Hi the latest in this episode, posted before my return to the work place shatters my system. Hope everyone is well and thanks to those who reviewed.

Ruth made it back to her colleagues to be greeted by the presentation of pair of headphones accompanied with a casual wave of Harry's hand directing her to a seat between Zoe and Danny as he uttered a bald thanks,

"Well done Ruth. Now it's over to Ali." The less than effusive nature of this praise being offset by his chancing an appreciative smile in her direction. An action greeted by the off guard Ruth with confused flicker as she took her place. A momentary exchange whose supposedly private nature was noted by the ever alert Ros, as was the sudden stiffening of Ruth, a response that displaced her temporary softening when the logical part of her brain kicked in to remind her that she hated him.

While Ruth had been a little surprised by Harry's eschewing a more formal report covering the possibly unseen subtleties of her visit to Ali and Aaisha, a glance at the screen as she wriggled her way into the narrow gap between Zoe and Danny revealed, without further explanation, the underlying reason for Harry's few words. After her exit Ali, having obviously wasted no time in travelling the corridors towards his uncle's suite, could now be observed knocking on the door.

Upon his directing few indecipherable syllables to the minion who acting as gatekeeper Ali was admitted into the inner sanctum, at which almost identical moment Malcolm pressed a button that transferred the view to an alternative camera secreted in the sitting room of the suite given over to uncle's entourage. Ali's vile relative registering first surprise and then, in recovery, standing up to utter a fulsome greeting,

"Welcome Ali. It is a joy to see you." Hugging his nephew as he did so. An action that made the watchers thankful that it was Ali rather than them being embraced by the human boa constrictor.

"Good grief it's only about five hours since they all arrived," muttered Danny in disgust, before a hasty "Shhh" from Zoe indicated that his opinion was surplus to requirements.

From the expression of pleasure on Ali's face at this reception it was fortunate that the spooks knew he loathed his uncle. On outward appearances the demeanour presented to the his relative would have outshone the joy of a pauper who'd just won the lottery. Managing to sound diffident as he explained, "I need your help uncle, or rather I need your permission to ask Zahra to help me."

Through grainy footage being transmitted at the mention of Zahra's name uncle's beam radiated across the pixels, "Of course my boy." Waving Ali to a seat he pressed his own bulk down onto the sofa cushions as he enquired, "So …"

Ali, now giving a passable imitation of an embarrassed teenage boy reluctantly admitting to a crime, groaned, "With the wait for the wedding Zahra wants to keep in shape, so she's asked her friend Ruth to arrange a private keep fit session in the gym."

Uncle gave a mild hrrumph "Such vanity is not becoming." Then with a frown, "I understood the marriage was to take place the day after tomorrow."

Ali sighed the sigh of the truly hounded, "After some consideration I concluded that it would be best if we held the civil marriage in England, followed by the Muslim ceremony at home where Aaisha can be formally introduced to the family. Unfortunately only now has Miss Evershed advised me that due to a paperwork problem the civil ceremony has to be delayed for a few days."

Uncle sounded as if he was smelling a rather large rodent as he commented, "Such sudden change in your plans!"

"I know, but I believe that it gives Aaisha some time to understand that she is required to conform to most of our customs."

"Quite correct."

From the far corner, unseen due to the position of Malcolm's spy software, the voice of Zahra could be heard fluting across the room, "How did she take that?"

Ali, after a further embarrassed pause, that made Harry, no mean actor himself appreciate the skill, replied after a few seconds hesitation, "Not well, which is why I need you Zahra. Aaisha needs to learn very quickly what is acceptable and I'm hoping your example might encourage her to adopt a more modest demeanour. She really does indulge in activities that would be frowned upon."

Uncle was looking a trifle confused, "So why does Zahra need to attend a keep fit session which, as you know, is not something I would approve of."

Back in the land of reality Ros was breaking silence to hiss, "What a surprise." Her words overlaying Zoe's comment of "Misogynistic bastard." Ruth while not joining this chorus of condemnation was beginning to consider that she had possibly been a little unjust when accusing Harry of similar attitudes. True in private he was a lying bastard, and yes he had proved himself a smug git expecting her ignore his duplicity in seducing her while undercover, but in his formal role as the head of Section D no woman could complain of unfair treatment. On the Grid his female staff where treated as equal with the males, subjected alike to the same sarcastic wit allied to a straightforward acknowledgment of their skills. As she had reason to know since it was precisely her own outstanding expertise that made he had blackmail her into remaining with Section D. That apart in a strict work context Harry kept it professional, unlike one Section Head who continually referred to the women on his staff as 'little ladies' while addressing them as 'my dear'. Ruth recently had been obliged the to accompany Harry to a meeting chaired by this charmer A misfortune that had seen her exiting with a fury only abated by Harry's commenting, "Lucky for him that none of those little ladies knit," enlarging his response when her brow wrinkled in puzzlement, "I can only guess where they'd stick the needles." For a few minutes she'd been quite in charity with him, until pushed his luck by saying, "It's a wonder they don't report him to HR," making her snap, "He's not the only one who deserves that." The rest of the trip back to the pods being conducted in silence on his part and a continuation of steaming temper on hers.

Shaking herself she returned to the task in hand or rather in the ear, in time to hear Ali pleading,

"I know your views uncle and I respect them but I thought if I could start re-educating Aisha slowly - beginning with discouraging her from scaling the climbing bars and ropes in the gym. Since I obviously can't be present and Ruth as Aaisha's friend won't rein her in I was hoping Zahra could set an example. I know it's a lot to ask…."

Uncle's smile of approval to the crestfallen Ali being matched by the disdain in his voice, "You are quite correct my boy but …."

As a refusal trembled on his lips Zahra could be heard pleading, "Please father, you did bring me here to set an example and you know how very fond I am of Ali."

Back in Ground Zero a set of listeners were holding their breaths hoping that uncle's desire to prevent the marriage would overcome his suspicions that he was being played. There being a group exhale when after a seemingly endless pause uncle finally gave his verdict,

"Very well but I insist that it be women only, Zahra must cover her limbs and wear her hijab and on no account is to climb."

With a humbleness that fed uncle's ego Ali was salaaming to the accompaniment of Zahra cooing in a grateful voice, "Thank you father." As Ali got up to leave it was Zahra who was heard to ask, "Ali when…"

Ali, turning a beaming smile on her that must of have warmed the cockles of uncle's non existent heart, informed her, "Sorry, ten o'clock tomorrow in the gym, Ruth will be with Zahra and the instructor." Before her father could ask he hastily added, "A female instructor of course," before up ending the butter boat, "I am more grateful to you than I can say uncle."

Having allowed Ali a few minutes to make his way down the corridor to his own apartments uncle nodded to one of the servants standing at the door who, having checked, stated, "He has gone sir."

In a tone being far harsher than that used in Ai's presence uncle ordered. "Zahra go to your room." There was no argument but as Zahra was seen swishing across the screen her hand, hidden from her father and his minions, was making a rather rude gesture.

With Zahra removed her uncle was seen to lock her bedroom door, creating an unheard outbreak of tutting from the invisible chorus before he and his companions left. Malcolm switching screens tracked them on their way outside obviously intending to have an out of earshot discussion.

Harry after a moment during which he removed his headphones, turned to Ros, "Ros go to the suite, use the master key and let Zahra know the plan. Adam ride shotgun in the entrance Hall and if they appear before Ros returns create a diversion of some sort."

Ros didn't waste any time standing up before speeding away, followed a few minutes later by Adam lounging out with his tool kit. Harry having turned his attention to Malcolm enquired, "Can you let Jed know in case he can get near." Malcolm with a quick shadow of self congratulation swimming across his face said, "No need Harry they've gone into the summer house so we can listen in …again."

Ruth smiled her sympathy as she asked, "With the amount of time you spend with listening with headphones and earpieces aren't you afraid of going deaf?"

Malcolm, his eyes still fixed to the computer screen answered almost absentmindedly, "Not really Harry creates more decibels. At least I can regulate the sound on my software."

Harry not impressed by the choking sound of Zoe and Danny promptly ordered them out, "Danny I think the bar is calling - I'd like a double malt delivered to my room - on the tab, and Zoe you need to plan some form of exercise programme just in case uncle stations someone outside to listen." Having now ignored Ruth he turned to her, "Ruth you need to contact Fiona, ask her to deliver you a gym kit."

Danny about to depart turned to make the enquiry Harry had been carefully avoided, "So what's your preference Ruth, a short gym skirt and tee shirt or designer leotard and leggings."

Ruth carefully not looking at Harry simply replied, "I'll ask Fiona's advice but I think it should be something more modest given uncle's views."

A neat response that no one could argue with although Harry despite feeling slightly hot under the collar was also feeling somewhat disappointed, and disgusted with himself for doing so. Had his love for Ruth led him into a desperate desire to perv at her body? Aware that he had an audience waiting for his reply he commented lightly, "Whatever you wear uncle will disapprove but if you need an opinion my door is easily opened."

"Thanks but I think I can manage with a mirror." Stated as Ruth marched into her bedroom and proved, via a firm snap, that her door was likely to remain off limits to one particular person.

Thanks for reading and if you have a moment a review would be appreciated.