Unlike the previous morning, when Ruth wakes up there is no need for her to ask why Harry has brought her a cup of tea or if what happened the previous night after they had come to bed is just a dream, because as both her mind and body are testifying it had been wonderful. The final door having been opened by an act of pure love intermingled with exquisite moments that had felt as natural as it is to breathe.
'What time do we need to leave?' he asks her, cutting into her thoughts by sitting down on the side of the bed and kissing her. Before effectively preventing a repeat performance of the previous night by reminding her that they are walking to the market because they need bread and fresh veg, which as it opens at eight and closes at twelve means they need to get going. A morning during which in addition to shopping Ruth is longing for Harry to get an insight into what life in a French village consists of. What has brought her here. How simple and uncomplicated it is and has been for generations of families, and in the case of their village, even in the height of the holiday season when Brits in their thousands cross the channel in search of sun sea and surf, they pass by without so much a glance.
'Five minutes ago,' she says heading into the shower, before adding, 'we can have breakfast when we get there,' because Harry has followed her in and is shaving. Another on the rapidly reducing list of things that up until the last few days she has only imagined.
.
When they do finally leave the house well wrapped up against the damp rather than the cold along what is a familiar path to Ruth, it is the contrast in the scenery which Harry notices. Wide open spaces so unlike the day when they had walked to the church and back under overhanging trees behind which had been woodland. The canal twisting and turning before giving up its secrets whereas in this direction once they have walked for what he estimates to have been for about fifteen minutes it is spanned by not just one but two stone bridges but with no indication as to where they lead. Only for Adam to choose what is a well – timed moment to make the call given that there is nobody other than Ruth to hear the conversation.
Ignoring his concern that had he not been with her, Ruth would have continued to walk along here on her own, 'do you know where Mace is?' he asks.
To which Adam can only respond by saying, 'we honestly don't know.'
Tempted to ask what they have been doing, Harry reminds himself that it had been his decision to walk away so instead confirms that when he and Martin last met, which was before he had left London for a quieter life in Dorset, it had been in Greenwich Cemetery on the fifth anniversary of his wife's death. Which not only leads him to realise that given where he is that he and Martin are not dissimilar in their lifestyle choices, but to ask Adam how his friend is coping having not seen him for the last couple of years?
Not expecting Adam to say, 'I have no idea what age he is but this business with Mace has really shaken him,' and Harry who is only a few years younger than Martin turns to Ruth for an answer.
Compassion which runs through Ruth more than anyone he has ever known or perhaps having seen his expression, 'why don't we book him into the hotel in the village so that we can look after him?' Is the perfect suggestion.
One which once Adam has spoken to Malcolm who says that he is more than happy to drive and stay with Martin for what Adam estimates will be a maximum of three nights beforehand and three after the proposed meeting, will allow Ros, Zaf, Jo and Adam himself to deal with Mace as they see fit without the added responsibility of keeping Martin safe.
Not wanting to leave it there, 'I don't need to know what you have planned for Mace, but you do need to tell the Home Secretary,' Harry tells him.
Only for Adam to respond by saying, 'enjoy your day and love to Ruth,' which Harry knows is what he would have said had their roles been reversed.
What none of them voice, is that yet again and so soon after Collingwood and Myers, Harry has again become a target. A fact Ruth buries along with all the other negatives that have prevented them from reaching this point, as opposed to the positive that seeing Malcolm again and meeting Martin for the first time.
A feeling which they both carry forward into breakfast in a what is a crowded café, overlooking the square which is teeming with people. Where a much calmer Harry is marvelling yet again how at home Ruth looks in these surroundings despite not knowing anyone which she assures him will change if they come here on a regular basis. Only for a table by the window to empty which enables him to see beyond the stalls to where the Town Hall with the French flag hanging proudly over the entrance, next to which is the small hotel where they need to book two rooms
That done as a priority and with the bread, veggies and fish which hadn't been on the list and more cheese bought for the simple reason that Harry let loose in a market is a new experience that is likely to double their weekly shopping bill such has been his enthusiasm, thinks Ruth, 'we'll need to broaden our horizon's when Martin's here,' she says. Which is why they go into the sell everything paper shop to find a guide book that will give them ideas as to where to take Martin without using the pin the tail on the donkey method.
'And eat out as often as we can,' adds Ruth as they set off for home, picturing two extra men in their tiny cottage one of which she is yet to meet, after they have dismissed as being totally inappropriate the idea of visiting a war graves cemetery or the clifftops overlooking the D Day landing beaches. Whereas if it had been just Malcolm who was coming here on holiday they would have done so and enjoyed it.
.
Sitting outside the Home Secretary's office with Harry's assurance that he will get the full backing of the man who is about to meet, Adam goes over the plan which to her credit Ros has devised. Helped in no small way by Ruth's suggestion that she and Harry take Martin out of the firing line whilst not forgetting that he still needs to choose his words carefully and be mindful that they will be carrying out an operation in what first and foremost is a sacred place.
A meeting that starts with a firm handshake and an enquiry as to how Harry and Ruth are and ends with a nod of approval. With the proviso that when they do catch Mace, whatever plans they have for him, will be enacted quietly and without a trail leading back to either the Home Office or the Security Services.
It is the quiet and the enormity of the cemetery which Ros, Jo and Zaf are pondering when Adam arrives with the news that they have been given the go ahead. The cover being limited to well-trimmed hedges bordering row upon row of gravestones each of which has the name or names of the deceased in what amounts to a library of books from the early days and now mercifully although it feels wrong somehow, on the computer in the office built into the arch at the entrance.
How on the day in question their plan which is to stage a mock funeral with enough people to distract Mace, will require a good deal of luck and their ability to find at least twenty people from their combined contacts who will be willing to take part, whilst sticking to the budget they can get away with without questions being asked.
'It could be a lot worse at least here we have a confined space in which to work,' says Adam, before listing the hundreds of other venues across London such as Whitehall and the Cenotaph, Museums, Art Galleries or even in a restaurant where Harry and Martin could have chosen to meet over the years.
'And Mace?' Asks Jo.
'Answers in a sealed envelope by the end of the day, or over drinks at the George this evening,' doesn't require a vote.