For Ruth to sleep beyond eight is not unheard of, or does Harry normally begrudge her the luxury. Today though when he plans to tell her that he's handed in his resignation, he needs the comfort that he knows interaction will bring. Encouraged by the fact that they have moved on from the days when saying or doing something would have caused a backward step, he opts for some over-zealous spoon rattling, along with a kiss and the offer to make her a cup of tea. After which he suggests that they miss breakfast in favour of going straight to the house.
Which as it turns out is a far better move than waking a sleep deprived Ruth after what had been a late night. Because this time when they drive down the lane on what promises to be another blue-sky November day, the sunrise over the sea, sets the scene not only for Harry's declaration but for the rest of the day.
The now overdue breakfast which Harry makes after they settle on toast and a second pot of tea, not very imaginative but until they do some serious food shopping, they eat at the table in the kitchen. On which is the recently signed paperwork along with a large bunch of flowers from Natalie. Which even without reading the attached card they know is almost certainly by way of an apology.
Because Mr. Hopton as they had found out the previous evening, throughout the meal and after several drinks which he himself had insisted paying for, despite Harry's protestations that they had a busy day ahead of them had seen them as a captive audience. Telling them how he had bought the house believing that his latest of what he had described as women he meets on dating sites, was going to move in with him. Only to find out at the last moment that she was taking advantage of his generosity and had no intention of staying.
That he had also been arrogant enough to think that Harry being a man would take pity on him and that Ruth should have lasted the distance, rather than excuse herself by saying she was tired and was going to bed, had been good enough reasons not to feel sorry for him. Now though when they are sitting in what had been his kitchen, the room which had been the deciding factor in buying the house, when he is leaving Norfolk, the fact that he still believes that the way to capture a woman's heart is to brag about his bank balance, is making them see things differently.
Not that thoughts of the former owner linger beyond them doing the washing up together, before they head out into the garden.
.
That it predominately faces east, so limits what they might or might not be able to replace in terms of plants or trees according to Ruth, is for Harry a self-proclaimed non gardener, albeit in this case one who is more than happy to roll up his sleeves and help, the obvious place to build a large covered patio from where they will have an uninterrupted view of the sea. That large when he comes to mention it, he knows will be reduced to sufficient for a table and chairs, as will be his suggestion that they limit their investigation of the various footpaths down to the beach to once or twice a week, he views as positive. Because for the first time in his life, he is in love with a woman who views what have been previously thrown at him as failings, as endearing.
Failings which are about to be put to the test because up until this moment Ruth has been picturing future visits here to be confined to the odd weekend and the occasional holiday. For the simple reason that not only hasn't he told her because he believes this to be the perfect place, but the narrative he's chosen he's based on what happened after Tom had shot him.
Which is why, 'remind me again what you said when you blagged your way into the hospital?' he asks her.
'That you were my boss and I was in love with you. That I was having your child,' is followed by an understandable look of confusion. After which, 'Harry, why have you just asked me a question that you know the answer to? Is this because Natalie got the wrong end of the stick?'
'Natalie, no this has nothing to do with Natalie. Or am I your boss.'
'I don't understand.'
Nor does Harry anymore, other than to know he should have come straight to the point, along with a romantic gesture which had been his intension. That and as the wind seems to have changed direction and it's started to rain, he needs to get a wriggle on.
'What I meant to say, as the man who loves you more than life itself, standing in what I believe is the right place and at the right time, is that I've handed in my resignation.'
When Ruth fails to respond other than to shiver, his immediate thought is that she hasn't heard what he's said. Only for him to see her expression despite the cold, change to one of acceptance that everything they had ever wanted is here in a garden that will come second only to him. And is why he tears off his jacket, closes the gap between them and wraps it around her.
'Does anyone else know?' she asks him, but not until they are back inside and having made a warm drink, are putting together a list together of things that they need to buy in advance of eventually moving what they have decided are essential from their homes in London. His music collection and her books. Family photos and the rest of their clothes. Because for all his faults, Mr. Hopton has furnished the house in a way that is in keeping with the three hundred years since it was built.
'The anybody I assume is Malcolm and in answer to your question no I haven't told him, because like you I want us to do that together.'
.
In the house which Beth and Dimitri are currently renting, an altogether different plan is being put in place. Not without a certain amount of discomfort in that they are discussing the downfall of one of their own, whilst planning to protect two others who on the back of Harry's declaration have abandoned their list making in favour of heading upstairs. That Beth has so far been the most vocal in the support of Alec's plan isn't surprising, given that she's inclined to tell it as it is, or that her responses so far have been delivered with language to suggest that if Lucas so much as lays a finger on her, he will regret the day he was born.
In contrast to Dimitri, who while he waits to hear what part Alec has got lined up for him asks, 'are you going to tell us where they really are or don't you know?'
To which Alec responds, 'pretend I'm Harry just for one moment.'
'That's a no then.'
That they have two weeks in which to dot the i's and cross the t's depends on two things. The first of which is that Lucas has bought the fiction, so now believes that Harry and Ruth are sunning themselves on a beach in Greece and secondly, in order to find out exactly where that is and the precise date of their return, he will check with the various airlines. Which is why Tariq has already been in touch with the security chief at Heathrow airport, who has added Mr. Harry Pearce and Miss. Ruth Evershed to their passenger flight manifesto for an outgoing flight from Rhodes to London. The theory being that Lucas will choose this moment to make his move.
'And in the meantime?' asks Beth.
'We get back to doing what we are paid to do and we do it well. As and when Lucas deigns to make an appearance, we include him. But without any comments to suggest that we think he's been having anything other than a bad week. Other than tomorrow morning, when you and I are going to pay a visit to the Home Secretary.'