'We're driving down this afternoon but I don't intend seeing Lucas until at least Friday,' Harry told Alec.

'You're bringing Ruth with you?'

'You bring children Alec. Ruth and I come as a pair or not at all. Besides there are some books that she wants to bring back along with my music collection. I trust nothing was damaged yesterday evening?'

'Only Lucas's left eye when he made the mistake of calling Beth a bitch.'

'Good because I need someone, preferably Beth, to make sure that there is no evidence of what took place.'

'Consider it done.'

'Thank you. But before you I let you get back to saving the world how is Lucas?'

'Still weaving a web behind our backs which Dimitri can explain better than I can. I know you were probably planning a quiet evening but I think it would be to everyone's advantage if he pops round to see you after work.'

'Fine,' said Harry when it wasn't.

The drive down was pleasant enough. They chatted about everything and anything apart from the real reason that they were going until they pulled up outside Ruth's house. That Beth had been willing was the best Harry could come up with, in as much as it was spotlessly clean, there was a bunch of flowers on the table in the kitchen, a couple of sturdy boxes for Ruth's books and a note to say that she and Dimitri would be popping in around six say hello. In contrast to Ros thought Harry who had she been asked the same question would have told him exactly where to stick the broom handle.

There though the levity which had been keeping him going ended. Because not wanting to worry Ruth in advance of Dimitri explaining what Alec had meant by Lucas still weaving a web, he had kept it to himself. Which meant that he hated himself for walking back into his former life and worst still having to pretend everything was alright, by saying, 'nor do I,' after Ruth said, 'I don't feel so bad now that we're actually here.'

A sentiment that in his case hit highs and lows in equal measure and with alarming frequency after Dimitri and Beth eventually arrived, apologising for being late and after saying how well they both looked and the customary shaking of hands, they all sat down with cups of tea or coffee which Ruth had made without needing to ask who wanted what.

'Last night went to plan as far as we were concerned. But we think Lucas probably knew that you would have told us not to put him in a cell and when he said he wanted to speak to you that you would agree to come Harry,' said Dimitri. 'The thing is and here is where it gets complicated, your son rang Thames House this morning because someone claiming to be Malcolm had rung him to say that you had been involved in an accident. When Graham asked him what sort of accident, Lucas and it has to have been Lucas, told him it wasn't something he could discuss over the phone so they needed to meet. Anyway, Alec handed it over to me being closer to Graham's age and I met him a couple of hours ago and assured him you were OK. Look I know this is one hell of lot to take on board Harry, but you, Graham and I need to have a meeting tomorrow to decide how we are going to play this and before you say anything, Graham is up for it. Including wearing a wire so that I will be able to hear the conversation. In the meantime, this is Graham's number and he likes Thai food by the way.'

.

'Harry, Graham was concerned enough to ring Thames House and whatever he said was enough that he got put through to Alec,' was Ruth's attempt to get Harry to see that whatever Lucas was planning was outweighed by the fact that Graham had been worried about him.

'Why Graham?'

'Because Catherine is out of the country? Because Lucas views Graham as vulnerable and easy to manipulate. Who knows? What matters now, is that Dimitri gave you his number, he even told you what Graham's favourite food is. What more do you need?'

'Time to get my breath back, a quick shower and another cup of coffee.'

'And then you'll ring Graham?'

'Yes.'

Twenty minutes later all thought of Lucas and what might happen was replaced by the fact that Graham answered his phone the second that Harry rang asking if he could come and see them. Which meant that Dimitri had told him what apart from the fact there was a them. Either way when the doorbell rang, the once head of the country's Counter Terrorism Section walked down the hallway with an expression to suggest that he thought the end was nigh. Which it was in as much as the last fifteen years peeled away on a sea of emotion, far greater than when he had reconciled with his daughter when an apology from Graham came by way of a hug.

Ruth who had been hanging back, Norfolk would have been better than just inside the kitchen but beggars couldn't be choosers, was rewarded with an expression so reminiscent of Harry when Graham shook her hand and said he was pleased to meet her, that they knew whatever Dimitri had said it had been without the usual close to the edge comments or calling her Evershed. Including leaving it to them to tell Graham that not only had Harry retired but that they were living in Norfolk. Not though until they had finished dinner when Ruth insisted that she would wash the dishes and tidy up, did Harry fill in the missing details.

'When and why, I've never been to Norfolk?' asked an astounded Graham on the first count and curious about the second.

To which Harry replied by saying, 'can we leave the when until Dimitri's here tomorrow because it was prompted by Lucas's behaviour. As for the why, it was the house not Norfolk itself that we fell in love with although that also gets a hold on you after a while. Anyway, the house is at the end of a quiet lane with large garden and within walking distance of the village and the sea.'

'A large garden. But you hate gardening Dad.'

'Not this garden I don't and before you say that you can't believe what you're hearing, you need to come and see what Ruth and I are planning.'

'I was winding you up Dad. Dimitri made it clear how happy you and Ruth are. I think he thought I needed convincing. Maybe I did, but having seen you together, well it speaks for itself.'

'Then help me to steer the conversation away from what might happen on Friday by keeping the banter going. Lucas targeted Ruth to get to me and along with all the other things which have seen him getting ahead of the game he probably knew it would end in failure. In our work life Ruth was my senior analyst and there is no one better than she is at piecing things together. Including that Lucas has somehow found out about our history, yours and mine and will use this to drive a wedge between us by telling some truths which will shock you. Being a spy occasionally requires you to do things that in the real world would be seen as criminal. They tell you that when you sign up can you believe. But what I'm really trying to say, is that I'd like the three of us to talk about normal things such as what you're doing with your life and my newly discovered love of gardening and not about what has brought us back to London.'

'I can handle it Dad, I wouldn't be here otherwise and besides who else is going to help you with the garden?