Where or when Harry has heard or read the phrase 'she is the structure around which the rest of my life will be built' he can no longer remember, but in a house which is so much smaller than either of theirs had been, Ruth's every interaction Wes, together with what Adam had said is making it impossible to shift. In the same way that surprise which up until recently had at best seen him receiving a kick up the proverbial or at worst being told that another in the long line of colleagues has been dispatched by whichever bastard had seen fit to end their lives, now when they are sticking to what is familiar with Wes strapped into the back of the car and the radio on, turning onto the narrow road to the car park on the headland where they had taken Malcolm and Martin, is highlighting the contrast between that day and this.
That it had been at a time when Mace had still been at large, Martin stating that he wanted to go home, had turned what had been a relaxing morning into one of disquiet. Something which at first glance suggests will be repeated when they park up to be confronted by what looks as though they have gate crashed a child's birthday party given that they seem to outnumber the adults. Until there is a knock on the car window by someone he recognises as wearing a uniform sporting the badge of the UK's equivalent of the air ambulance, who explains in perfect English that for one day only, not only can children eat as much as they like for nothing, but will be able to enjoy once he and Ruth take in the surroundings what are marquees set up with stalls and a miniature fun fare. Added to which around lunchtime according to the leaflet he has been handed, the highlight of the day will be a hot air balloon race that will fly directly over the field.
That another man who is approaching clearly hoping for a contribution given that he is carrying a tin, is oblivious to the fact that during Harry's years in the army and more recently in the security services, means he's aware how vital the air ambulance is when it comes to saving lives, isn't something which is lost on Ruth and despite the event being set up to raise money, it has is in every respect been designed so that children who are the future will enjoy themselves. Which in their case sees them looking at each other as though a miracle of biblical proportions has been performed, given Wes's expression of pure joy.
Needing a drink, something that Wes politely refuses when they find a seat outside one of the smaller marquees, is because there is an upmarket version of a helter-skelter within spitting distance. One which when they give him the nod with the suggestion that he takes care, within moments of joining the queue of children waiting sees him and the boy in front of him chatting. Presumably in Franglais if the arm waving is anything to go by which finally allows them a moment on their own.
A very short one as it turns out when what in Harry's mind is a very attractive blonde given his expression and in Ruth's case a distraction which she is prepared to accept, because after all Harry is a man, introduces herself as Marianne the mother of the boy who with mat in hand has just disappeared into the top of the tower with Wes in tow. Before accepting Harry's offer to buy her a coffee because whatever else Harry might be thinking he is a gentleman. After which the conversation which follows, is for obvious reasons one that he can only get the gist of such is the speed at which Ruth and their recently acquire companion are talking. One that mercifully comes to an end when Wes looking every bit the image of Adam appears not to be able to see them having presumably had enough descending from a great height. Giving them a much-needed excuse to say their goodbyes and link up with the child who over the course of the conversation has propelled himself down the slide with courage worthy of his parents.
At which point, 'why don't you and Uncle Harry go and sit in the car while I go and get us some lunch, just in case the balloons arrive early,' suggests Ruth, who want's Wes to see the less serious side of Harry but with his feet firmly on the ground. The fun uncle who will teach him tricks, how to play cricket and hopefully if the tide is out tomorrow the joy of being at the seaside. As opposed to making sure that he is warm enough, has cleaned his teeth or decide if there is something which is playing on his mind.
Thoughts which are overtaken and nearly sees her dropping their ham salad baguettes and one of those cardboard cartons with their drinks when she is heading towards the car because out of nowhere an air ambulance helicopter does a circle of the field before landing in the centre, such is the noise. Followed a few moments later by which time she has almost reached the car are the first of the balloons. More than that though, it is the sight of a smiling Harry lifting Wes up so that he can get a better view which cements what she has always believed, that the Harry she knows and loves had been a far better father to his own children than he believes himself to have been.
To which she adds without a doubt when having added wood to the fire when they arrive home, he says, 'Wes and I are going to cook dinner tonight you go and put your feet up.'
.
Stepping away from the tried and tested on what is now day three of Wes's week with them, Harry having come downstairs to be told by Wes that his pictures are of what he wants to be when he grows up, which range from being a helicopter pilot, a hot air balloonist and someone who is going to appear on Master Chef, suggesting he'll be knackered by the end of the first week, sees them choosing a quiet village on the coast which has a more than acceptable café in that it has a vast menu from which to choose, a smattering of shops that are a far cry from those in Wimereux and a large sandy beach. The idea being that after the previous day it would be a good idea to show Wes somewhere which is more in tune with what they will eventually buy albeit somewhere yet to be decided.
Only to find out when Harry says, 'that was better,' when they arrive home after what has been a much more relaxing day, the real reason behind Wes's reaction after their leaving party, is that although Adam had told him that his mummy had died which had upset him, granny had told him she had gone to a better place. Which in Wes mind, meant they were going to wherever mummy was and he would never see them again.
Over to you said Harry's expression not wanting to go down the heaven's a lovely place route because he didn't believe it existed, despite imagining his own parents to be there which rather complicated things but also saw him spending the upcoming night on the camp bed because despite Ruth's efforts, they weren't sure that leaving Wes on his own would be in his best interest. In the same way that when Harry next saw Malcolm, he was going to say thank you very much but never again. Because not only did his back ache, but after two failed attempts to turn over without ending up on the floor he felt like the subject of three in a bed and the little one said.
Only for there to be a massive upturn in his mood when he took Ruth her morning cup of tea with Wes still asleep beside her, he turned on his phone to find a message from Andrew saying that not only had he found a buyer for his house, but it was someone who was in a hurry to seal the deal.
Which for them meant that they could start looking as of this moment and providing they got Adam's permission to take Wes with them and they found somewhere that they wanted to buy, he would know that their version of better was a positive one.