The news that a body had been found after an apparent suicide at a house in South East London would normally have made the tabloids if not the broadsheets. This time though because it was one of their own, the only member of the public to hear the news was the recently retired Section Head via his successor.
'How was he able to do it when he had been under house arrest and did apparent mean that in some way the service was involved?' Harry asked with little hope of getting an answer. More because he was disappointed than for any other reason, having been instrumental in ensuring that Lucas had the chance to rebuild his life. Whilst knowing that without a note being found, the sole reason that Alec was telling him was that he wanted him to know that Lucas no longer posed a threat.
In the same way that when he signed off by saying, 'if pressed to explain why I've called you, the only thing I will admit to, is that it was say how sorry I am that we didn't get the chance to have that farewell drink.'
Which was fine and exactly how Harry would have handled the situation had their rolls been reversed. What wasn't was that he would eventually have to tell Ruth. Knowing when he did it would take her back to the morning when he had walked out of the house to meet Lucas, unarmed and in truth with no means to defend himself, when she had truly believed she would never see him again. A feeling that he remembers only too well from the day that she had sailed away from him. The difference being that he had been able to go back to Thames House and throw himself into his job surrounded by people who understood, whereas she had to make a life in the same way that he had envisaged Lucas doing.
Thoughts which are the reason is he takes a moment to re adjust not only his thinking but his expression and move on to what he has got control over. Which is to keep his most recent promise to lighten the load that falls on every household at Christmas time, whilst not forgetting those who unlike him will still be spending Christmas on their own.
Which today, having checked that they are open to the public, is to visit the plant nursery mentioned in the paperwork from the Land Registry. Any time left after that, including having lunch somewhere new to them and the fact that they are driving along winding roads with hedges that had been cut back in the autumn with Jacob clapping his hands in time with whatever Ruth has found on the radio to entertain him and Harry finds himself relaxing back into what is their new normal. Which of course includes Sally who had waved goodbye before disappearing upstairs with the vacuum cleaner and Graham in the opposite direction, intent on clearing a patch of pesky little brambles who despite Malcolm's efforts were still undermining the stone wall which on one side of the property marks the land boundary between them and their neighbours.
.
'The whole family were thrilled to bits when they heard you wanted to recreate the original garden,' says the twenty something enthusiastic Millie who is treating them like royalty in as much as they have been invited into the kitchen for a warm drink before they look at what to Ruth's more discerning eye will be a variety of plants that come under the heading of rare.
In the same way that when Harry had lifted Jacob out of the car, their young charge had gazed in wonder at the four massive greenhouses, which according to David who had met them, are essential in that they shelter the mature plants over winter, as well as bringing on the new ones.
The problem is that Harry sees it differently and feels as though he needs to prove that they are serious in what they were doing by saying, 'my son Graham is doing all the groundwork,' in response to Millie saying that what they are proposing is a large project.
Saved as he quite often is these days by Jacob who having finished his drink says, 'I've got a garden.'
Then we must look and see if there is anything you like,' says Millie, before suggesting they go back outside and saving what would have been disappointment in Jacob's case by pointing to a selection of ground spreading conifers which can be planted outdoors now.
Choosing the one that he likes, but not before he has walked up and then down a row of about thirty, which Harry silently acknowledges is the one he would have chosen, they say their thankyous and goodbyes. Only for Millie to produce a copy of a photograph of her great grandmother surrounded by a large group of children in what is now their garden, which by their smiles suggest that it had been a happy place to grow up.
A gesture which Harry acknowledges is kind. As he does the reason he has been overacting is because he is angry with Lucas. Something which will result in Ruth giving him a look or worse still ask the question. Which is why he takes another yet to be explored route to what is described in the local paper as store where not only will you get a friendly welcome, but everything to brighten up your home at Christmas. Which if you happen to be a recently retired member of the Security Services, or more precisely one who is going to spend your first Christmas in rural Norfolk, so the only view of the tree in Trafalgar Square will be on the TV when the lights were switched on, you might as well get one that is large enough to be dressed to impress. A title which also applies to the member of staff who greets them at the door dressed as an elf.
In the same way that the staff in the café where they have lunch are sporting red noses and antlers, which leads Jacob to believe that Santa is on his way so asks, 'is it tomorrow?' meaning Christmas Day.
'Not yet but it soon will be,' Ruth tells him, picking him up and following Harry in the direction of the trees.
Half an hour later because they are not alone in looking for a tree, in fact it feels as though the entire population of Norfolk has chosen this moment to do their Christmas shopping, they have also bought decorations which vary from, 'can you believe it' had been Harry's comment when Jacob had spotted a London bus along with the usual Santa on a sledge, a tractor covered in holly, assorted elves and reindeer and the obligatory set of lights.
What to buy Jacob for Christmas without overdoing it, is left to Ruth who eventually spots a set of child size garden tools and a wheelbarrow to match.
How to distract him she manages by saying, 'you go with Harry sweetheart, when the man who is carrying their tree out to the car appears. Before waiting until a beleaguered assistant who is happy to carry what is both a bulky and heavy box containing Jacob's present out to the car becomes free.
'Home,' says Jacob who by the time the tree is secured, the parcel which requires some rejigging so that his plant and the other things that they have bought fit in, is in his own little world and not surprisingly tired.
.
Not so Graham who having heard the car coming down the lane meets them at the door. Not only to ask how the trip to the plant centre has gone and to give them a hand carrying things in, but is eager to show them how much progress he himself has made in the garden. Considerable is Harry's opinion who once they find a spot outside to store the tree comes back indoors intent on having a quiet evening.
Only for Graham to tell him that he and Sally have had what he describes as a chat. One where he told her about his addiction and the rehab and in return, she told him about her marriage to Robbie. The upshot being that they are going to the pub this evening so, would he and Ruth look after Jacob? With the obvious but unspoken addition, that it will require him to have a sleepover.
'Yes,' says Harry, who despite having a couple of questions of his own, including will we see you later or are you planning on sleeping at Sally's? Remembers how earlier in the day he had been counting himself lucky that not only was Graham part of his and Ruth's new life but Sally as well.
Besides once he and Ruth have put Jacob to bed, they will have the house to themselves for and for first time since they came back from London and if he does want to talk about his concerns, who better to put his mind at rest than Ruth.