Wow! Thank you lovely people for your lovely reviews! Sorry for the delay- been mental busy at work this week, but Chapter four is written, just tweaking it, but should be up soon Hope you enjoy…
Chapter Three
"Hi. Can I come in?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I brought you these."
"Flowers at four o'clock in the morning. Erm… I don't know what to say."
"Really?"
"Don't raise that eyebrow at me, Harry Pearce! I'm really not in the mood."
"Sorry."
"Is there any other reason you're here on my door step?"
"Yes. I came to talk to you."
"Well, I suppose you had better come in then."
"Thanks. I came to explain… in the office… well your little outburst took me quite off guard."
"Off guard? Harry Pearce?"
"Yes, well. You see what effect you have on me Ruth."
"Tea?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Tea. Would you like a cup of tea? I've got a feeling I'm going to need the caffeine!"
"Yes. Tea would be good thanks. It might warm me up."
"How long have you been here? Outside my house I mean?"
"Not long."
"How long?"
"A while."
"Harry?"
"Since about one."
"One! One o'clock! Harry- three hours! You'll be frozen! What were you…What are you smirking at?"
"Just adding your ability to make me crack under interrogation to the list."
"And what list might that be?"
"My reason for being here."
"Harry. Can we just… can we just stop. I can't do this. Not now. I know I'm renown for deciphering different languages and conversations in codes on the Grid, but at this time of the morning when I'm stood bare foot in my kitchen, please just tell me, in plain English, what you have come here to say."
"I've come to tell you that you are the most infuriating woman I have ever met. I have come to tell you that, yes, you were right- for a change- and that, yes, it did throw me off keel when you said no to me. I've come to tell you that the fact you are unable to see how bloody brilliant you are renders me speechless, hence being unable to continue our conversation earlier and… well… the fact that you have just burnt your flaming hand on the kettle because you were too busy fussing makes me so mad that I don't know whether to despair with you or… or… here. Run it under here."
"That was quite a speech."
"We've never had a way with words, have we? Not with each other."
"It's not been our strongest point. No."
"Bloody hell! Was that you actually agreeing with me Miss Evershed? What is this a belated Christmas miracle?"
"Don't push me Harry."
"Does it hurt- your hand?"
"I, well…"
"Here. Let me take a closer look."
"Harry…the tap."
"Hmm?"
"The tap… I need to erm…"
"Right. Yes."
"I just… I didn't want the bowl to over flow."
"Of course. You know you really should put some cream on…"
"Digression Harry. My hand is fine. Here, pass me those and I'll put them in water while you tell me why you are here."
"Right. Sorry. As I was saying, I know we're not good with words so that's why I brought the flowers."
"You brought flowers to explain why and if you love me?"
"Yes."
"Oh. I see."
"You do?"
"Well, not really… No."
"Listen- please hear me out. I've been trying to think of the words to convince you of how much I do- and I truly do- love you, but I didn't know where to start. So, instead, I've decided to address that ridiculous list you reeled off in the office today."
"Please Harry- don't start on about bloody lists again. My head is…"
"Ruth. Please. Count them."
"Hmm?"
"The flowers. Count them."
"Harry!"
"Ruth."
"Fine. One…"
"Your first reason for being unlovable was you had cats. After years of looking after you cats Ruth, how could I not love you for them. I love that you named them the most, well, least classical names imaginable. I love that everyday you were away I felt that I still had a part of you with me always."
"Harry… Fine. Two…"
"Your dinner choice. I love the fact that you eat pot noodles for your dinner because it means that you can eat it at your desk when we are busy which means I can still… Well, I know your there. I love how the powder sometimes clouds on the material of your scarf, giving me an excuse to brush my fingers gently against it. To remove it of course before you look at me like that!"
"Of course. Three…"
"Your, well…From the day you tripped into the meeting room, it has never failed to baffle me that someone so astute can be so…so…"
"Clumsy?"
"No not clumsy."
"There really is no other word for it Harry."
"Fine. But it means that when you do things like burn your hand making tea I have a reason to hold your hand, to care for you, to help you. It means that I have a reason to lean across the table and maybe take you hand in mine, like this. To make sure it's all okay, of course. Is it… okay I mean?"
"That you're holding my hand?"
"No… Yes… Well is your hand okay from the burn and may I please use this excuse to hold it?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
"Number four on your list."
"Right. Four. I know it concerns you what other people say, and while if I had had my way I would shout our love from the roof tops, I find it refreshing, particularly in our line of work, to find someone as principled as you. Someone who has managed to maintain such a strong sense of self worth and self value."
"Harry. I get what you're doing, and I'm touched, I really am but…"
"No Ruth. No. You are not running from me this time. I've given this a lot of though today and I've realised that while there are countless reasons I love you, they are irrelevant if I allow you to keep running. If I allow you to keep me at arms length."
"That's why you're here, isn't it. So I can't run."
"Ruth. I won't force this on you. If you want me to leave I will…"
Hope this is okay and in keeping with the story. Please RnR… Last part to follow soon