The expected showdown had only been avoided because when Lucas had knocked on Ruth's front door, Malcolm had had the foresight to keep the curtains closed. What happened after that, was decided during a three-way conversation between Malcolm, Harry and Alec which had seen Malcolm and Caroline packing their things and leaving via the back gate, before driving down to Malcolm's cottage on the South Coast. Whilst Harry and Alec, just to be sure that they both knew what the other was doing, which for Alec had been get confirmation that he could take whatever route he saw fit and no matter what the outcome, he would get Harry's backing, which given that less than a week ago he had been wallowing in self-pity and alcohol, was not only a huge boost to his confidence but to his bank balance. The subtext being that Alec had the job for as long as he wanted it, because unless something went spectacularly wrong with Harry's and Ruth's relationship, during what was not only a holiday but a house hunting trip, the chances of them returning to London any time soon, was about as likely as the sun not setting at the end of the day.

The sum-total of which meant that when Lucas walked onto the grid midway through the morning expecting to see Harry sitting behind his desk, his reaction was not only one of surprise, but suggested by his expression that he knew needed to change tack.

That he was up against a better opponent because Alec was well ahead in his planning, as were the members of his team, prevented him from taking the initiative, whereas it allowed Alec to slot into the same roll which Harry had all those years ago by saying, 'I'm Alec White your new boss.' Quickly followed by a firm handshake which implied he was pleased to meet him.

Unlike Lucas, who despite asking, 'Why? Where's Harry? Is he alright?' Had the face of a man who was lacking in sincerity and then some. That he was also being made to stand rather than sit on the chair which almost certainly had Ruth's name on it, was because Alec had strategically moved to the other side of the room.

More than that it allowed him to say, 'right as rain when I last saw him, but then who wouldn't be in his position?'

'Which is?'

'On holiday for the next couple of weeks.'

'Do we know where?'

As tempted as he was to suggest that as Lucas was the senior field officer on the grid then surely he must know where Harry has gone, the need to maintain the fiction that he himself had only been drafted in as a last-minute replacement won out. As did his response in that it provoked a look of satisfaction when he said, 'not the precise location no, but one of the Greek Islands was mentioned. I mean what bloke would turn down the chance of couple of weeks in the sun with the lovely Ruth?'

.

At the same time as Alec was not only steering Lucas in the wrong direction, but keeping him occupied until the others arrived, which was when he really intended getting under his skin to the point where he would either storm out again or pretend that he was happy to role his sleeves up and work under a man he had only just met, Harry and Ruth were driving down a quiet lane which led to a property called Dove Cottage.

Not that there was evidence of doves or roses around the door, but then given it was November they were grateful that the rain which had been forecast had been replaced by warm sunshine. Added to which and more than made up for the lack of bird song and rose petals, was that there was an uninterrupted view of the sea.

Which meant that when they parked up next to the only other car which belonged to Natalie the estate agent, a sense of space and calm were their overriding emotions. In sharp contrast to the woman herself, who not only had the keys and a file containing the required paperwork, but a harassed look which suggested that she hoped that Mr. and Mrs. Pearce from Salford, would as they had at the previous property make a quick decision, but in this case a positive one.

Unable to shake hands, 'I think this might suit you better,' she told them, referring to what had been a cottage with a green front door on the Suffolk Norfolk border. Which on paper had looked fine, but on viewing had been much smaller than the details suggested. Far too small when two became three or even four they had said, meaning Malcolm or even Malcolm with Caroline when they came to visit, but had provoked a look of barely contained surprise from Natalie, who had assumed they were planning to start a family.

Only to hear it confirmed when she came up with the news that, 'the owner of this particular property although he was eager to sell, wanted it to go to someone who was genuinely looking for a quiet life and not somewhere to let off steam.'

Prevented from saying 'do we really look like the sort of a couple who hold wild parties or are trying for a baby?' because Ruth was giving Harry a look which said 'please don't' they were presented with the good news that 'if they liked it enough to want to buy it and signed the appropriate paperwork to say that as soon as they found a buyer for their own house that they would be able to proceed without taking out a mortgage, she would take it off the market as of now. Along with the additional bonus that until that happened, Mr. Hopton the owner was more than happy for them to rent it.'

But before either of them could say thank you and could they please see inside, Natalie was verbally up and running again. This time looking at her watch and apologising by saying 'she was running late and if they didn't mind, she'd have to leave them to it.' But not before telling them that 'if they wanted to meet Mr. Hopton, then the best place to find him on a Friday evening was in The Pig and Whistle. Which in contrast to the name, was if they needed somewhere to spend the night, a very respectable pub which served good food.'

.

If Harry and Ruth's day had gone quickly, Malcolm's once he and Caroline had arrived and sorted themselves out, had consisted of a lot of clockwatching until the prearranged time when he was going to ring them and ask if they had found somewhere that they liked?

That it coincided with them relaxing in their bedroom having booked a table for dinner, or more precisely when Harry was stretched out on the bed and Ruth was lying in the bath, both of them attempting to come down off the ceiling where they've been residing since the hour or so that they'd spent looking around the house and garden, unable to believe how lucky they were to have found a house that they both loved, was in this instance timed to perfection.

'And your letter to the Home Secretary?' asked Malcolm of Harry, because as much as he was interested in hearing the merits of Dove Cottage and the surrounding countryside, Ruth being out of earshot, gave him the opportunity to find out how much if anything Harry has told her.

That Alec has been given free rein by which to haul Lucas in, with the proviso that any hurt which is inflicted will be mental not physical, Ruth knows. As she does that Harry has written a letter which Alec is going to deliver on his behalf. A letter which will provide the Home Secretary with evidence to see Lucas decommissioned, based on the events of the previous few weeks which has led Harry to believe that Lucas is planning to get back at him through her.

But what neither she or Malcolm know, or that Harry has based his decision not to tell her on his past record. The most recent let down being his botched proposal, is that the final paragraph contains his resignation. The reason being that when he does tell her, he wants to do so without the shadow of their past hanging over them, and is why he intends telling her after they've walked through the door of what will be their forever home in the morning.

Which is as good a reason as any he thinks to say, 'we'll call you tomorrow evening and let you know how our day has gone,' to the man who has backed them from day one and as such will always be part of their future together.