Thank you for all the reviews! I've decided to stick with short chapters, so here's a brief update despite what the wonky word count would imply. Hope you enjoy.

Earlier that day

'You know, you shouldn't let him get to you.'

Beth stood at the far side of her desk, coat on, ready to go home. She looked at her blankly.

'Sorry, what?'

'Miseryguts. He was well out of order giving you such a bollocking. He'd probably had a run in with Dolby or something but that's no reason to take it out on you.'

'I forgot to knock. You know how he likes people to knock.'

'Yeah, so he has time to hide the whisky bottle. Anyway, are you coming?'

Ruth frowned. 'Um, no. A few things to finish off. Talking of Harry, have you any idea where he is?'

Beth shrugged. 'No. I think he went out around lunchtime, but no idea where.'

'One thirty four,' thought Ruth. 'Okay, thanks. I'll, er, see you back at the house.'

She waited until the pods had closed behind Beth before going over to Tariq's desk. Engrossed in what looked like a bout of mainframe hacking, he was oblivious to Ruth's approach.

'Tariq?'

'Oh! Hiya. Sorry. Russian banks. A bugger to get into these days. What can I do you for?'

'You wouldn't happen to know where Harry is?'

The techie shook his head. 'No, sorry. I've been kinda keeping out of his way, to tell you the truth. Have you tried his mobile?'

'Yep. He's not picking up.'

'Well, it is 6.35 on a Friday night. He's probably propping up a bar somewhere or at home cooking up beans on toast.'

'Yes. Yes, I'm sure you're right.'

Tariq looked at her curiously. 'Is everything alright?'

'Absolutely. I just need to speak to him about something.'

She gave what she hoped was a convincing smile and returned to her desk.

By the time she got down to the lobby Tariq was long gone, but thoughts of Harry niggled at her, not least his reaction when she'd gone into his office first thing that morning. He'd been on the phone, obviously finishing off the call, and so she'd loitered on the threshold. He'd hung up, chuckling, and in the same instant that she realised she hadn't seen him laughing for a long time, he turned to her. And his face fell.

Suddenly it registered that James had paused in his search of her bag and was looking at her.

'S-sorry? Miles away. What...?'

'It's alright Miss, I was just wondering, finishing so late, if you had anything nice planned for the weekend?'

'Uff. Er, no. A bit sad, really. My first weekend off since March and I'll probably spend it sleeping and vegging in front of the telly.'

'Nowt wrong with that. But maybe you should take a leaf out of Sir Harry's book, miss. He's off to the seaside.'

Ruth went very still. 'Sir Harry?'

'Yes, I asked him if he had any plans and he said he was going to get some sea air. Blow away the cobwebs, he said.'

'Oh, yes of course. I'd forgotten. He's off to...ohhh, where is it again?'

'Dunno miss, he didn't say.'

'Well, let's hope the weather holds for him, eh?'

'Aye, fingers crossed.' His inspection finished, James handed back her bag.

'Thanks James. Oh, d'you know what, I've just remembered a report I should've run off. I better just go and...see you in a mo.'

Forcing herself not to run, she retraced her steps across the lobby and headed towards the lifts.

Back on the Grid Ruth went straight to Harry's desk and hit the call log button on his phone. Scrolling through the outgoing calls, she made a note of all the non-London numbers, then picking up the handset she began to dial.

Five minutes, three guesthouses, a cricket ground and a couple of police forces later, there was the first glimmer of hope.

'Hello, Sands Guesthouse.'

'Oh, hi, um, I hope you can help me. I'm trying to get hold of my dad, but I can't remember the name of the guesthouse he's staying in. I just wondered if it might be yours.'

'I'm afraid we can't divulge...'

'Thing is, he's probably registered under a pseudonym, as he's a writer and if he used his real name...'

'Oh?' The flicker of interest.

'He's late fifties, blonde hair, what's left of it; brown eyes, clean shaven, a bit...tubby. He'd have checked in earlier today.'

'I really can't...'

'I've left umpteen messages on his mobile, but you know what men are like; he keeps the blooming thing switched off half the time.'

'I'm sorry, Miss...'

'Pearce.'

'Pearce. In this business you have to be discreet. If we told all and sundry...'

'Okay, fair enough. But could you just let him know I called and ask him to get in touch?'

'Well, I...'

That was all she needed. 'Thanks ever so! Goodbye!'

Cutting the call, she booted up Harry's pc and did a quick google. Ten minutes later she was out on the pavement, striding towards the bus stop. In her pocket, a google map of Weymouth.