Tommy could see the strain on Barbara's face as she stared at the bed. It filled most of the cabin space and left only narrow walkways down either side. He wanted to comfort her, but somehow putting his arm around her now seemed decidedly inappropriate. "I'll leave you to change. The Captain's Welcome Drinks start in 40 minutes. I'll wait on the deck until you are ready."

Barbara looked up and gave a weak smile. "Thanks, Sir."

Tommy found Sabrina in her nook. "Sabrina, I was wondering, while we are at the Captain's Drinks could you convert the bed into two beds?"

"Yes." Sabrina looked as if she needed an explanation.

"I think it would give us more room in the cabin, and my... Barbara is worried about access to the bathroom if she gets seasick."

Sabrina smiled. Remaking the beds was obviously preferable to dealing with unfortunate accidents. "Of course. Many people prefer that."

"We didn't think when we booked," he added apologetically.

"It's no problem."

Tommy smiled in a way he knew always won friends, then walked through the heavy glass door onto the deck. In the soft afternoon light, the grey rocks of the fjord shone and glittered with flecks of gold, silver and red. Small patches of brilliant white snow nestled in nook high on the steep cliffs. He looked out over the calm water and thought how nice it would be to truly be on holiday here, with Barbara, without a case, and without her revulsion at the prospect of sharing his bed. He sighed. He wished she would relax and consider the possibility that they could make a life together. She was his soulmate, he was sure of that. There was no reason that could not have other benefits attached.

The last of the groups of Germans was bumping across the sapphire water amid laughter and the odd shrieked 'Gott im Himmel'. Tommy laughed when one lady's hat flew off but was expertly plucked out of mid-air by the boat driver, standing in the back, one hand on the outboard. He bowed at the applause.

"Ready."

Tommy turned to see Barbara standing stiffly behind him. She was dressed in her best court clothes, a black suit and white shirt with low black pumps. He did not like to suggest that she unbutton her shirt a little to look more casual."Relax, Barbara. We are supposed to be on holidays."

"It's this, or jeans and my coat."

"It's not your clothes. You look fine, but you look very tense."

"I am tense."

"Being undercover, or being with me?"

Barbara frowned. "A bit of both. I... I don't know how to pretend to be in a relationship. I've never been in one."

Tommy reached out his hand. Barbara frowned more deeply. "Take my hand."

Barbara slowly reached out. Tommy gently encased her hand in both of his palms. "You and I... we already have a relationship. We're friends aren't we?" Barbara nodded. "Then that's all we need to be to convince anyone. Just friends who hold hands at times, or put their arms around each other. That's all. We can do that, can't we?"

"Yeah, it's just... seeing that room... I..."

"You don't have to worry about it. Now come while I get changed, and we... Don't look so horrified. I'm only changing my shirt. We can discuss how to manage the party."

Barbara closed her eyes and silently inhaled as they walked back to their cabin. Tommy still had her hand and it felt wonderful yet wrong. He was being the perfect gentleman. She wanted to relax and pretend it was real, but if she did, she knew at the end her heart would shatter into tiny pieces. She tried to pull her hand back, but he gripped it firmly.

Sabrina was just exiting their room when they entered the corridor. "What's she been up to?" Barbara hissed.

"It's okay."

Tommy said nothing more, but when he opened the door, Barbara could see the bed had been converted into two beds against either wall with a space between them. She was simultaneously relieved and devastated. Tommy obviously had no intention of sharing a bed.

"I see."

Tommy frowned. "I thought this was what you wanted."

"Me?"

"You were uncomfortable at the idea of sharing. Actually, you seemed horrified, so I asked Sabrina to change it for you."

"Oh." Barbara looked down. If only he understood.

"Oh, you thought it was me that didn't... No, I would have been honoured to sleep with you."

Barbara looked up. "Huh?"

Tommy's ears shone like red traffic lights. "Properly. Real sleep... I didn't mean to insult you, nor did I mean to sound disrespectful. I..."

Barbara began to laugh. She put up her hand to stop his apologies. "It's okay, I understand."

"Sadly, I don't think you do."

"Thank, Sir, it was very thoughtful."

He nodded. "And you can't call me Sir." He began to smile. "I told you I would find a way for you to have to call me Tommy."

"I could just call you by a pet name."

He lowered his brow. "Mmm. Such as?"

"Ashie, or Lynley, or something."

"Ashie? No, definitely not. Tommy, Thomas or if you must, Tom."

"I... bloody hell. Tommy. But only if I have to."

"Fair enough."

"I can't pull this off."

"Yes, we can. We mingle and see if we can meet Schweindeiner. We don't engage in any suspicious way. We just observe and report."

"I wish we had time to arrange false passports. What if he recognises our names and looks into it? We might end up as polar bear food."

"Unlikely. Your name has never been mentioned, and they have a new liaison officer now. He is not likely to think a spokesman would be an active investigator."

"What if he Googles us?"

"We solve murders, not chase international terror groups. And he probably doubts we would have found a connection to him. He might be wary, but probably assume it's a coincidence. The key is everyone believing we are lovers on holidays."

Barbara bit her lip. Tommy frowned. "Turn around, Barbara, and close your eyes."

"What?"

"Just do it, please."

Barbara did, and heard him rustling in his wardrobe. Of course, he was changing his shirt. "You're suddenly shy aren't you?"

"No, why?"

Barbara sensed him move to stand behind her. "You usually let me watch when you shower or anything." Barbara realised immediately how that sounded. "In Cambridge. Oh... you know what I mean."

Tommy laughed. "I do, don't I? It's not sudden shyness. I saw this at that shop. I thought you might like it. I was going to give it to you later as a memento, but it's better to give it to you now."

Barbara opened her eyes and turned around. "Sir? You..."

Tommy snatched his hand away. "Sorry, not until you call me Tommy."

"Unfair... Tommy." She grinned at him, and he gave her the most wonderful smile in return. His face and eyes lit up as if she had given him the world. She smiled back so hard her cheeks began to cramp.

"It's a bit corny." He handed her a small box. "I... I just thought... I wanted to..."

She opened it to find a black and white pendant in the shape of a puffin with cute little orange feet and orange stripes across the beak. Barbara felt a little overwhelmed. "It's wonderful. Thank you."

"I thought it might make it easier for you."

"Easier?"

"I know you are hating this, Barbara. Being forced to pretend that we are lovers... sorry."

Barbara felt her face go red. "Don't be. I... It's not like it's an abhorrent concept, but, well, we are friends. I don't want to ruin that."

Tommy frowned. "We won't. It's just pretend."

Barbara cringed, fearing her face must look like it was the source of Hell's fires. "Yeah, of course, I know that."

"Let me put it on."

Barbara turned and allowed Tommy to fasten the clip under her hair. The backs of his fingers brushed her neck and she fought hard not to groan.

"There. Show me." Barbara turned. It was hanging awkwardly over her blouse. He smiled. "May I?"

"Yeah..."

Tommy reached up and undid the second and third buttons on her blouse then arranged the puffin against her chest only an inch above her bra line. He grinned at her, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Perfect."

"Really? I don't look... wanton?"

"Wanton? Hardly. I don't date wanton women."

"Really?"

"Hmm, May the odd wanton woman. But I categorically draw the line on taking them on holidays."

Barbara laughed. "I still keep seeing Anja's face when we told her. I thought she was going to leap across the table and tear my throat out."

Tommy shuddered, making her laugh again. "I am glad I am here with you. Now, come on, we have a criminal to spy on."

Four hours later Tommy leant down. "Why don't we go on deck for a while before we go to bed?" he whispered into her ear.

"Good idea."

Barbara put the glass of wine she had been sipping for the last two hours onto a passing tray. She allowed Tommy to steer her through the crowd. The party had been disappointing, although the food had been spectacular and many of the passengers seemed interesting. She envisioned several extra pounds would appear on her waistline in the week.

From the Captain's speech they had learned that the owner, Mr Bernhardt, was not onboard. Barbara did not blame him for not using Schweindeiner. He would be joining the ship in two days when they stopped in a fjord for whale watching. Barbara felt cheated, and angry. She knew they were stuck on the ship for a week, but she had hoped to be distracted by spying on him.

"Two bloody days," she said as they reached the deck.

"Let's go up to the top deck."

The upper deck was open, but the high sides were glass covered to provide protection from the wind. Unfortunately, the top railing was right at Barbara's eyeline. "Alright for you. I can't see a thing."

"Stand on that vent."

"I'll fall off in these heels."

"You won't. I promise."

Barbara stepped up onto the mushroom-shaped vent and braced her feet while she held the railing. She flinched when Tommy pressed his body into her back.

"Relax. I'm here. I won't let you fall. Can you see?"

"Yes." Barbara could see, if she opened her eyes. Instead she had them closed and was enjoying the sensation of being close.

"Look, over there," he said pointing, "dolphins."

A pod of about six dolphins jumped, spun and frolicked in the bow wave. Barbara began to look around. It was almost ten in the evening, but the sun was still glowing in what at home would be a soft afternoon light. The fjord had widened, but was still mostly barren rock. It felt alien and yet entrancing.

"This is beautiful." Something moved high on the cliff. "What's that?" As she pointed she lost her balance and fell back against Tommy. Both his arms came around her and held her steady. With her standing on the vent, his chin rested comfortably on her shoulder.

"A musk ox I think. It is beautiful here, like this."

Tommy's left hand was resting just below her right breast. His right was across her left hipbone. His body pressed against hers. It was almost sexual and yet totally innocent. Barbara's emotions roller coastered from elation to fear and back. In a move that surprised them both, Barbara turned her head and kissed his cheek. He emitted a confused but not unhappy groan.

"I... It seemed to be what a lover would do," she explained.

"Hmm, yes. And how would a lover respond?"

Barbara shrugged. "Dunno."

"Like this." His hands moved only half an inch but felt far more intimate. Barbara turned her face to look at him. They stared at each other for several long, soul-searching seconds before Tommy moved forward and touched his lips gently against hers.