In the last 24 hours there had been several firsts but watching a dripping Ruth step from the shower, a large towel wrapped around her and rivulets of water weaving their way down her neck and collar bone, disappearing between her cleavage: that was a first that pushed him rather too close to the edge.
"Your turn," she said, as they walked past each other, exchanging places, each more physically aware of the other than they had ever, ever been.
Harry began to unbutton his shirt.
Ruth perched on the bath, watching him surreptitiously.
"What next?" she asked, unexpectedly.
He was tempted to say 'my trousers' but fortunately did not.
"I mean, how does this play out, Harry?"
Shirt gone, belt unbuckled.
"We have a quiet evening in, watch a film, go to bed and at 3pm tomorrow go and meet Coleman."
He folded his trousers, laying them on the side.
"And...we satisfy his reason for installing the cameras," he stepped into the shower.
A distracted Ruth was trying hard to concentrate on just what that reason was, when Harry's trunks were thrown onto the floor.
"Okay," was all she lamely managed to say.
It was a cold shower. A very cold shower. Bracing was not the word.
There was only one problem.
"Ruth, could you pass me a towel?"
An arm snaked round the corner, blindly offering one up.
"Thanks."
He wrapped it snugly around his waist. It appeared they only had one large towel and this was not it..
He stepped out and walked towards her. It had to be said that the remaining towels on the rail all looked bigger
"Well, we're convincingly wet enough," said Ruth, wondering just where to cast her eyes, finally choosing to concentrate on a drop of water that was weaving its way through the minefield of scars across his chest.
"There's champagne in the fridge, we could open that?" he suggested.
"Not champagne," he said almost immediately, answering his own question, knowing well that look of hers.
"Tea..." she said, "I just fancy a cup of tea."
"Then tea it is."
Torturous, I know, but that's just the way they are! I promise not to drag this out too much longer!