Finally managed to complete this chapter which I freely admit is something of a filler. Thanks to those who reviewed and all those who read and have stuck with this story. As ever stay safe in this uncertain world.

With little activity in the foyer Ros was seizing the luxury of a few minutes to herself, sinking into the chair in the small office situated just behind the Reception desk. Taking advantage of the decent privacy it afforded as she attempted a rationalisation of her tumbling thoughts. That her father refused to see her had not, if she was honest, come as any great shock. She had calmly informed Harry of this expectation after he had conveyed this news to her as gently as anyone could when forced to be the bearer of bad tidings. Harry had been palpably relieved by her stance and as she was grateful for his efforts she could only hope that he'd failed to perceive that behind her ice maiden mask she was in reality housing a mixture of emotions, the predominate one being anger. For years she had idolised her father and thought the emotion was reciprocated. Then, when making his bid to demolish democracy, he'd just expected her to fall into line, despite her having spent her adult life chipping away at dictatorships around the world in the service of her country. Tainted by association he'd damn near destroyed her career, even now after extensive interrogations and investigations she was all too aware of the rumours circulating around the Service. It was Dolby who had salvaged her from the wreckage by quite deliberately placing her in Harry Pearce's section. Given that Harry had nearly been killed by her father, his survival due only to Adam Carter's risky one minute to midnight rescue, her knee jerk reaction had been that this was a punishment. Now, after having been forced to work in close proximity to Harry, she realised that yes Dolby had indeed deliberately seconded her into Section D, knowing that if she was endorsed by Harry Perace whose allegiance to Regnum Defende was a byword the whispering would cease. The problem was that despite knowing this she still felt a bond with her father and rejection hurt. She had suggested to Harry that as her father would probably spend his last few hours drugged and unconscious perhaps she could be admitted at the end, only for him to advise her, "Your father thought about that as well and has issued instructions." The slight gesture with her hand had spared him completing the sentence. After a moment's consideration he had advised, "This operation will conclude very shortly Ros – why not contact your mother – even in your father refuses to see you she probably needs support." Her time mulling over these various thoughts was cut short by a gentle knock on the door, followed by Malcolm making a silent entrance. Seeing her face, since Ros taken unawares had failed to restore her usual inscrutable mask, he apologised a touch diffidently

"Sorry Ros but Harry is asking that everyone assembles in the servant's quarters to discuss the final arrangements for the wedding and switch so can you…,"

Ros managed to force out a slight smile, "Find an excuse to chaperone Zahra to see Ali. Consider it done. What time?"

"Harry didn't say but as uncle usually goes for a walk in the early evening I think that would be the probable slot."

Ros supposed she should stay silent, but as Malcolm wasn't one to gossip she felt safe to comment, "It seems a little vague on Harry's part. He's usually more exact."

"I think he was on his way to see Ruth so…" Malcolm tailed off while Ros picking up on his delicacy and trying to avoid certain mental visions commented, "Which makes me wonder which happy couple we might be talking about then."

Malcolm chose to reply obliquely, "And also to wonder what Harry will do when he uncovers our deception."

Ros nearly corrected Malcolm by suggesting 'If he uncovered…" might be more appropriate, but then remembering that this was Harry Pearce they were discussing suggested soothingly, "Well if it worked he might not…" Halted by Malcolm, who with a more intimate, if strictly unsexual knowledge of the beast, just shook his head in warning. "He'll still have some scheme."

Since this was an afterthought that had also occurred to the rest of the conspirators it was with some trepidation that they obeyed the order to assemble in the staff quarters, currently housing the supposedly dead Aisha and supposedly offended Faizan. Half anticipating Harry to come roaring through the door they were all surprised that when he made his entrance quietly, closely followed by Ruth carrying a set of documents, his demeanour seemed much as usual. Not that that was overly comforting, in the course of duty they'd all had to deal with ticking timebombs, to which Harry's legendary temper bore a very close resemblance.

Harry surveying the assorted spooks nodded, "Thank you for being so prompt – please take a seat." When all expect himself had settled he kicked off with something rarely heard from his mouth, an apology. "I'm sorry for delay in calling this meeting but in view of the various complications I felt it wise to debrief Ruth first."

A statement that drew forth a spluttering sound from Danny, while several sets of eyes fixed on Ruth whose own pupils were firmly locked on to the assortment of papers she seemed to be shuffling, "Ah Mr Hunter you have a problem?"

"No Sir."

"Good – now as I mentioned something has arisen in the last few hours." With a great effort of will the assembled company managed not comment as Harry continued, "So I'll now, having first checked over a couple of points with Ruth…" The team's facial muscles by now were in grave danger of strain related injuries as Harry completed the sentence, "I'll hand over to her to outline the current plan."

Taking Harry's nod as an indication the team felt some relief while Ruth having scanned her file made an opening statement, a relief that was destined to be short lived, "As you will recall the current position, which Harry and I have explored exhaustively from several different angles…." She paused as Zoe managed to covert her splutter into an unconvincing cough, before continuing, "So after some firming up and putting a couple of things together we decided to abandon the usual advisable precautions and as a result we are now anticipating a new arrival."

Ros and Malcolm were beginning to understand the revenge that Harry and Ruth had decided upon, Malcolm hoping that this was not a precursor to more serious retribution. The speculation being shelved when a soft knock on the door prefaced the arrival of Jed. In view of recent history he was greeted by a combination of hostility and puzzled looks which he ignored while Harry waved him towards a seat before stating,

"Continue Ruth."

"Allow me to formally welcome Jed – who I think is known to everyone." Seeing the glances from Zoe and Danny Harry explained, "Jed will be needed tomorrow, but before Ruth proceeds, Jed do you have any updated Intel from the greenwood where you have been lurking with your band of not so merry men?"

Jed, completely unfazed by the evils being cast in his direction by Zoe and Danny, proceeded to justify the view that he was not a waste of space and skin. "Actually yes. Uncle has been trying to discover more about Harry and Ruth's antecedents with reference to their personal stance on Islam. He suspects the Hotel is being bugged."

The irrepressible Danny commented, "Well he's not wrong is he."

"No but as a result his minions have been disappearing towards the perimeter with tablets – hidden under their robes so not noticeable as they try to hack via the external 4G." After a pause while the group processed the possible gravity of this Jed grinned, "Fortunately Malcolm had equipped us with a piece of kit that intercepted them so we looped the hack back to the cover documents and false profiles he set up – and likewise for Zoe and Danny, although he doesn't see them as significant being merely staff and therefore beneath his notice." A statement that Jed implied settled a few old scores.

Harry nodded, "So the sooner we get everything put to bed the better. Ruth."

Ruth took the floor again, "Harry and I will visit uncle in about half an hour so Ali can you contrive to be there and Zahra you need…."

"I know look adoringly at him…" Zahra pulled a face, "It'll be an effort but…."

Ali grimaced back. "Never mind, it'll be worth the suffering to get your freedom. We'll have to deal with your father in the aftermath so lucky you."

Before anyone could develop that theme Ruth intervened, "Quite. After this meeting concludes Jed will spirit Faizan out of the back entrance and one of his men will take you to where your car is hidden. Harry to distract attention will as the same time formally ask uncle if, in view of the sad circumstances, he wishes the Foreign Office to arrange passage home for uncle and Zahra and the various plus one to tens that form his entourage – at which point Ali will announce that he recognises it is his duty to marry and as all the arrangements have been made he is willing to marry Zahra."

Harry asked, "Okay so far.." As if daring anyone to contradict. A set of nodding heads gave the answer. "Very well Ruth please..."

"Harry will agree to contact the Iman and the Registry office and see if an exception can be made, given the circumstances, and we'll just hope that uncle isn't an expert on British law in respect of marriage notifications."

Ali interrupted, "I doubt that would worry him, it's the Muslim ceremony that he will regard at paramount."

"Of course the paperwork that the Registrar will bring will be for Ali and Aaisha." Turning to Harry she asked, "I forgot to ask have the Registrar and the Iman been briefed."

"I can't say either of them are thrilled but Dolby brought some pressure to bear, hints about the next honours list. That uncle tried to murder Aaisha went some way to reconciling the Iman who is trying to damp down fundamentalism."

Delaying Ruth's exposition further he explained, "I'll receive the Registrar and the Iman when they arrive. We'll hold the civil ceremony first. That is legally binding so if necessary the Muslim ceremony can be postponed. "

After a pause Ruth picked up the plot narrative. "Zahra you will announce that in view of the tragedy of Aaisha you will eschew the normal wedding feasts and robes and will marry in full white, including being veiled until very start of the ceremony. Harry will throw in various delaying tactics, you or rather Aaisha will have to unveil at that point as it is illegal under British law not to show your face."

Looking around Ruth checked, "Everyone clear so far?"

It fell to Danny to enquire, "How do we work the switch and get Zahra away?"

"That's the reason for Jed's presence. Tomorrow shortly before the wedding Faizan will return, having allegedly been tipped off by the Iman as to what is happening, and will proceed to throw a wobbly denouncing Zahra and Ali as a pair of murderers - Harry will intercede and insist that he speaks to the three of you alone, with Ruth in attendance to chaperone Zahra. Once elsewhere in the hotel Zahra and Aaisha will swap clothes, fortunately you are both the same build and height."

"So I have to wear that awful uniform?"

Aaisha intervened, "It's only for a couple of hours I've been stuck in it for two days now, anyway it's better than the ball and chain your father would prefer you to wear."

Reckoning that time was passing and Harry was beginning to look impatient Ruth hurried onwards, "Aisha will return ready for the wedding. Zahra will go with Zoe to the back entrance where Jed will smuggle you out in the laundry van. Faizan will have left unreconciled in his car. Once you are all in the layby about ten miles away Zahra will transfer into Faizan's car. Jed and some of his team will escort you to a safe house."

She noticed Zoe looking puzzled. "Zoe."

"Nothing really but I just wondered why Faizan has to appear instead of us just spirting Zahra away? And why not just take her to the safe house in the laundry van?"

Before Harry could alienate Zoe for the implied criticism Ros stepped in, "Because we need a reason to get Zahra away from her father and this is the only way to be certain, failing that Zahra will have to pretend to collapse and Ruth and I will remove her for medical attention."

"And the car swap?

Jed answered before Ruth or Harry could intervene. "Because uncle will have some individuals watching the exit road. They'll have seen Faizan leave on his own so it won't take them long to work that the laundry van was involved – we'll be dumping the van and escorting in service cars."

Adam was frowning before asking, "Just in case would it be worth immobilising the cars of uncle's entourage?"

Jed thought for a moment, "Probably not, we've traced some calls to supporters he left in London so you'd have to jam all comms as well. Whereas we've managed to place trackers on all their vehicles."

Malcolm frowning in the corner added his mite of advice, "I'll try to jam all the local networks once the laundry van has left which should give a little more time. But I'd suggest that some Jed's team are posted near the entrance to prevent any early exit by uncle's crew. It's always possible they might suspect something."

Jed nodded his agreement before adding, "We've various contingency plans including pulling them up and knocking them out."

Zahra sniffed dolefully "And I will miss seeing that - shame - there's a couple I really would like to see something happen to." Jed never one to miss a chance offered, "Give me the names I see what we can do."

Harry intervened with a stern, "Jed," accompanied by a glare. With silence achieved and no other other contributions made Harry wrapped up the meeting.

"All areas covered, so after the visit to uncle in about half an hour we wait upon tomorrow's events. I'd therefore suggest that once Ruth notifies you that all has gone well we retire to bed and prepare for the climax."

Adam on an impulse, risking his future in Section D replied in kind, "I'm sure the entire team would agree Harry that one final thrust on your part should do the trick."

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