Greetings to everyone from the land of Lockdown Mk 2 and total chaos. I hope all my readers wherever they are based are well. This finally is my latest chapter. As ever my thanks to those who continue to read despite the delays in publishing.

Having practically scampered back to her room, suspecting that Harry, replete with fresh commands, would be impatiently awaiting her return, Ruth was not unduly surprised to notice that the door dividing her bedroom from the shared sitting room was ajar. Her ears having alerted her to the sound of pacing feet only partly muffled by the expensive carpeting her expectations were fulfilled when the firm click of her shutting the outer door was the signal for a disembodied voice to drift into her private sanctum.

"All according to plan so far. Well done Ruth."

Gratified as she was with the praise Ruth wasn't about to bend as she asked, "So what next?"

"First you need to change."

Catching sight of herself in the gold framed full length mirror that decorated one of the walls Ruth felt comment on this statement of the obvious would be superfluous, preferring to reply, "And after that – where have Jed and Co taken Aaisha anyway?

Hoping that she was going to be reasonable – not a quality he associated with Ruth these days whenever interaction with himself was required - Harry produced what he hoped was an acceptable answer,

"I'll update you while you change staying out of eyeline to preserve your modesty." Not that their recent history meant Ruth had much mystery to maintain in respect of the flesh, but he was trusting that professional pride and personal curiosity would trump any incipient protest.

"Very well –the PA formal suit I assume?"

"Correct…now…" Harry was struggling to keep his voice steady while visualising Ruth climbing into the expensively tailored outfit that so exactly reflected the colour of her eyes. Our first task is to make a formal to visit uncle. I want to check that he has been fallen for the lie, although ostensibly I'm advising him that I will be doing everything I can to ensure the best care for Aaisha."

With a glimmer of humour Ruth chuckled, "That'll make you popular. I'm sure he'd prefer that she had the worst possible care." A lightening up that made Harry respond, "Hmm, at least Ruth it gives us a chance to get up his nose."

"And such a big one as well... ahhh…" The latter semi scream alarming Harry as he enquired, "A problem Ruth!"

"Just this lyrca tends to cling."

Harry, having resisted the temptation to offer her some help, was now closing his eyes and practising some deep breathing as he tried not to picture Ruth peeling off the sportwear to reveal…..giving himself a shake he attempted to sound impersonal as he outlined the next stage of the operation.

"After we've intruded on uncle …and as Aaisha is your friend do make sure you look upset Ruth... you can explain to Ali exactly why Faizan won't allow any extra visitors."

Ruth's voice floated an enquiry from behind the door, "And if Zahra is doing her stuff would you prefer me to shoot a dirty look or feign a professional neutrality?"

Harry considered these dual alternatives before deciding, "Play it whichever why you feel circumstances dictate."

"Very well and after we leave?"

Harry with mild irritation stated, "Obviously we go to the hospital…"

"Er really - I thought that …"

Harry now grasped what Ruth had meant with the query he'd almost slapped down. "Ah no, she's not in a safe house. Jed has taken them both to one of the spook special medical units, secret and secure for the treatment of VIP's and other dubious persons."

With an slash of sarcasm Ruth shot back, "That explains why you know the place."

"Am I the VIP or the dubious person?"

As he was her boss Ruth bottled out of giving a direct answer. "What do you think?" Embellishing her reply with a snap indicating her preferred option which Harry ignored it in favour of a terse, "Ready?"

"I'll meet you outside." To suit the words Harry heard the far door of Ruth's room close. So no a chance of viewing her bedroom then, unless he walked through it on the excuse that it was a quicker route than reversing back through the shared room and exiting via his own bedroom. Tempting but he had to keep his focus on the operation, a key component of which was not infuriating Ruth beyond the necessary.

Having retreated the long way round to the corridor he nodded his approval of her appearance, which included a pair of watery, slightly pink, blue eyes looking out from a face that was carefully made up to suggest an attempt to hide grief,while not succeeding. "Very effective Ruth. Ready for the next stage."

"I'm beginning to think that I should have gone in for acting."

Harry managed a smile at that, "That is a large part of the field job description."

"So I noticed a few months ago. You really fooled me."

This was her cue for him to assure her that whatever the rest of his deceptions Harry, in his role as a lover, had been the real deal and not an act. Harry, as ever emotionally tone deaf, not reading the need for reassurance, missed the nuance, maintaining instead a stoical silence while wondering if he'd ever mange to convince her of his continuing affections.

As a consequence it was a silent walk to the suite inhabited by uncle, assuaged only by Harry's conviction that gravity and a frozen expression was at least suitable to the purported events. A firm knock on the door brought an instant response that informed Harry, if not Ruth, that their arrival was anticipated. Ushered into the presence of uncle, who was excluding a wholly undeserved magisterial presence that made Harry's toes itch, Harry opened up the courteous hostilities.

"Thank you. This is brief visit to update you before myself and Miss Evershed depart to the hospital."

While seemingly focussing his attention on uncle Harry had in fact noted that Ali was seated beside Zahra on a sofa, giving every pretence of utter grief, with Zahra clutching his hand in sympathy. Further observation being prevented by his need to concentrate on uncle's reply.

"I thank you. I know my nephew is anxious to attend with you."

Harry clearing his throat advised, "I regret to say that will not be possible. The sole piece of information I have managed to obtain from the medical staff is that Aaisha's brother is refusing to allow anyone other than himself to visit."

Ali in a manufactured outburst of spontaneous passion shouted across the room, "So why are you going…?"

Harry was equal to the answer, "Ruth asked to speak to Faizan and manged to persuade him that you would be concerned. As she is an old friend of both Faizan and Aaisha he finally agreed that she could be admitted."

With a breath taking hypocrisy uncle protested, "But as her fiancé Ali has rights…. in our…"

Before he could continue Harry, with some well disguised pleasure, cut him off, "I appreciate the distress that this is causing all of you but Aaisha and Faizan are British citizens. Our laws and protocols state decisions in the case of incapacity rest with the next of kin."

At this point Zahra, who was stroking Ali's hand in comfort, cooed to her distrait cousin, "I'm sure Ali that if she'd known….but of course she was acting on impulse."

Ruth managed a glare as she spoke across whatever further sly dig Zahra was about to add, advising Ali, "I'm so sorry but at least you have your family and cousin"…with a slight infliction of frost on the latter word, "to rally round." With an even greater bite "And console you."

Uncle gilding these statements with, "Zahra is so fond of Ali, such a good traditional woman."

Harry deciding that they should take their leave before either Zahra or Ruth over egged the pudding to the point where even uncle would suspect, harrumphed, "I will of course contact you as soon as we know more about Aaisha's condition…but I'm suspect from what the hotel medic said that she may be paying a high price for her impulsiveness. I can assure you that she will receive the best care available and an investigation into the unsafe nature of the hotel gym will be actioned immediately."

With that he and Ruth withdrew. Once outside Harry put his finger to his lips as an indication that talk would be not advisable. It was only when they were seated in the official car and turning out of the hotel grounds that he turned to Ruth, "Your verdict so far?"

Ruth flashed him one of her rare smiles, at least rare as far as he was concerned, "I rather think uncle has fallen for it and Ali and Zahra…"

"Would make very good spooks I agree."

After a few minutes Ruth asked into the silence that had fallen between them, "Er Harry what happens next with Aaisha? I mean we have to get her back into the hotel…she can't stay where she is...

"Once Aaisha has been declared dead and suitable funeral arrangements made, an event that Faizan will allow you to attend as her friend…despite your not being a Muslim."

"With the intention of riling Ali further and giving Zahra a chance to continuing to do her stuff…"

"Exactly…so tomorrow evening when the hotel laundry is delivered round the back of the hotel Aaisha and Faizan – dressed as employees will sneak into the hotel and stay in the staff block next to Malcolm and company."

Ruth had an objection, "I know this sounds a bit OTT Harry but supposing uncle or his own security goons are counting employees in and out won't they notice two short?"

"Just in case two of the laundry baskets will have a couple of Jed's team inside."

Recalling the history of Ruth, laundry and smuggling, Harry waited for the inevitable comment. He wasn't disappointed, "Yes you're quite the expert at that …"

"Actually it was Alec's idea on that occasion not mine."

"Out sourcing your perversions as well."

Exasperated Harry finally cracked, "I hardly think ensuring the success of an operation in which I managed to avoid you being forced to have sex with a man who revolted you counts as perverse."

"Yes and you're also an expert, as I'm sure Jane would agree."

This was of course Harry's second opportunity, within the hour to assure Ruth that she was different, but as he'd long since given up any hope of redemption in her affections, his retention of her on the team being for professional reasons, he judged it best not to respond to the provocation and the rest of the journey was conducted in a smouldering silence.

Arriving at the hospital with a wave of their id cards, not that they were needed Harry being a regular visitor and recognised on sight, they were ushered into a private suite containing a very healthy looking Aaisha relaxing with Faizan and Malcolm.

Greetings exchanged it was Malcolm who brought Harry and Ruth up to speed on the hospital side of the operation. "No problems at all. Jed has organised two operatives the same height and build as Aaisha and Faizan. I must say he was very thorough."

A piece of praise slightly marred by Faizan remarking – "Aaisha drew the line at him measuring her chest though." Harry noted this down as suggesting that his former member of Section D had not entirely reformed although, considering the reasons for Jed's earlier suspension, this action was in Jed's terms quite restrained.

Not unnaturally Aaisha and Faizan were keen to know what was happening back at the hotel. It was Ruth who summed it up succinctly "All according to plan. Zahra really is doing her stuff." With Faizan interjecting, "I only hope we can get her to safety….she deserves better than that whatever is planned by that father of hers."

Harry was in full agreement, but as a lifetime in the service required him to maintain political neutrality, barring his trip to the polling station for national elections, usually in his case decided less on the good of the country overall, all politicians being scum bags in his view, and rather more on who would pose less risk to the security of the nation, he temporised with, "Once we get her to a safe house we can sort out the asylum issue." Hoping that he would not have to expend too much of his private "I know where the bodies are buried" capital on the appropriate members of officialdom to ensure this outcome.

"What happens after we return?" This was Aaisha of course. As this was part of the plan Ruth hadn't really worked on she deferred to Harry with a, 'Well?"

Harry was willing to oblige, "Basically you and Faizan lie low in the staff quarters for the next few days – we'll announce your death this evening and ask that everyone remains while we conduct a preliminary investigation. That gives Zahra a few days to work on Ali – the turn around has to look vaguely natural."

Aaisha nodded, 'So the timetable?"

"I'll return to the hotel shortly, stating that Faizan has refused to allow anyone other than himself, and as a great concession, Ruth to attend the funeral which has to take place as per custom within twenty four hours."

Malcolm who so far had taken little part in these plans, preferring to remain silent and hidden, especially when Ruth and Harry were taking verbal chunks out of one another, interrupted. "Harry I wonder if Faizan and Aaisha should be returned at the same time as Ruth is driven back tomorrow rather than delay to the evening. That should reduce the number uncle's entourage prowling when they arrive."

Accepting that Malcolm was probably correct Harry agreed, "It's to be hoped they remain in uncle's suite but yes that might be wise. Ruth can visit Ali to explain in heartrending details the events of the day, which should distract everyone, while Jed's team, not Jed though as he's already been seen, bring in the linen."

"So I get to sleep in my own bed tonight?" Harry's lips twitched and he gave into inappropriate temptation 'well he had to have the occasional pleasure in life'. "If you were planning the alternative of someone else's sorry but you'll have to disappoint him" …heaping coals on …"or her. You are spending the night in a vigil with Faizan allegedly." Harry only hoped it was allegedly, given his great reluctance to leave Ruth anywhere near someone as personable as Faizan for any length of time, but being selfless in the pursuit of the state he saw no alternative.

Given the interested looks that Aaisha and Faizan were casting Ruth was unable to do more than glare at Harry, a more sensitive soul would have been dead at her feet but Harry, after years in the service, was immune to laser like glares.

Nothing more was said but as Faizan nodded in agreement while Harry was inwardly rejoicing that at least Ruth and Faizan would be chaperoned by Aaisha. Followed by pushing back on the revolting thought that his private desire to curtail Ruth's contacts with other men made him a companion in attitude with uncle. In Harry's situation though he was less concerned with preserving Ruth's virgin purity, surrendered to himself a few months ago, and more that he maintained his exclusive access to her very personal favours, ever assuming that he could work the miracle of altering her current loathing Harry mindset.

Malcolm, his point won, while not fathoming Harry's convoluted motives, made the offer to contact Jed adding, "I'll make my own way back to the hotel this evening."

Harry on his return firstly texted Zoe to take on digital watch duties in the absence of Malcolm, Danny being required for the bar, then promising himself a restorative whisky later, trudged his way up to uncle's suite again. Admitted by the same suspicious minion, and greeted with the same oily effusiveness that was about as convincing as Dracula's smile, he composed his features to gravity. Not normally a difficult task but the sight of Zahra fluttering around a woebegone Ali thereby basking in her parent's approval was enough to require that his smirk remained internal.

Clearing his throat he said very quietly, "I regret to inform you that Aaisha died at approximately three o'clock this afternoon." Pausing to allow his words some weight and a few seconds for Ali to emit a despairing wail. Uncle seeing Zahra putting her comforting arm around Ali attempted to take charge.

"Thank you for informing us. My nephew will of course arrange a suitable funeral. And I will…"

Harry interrupted, stating in a measured tone that implied no argument would be allowed, "I further regret to inform you that Faizan has already made the appropriate arrangements and has insisted that only he is present.

Ali jumped up at this shouting "That is ridiculous I demand to see her.. I will see her and…"

Zahra managed to pull him back down to the sofa saying as she did so, "I seem to recall that under English law even if Aaisha is…er was a Muslim…"

Harry managed to infuse some gratitude into his confirmation. "That is indeed the position and I'm sorry for it. Unfortunately Faizan has insisted that as Aaisha's last two days were made miserable by the change to the wedding arrangements and the suggestion that she was not considered to be acceptable to certain family members…. untrue I'm sure – but he wants no further contact."

Uncle nodded, "I'm certain that in time …."

Harry continued as if he hadn't spoken "The most I could do was to insist that Ruth remained behind to smooth over the paperwork and to act as an independent representative given the forthcoming enquiry concerning the accident."

Uncle taking a decision unto himself announced, "We will leave tomorrow. Ali needs to be with his family now."

Harry contradicted this plan. "Unfortunately due to the legal obligation to hold a preliminary inquiry with some independent examiners…(actually more of Jed's team but you don't need to know that) and the requirement for witness statements I do have to ask you to remain for few more days. At the expense of the government of course."

In background Zahra's voice could be heard, "It's alright Ali. As father said you still have your family."

With Ali's broken voice sobbing. "I know and you're such a comfort to me Zahra, you remind me so much of Aaisha…."

At which point Harry reckoned that job was done for now and he needed to retreat before a sick bucket became an operational necessity.

Having departed at speed to join Zoe in the electronic eerie she greeted him with the information, "It all seems to be going rather well Harry. Ali is still with the family though, his uncle asked him to remain for a few minutes. "

Just as uncle could be heard to say, "I'm sorry to tell you Ali that while you have your family your father is seriously ill." Then subtle as the proverbial brick "I know that he was hoping to see you suitably married but as that is not to be with Aaisha.."

Harry was drawing in his breath. This might be Ali's cue to transfer his affections allegedly to Zahra but for himself he thought the timing was too fast. It was with deep relief he exhaled when Ali ignoring this blatant hint stood up, "I'm sorry uncle but first Aaisha and now my father. I really do need to be alone for a while to come to terms with it all."

A statement of intent the meant uncle was declaring with a shade of annoyance, "By all means", furious at being baulked. Zahra in contrast simply offered with a sympathetic sigh, "Of course. It is too much at once Ali, but please if you want to talk I'm happy to just listen."

Once Ali had departed Zahra rounded on her parent, "Father if you want Ali to marry me please just leave it to me and don't interfere."

Uncle bristled at once, "How dare you speak to your father in such a disrespectful way!"

"I'm not disrespecting you father. I'm doing as you wish." Harry was peering to see if she had by any chance crossed her fingers as she said this, while hearing her add with perfect if economical truth, "I'm sure that a suitable marriage can be arranged but it might be better if you let me persuade Ali that it's his idea.

Harry's private congratulations to Zahra were broken into by Zoe saying in a slightly perturbed voice, "She's good isn't she?"

Harry heard the words but caught the whiff of worry contained therein as he gave Zoe a hard stare, "Yes but what are you really thinking Zoe?"

Zoe taking a deep breath looked her boss straight in the eye as she said. "I'm just wondering if marrying Ali was Zahra's plan all along?"

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