As he took another sip of Purdey's excellent coffee (the girl was unbelievably good at so many things), Gambit wondered if he was trying too hard - too soon - venturing into playful flirtation like this. He had only been in Purdey's flat a few minutes but was already doing his best to create a relaxed atmosphere. The way only Mike Gambit could.

Purdey was smiling, as she turned from pouring her own coffee, but he couldn't help but wonder if it might be forced.

She crossed one boot across the other and leaned back against the cupboard, nursing the coffee cup between her hands. She sighed, and cocked her head to one side.

'Mike, I'm sure you wouldn't be flattered if I fell for you on the rebound, now would you?' she quipped with her usual broad and beautiful smile that flashed a perfect set of gleaming white teeth.

But as Gambit had suspected, did the smile seem a little more unsure of itself than usual.

'I certainly wouldn't complain,' he replied with that all too familiar cheeky grin of his. 'Rebound or otherwise: the means justify the ends. You know me, Purdey - anything to get the desired result.'

Purdey couldn't help but smile, but she saw something else beneath Gambit's façade. Was he just doing his best to make her feel better, or was he genuinely stung by her remark. But then, she knew he was so used to her playful put downs by now that she couldn't see how he could possibly take offence.

But then we're all a little sensitive at the moment...

'You aren't like that, Mike, and you know it. You sell yourself short. You're much more principled than that.'

'Am I?'

'Yes.'

Gambit shook his head and tutted playfully. 'Silly - deluded - girl.'

Purdey's face immediately darkened a little and her fingers gripped her coffee cup even tighter as pain flashed in her eyes. She lowered her gaze, stared down into the brown liquid, traced a perfectly manicured fingernail along the handle. 'Now that I am.' She lifted the cup and took a quick sip, her gaze off to the side, avoiding Gambit's eyes.

Gambit could almost kick himself. His attempts to keep things light had failed. Even the most innocent and innocuous comment wasn't guaranteed to miss a raw nerve. Talk about treading on egg shells!

But still he tried:

'Look on the bright side, Purdey. We're off to France in a couple of weeks, and then straight on to Canada after that. That's something to look forward to, isn't it? The change will do us all the world of good.'

It was true that anything that took her away from familiar surroundings and routine at the moment would help - provide at least some distraction. But thoughts and memories and feelings weren't something you had any control over; wherever the physical body might be transported didn't really matter: feelings and emotions were guaranteed to come along for the ride and could rear their ugly heads at any moment - and usually when they were least expected, least wanted. A trip to Saturn was no more certain to take you away from your psychological troubles than a trip down the road.....

TBC............................