First of all Happy Easter to everyone and since some of you will be in a form of lockdown, as indeed am I, stay safe. At least it's given me the time to produce this chapter so as ever a big thank you to everyone who is sticking with this story.

Ruth, as she made her way into the great outdoors, was wrinkling her forehead in puzzlement. Her perplexity was not owing to the news that Faizan had decided to explore the hotel grounds for a second time in the day. From what she recalled, as a restless type that was his normal. As for Ali she supposed it was possible that he too enjoyed sport, fresh air and the opportunity to converse on those topics, not something that he could do with Aaisha who found sport a yawn. And therein lay the real surprise, which was that Aisha had accompanied them. If Ruth's memory was to be relied upon, Aisha's interest in the joys of nature was purely scenic, ideally viewed from the vantage point of a restaurant table or an outing in a car. Otherwise she tended to regard the countryside as an area populated by insects that whose sole life purpose was to produce unpleasant itchy bites while conspiring with the undergrowth to destroy her flimsy footwear. She was also of the view that inconsiderately low hanging tree branches were designed with the express intention of becoming caught in her hair. Only an emergency could have persuaded Aaisha to forsake her usual habits – true love was reputed to overcome much – but in this instance Ruth thought that unlikely solution to the conundrum. While she had protested to Harry that her friend was not a gold digger, and that much was fair, neither was Aaisha one to ignore the realities of life and comfort. So what had proved so important that, even within the well trimmed grounds of the hotel, Aaisha had been cajoled into exposing the very expensive sandal and silk garment combo she had been wearing earlier to the perils posed by nature?

In that Ruth was not wrong, and had she been privy to the conversation that took place once she had departed to consult with Harry, she'd have been even more worried. After the almost joint departures of Zahra and Ruth the remaining trio, excitement over, had lapsed into a silence. Ali and Aaisha separately considering the far reaching implications of the bombshell that was the crumbling health of Ali's father, while Faizan had turned his mind to a different topic entirely, and it was he who broke out first as he enquired of Aaisha, "I missed Ruth's arrival – did she say that she'd been specially selected as she was an old acquaintance?"

Puzzled Aisha took a moment to consider, recalling those events that seemed days old but had in fact taken place only about three short hours previously, "Not specially but I assumed that as we were old friends it made sense to …." Breaking off as she saw the suspicion flickering across Faizan's face, "What exactly are you hinting?" Her tone being repressive, but not one that her brother was especially inhibited by, as he ignored the question to enquire further, "And why send someone from the Foreign Office anyway? I mean it's not as if Ali is a politician, royalty or even a country representative." Belatedly aware that he might have just offended his future brother in law, whose head had jerked out of its despondent droop at this last utterance, Faizan hastily amended his tone, "I'm not trying to be offensive it's just…"

While Ali remained silent Aaisha wasn't having any of this apology, "Well you're doing a very good job of being so. Kindly explain what you mean. Now."

Facing around the room Faizan turned back, his eyes serious, "I will but I really think we should go outside – we'll all think better in the fresh air with no chance of being interrupted or overheard by anyone passing."

Aisha still mystified began to protest exactly along the lines that Ruth would later anticipate. "But in this dress and shoes…." Only for Ali to choke her off, as some understanding of Faizan's drift began to worm its way into his own mind, "Yes I agree. We've been cooped up in here and it's a lovely day."

Aaisha the indoors girl seemed set to continue her objections, but was prevented by Alli standing up, firmly grasping her wrists and hissing in her ear, "Aaisha please, this may be very important." Subdued if not reconciled she permitted herself to be led out, passing through the foyer where Ros, ostensibly busy with her duties was involved in a telephone conversation. As they passed she gave a quick nod of acknowledgement as she informed the caller, who was in fact Malcolm. "I understand Sir, yes I appreciate your point and will see to the matter." With the trio having vanished as she put down the receiver she hissed a quiet under the breath 'Damn' before turning her attention to a screen that displayed various aspects of the grounds. Having observed Ali's uncle departing on a similar constitutional a few minutes previously she could only hope that the two groups didn't meet, although given the dynamics it seemed likely that both would give the other a wide berth. Surveying the foyer for any signs of individuals returning she concluded that Harry needed to know about the latest developments. Despite the absence of any witnesses to retain her cover she snatched up a few stray letters, an indication to the curious that she had a task, as she hurried down the corridor. Dual task really – the official one to inform Harry of developments, the more amusing one to view him and Ruth in their intimate surroundings and gauge their curious relationship.

Once outside Aaisha would have happily settled for sitting on one of the benches placed at the edge of the smooth green lawn that fronted the hotel drive and doors, but Faizan the fresh air fiend instead headed straight down the pathway heading for the park and lake area at the back of the hotel. With Ali following in his wake like Mary's little lamb, while maintaining a near death grip on her arm, Aaisha's preferences were redundant, as in totally ignored. It was only when they reached the middle the lawn sloping down towards a small summer house near the lake shore, that Faizan halted. The glory of the autumnal tints sported by the trees that bordered the paths around the lake was entirely lost on Aaisha, whose irritation was mounting to near fury as she demanded of her brother, "What exactly is this about?" Wriggling her toes in the hope of dislodging an irritating pebble that had lodged under her toes she added, "I'm not going any further until you explain."

Faizan once again chose to answer a question with a question, "Has Ruth mentioned what she did before she became Harry's PA?"

Frowning Aaisha was trying to recall their catch up chat of the early afternoon, most of which had in fact consisted of her talking and Ruth uttering the odd sentence, "She was a bit vague – said she'd entered the civil service and then because of her languages been seconded to work with Harry."

Faizan almost grinned, "Well that probably wasn't exactly a lie, more like economical with the truth."

"What are you on about?"

It was Ali who answered, "I think what Faizan is trying to suggest is that while Harry and Ruth might work together they are not attached to the Foreign Office but …"

Before he could complete the sentence Aaisha broke in again, "So who the hell do you think they are – master criminals?"

"Could be, and if I'm right some would say yes to that, but I think they are MI5 or 6?"

Aaisha practically burst out laughing as she scornfully corrected his misapprehension, "Ruth. A spy of all the unlikely…." Tailing off when she saw Ali raising his eyebrows heavenward although it was Faizan who asked, "So what do you think a spy looks like Aaisha? I'd guess the whole point is they aren't obvious."

Aaisha changing amusement for a stunned expression managed to stammer out, "But why be here?"

It was Ali's turn to answer, "My family may not be royal but they do have huge influence in a sensitive area - that's why with my father…" He broke off choking slightly before adding, "And with my uncle's attitudes they don't want an extreme influence in the area."

Aaisha having reeled with shock was now recovering sufficiently to say, "I'll have this out with Ruth when I see her – honestly…" only for Ali to firmly insist, "No." Seeing the mulish look that both men knew well taking residence on her face Ali hastily advised "We might be wrong, and even if Faizan is correct we really don't want to interfere."

A statement that had both brother and sister staring in amazement before Faizan started scanning the ground. "No - gone missing."

"Er, Faizan what are you searching for?"

"Ali's marbles as he's clearly lost them if he's willing to be spied on."

Seeing two sets of eyes looking at him for an explanation Ali enlightened them, "If they are spying then the reason they are here is to ensure that my marriage to Aaisha takes place. Thereby putting a spoke in my uncle's wheel which can only benefit us and my father can die knowing his life's work won't be destroyed." At this point he halted swallowing back the catch in his voice before continuing firmly, "and they might help Zahra." Before either of the others could expostulate he reminded them "I'm very fond of Zahra, and her life, if she is forced to marry the man her father has in mind as the alternative to me, will be appalling. That guy makes my uncle look liberal – no books – women shouldn't read, chaperoned everywhere, sex without consent because it is her duty…."

While Aaisha was now speechless with distress at these further revelations Faizan nodded, "I understand, so okay it's your call. We'll keep quiet and and I'll help in any way I can." Aaisha still struggling for words nodded her consent to this agreement to silence.

They had terminated the conversation just in time. In the silence that fell between them came the crunch of footsteps on the gravel, which then converted into a slightly more muffled sound as someone approached them across the grass. Ali turned his head, noting the new arrival, "Ah I see Ruth approaching. Perhaps she has news from Harry."

Aaisha, having recovered her voice commented 'I do hope so." And then added an eager – "Can I suggest that we return the compliment and try to spy on her."

Faizan chuckled, "That's more like the sister I know, but why – apart from is Ruth or isn't she a spy, what else do we want to know?"

Aaisha smirked back, "Well she's very tight lipped whenever Harry is mentioned, so how about are they or aren't they?"

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