Author's note: Sorry, but what made everyone think they were getting out of the mine quickly?

"Were you ever scared of the dark Sir?"

"No, I don't think so." He said it too quickly for Barbara to believe him. "What about you?"

"I didn't think so but I've never been anywhere this dark before. In the city, there is always background light somewhere. And I keep seeing streaks of light and things that float in my vision like those little worms you see under a microscope. It's...unnerving."

"That's normal. I see some too. It's scarring on your retina as well as matter that floats in your aqueous humour. You normally don't see it because your mind is processing so much other information but when it stares at black or white they become visible."

"I should have known you'd know but my aqueous is not feeling overly humorous tonight."

Tommy laughed softly and hugged her a little tighter. "My optometrist explained it. I thought understanding might help you."

"Yeah, ta." She paused as if she was going to tell him her darkest secret. "I'm glad you stayed with me, Sir."

"I wouldn't have left you. It was never an option."

They sat in silence for a few minutes until Tommy felt the need to speak. "I wasn't completely truthful. When I was a little child I remember thinking Howenstowe was haunted but it was just my stupid older sister teasing me."

"What did she do?"

"She thought it was funny to hide in my wardrobe and make noises like she was a ghost. I remember being frightened the first time but after that I started talking to the ghost and trying to make him my friend. He didn't come back after that and I remember thinking that even the ghost didn't like me. It was a few years before I learnt it was Judith hiding there."

Barbara put her hand on his arm. It was warm and comforting. "Were you lonely?"

"Lonely?" he repeated thoughtfully, "in some ways no, because I had Judith to play with, but in other ways, yes, I was incredibly lonely. Once I understood that I was going to inherit the title and my parents kept telling me about my responsibilities, I felt very alone. As if no one would ever like me for who I was but only what I was. I felt isolated when I went to Eton at first. It can be very desolate, especially when people think you are there because of your title and not your ability. I had to work twice as hard to get the same marks because they either did not want to spoil me or they resented me. Oxford was a lot easier than Eton, mainly because I could be anonymous."

"Is that why you chose the police force?"

"Maybe. I was certainly trying to upset my mother but it is also something I believe in. I wanted to do something meaningful, not just be part of the idle rich."

"You still feel like that, don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"I believe in what we do, yes."

"I meant feeling alone." She extended her arm over his waist.

"Yes, in some ways. I know I have some friends who like me but I have a lot of people who just like to be seen with me too. And I have you." He placed his other arm over her hip. "You keep this silly aristocrat grounded."

"Poncy, not silly, Sir."

"I stand corrected. And while we're here, can't you call me Tommy? It seems ridiculous to be 'Sir' all the time, especially when we are five hundred metres under the ground."

"I wish you hadn't reminded me of that last bit."

"Sorry." Tommy rubbed her arm.

"It's okay. I'm not worried about people hearing me. It's…different."

"How?"

"I dunno, it's just...I can't explain it."

"Hmm, I really want to understand Barbara. I have asked you often enough and yet you refuse, almost as if you can't bear to think of me as your friend."

Barbara moved her head to look at him, although she could see nothing. "No! It's not that. We are...I think. It's more..."

"Yes? I will make you tell me."

"Oh, will you indeed?"

Tommy began to tickle her and she squirmed until she yelped in pain. "Oh Barbara, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I forgot about your foot."

"It's okay. My fault. I do it so I can keep my distance."

"Why do we need distance?"

"Well, it's not proper."

"What exactly isn't proper? Standing naked in Trafalgar Square isn't proper but calling me by my name is hardly an act of gross indecency."

Barbara laughed at the thought of either of them standing naked by the fountain. "Not indecent, just…not right."

"This something that has confounded me for a long time. Tell me the truth Barbara, please."

She sighed heavily. She knew he needed a reasonable explanation. "If I call you by name, you become my friend."

Tommy went rigid. "I thought we agreed we are friends."

"We are! It's just that..." She took a deep breath. "If I call you by name you will...become my world and I can't have that."

Tommy was momentarily silent. He rather liked the idea of being her world. "Why not? You're mine."

"Don't say that. It's not true. Not in the way I mean it."

Tommy could not help but grin broadly. So she does think of me that way! He was pleased but also aware that Barbara was being forced to reveal more than she wanted to tell him. He wanted to reassure her without frightening her. He paused while he debated whether he should kiss her. "I think you might be surprised Barbara. Remember that night in your flat?"

"Yeah."

"We have something special Barbara. I don't know how to describe it but I know we need each other. And we have each other. That's all we need to know right now." He hugged her hard. "When this is over and your foot is better I will take you to that Swiss chalet and we can talk about the future then."

Barbara frowned at his cryptic words. It was clear he did not want to discuss it now. He was letting her down gently. She knew he would never take her to Switzerland. "Good idea," she pretended to agree.

"But in the meantime, you have to call me Tommy."

"You don't give up do you?"

"No."

She smiled even though he would never see it. "Alright, alright. I give in…Tommy."

He kissed the top of her head softly. "Good girl."

"You make me sound like a pet dog!"

"What breed would you be? Something feisty and with a good set of lungs. A fox terrier, I think."

"And what would you be? A poncy poodle!"

"Oh! No! Can't I be a big, boofy dog that everyone loves? A labrador perhaps?"

"A slobbering black one...who steals food from the table."

Tommy laughed. "No, I'd bat my eyes, put my head on the side and have the women feel sorry for me. They'd feed me in exchange for a lick of their hand."

"I've seen you use that technique. How's it working for you?"

"Mixed results," he chuckled, "my mistress never falls for my eyes. She tugs my lead and keeps me in line."

"Your mistress?" Barbara sounded disappointed. "She's very wise."

"Yes, yes she is," he said tenderly.

Barbara flinched. Tommy felt her reaction and smiled. "Not that sort of mistress,' he said with a smile in his voice, "let's call her my owner then."

"You'll never be owned by anyone. Neither of us will."

"It's not ownership if you give yourself over willingly. And I have." Tommy reached up and found her chin. He gave it an affectionate stroke as he leant down to kiss her.

"Speaking of food, when can we eat again?"

Tommy sat back up. She certainly knew how to ruin a moment! "It's night time. We should be sleeping and eat in the morning but I suppose I could give you one more piece."

He started to get up but Barbara stopped him. "No Tommy. I can wait. I just can't sleep."

"Do you want to play cards again?"

"No! Definitely not."

Tommy could not help himself. He ruffled her hair then kissed her on the head again. "Never change Barbara."

"Glad I amuse you."

"You do, sometimes."

"And other times?"

"Do you want the list? You can be argumentative, annoying, frustrating, kind, enigmatic, intelligent, wise-cracking, loyal, inspirational..."

"Yeah, all right, enough."

"Is it? Remember when we moved your fridge that day and I said I'm not good with praise?"

"Yeah, but you said some nice things."

"Because I meant it. I've thanked you a few times for getting me out of the situations I create for myself but do you know how much I appreciate you? How much I need you? How much I admire the way you never let life beat you. You're not only the best detective I know but you're a good person Barbara. I can't imagine life without you."

Barbara's face was so flushed it felt like it was on fire. "You're alright too."

"High praise indeed. Now we should get some sleep."

"G'night Tommy."

She would never see his broad smile. He rolled slightly but kept her head snuggled against his chest. "Good night Barbara." He gave her a soft kiss on her forehead.

Hours later he woke to her whimpering. "Barbara, are you okay?"

"Yeah," she said weakly.

Tommy felt her forehead. She was as hot as lava and drenched in sweat. He sat up carefully and found the matches and candle. She looked pale, even in the puddle of soft yellow light. He quickly laid her down then examined her foot. Despite the elevation, it had continued to swell. The skin was so tight it had torn in a few places and was weeping a clear, sticky fluid. He moved over and found the painkillers and some water. "Here, take these," he said feeling hopeless. He was worried about dehydration and infection. He helped her take the tablets, then settled her back on the mattress.

As he sat beside her he glanced at his watch. It was nearly eight o'clock. The cave-in had been about two in the afternoon and Jones had left about three o'clock. So if he had taken the eight hours he thought then he should have reached the entrance by about eleven o'clock. To raise the alarm and assemble rescuers Tommy allowed three hours. So if it then took the six to eight hours to get back they should see help arrive within the next few hours.

Tommy turned to Barbara and relayed his logic. "It will all be over very soon Barbara. Just hang on and don't lose hope."

"I haven't," she groaned through gritted teeth, "but I wish they would hurry."

Anxious to do something Tommy studied the map Jones had left him. About a hundred yards down the track was a storeroom, first aid room, and tramway office. "Barbara there's a first aid room shown on the map. I'm going to go down and look. They might have something I can use to make you more comfortable."

Barbara gripped his arm hard. Her nails dug into his flesh. "Don't leave me, Tommy."

He put his hand over hers. "Okay. I'll stay. I won't go anywhere."

He stripped off his coat and shirt then removed his singlet. After a quick sniff to check it was relatively clean he wrapped it carefully around her ankle. He put his shirt back on but was amused that even in her weakened state she was watching him carefully. He sat down and let her rest his head in his lap while he sponged her face with his handkerchief. It was an agonising wait. Every time he checked his watch the hand had only crept a few minutes further around the dial. He fed her some chocolate and ate some himself. He was not hungry but he knew he needed to stay healthy and alert.

"Tell…me…a…story."

He panicked slightly. He did not know any stories. Instead, he started to tell her about growing up at Howenstowe. He talked about learning to ride and how when he was nine he had hidden meat in his grandmother's fur coat to upset a fox hunt, only to learn that the hunt was in name only and that the dogs were trained to follow a scent that had been laid by the estate's manager about half an hour before the riders set off. His action had created chaos and he had been banished to his room by his bemused father who had to explain to his guests why their hunt was being called off.

Barbara laughed softly and encouraged him to tell more stories. By four o'clock he was out of stories about Cornwall, Eton, and Oxford. She was feeling a little stronger and sat up for a while. Tommy spread the cards in front of them in a classic Solitaire formation. "You make the calls and I'll move the cards."

"Okay. Three of hearts onto four of spades."

After six games that all ended up in stalemates Barbara put her hand on Tommy's arm. "They're not coming for us are they Tommy?"