Their motive as Ruth now freely admits, when she thinks back to what could so easily be construed as an indecently short amount of time for her and Harry to have decided to alter the configuration of her house. Had been based entirely on their desire to change it into a space for them as a family. A motive which has now changed, since not only have they invited Wes's grandparents, who in all honesty are not only the most likely to want to come and visit them, but there's the off chance that Malcolm and possibly Ros, might decide to venture outside of London. Without them having given any thought as to the upheaval it will cause, or the mess they'll be living with while the work is going on. In what is a house where they've never spent more than three consecutive weeks, never mind slept in the same bed.
Not that she doesn't want it to happen because she really does. She just feels that they ought to give themselves some breathing space right now, after what has been one long round of trips.
Christmas at the Stacks, which after the accident had been a much-needed distraction for all of them and for Harry in particular to recuperate. The most recent trip to London which had been anything but restful and now only a day later, when they're off again. And that's without Harry's suggestion, that at Easter they should have a short break in Paris on their own. 'When the blossom is on the trees. Where I can wine and dine you. In a part of the city where you haven't been, as well as showing me where you lived and worked,' he'd said. None of which had been part and parcel of the reason that she'd decided to come back to the UK and more precisely to Suffolk. To be near to Harry being enough. Whereas now she can't imagine a life without him and the thought of them being in Paris together is wonderful.
On the other side of the coin, is that she can't ignore the fact that not only has Harry sold his house, but in terms of his belongings, the few he intends bringing with him, makes the whole thing feel very one sided in her favour. The sum total of which is swirling around in her head, which compounded by the fact that she's feeling a bit off colour, isn't good. But short of any other explanation, suggests that she must be coming down with something. One of those twenty-four-hour bugs is what she's hoping for, especially as whatever it is, is making her feel tired enough to sleep for a week. Something she has to battle through at least for the rest of the day. Because the thought of being asleep at midnight and not seeing the New Year in as a family, will not only make her feel that she's letting Harry down, but ruin the main purpose of the trip. In complete contrast to Harry, who seems to have energy to burn and more so now when parking up at the boatyard.
.
The Broads, aptly described in the booklet which Harry had been reading over breakfast, is where enchanted waterways meet the skies. Or in the words of the naturalist Ted Ellis, 'the Broads truly is a breathing space for the cure of souls.' Which given what Harry considers he and Ruth have faced over the years, makes it the perfect place for them to welcome in the New Year.
As is the standard of accommodation in their floating home. Which after he and Wes have been given a lesson in how to steer, vary the speed and most importantly know how to stop, by an owner who told had told them that theirs was the last of only six boats which he'd hired out this week. Something which as well as being sexist because Ruth hadn't been included, Harry translates to mean that there shouldn't be any reason for a collision. Which sees him heading down what are very narrow steps into an area which is far larger than he'd imagined it to be.
To find that while Ruth who is in the midst of doing the unpacking in what is their room, Wes has taken on the appearance of a steward on a cruise ship. Opening and closing lockers to check their contents and since he looks delighted by what he finds, means that all he has to do, is to get them underway.
Not though, before he asks Ruth, 'is she OK?' Because despite her having told him that, 'she'll come and help him cast off,' he knows her well enough by now, to have noticed that, not only is she not usual chirpy self, but looks what he's always considered to be ridiculous expression, a bit under the weather.
A chirp, which once she's out in the fresh air, slowly begins to return. As does her ability, not only to relax, but to see for herself, just a small part of what is listed as the UK's smallest National Park. A wetland of fens, marshes and woodlands, making it a vital area for nature. All at a speed limit which is set between three and six miles an hour and all only a few miles from where they live. And as if that's not enough to make her feel better, Harry winks at her. With an expression that she reads as love. Albeit one that's mixed with certain amount of concern.
Any discussion as to how much of a concern that is, is interrupted by the returning Wes, who having made them all a warm drink, combined with the sandwiches that they'd made before they'd left home, is itching to have what he tells them is a go. Which in the Wes Carter book of nautical terms, means that he wants to steer rather than be a spectator. Which when Harry eventually swops places, inevitably sees the boat veering off course. The concept of turning the wheel to the right when you want to go left and left when you want to go right, eluding him. As does the slow speed at which this happens. Not though to the extent that they find themselves heading close to what are a family of moorhens, who are well practiced at evading such a procedure. Or do they slam into the bank thank goodness. Because, for all Wes's enthusiasm to try anything, another of the traits that they both acknowledge he's inherited from his parents, he's a child who listens as opposed to arguing.
Confirmed when they're going in a straight line again and Wes having negotiated the next a bend without Harry's help, says, 'this is brilliant.'
'You're right it is,' says Harry, who isn't thinking about Wes's ability to steer or the beautiful view of the marshes. But is looking at Ruth and returning her smile. At what he acknowledges is such a special moment, given that she'd booked this holiday when he'd been lying in a hospital bed. A chance, not only for them both to spend New Year's Eve in a location which is so opposed to the city where he's spent the best part of twenty years, but to give Wes the gift he'd been denied at the time. A moment which can only be shared, if the person who you are with, is not only the reason that you get up every morning, but makes you feel as though you can achieve everything that you've ever dreamed of. Which in his case, is a long list when it comes to what he intends doing to make Ruth happy.
.
Where they moor up for the night, is based not only the light which is fading fast, but because they want to be somewhere where they'll be able to see bonfires and fireworks. The latter of which, unless they've miscalculated spectacularly, will be flying into the sky from the gardens and village greens which are dotted around the fens.
Which at twenty minutes to midnight sees them back on deck. This time in addition to wearing the warmest clothes that they have to blank out the cold night air, they're carrying blankets and in Wes's case is wearing a life jacket.
'Just to be on the safe side,' Harry tells him, as he and Ruth settle themselves down in a sheltered spot. Only to be interrupted when Ruth's phone rings.
'Hi it's Jo and I know I shouldn't be ringing you,' something which because Malcolm has already rung to wish them a Happy New Year, means that hearing from Jo is something of a surprise. What she goes on to tell them, by which time Ruth has put the speaker on so that Harry can hear, is not only, 'that she misses them, but that Dolby is in for a rough ride.' Because, and this is what really causes them both to smile, 'the idiot,' as she calls him, 'allowed him to suggest to Ros, that he'd been surprised that Harry had felt confident enough to allow a woman to step into his shoes. Which means that any hope that he might have had when it comes to receiving a welcome when he ventures onto the grid, will be replaced by what is akin to eating a sandwich, which amongst its ingredients ,will be a tablet to render him unconscious.' Before she says, 'must go, you know how it is,' which implies she's at work.
Which coincides with Wes saying, 'bonfires,' pointing from his vantage point at the prow of the boat, with the clock rapidly counting down. Ten minutes during which they're interrupted again. This time by a group of kayakers, who as they paddle past, wish them, 'a Happy New Year.'
Each to his own thinks Harry, who is perfectly content where he is thank you very much. Which brings, to what for them is a silent countdown. He and Ruth standing side by side. Just as they'd done numerous times on the roof terrace at Thames House. Times which Harry now freely admits they'd wasted. His desperation to kiss her, overridden by a fear that he'd overstep the mark. Hers for reasons that he now understands. In the same way that she'd held him back from letting him tell her that he loved her before she sailed away. Both of which, are now as natural as it is for them to breathe. His thoughts briefly interrupted, when Ruth pulls away to watch the fireworks. The kiss they'd been sharing halted, causing his heart to miss a beat. Because the fireworks which are far more modest than those which fly into city skies across the globe, are not only equally meaningful, but announce for them what is the start of new year. One which he feels holds a positivity with no bounds.
.
'Not necessary for weekly borders.' Wes's housemaster tells Ruth. After she's asked him, 'if Wes's clothes have to be labelled.' Something she accepts is a polite way of telling her that he'll be bringing his washing home.
At a time when Harry is in the Bursa's office next door, talking him through the contract that Andrew has put together. Before signing on the dotted line where it says parent and then paying for the first term. For a child who in Ruth's opinion, still looks too young to be going to boarding school, although she knows that Harry so did at the same age.
'And at time when cold baths had been used as a punishment if a boy was found climbing the wall into the girl's school next door,' he'd told her with a twinkle in his eye when they'd been driving through the gates. Something that she can well imagine as being true. Unlike her, who even now, struggles with compliments unless it's Harry whose dishing them out. Would she have been one of what she envisages to be multiples of girls who'd had a crush on the younger Harry. Who way back then had had a full head of what had been curly blonde hair? Is a question that in to addition to thinking don't be daft of course I would, she adds a giant exclamation mark.
Her thoughts interrupted when the man in question returns, just as she and Wes are being asked, 'if they'd like to have a look around?'
Which almost from the off, confirms that the brochure she'd downloaded at what now feels like a lifetime ago, a copy of which Harry is carrying, as they follow Wes's housemaster Mr Nicolls, past what he describes as the art block, hasn't been photoshopped to make it look anything more than what it is. As are the rest of the buildings, which don't smack of elitism but of what Mr, Nicolls is describing as a school which has moved with the times. The only thing that remains from what he describes as the old days, are the names of the four houses. Nelson and Vancouver, both of whom were explorers. Constable the artist and Britten, Harry's least favourite composer, but he keeps that to himself. All born in East Anglia, so quite rightly have their names inscribed above the doors.
And if that isn't enough to make them feel comfortable and Wes happy, then it's being greeted by Mrs. Nichols with a toddler on her hip, inviting them in for a cup of tea. After which their shown, what is for Wes the icing on the cake, the inside of what in all honesty is just a large wooden building. But is labelled as the headquarters of the on the water club. With the motto of we have fun – but safely. Which is run by a Mr Pyke, who in addition to being aptly named, they're assured is a fully qualified water sports instructor.
Which is followed by a walk back to the main school and a visit to the junior dining room, where to Harry, although again he keeps his thoughts to himself, the chairs look incredibly small. Were they as small as this in his day? They must have been he concludes, as he looks at the tables, which are designed to be occupied by a maximum of six children. Not the almost Dickensian straight lines, where a teacher whose name he can't remember, sat at one end fighting to keep control.
.
That done, 'we've taken up enough of your time and we're both really grateful,' he tells Mr. Nichols, not wanting to outstay their welcome. Knowing that Ruth is feeling more relaxed after what has been a one-to-one chat with his wife. Able to say things that he couldn't, when it comes to Wes. His sensitive nature, that sets him apart even from Michael. Not to mention that he still is, despite his enthusiasm, emerging from a very dark place.
Harry's own assurance, 'that the circumstances which have led to Wes coming here, will be kept totally confidential and if he doesn't settle and he isn't suggesting this will be the case, then they'll be able to talk about the option of him attending as a day boy,' coming from Mr. Nichols, who is walking with them back to the car. A car which is loaded to the proverbial gunnels, with various items of clothing and what is listed as kit.
That they definitely need that extra room, no longer in doubt, as they turn right out of the gates and head towards the sanctuary that is home. A home, where in less than two days Harry thinks to himself with a glance in Ruth's direction, they'll be on our own for the first time.
