became aware of a curious expression crossing her face. Unbeknownst to Ruth it was the one he was all too aware of. That was the face he saw when, after having concentrated for hours on a piece of tricky intel she realised that she was on the verge of a breakthrough. An observation confirmed when Ruth broke into the subdued atmosphere that had descended.
"When I said that Harry couldn't be involved diplomatically I meant that he can't be seen to be acting in an official capacity, but he's been in difficult situations before now and might well turn a blind eye if we can come up with something that absolves him."
Harry upstairs in his eerie was combining an 'Oh God' moment with curiosity as he listened in, every bit as eagerly as Ruth's visible audience.
Hesitatingly Ruth suggested, "Are we agreed that Zahra's father wants her to marry Ali and that involves snatching him from Aaisha. Further to that we also know that given a choice he'd rather keep her away from any female that has a mind of her own, and men he does not approve of.
Zahra having the best measure of the beast nodded.
Assured that her analysis so far was spot on Ruth continued, "Would I however be correct in assuming that for him the first of these objectives is the more pressing."
The group were looking puzzled but again it was Zahra who answered, "On balance yes – but I don't quite see..."
Ruth flashed a mischievous grin across the room and right into Harry's heart simultaneously, "What I'm suggesting is that we play him at his own game. To accomplish her father's objective Zahra needs to be in contact with us and to seduce Ali – sorry Aaisha – she needs to be near him. So Zahra starts flirting with Ali, and Ali then conveys the impression to his uncle that now he's had the chance to compare Zahra to Aaisha he's been wowed by Zahra's superior qualities and suitability to be his bride."
Ali and Aaisha exchange glances before Aaisha complained, "Still not getting it."
Ruth after a deep breath outlined her thinking, "If Zahra's father believes that by being allowing her to be near you and Ali he's going to win he'll let Zahra off the leash somewhat. While Zahra you need to remind him that time is short and modestly has to be put on the back burner. That gives us more time and freedom to come up with an idea."
Zahra was beginning to look hopeful, "And you have one?"
"I need to see Harry first and discuss it."
Faizan grinned, "Well perhaps while Zahra is trying to seduce Ali you could use the same method to persuade Harry."
A statement production of an instantly strawberry faced Ruth expostulating, "I said need to discuss this with him, after all he is my boss and he'll have to answer to the Foreign Office."
From the expression on the faces of the group Harry reckoned they weren't deceived. For himself Harry was thankful that Malcolm as the sole witness to his embarrassment probably didn't need any enlightening. Malcolm's only comment being "Any idea what she has in mind Harry?"
"None at all Malcolm but I hope it's workable?"
Malcom unable to resist an oblique reference to the events of a few months ago managed an ironical smile, "When it comes to plotting she's probably learnt by experience from the master."
Choosing not to react to the insinuation Harry simply commented, "Well let's hope I'm not hoist by own petard – it could be the enema to end enemas."
On which medical note he turned his attention back to the group just in time to hear Ruth instructing the gang, "Ali if you can manage to make a few cutting remarks or a put down to Aaisha in your uncle's hearing it would help, plus one or two rather over long hand holds with Zahra. Faizan show annoyance at Aaisha being traduced and Aaisha you just need to look upset."
The other four exchanged glances before Aaisha, who after all was the one due to be dumped, groaned "Well it's worth a try as long as…"
Zahra laughed, "Truly don't worry I'm very fond of Ali but I really don't want be his wife." Followed by a total lack of daughterly respect "But I will enjoy duping my father."
Any further discussion was terminated by a knock on the door. Ali opening it to reveal uncle, rotund and bald in snowy white robes resembling an irascible Humpty Dumpty seething with exasperation, "Zahra it really is time…." Before he was choked off by the sight of his daughter who, having stood up, was now the recipient of a warm slightly lingering kiss on her cheek from Ali as he remarked, "So lovely of you to come Zahra, but we must try to catchup even more later." Zahra capturing her role turned to Aaisha saying in a voice that clearly lacked sincerity, "I do hope you weren't bored."
"Of course not – naturally I'm happy to hear all about people I've never met." In an equally insincere tone that completely belied her words, causing Ali to shrug.
With her father having turned her back Zahra risked a very quick wink at the group before trudging out in his wake.
Ruth also standing said, "I'd best be moving as well as I do need to update Harry."
Aaisha smirked "Update or just a date – honestly Ruth he might a little on the mature side but he's worn well and he has lovely manners." A statement that was making Malcolm, the veteran of many a Pearce storm, choke while Ruth was once again trying to conceal her embarrassment.
Harry having discarded his headphones was also preparing to leave, while wondering exactly what Ruth was planning and whether it would turn his remaining hair grey or just encourage it to drop out entirely.
Thanks for reading and if you have a moment a review would be appreciated. I'll be away for a few days so I may be slow in responding and if I failed to reply to any reviews of the last chapter many apologies