Arthur went to speak to Merlin and approved the final design. Merlin threw the charger as Arthur watched and filmed it on his mobile as an extra present for his mother. Once Merlin had finished the charger and placed it on one of the trolleys to dry before carving, he threw a few small pots to show Arthur. He then spent some time talking to the team about designs to paint ion them before going back up to the office. All in all he felt he had had a productive day.

Over the next few days Gwaine did a stock take and sent the figures of the Arthur and Leon. The day after Arthur's visit Percy arrived for his 'interview' with Gwaine, and was 'employed' as store security to help the present two man team. Percy soon found out that the system was lax at best and if not lax then criminally negligent. As he was new it was clear the other two didn't trust him so with Arthur permission he set a trap. He was working with one of the men and made sure he was seen openly ignoring a shop lifter. The fact that it was Mary who was his sister wasn't known and made no difference. He also made sure that he was seen at lunchtime with Mary out on the Quay where he kissed her before she got in a car and drove off.

The next morning the other security man was talking to Percy and was clearly sounding him out. "The money's crap in this job so we have to find ways of making a bit more."

Percy snorted "I was hoping to get more I admit, I thought perhaps it was probationary pay. I have to work two nights a week as a doorman to make ends meet."

"Nope this is it, look you seem like a nice guy. We lock up at nights and set the alarms, if there's anything you fancy then let me know and we can see if we can get it out for you" Valiant hoped that Percy would go along as once he was involved it would make it easier to continue their operations. Also if it looked like anyone was getting suspicious they could make sure Percy got all the blame.

Percy looked sceptical "What good would that do, I don't know anyone that collects this stuff it's too expensive for my mates"

"I know where you can shift it on, we have a dealer who sells it in London" Valiant said realising he had hooked the big man. It seemed to Valliant that the bigger the bloke the thicker they were.

So over the next couple of evenings the two men snuck several items of pottery out of the shop. Then on the next night Kanen, the other security guard, was on duty and he helped the other man get stuff out. Percy had only been there two weeks and he had found out that both of the security team were thieves now he needed the dealer who was selling it. So imagine his surprise when he saw the dealer, even if the man hadn't seen him. He recognised the man so he was able to report to Arthur. The time the two men were on duty together Arthur arranged for the police to be at the door. They caught the two men and at the same time the dealer was raided and stolen items removed from his London Shop.

The day after the arrests Percy took up the post as security at the Pottery and started advertising for staff. The police found that the dealer had been stocking his shop with stolen goods from the pottery for over a year. The dealer was a man who had worked for Arthur in the past and had been sacked for dishonesty and set up a shop in the capital. He had no idea his old boss now owned the Pottery or he would have stopped the minute the company changed hands.

Percy had already been an instant hit with the ladies and now was even more popular. He started to reorganise the measures for the shop. With new camera systems and protocols for staff that suspected theft. He was a very quiet spoken man but when he did speak people learnt to listen. Like all the new management he found the studio team a good gang and could be found down at that end of the shop in his free time. It was soon clear he had an extra interest other than the pottery. Especially when he was seen walking the sea front with Freya on their days off. This also came to the attention of Merlin who asked to speak to Percy one day.

"Percy I like you but Freya is like a sister to me, if you hurt her I will hurt you is that clear! Don't play around with her, if you aren't serious back off now" Merlin didn't seem to realise the incongruousness of the situation. Percy was much larger than him and far more muscular. Yet Merlin was stood there threatening the big man.

Percy smiled "I don't know where we are going Merlin, but I won't hurt her I promise"

"Well just remember that" Merlin said before he walked of not realising he had been heard and seen. Gwaine walked up to his old friend. Percy blushed his secret was now out. Gwaine could never keep his mouth shut and it was clear he had heard.

"I've seen everything now Perc, you could eat Merlin for breakfast."

Percy looked at Gwaine "He might be weedy looking but I wouldn't underestimate him, I think he would be a great friend but a bad enemy. Not that I think he has any, but I wouldn't want to be the first. He's a good man"

Gwaine looked at Percy in wonder "That's more than I've ever heard you say at one time! Mind you I think you might be right, you are about the fact that he's a good bloke. Come on I'll buy you a coffee and you can tell me all about your Freya. I must admit I've missed her but Elena is nice. I did flirt with Gwen one day but her brother caught me. What is it with these Potters, protective or what!"

"They need to be with you around!" Percy grinned.

Things slowly settled down and people were feeling more secure in their jobs. The internet sales had been set up and the new team were happy with that. The local radio and TV stations had been for a visit and Arthur's face was seen around. As often as he could he included Merlin and his team, saying they were the pottery. Both Sophia and Vivienne were still on the tills but were having to be careful as they were both on a warning about their attitudes and work. Both believed it was Merlin's fault and hated him more than before. The fact that he seemed to be getting on well with the new management wasn't going down at all well.

Merlin and the team were now producing the small pieces and they were selling well. The charger for their boss's mother was nearly complete, and was just waiting its final firing. One morning Arthur arrived for what had now become weekly visits. He walked straight down to the studio area. "Hello Merlin. I intend to bring my mother down next Monday will the charger be ready?"

Merlin grinned "It will its going in the kiln today. When is Mrs Pendragon's birthday?"

"Monday and by the way its Lady Pendragon, not that she would mind, but if my father ever heard you he wouldn't be amused. Ever since he was knighted he likes to use the title." Arthur secretly thought it was pretentious of his father.

"Oh Sorry" Merlin spluttered.

"Don't be, he only got it in the New Year's Honours list, don't worry"

Merlin showed Arthur the charger "It will look better after the firing" he explained.

"It looks great now, thank you all. Who will be here on Monday? Mother doesn't know we are coming here yet but I know she would like to meet you all."

"Gwen, Mithian, Freya and Elyan but I could come in if you wanted and I'm sure Elena would" Merlin told his boss. "I've got to come into town anyway and Elena only lives down the road. By the way Elyan did some of the carving with me. So all of us did something on it. The first time ever we've all worked on the same piece" Once Merlin had put the charger down safely Arthur asked him if he would go up to the office with him.

Merlin cleaned his hands and followed his boss up to the office. After he sat down Arthur told him what was happening. "We start work next Tuesday on the work on the studio area. I need to know if the kilns can be off and cold on the Thursday as the workers need to be in that area."

"No problem, how long for?"

"A couple of days. Your work stations will be moved one by one during the next couple of weeks as work progresses. The men have been told to cooperate with you and let you know in advance about what they are doing and to work around you, let Gwaine know if there are problems. What about dust, how will that effect the decorating?"

"It will but perhaps if there is too much the girls could work elsewhere in the building?" Merlin suggested

"No problem, if there are days when you can't work then take the time off with pay, I will leave you to organise that with Gwaine. Some work will be done at night, but then Percy will have a team in to safeguard your work." Arthur paused before adding "Merlin I just want to say thank you for your suggestions and help with all this. Your contributions have helped enormously"

Merlin looked uncomfortable "Look the ideas were all of ours I was just the mouth piece."

"Then I will thank you all later, but as team leader I know you deserve the thanks I'm giving you. The Pottery is lucky to have you on board."

Merlin didn't realise how rare such praise was from Arthur Pendragon. But he did know it was the first time he had felt appreciated by management for years. "Thank you for listening, now Sir is that all, only I need to throw a couple of commissions for Gwen."

"Yes it is, and remember call if you have problems" Arthur watched Merlin walk away and felt pleased he had got such a man on his team. He just wished he could get to know him better. But he seemed closed off, professionally he couldn't be more helpful but the man behind the potter was still a mystery.