Disclaimer: I do not own or make any inference that I own Being Human UK or any of its characters.

"Well, you're home early. So, how's Mr. Handsome today?" George asked after giving Annie a hug.

"Michael, Annie said pointedly, is doing the same as usual. He's in a long boring meeting…"

"Another one..."George asked.

"Yeah, he hardly ever meets with people all day; he's such a work-a-holic, always in meetings or working on spread-sheets…" Annie said a bit exasperated.

"Oh, said George tut tutting, has the bloom come off the rose at last?"

"Actually, since I know Michael's in his office it gives me more time to work with the bank clerks."

"What, counting money and depositing cheques for all the ghost patrons?" asked Nina with laughter.

"I'll have you both know that I've been promoted to head clerk ever since Margaret counted wrong and nearly cost us a large amount of dosh."

"Dosh, George quizzed, Oh, is that what the cool kids in the banking world are calling money these days?"

"Every-body uses that word George…"

"Every-body… Annie…really?" George prodded.

Before this conversation could get anymore out of hand, and before Annie and George were bickering like teen-agers, Nina interrupted, "We're just having a bit of fun Annie. I, for one, am very happy you've found someone…something that's brought the smile back to your lips. I've been worried about both you and Mr. Sands here, but now that you're Head Clerk at the bank. I can rest easy."

"Awww, Thank you Nina, remind me to tell you how I'm preparing Sam in case there's a robbery."

"Sam," asked Nina.

"The Security Guard..." Annie replied, shaking her head as she smiled.

"You can't be serious, George demanded.

"Oh George, hush, I love hearing about Annie's job."

"It is not her job," George practically screamed, only to be met with a very stern stare from both Nina and Annie as the loudness of George's voice was threatening to wake up both Tom and baby Mitchell who were sleeping in the living area.

"I'd love to meet this Michael. I'm beginning to feel really left out" said Nina.

"Oooo come round tonight, said Annie excitedly, I'm making Michael his favorite dish, Gammon steak with honey, potatoes and carrots."

"Annie, Nina exclaimed, you're not cooking for him as well…"

"Yes, he loves my cooking."

"How do you even know what that is?"George said beginning to raise his voice with frustration again.

"Well, I didn't until Mrs. Adams asked him."

"And who is Mrs. Adams?" Nina asked.

"Oh, this is the best part. Michael has the most appalling eating habits, almost as bad as our Mitchell, until I came along he was always ordering a Chinese or a Curry from the take-away. He wolfs down his cereal or fruit so fast in the morning, and he hardly ever eats at his lunch break. If I didn't make him tea he probably wouldn't stop from working all day. Thankfully, we go swimming for an hour at his gym after work."

"Oh Annie, tell me that you don't go swimming in your uggs," Nina asked with some concern.

"No, silly, Annie laughed unconvincingly, no really, I just sit against the wall and count the lengths, but anyway, if he didn't go swimming, he'd be as big as a house."

"Mrs. Adams…" George prompted.

"Oh right, said Annie, well, after Michael's mum died, he thought Mrs. Adams, his land-lady, was cooking for him and preparing his evening meals as she's the only other person with a key to his apartment. This morning before he left for work, he thanked her for last night's sandwich. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, and mentioned how he was really missing his favorite meal which his mum would make on Sundays. Mrs. Adams kindly asked him what that was and he told her, Gammon steak with honey, potatoes and carrots."

Nina was enjoying hearing Annie speaking so much about her new life. It had been four months now since Mitchell's death and Wyndham's threats, she knew they shouldn't be lulled into complacency about the danger they were all still in, but just for once it was nice to talk about normal things and share a laugh. It had been so long since they'd all laughed.

"I think, as delicious as that sounds, we probably should pass on dinner. I don't know if Michael is ready for Nina, Tom, myself, and the baby showing up at his place regardless of the fact that we've been sweetly invited by the ghost who cooks his meals at night."

"I guess that could be a problem," Annie said.

"Oh, but it was a very nice gesture though Annie," Nina said.

Annie looked a bit dejected, so George gave in and said, "Well, go on then, tell us about your schedule, yours and Michael's I mean…"

"Yes." Nina said, as soon as she noticed Annie perking up again. "George and I can hardly step one foot in the door, before you're practically throwing baby Mitchell at us as you're popping over to Michael's."

There was no meanness in Nina's words at all; she was just chuffed to see Annie smiling and pink in the cheeks. "We hardly get to see you as much as we'd like, she said smiling. Still, we can't thank you and Tom enough, he baby-sits during the evenings and you take the over-night shift until we get home every morning."

"Ok, well, I usually get to Michael's just as he's finishing his shower. Sometimes I hand him his towel, but mostly, I just arrange his outfits for the day."

"Oh God, does he not notice clothing and towels mysteriously moving about his apartment?" said George a bit incredulously.

"George," Nina huffed.

"No need to worry. Annie replied, I'm very discreet."

"Go on Annie." Nina encouraged.

"Yeah, anyway, as I'm helping Michael more and more, there are certain things that catch me up short. It's silly honestly, but it's taken me a while to get used to him stopping at the mirror. Not that he's vain or anything, but just that I love watching him as he's brushing his curls down and patting after-shave on his face. He doesn't know how lucky he is to be able to see his face every-day. It's such a pretty face. I used to cry, in the beginning as I handed him his shirt or tie. I couldn't help thinking about the ninety or so years that Mitchell couldn't see his reflection at all."

Nina snuck a glance in George's direction and noticed he had a wistful look on his face.

"And, after he's dressed," she encouraged Annie to continue…

"Yes, Annie said, breaking away from the sadness that was nearly over-taking her as well. After he eats or doesn't eat, we head into work, and you know, nearly everyone speaks to him, but he just keeps his head down and barely speaks in return. I am working on that, Annie said with added conviction. We get in the lift and go to the 9th floor to his office. Alison, one of the accountants is always hanging around when we reach the top, but I make certain to spill the cup of tea or coffee she tries to hand Michael, as he is simply too busy to stop and chat."

"That sounds pretty fancy for a loan clerk…office on the 9th floor," Nina mused.

"Actually, he's not a loan clerk; I don't know why that title is on his business cards, the name-plate on his door states that he is the Finance Director."

"I thought that suit he was wearing looked a bit expensive for a clerk's pay." George said as he rejoined the conversation.

"He's really humble though, Annie said. I think tailored suits seem to be his only extravagance, and even that's work related. I just like him to be dressed nicely with all the meetings he has to attend. I love listening to his voice whenever it's his turn to give presentations."

"Oh, I'm sure you're right. I didn't mean anything by that…" George quickly interjected.

"Honestly, said Annie, he's a very quiet almost lonely person. He goes to work, goes to the gym, goes home, shuts off his mobile, hangs his clothes up neatly, either works on his laptop or reads for a bit before getting into bed. He hardly ever watches his nice TV. I talk to him of course, telling him about Mitchell, how much he smiled in the beginning and how much he loved meeting new people. I tell him how warm and kind Mitchell was and that Mitchell would never go into his work-place and ignore people when they spoke to him. I tell him about our house in Bristol and that sometimes, I wish we were all back there, and I tell him about you, Nina and the baby, about McNair and Tom and all the other friends we've met along the way…"

"That's so nice Annie." Nina said with a little tear in her eye.

"Maybe, he's just shy. Does he have any lady friends? George asked to lighten the mood. I mean any that you haven't scared away."

"Actually, no, I was bringing in his paper one morning, when I heard Mrs. Adams speaking to another neighbor; she didn't think it was right that he didn't have a girl-friend as he is so gorgeous."

"Do you think that's normal Annie?" Nina asked.

"Well, look at Tom, Annie said, he's young and handsome, and he doesn't have a girl-friend."

"Nice one…"Tom said sleepily from the sofa.

"Annie made a panicked face as she didn't think Tom was listening and lightly responded, Not that you couldn't have your pick Tom."

"Well, I guess it isn't too weird after-all…" Nina said.

"It's possible that he hasn't gotten over a bad break-up or something." George added.

"Right, said Nina, since we can't turn up for dinner. When and how am I going to meet Annie's Mr. Michael?"

"I guess we could always go into the bank seeking a loan. I mean his card does say Loan Clerk, if we ask for him; maybe we'll get a lift up to that nice office of his…"

"George, Nina said with a bit of amazement in her voice, what a great idea!"

"Annie stole a look at the clock, come at 4:00pm, that's when Michael turns off his computer, shuts his blinds, and takes a 15 minute nap."

"Oh, we wouldn't want to bother him at his nap-time…said Nina.

"Believe me; said Annie, it's really the best time. He's so busy during the day. He might be a bit grumpy but that would be the best part of the day for visitors to request some of his time."

"What if he doesn't remember me?" George asked.

"Just bring his business card and remind him about the visit to the cemetery." Annie glanced at the clock again and said her good-byes as she thought surely the meeting would be over by now.

Annie returned, just in time to see all the clerks leaving through the service exit. Soon it would be only the office workers on the upper level floors until most of them would be leaving at 4:30pm or 5. She did love this time of day though, "Bye Shirley, Bye Carol, Bye Reggie, Have a good night Margaret." They couldn't hear her but unlike Michael, Annie smiled to herself; she would never ignore her co-workers. If only she had remained in the bank lobby for an extra 5 minutes, she'd have seen a sight that would have turned her metaphorical blood even colder. Edgar Wyndham existed the lift with five other men, all dressed smartly and looking the part of proper gentle-men; they were smiling to one another as if they had made the most amazing discovery.

15 minutes past 4:00pm, Nancy, the receptionist, was surprised to see a somewhat bedraggled family standing happily at her desk. While many considered her very hard to get by, her heart melted the instance she laid eyes on the bubbly baby with the very striking blue eyes.

"Well, hello, how may I help you all today?"

"Ummm, Hello, George said as he deposited Mitchell into Nina's arms so that he could dig out Michael's card from his wallet. We'd like to speak with a Mr. Michael Barry, please."

"Mr. Barry, Nancy asked. I don't have any notes stating that he is accepting visitors at the present time. Would you happen to have an appointment?"

"No, said George, not as such…"

"Well, let me just call up to his office and see if I can't get him on the line…

George and Nina knew Michael wouldn't be answering his phone as he'd probably be sleeping, and they could only hope Annie wasn't rent-a-ghosting around somewhere in the building, or sharing a biscuit with Sam. Just as they thought they'd be turned away by the lovely and efficient looking Nancy, a call came down that Mr. Barry was expecting the Sands family and they should be sent up without further delay.

Annie was so excited to see everyone disembark from the lift; it was as if she hadn't seen them for days. She wished she could show them around, but that could wait for another time. Turns out Michael didn't take his usual nap anyway. He had some clients in his office earlier and seemed to be upset and out of sorts all afternoon. Annie thought to herself, that maybe seeing George again would cheer him up greatly. Amazingly, she was correct. Just as George was swatting her hands away from straightening his collar, they were surprised by a voice.

"Hello," said Michael as he appeared in the doorway of his office. He wasn't expecting any other visitors, but wondered who was creating so much noise in the hall-way. There before him was what appeared to be an entire family. He was just about to politely close his door when he stopped and fixed his eyes on George. He recognized him, but he couldn't remember from where.

"Is someone expecting you?"

Nina's mouth fell slack as she was in the process of turning and speaking, if it wasn't for Tom's quickness, she may have dropped the baby on the floor. She was stunned by that soft Irish lilt in his voice, but even more so by the resemblance. She had a moment of fear, but as she couldn't smell anything but human, she almost immediately relaxed.

"Hello, George stepped forward, I don't know if you remember me, but I found your card and thought if possible you could speak to us about securing a loan."

"I'm sorry, said Michael, you look so familiar to me, but I'm having trouble placing where I would know you from…"

"You were visiting your mother's grave about three months ago…placing flowers…"

"Ah, yes, I remember now. John Mitchell and Anna, the mother of all May-December romances, Michael said with a slight smile."

Nina and George laughed at Michael's joke.

"Oi," said a somewhat offended Annie.

"I don't remember giving you one of those cards."Michael said.

"Well, no, it fell out of your pocket I think, and I…that is, we are sort of still new to the area, and since you are a loan clerk, we thought we'd stop by and see if you could help us with a loan."

"Oh, No..."said Michael.

"No…" George repeated.

He felt more and more foolish standing there, Nina had gone mute and Tom was always nearly mute, Annie had gone back into the office to fluff pillows on the sofa and Mitchell was chirping away as if he were the one there to conduct the family business.

"I mean, said Michael, I'm not a Loan Clerk, my mum, ordered these cards a while back, she felt that title would keep me grounded. They had only arrived the day before I visited her grave. I placed one in her flowers. "

Just then, George realized that Annie didn't actually pick the card off the ground as she had intimated.

"That sneaky little gho…"

"Could I have a drink of water…please?" Nina cleared her throat loudly interrupting George.

"I'm so sorry, sure ya can. I have a pitcher in my office. Come in."

Annie hadn't seen Michael smile so nicely in all the months that she followed him. It made her sad to think that he really didn't have any friends except for her, George and now Nina and Tom.

"You know, Michael began speaking as they all settled on the sofa, this has been a really strange day. I've had more visitors in this one day than I've had since I've been here."

"Surely, that can't be right" Nina said.

"No, Michael smiled, it's true. He moved back around his large desk and sat down now that everyone else was settled. As he dragged his hands through his hair, Nina stole a look at a mesmerized Annie. I've only got two weeks left before I return home. Just a few hours ago, out of the blue, I was offered what sounds like a fantastic job opportunity without any work on my part. Now here, he turned his gaze to George, I meet again one of the first people I'd met just after I'd settled my mum's affairs after her passing."

George, Nina, and Annie all began speaking at once.

"Did he say he was leaving?" said Nina.

"In a few weeks time it sounds like…"

"George, tell him that he can't leave." Annie demanded

Of course, he couldn't hear Annie, which was probably best as she was the loudest of them all. Michael was really taken aback by the passion that was in Nina and George's voice. They wanted to know so many things and all at once. Michael put up his hands, smiled even wider for reasons he didn't understand himself, and began to answer some of what he could make out from the clamor.

"Ok, I don't know why I should answer any of your questions Michael said with the smile still in his voice, but I just get this feeling about you all. You've really made me happy strangely. Let's see, I came over to Wales to be with my mother as she was dying. I'm stationed in London, have been there for the last 5 years, this is only a temporary office and I'm due to go back home in 2 weeks."

"What about this job offer?" George asked.

"That's the craziest thing about today. This afternoon, five or six gentlemen came to the bank and asked for me specifically. I mean, no one even knows I'm here. I've been working long-distance with my office in London and doing some free-lance work for the CEO and higher-ups here. Other than an hour at the gym every-day I've done nothing but work since I've been here. This guy, the leader, Edgar Wyndham, tells me he has heard so much about me that he had to see me for himself. He was stunned to learn that I was here in Cardiff and before I left he wanted to personally come and meet me."

"How amazingly kind of him..." Nina said somewhat under her breath.

"I know, Michael agreed. I didn't have a chance to tell him, but I'd been wanting some new adventures in my life. The routine I follow here is nearly the same that I follow back in London except I have more friends, but still it's up early and late to bed with hardly anything in between but work."

"George, are you listening to this? There is no way that we're letting him join anything to do with that demon." Annie stated forcefully.

George looked from Annie to Nina and decided that Michael needed to know the truth about Wyndham, about all of them.

"Michael, George said, that is really fantastic news. I can see why you are so excited but…"

"I normally keep a level head you know, but there was just something about the way Wyndham spoke about all the good things he's heard about me, and how he desperately needs a hard-worker like me to head up this Multinational financial division. He said that one of his best men was unexpectedly killed about 4 months ago and he thought I'd fill the vacant slot perfectly. I've been sitting here this afternoon contemplating what I should do, mum is gone, my sister and nephew are in Ireland, my fiancé left me because I worked too much and then you come to visit. I thought this must be a good sign. I never thought I was dissatisfied with my life, but after these last few months, I can certainly see there needs to be a change to my routine. Everyone else around me, seem to be happy, even you and your family seem a happy bunch, and it really makes me want to stop holding myself back."

With no warning whatsoever, a furious wind swirled all the papers off Michael's desk, the window blinds came crashing down with such an intensity they broke loose from their tether and the door slammed so dramatically it almost came off it's hinges. Michael jumped out of his chair when his computer monitor flew off his desk and smashed into the wall, his pencils, pens, stapler, and mug all crashed to the floor as if someone had picked them up and threw it down violently one by one.

"What's happening?" Michael raised his voice over the noise, his eyes were wide with genuine fright and he clung to the wall. He looked over to George and the rest of his new friends, to see if they were as scared as him; the family though hadn't moved an inch, they were still sitting in the same positions on the sofa, but now all were looking towards the window with varying expressions of concern and surprise on their faces. In fact the baby was actually laughing and cooing with joy while clapping his hands and kicking his little legs, he seemed to be the only one disappointed when the freak tornado finally stopped.

"Michael, Nina said in as soothing a voice as possible, have you ever heard that the grass is not always greener on the other side."

To be continued….