Sorry for the gap in publishing. My original intention was to have a chapter with various conversations but an early draft of monster length made that unviable so I had to re thing and re write. Anyway here is the first conversation with more to follow. My thanks to my readers for their patience and of course the reviews I received were much appreciated.

Alexis appeared to have slept well, which was more than Harry could boast. Still courtesy of Her Majesty's Secret Service coping on roughly three hours sleep had been par for his particular course for more years, and more reasons, than he cared to recall. He was however somewhat less practised in the art of answering awkward questions in the environs of his own kitchen diner while trying to digest his the morning muesli. After politely thanking his reluctant host for his hospitality Alexis had, in an admittedly diffident tone, almost inevitably enquired,

"Did you decode the letter?"

Harry was currently occupied with the coffee pot, given that black coffee was a necessary preparation prior to embarking on a conversation that definitely came under the heading of awkward. A conversation to be partnered with that further well known spook term 'requires redacting'. Pushing a mug of said coffee towards his guest he waved a hand over the cereal and responded with "Food first." An action that bought him a few moments time while he decided what exactly to reveal.

Alexis, while following instructions, was shooting suspicious glances at Harry. Fobbing off not being an option Harry pulled on the old adage of sticking to the truth as near as damn it.

"You'll be please to know that Ilya intends to join you in London."

So far so true, although Alexis, after digesting a mouthful of coffee and cereal, continued his interrogation.

"But why send me to you and why did I have to travel on my own?"

Two obvious questions to which Harry had prepped answers.

"In Ilya's judgement Putin is becoming more suspicious by the day of Western plots and influences. If the pair of you travelled together that might ring his alarm bells, but you travelling on your own, while Ilya remained behind looked less suspect, at least until you crossed the border. "

Alexis was still wrinkling his brow in understandable puzzlement. With a sigh Harry tried to explain, while attempting to avoid reopening a tidal wave of memories regarding the estuary events.

"Your mother proved to be …." Only to be halted by Alexis breaking in impulsively,

"I knew nothing about that and neither did my father."

Harry sighed, "I know that and so does my government, but the fact remains that Ilya was married to her for years. I suspect that while Putin originally believed that Ilya had been duped he is now reconsidering, especially given your father's increasing pivot to business interests in the West."

While Alexis was digesting these words Harry took advantage of the pause to add, "Ilya wanted you out because he thought you might be held hostage as a means of forcing him to ….well you're ex FSB so you should know. "

Alexis had stopped eating, his normally pale skin turning a chalky white as he began to shudder. Harry despite all the past history, which he was struggling to suppress in its entirety, was feeling some sympathy with the young man. It also confirmed his view that Alexis had suffered enough emotional damage stemming from the Cold War intrigues of his two fathers and bitch of a mother. Unless or until circumstances changed, for the present the revelation of Alexis' true parentage would remain a secret between himself and Ilya. Harry was honest enough with himself to admit that this conclusion was also convenient. At some point in the future the truth must be told but not now, not when Alexis had just managed to struggle back into coping with some semblance of normal life.

"So why send me to you Harry after…" Alexis very warily said her name, "Ruth."

Another piece of vital information to be redacted, at least until Ilya arrived, paving his welcome with the promised Intel.

Fortunately Harry had an acceptable reply at the ready. "Because only Ilya, myself, you, my Senior Team, including a retired Intelligence officer and the Home Secretary really know what happened." Mentally adding to himself, "and Ruth possibly or possibly not."

Alexis was staring at him as Harry added, "The official story was that Ruth accidentally tripped and impaled herself on some old military equipment and your leg was damaged when you fell over trying to pull her to safety. Your mother, while we were occupied with those injuries, hung herself."

Alexis was now swapping puzzlement for incredulity, "And that was believed!"

"Of course it was. The paperwork confirmed it."

Not keen on the notion of allowing further discussion on this dubious assertion Harry hurriedly changed the topic towards current day events.

"When we arrive at Thames House we'll going into one of the coffee rooms."

Alexis stared at him with a 'what the Hell face'. Harry relenting smiled before explaining further, "It's what we call the rooms where we interview or discuss security issues with those not allowed into the Section areas – for example Parliamentary advisors." A tribe that Harry made a point of confusing, confounding and generally consigning to the devil, in lieu of his personal preference to direct the self important pests into the basement holding cells.

Continuing his theme Harry added, "I'll send one for my officers, Sam Armitage, he's about your age, a recent appointment and therefore.."

Alexis finished the sentence for him, "Knows nothing other than the unsubstantiated gossip."

Harry had to admit that whatever the drugs regime Alexis had been subjected to it clearly hadn't addled his wits.

"Quite. From Thames House the pair of you will move to a safe house until Ilya arrives. After that it depends on what exactly is underlying your quick, and I have to say, risky extraction from Russia."

Alexis processing this statement asked nervously, "And if he doesn't make it out?"

Harry gave a genuine smile, "I have every faith that he will succeed, Ilya was one of the best agents Russia ever had. I know, l've a couple of scars to prove the fact." Allowing Alexis a second to consider this statement he added, "In the event of your father failing he advised that he had made arrangements for your maintenance and trusts me to see them through."

Alexis was looking perplexed, "But after what really happened?"

Harry understood concern but he as he'd already decided for the present that he could not tell Alexis the truth the whole truth and nothing but the convoluted truth he fell back onto the earlier topic, "Because of that. I'm one of the few people who really knows what happened and why."

Alexis was just opening his mouth to ask questions when Harry's mobile buzzed. Glancing at it – saved by the ringtone, he advised Alexis,

"My driver is outside so drink up. It's time to go to Thames House."

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