Wonders never cease thinks Harry, who at the same age and in the same situation would have been itching to open the boxes. The majority of which are being carried up two flights of stairs to Wes's new room. Instead has chosen to go down to the beach. Not though before promising him that he and Angus will be back in time for lunch and that they'll be careful. In what sense Harry hasn't asked him. Opting instead to trust that Wes isn't planning anything, which at best will result in a scratch or two and at worst, was when he'd stopped thinking. If for no other reason, than Angus in the short time that they've known him, hasn't done or said anything, to suggest that he's anything other than a what he appears to be. A sensible boy and a good friend for Wes to have.
'I'm just about to make coffee,' says Ruth, who has also been keeping out of the way. As the disappearing backsides which have been coming and going more times than the tide, squeeze between the sideboard and one of her favourite armchairs. Carrying what she recognises is the box which contains Harry's expensive sound system. Reminding her that listening to what Harry has collected over the years, something that she herself has been looking forward to doing, almost certainly won't qualify as being up to date enough to provide the background music for the multiples of parents and children who are coming to the party.
Confirmation which is extended when, 'if you really don't mind, we need that shifting upstairs,' she hears Harry tell Malcolm's friend Rob and his son Chris. Referring to her beloved mattress, which either Wes or Angus will be sleeping on tonight. Reminding her that she'll be sleeping in Harry's bed. Causing a flashback to the time when she read Goldilocks and the three bears. Although whether they'd been gearing themselves up for a night of unbridled passion in the same way that she is, she neither remembers or cares. Or that Wes's own bed has already been moved from his old bedroom into the new one, which hadn't been part of the deal, but Rob had seemed willing to do it. Although bedroom doesn't do it justice, because it's nearly as large as room she'd occupied when she'd been a student at Oxford. Now no doubt described as a pad and costing an arm and a leg to rent. Which she recalls in Danny's case, had by Harry, been preceded by shag. Not a word that can be attributed to the way they make love she's pleased to say, or wants to admit that she is thinking about bedtime at eleven o'clock in the morning.
'Another half hour and we'll be done,' says Rob, in what is definitely a reassuring voice. Which she takes to mean that he knows she's feeling overwhelmed by all the comings and goings. Whereas Chris looks to be underwhelmed to the point where she wonders if he's even awake. Before they turn on his heels and follow Harry, who has relieved her of the tray with three mugs of coffee and disappeared through the front door.
.
Now out of earshot and outside the house which he knows will have stopped moving from Ruth's perspective, 'take a pew,' Harry tells Rob. The pew in question being the low stone wall that runs along one side of the garden path. As he himself takes up residence by leaning against the doorpost. A stance which he'd adopted on the grid when he'd needed to be seen to be in control, but in this case, just needs to catch his breath. After what have been a couple of hours, during which he's come to realise, that when they'd been in London and Ruth had said that the house wouldn't feel like theirs until it contained his things as well, is true. Two past lives being brought together in order to go forward as one, she'd said. A typical Ruth thing to say. Which and although he doesn't yet know it, is about to reinforced in a roundabout way, by the man who is far too large to be perching on a small wall. Putting into words far better than he did on the first day he arrived, his appreciation of the location and the house he now calls home.
'The beach on your doorstep. Peace and quiet. I can see why you chose to move here.' Harry doesn't respond to. But based on what he's been thinking, is enough for him to want see where this conversation is going. 'Whereas I of course have left it too late, because that one over there, Chris thinks Harry, is part of what he calls the London scene and until he moves out, Bev and I are stuck where we are. Kids eh, who'd have them? Not that I'm suggesting that your lad's like that, it just gets me down that we didn't see it coming.'
'We're all different I guess,' says Harry, because he can't think of anything else to say. Reassured that an outsider who they probably won't ever see again, is one more on the list of people who don't see them as being anything other than Wes's parents. Whilst at the same time, reminding him that he also has a son, who sooner rather than later he really must call. What sort of response he'll get, if any, or if Graham who also sees himself as being immersed in the London scene will be persuaded to visit, is an altogether different question? Something he doesn't have to think about now he tells himself. He'll deal with when the time comes. In the same way he dismisses the constant craving, that Graham will accept that he's turned his life around and dare he dream, tell him that he loves him as much as he does him. A grown man, who even now he thinks of as his broken boy. Which triggers another thought. A much more pleasant one. How will Ruth feel if they themselves have a boy, in his case a third?
Thankfully saved from contemplating what might never happen, when, 'we better get that bed of yours indoors,' Rob tells him. Before he heads towards the van, where the son who is keeping his father in London, is folding the blankets which they'd used to wrap around the boxes that Wes had labelled as fragile. With the body language of someone who proves that his father hadn't been exaggerating.
'I suspect Rob's Malcolm's neighbour, rather than a friend,' Ruth suggests, as soon as they hear the van driving away. Which coincides with him flopping down beside her on the sofa and closing his eyes. Harry who doesn't want to spoil things by telling her that he's going to call Graham and see if he can rebuild their relationship. Something which can wait until after Wes's party. Instead, is determined to enjoy the blissful silence, even if it is short lived because it's approaching lunchtime. At the same time unable to ignore the fact that the house now looks as though it has shrunk in size. Due to the masses of boxes that need unpacking and with a party still to organise for what they now know will be five boys and assorted parents.
The saving grace he concedes as being Angela, who with Michael is arriving home in the morning. Having spent a few days in Devon visiting her great aunt. The one person that he knows they'll be able to rely on. To roll up her sleeves and get stuck in without getting under their feet.
.
Morning when it comes, which after what had been an afternoon and evening of relative calm and a very early night. Not only because Ruth had got her wish, but had convinced him that a few boxes wouldn't prevent people from enjoying themselves and who knows there might be a father or two that would be more than happy to help him move them. That and the boys had been persuaded to play quietly, sees Harry, rather than turning over and going back to sleep, re energised and ready to go again. So much so, that rather than wake a sleeping Ruth, he slips out of bed and after using the bathroom, pads downstairs and puts the kettle on.
While he waits for it to boil, he walks over to the wall of windows that overlook the garden. A garden which weather permitting, will be heaving with people in just over forty-eight hours. But for now, is waking up in a way that ever since he'd first seen it, calms him in the same way that gazing across the grid at his analyst had done. Which for a man who is a self-confessed hater of all things garden, other than to mow the occasional lawn or sit in it, he's happy to admit is nothing short of a miracle.
As is, 'shall I make it?' asks Ruth, who having woken up in an empty bed, has materialised behind him. Adding to the pleasure that he's feeling, by wrapping her arms around him. At the same time as solitary blackbird, who has no interest in the couple who are sharing a morning kiss before breakfast, to be followed by shopping trip, is getting ready to make his contribution to the dawn chorus. Or that somewhere between what are listed as sandwich fillers, finger food and bottles of wine, Harry has mentally written, 'choose an engagement ring for the woman I'm going to marry.' A ring that until the party is over, on a day that will belong to Wes, won't be seen on Ruth's finger by anyone other than him.
Not even 'The Birthday Boy' who still doesn't know that they're getting married. Or that before he'd gone to sleep, Harry had spoken to Andrew about his adoption. Which should, if Andrew is true to his word. Something which on past experience leaves Harry confident that it will happen sooner rather than later, will give them another day to celebrate in what by any standards, is already an extraordinary year in the Pearce household.
All of which leads Harry to feel confident enough to say, 'Mum and I are going shopping,' when Wes and Angus appear. Demanding facially if not verbally that if they're not fed soon, they won't last the day. To which he adds when he and Ruth are about to leave, 'we're expecting some garden furniture to be delivered, so we need you to stay at home.' Before an addendum, which both Ruth and Wes recognise because it's always the last thing he says when one or the other of them are about to go into space. Which of course they regularly do. 'Call me if there's a problem.'
Not that Harry sees it in the same way that they do. Or does he accept what he knows is only token resistance on Ruth's part, to him stopping outside the jewellers and telling her that he wants to buy her an engagement ring. For the simple reason that they've got the food shopping to do and a cake to pick up for the party. Which of course will take several hours according to Ruth, but he knows is bollocks.
Resistance which for Ruth, evaporates the moment that they step inside, to be greeted by the owner who is anything but pushy or sees them as anything less than a perfect couple to be contemplating marriage. Probably having not had sex either, given that he looks as though he should have retired decades ago. Before guaranteeing himself a sale when he says, 'I've just put the kettle on, would you like a cuppa before you look around?'
Home and dry thinks Harry, but he keeps the thought to himself. As he had the one which had evolved on the grid, after the arrival of Zaf. Offer Ruth a cup of tea and she's anybody's, which of course he changed to mean she'll do anything I ask of her. Or in other words, any funny business and you'll have me to deal with sunshine.
Something which definitely doesn't apply to Mr. Tottering by gently, who when he comes back carrying a tray complete with a teapot, milk jug, cups and saucers and a plate of biscuits, leaves Harry with no option other than to step in a relieve him of his burden. Something which is repeated, given that nobody else comes into the shop for the half hour plus that they're in there, when he pays for the ring. Albeit one that Ruth assures him is absolutely beautiful and not just because it was the first and only one, she'd tried on.
But it's not until they arrive home, to find that not only have the boys unpacked the garden furniture and stacked it where they'd wanted it to go in the garden, but have made a start on getting dinner ready by laying the table and without a chip to be seen. That Ruth looks at Wes and determines that she's going to put the ring back on later in the evening and together with Harry, will tell him that they're going to married. Not though that despite what the jeweller might have thought, that one night in Harry's bed and they're back to doing everything they can and more, to ensure he gets either a brother or a sister.
Which leaves the one question that still needs to be answered. Will Wes still want to be called Carter or has he already decided that he wants his name to be changed to Pearce? A decision that had been easy for her to make, but is something that they need to discuss with him at the first opportunity. Given that Andrew has called again. Telling Harry that it will be weeks rather than months before he's legally their son.
A conversation which had seen Harry heading out into the garden, to take a look at the new furniture he'd told the boys. Whereas she knows full well, that when Harry needs to compose himself in front of anyone other than her, he still runs for the hills. In the same way that she'd needed to stand by the window in the jeweller's shop, when Harry had been paying for the ring.
Making her wonder if there ever be a time in their relationship, soon to be a marriage and especially on days such as this and in the years to come, when one or both of them won't feel the need to shed a few tears? Something that she can't answer. But at this moment and with all her heart, knowing what they've been through to reach this point and with Wes as a constant reminder of the friends that they've lost, Ruth Evershed, soon to be Pearce, sincerely hopes not.
