Chapter 5

It was clear at breakfast that Susie had not slept well if at all. Jenny was still with her. They ate their breakfast in silence. Susie only picked at hers. She was in no shape and far from her usual vibrant self.

As they drank their coffee Tom took her hand in his. "Susie," he said gently, "we've got to go and report this formally to Tony."

She nodded resignedly. He told her what he was going to suggest to Tony.

"OK," she said listlessly. "I just want to get away from this place."

At five to seven they got up from the table. "Can Jenny come too?" Susie asked.

"Yes of course."

Tom looked enquiringly at Jenny who nodded. The four of them walked across to Tony's office.

"I'll wait out here," said Bill.

Susie smiled gratefully at him.

Tony stood and came round from behind his desk when they walked in. He did not attempt to take Susie's hands. He looked sad and compassionate.

"I'm so sorry, Susie," said gently. "I really, really am."

She smiled back wanly. "Thank you, Tony."

"Right, sit yourselves down. Bill has given me an outline of what he understands happened. I don't want or need to go over it again. Andy Rivers attempted to rape Susie and was prevented from doing so by Tom. That is sufficient for me to send him home to face the wrath of the company and the enquiries of the police. Bill has told me, Tom, of the actions you were going to propose and if you, Susie, are happy I intend to take them."

Susie nodded.

"Right. Well in that case I am sure that you can't wait to get away from here. I'd like to thank you both for the help you've given us. It has been invaluable. I have the concrete contractor coming to see me later this morning. You will be able to see the outcome of our meeting when you go to the office on Monday morning. Thank you both very much indeed."

He stood.

"Just two things, Tony, if I may," said Tom. "First of all, have you any idea how he managed to unlock Susie's door."

"Yes. It appears that he used the trick of putting a piece of paper under the door below the lock and then pushing the key out so that it fell onto the paper and he was able to pull it under the door. We shall be changing all the locks immediately."

"I see. Thank you, Tony. The second thing is a little more tricky." He pulled his pistol and the magazine out of his pocket. "I smuggled these out here and I could try and take them back the same way. I just wondered though whether you could get them put in the diplomatic bag. If not could you get rid of them for me?"

Tony took the pistol. "I'll see what I can do," he said. He put it and the ammunition in the drawer of his desk.

He shook hands with them both and they and Jenny left.

"Goodbye, my dear," said Jenny to Susie and kissed her cheek. That was not enough for Susie who flung her arms round her.

"Thank you," she said. "I don't know what I'd have done without you."

Jenny smiled gently. "Continued to cling to Tom and embarrassed him no end, I should imagine."

Susie smiled back. Everyone was delighted to see it.

Bill had collected their bags from their rooms so they moved straight off to the helicopter and left for the airport.

Bill left them at the check-in. "Safe journey home," he said, "and thanks for your help. We really needed it."

He shook hands with Tom and then took Susie's in his. "I'm sorry that happened on my watch," he said.

She smiled back at him. "No fault of yours. Thank you for looking after us so well." She stood up on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the lips. Bill blushed, smiled awkwardly and left them.

"Well done, Susie," said Tom. "You've made him feel a lot better."

The homeward journey was rather different than the outward one. Susie was still in need of reassurance. She raised the arm rest between them and snuggled up against Tom.

"Do you mind?" she asked timidly.

"Not at all," Tom smiled back at her putting his arm round her shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. "I shall just have to pretend that as a respectable married man I'm not really enjoying it."

Susie smiled shyly back. "And I shall have to convince myself that I'm not being unfaithful to my Rory. It's just that I need to feel safe."

Tom gave her another squeeze. "I understand."

Susie was asleep by the time the seat belt lights went out. Tom remained awake and buckled up.

"Poor girl," he thought. "Thank God her father will be meeting her and that she won't have to find her own way home. Actually Briony and I could have done that if it was necessary. I wonder if her fiancé is going to be about this weekend. I do hope so. He'll be a comfort and reassurance to her." His mind wandered over the last three days. "I hope Tony is tough with those contractors. I must try and see his report before I get called in for a debrief. I wasn't impressed with the way he'd handled things so far but I don't want to do him down. This may have been the thing to sharpen him up a bit and realise the extent of his responsibilities."

He drifted off to sleep himself and his head fell gently onto Susie's. A passing stewardess smiled at them.

She woke them an hour later for lunch. Flying business class did not seem to make much difference to it and neither of them ate it all. They did not feel sleepy afterwards but Susie resumed her position.

"Tom?" she asked hesitantly.

"Mm?"

"You don't think I led him on, do you?"

"No! Certainly not judging from what you told me after dinner last night."

"You don't think I was flirty during the day?"

"No. You were just your usual cheerful, bouncy self." He squeezed her shoulders and grinned at her. "Unless of course you changed as soon as I left the lab."

She shook her head.

"Well then."

"It's just that I don't understand why he did it."

"Nor do I. OK, they've been pretty well starved of female company for three months but that doesn't excuse his behaviour. It also seems odd that he would wind himself up on Dutch courage." He chuckled. "On the other hand, he may never in his life have been so close to such a pretty, fun girl and that turned his head." He became serious again. "I wonder what his wife's like. It's going to be horrible for her, poor girl."

Susie nodded and then became thoughtful. "You don't think she'll blame me, do you?"

"She might. I don't doubt he'll try to shift the blame off himself."

"Oh no!"

"I'm afraid that when it comes to court his barrister will try to make it appear that way."

"Oh Lord!"

"Don't worry. We'll make sure both technicians are there to tell the truth."

She nodded. "That's not going to be much fun."

"No but you'll have Briony and me there not to mention your parents and Rory to give you moral support."

"Mm." She did not sound convinced.

There was a long silence after that and Susie fell asleep again. Tom did not, his mind busy.

At first it was compassion for Susie. The whole business had knocked the stuffing out of her, not that that was surprising. He would not have the chance to tell her father what had happened. She would have to tell her parents and Rory herself, poor girl, although that must be the better way. He hoped Rory would be understanding and strong for her. If he was not she would be better without him. Even though he had not met Rory he doubted that he would be anything other than supportive. He could not believe that Susie would ally herself with anyone other than a decent bloke. He would have to ensure though that the company supported her. She had been on duty and it was their responsibility to ensure that she received the very best legal support in court. He had little doubt that he could trust Tony Herbert to do his best for her and he was pretty certain that Tony could swing the Board behind him.

His mind relaxed and then sprang to life again. They should be landing in just under three hours and then forty or so minutes later he would have his darling in his arms again. A flood of joy swept over him. He had, as promised, e-mailed her every evening including the previous one and had lightly alluded to Andy Rivers. Little had he known what would transpire. Oh the happiness of being with her again! Subconsciously his arm tightened around Susie and she gave a little moan of contentment. He smiled. If he had his way his beautiful Briony would be doing more than moaning contentedly that evening. Yes, evening. Long before they went to bed she would be moaning in his arms. How he loved her! Just three full days apart and he had missed her badly. Not physically so much as mentally and emotionally. A lump formed in his throat. He loved her so deeply. She was a part of him and he of her.

His mind dwelt on that for some time and again his arm tightened subconsciously around Susie who once again murmured contentedly. He wondered how he would deal with her father. Nothing more than a handshake at this stage probably.

They were disturbed again by the arrival of tea which was a semi-substantial meal. Neither wanted it and settled for biscuits and a cup of tea.

There was no endless circling round Heathrow and they landed on time. Their passage through baggage and customs was swift and they arrived outside the hire car shack five minutes earlier than expected. Both Briony and Susie's father were there.

Susie fell into her father's arms. He was a little surprised at the intensity of her greeting but nevertheless hugged her closely. She finally pushed herself away.

"I've got a lot to tell you, Dad," she said, "but wait until we get home and I can tell Mum as well. I'd like you to meet Tom, my boss."

They had to wait. Tom and Briony were wound round each other. The latter was weeping with emotion and Tom was not far off.

Briony prised herself away. "I'm being silly and over-emotional," she said.

"No, my Bri."

They fell back into each other's arms but only briefly this time before turning to Susie and her father.

The two men shook hands. "You may want to talk to me over the weekend," said Tom and then smiled lopsidedly. "Don't worry I haven't seduced her."

Susie's father smiled back. "Judging by your reunion with your wife I can't imagine that but there's something on Susan's mind."

"Yes," replied Tom sombrely, "but I'll let her tell you. She's got my phone number."

"OK."

Susie in the meanwhile had surprised Briony by hugging her tightly. "Your man is very, very special indeed," she whispered. "Let him tell you later."

Both couples drove away.

"You've got something to tell me, Susan love."

"Yes, Dad, but I'd rather wait and tell Mum at the same time."

"Fine but did it go well?"

"Work-wise yes but please don't ask me anything yet."

"All right, sweetheart."

They drove the rest of the way home in silence.

Tom and Briony were silent until they reached the motorway. The lights, roundabouts and choice of the right lane out of Heathrow demanded the driver's full attention.

"Something happened last night, didn't it?" asked Briony. "Your e-mail was perfectly happy."

"Yes."

"And it was something to do with Susie."

"Yes, my Bri. Do you mind if we leave it until we get home?"

Briony winced. Whatever it was must have been pretty unpleasant if Tom was not prepared to talk about it now.

"OK, my love.

"I didn't mention it in my e-mails but Mr Slime rang me on Wednesday evening."

They had had lunch back in January with Clive and Angela. Clive had not so much flirted as virtually monopolised Briony. Even so, Briony and Angela were able to talk together and both liked each other. Neither Briony nor Tom had been impressed by Clive's behaviour. Angela appeared to have taken it in her stride. Clive had become Mr Slime.

Tom chuckled. "Did he win your heart?"

Briony took her hand off the wheel to thump him. "Don't be a poop. 'How are you, my dear?' which I'm not. 'Fine, thank you, Clive.' 'Missing him?' 'Naturally but it's only for three days for Heaven's sake.' 'Ah! Well, we like to look after our families.'" Briony made a rude noise. "'Thank you, Clive. Goodbye.' Wanker!"

"Briony!"

They both laughed.

Tom's hand found its way to the back of her neck.

"I love you, my Bri," he said softly.

"And I love you, my Tom-Tom, but get your hands off or I'll drive into the ditch."

Tom obeyed but moved his hand to her thigh.

Briony sighed with pleasure. "Don't move it," she warned, "or we'll still be in the ditch."

"I can't think of anyone I'd rather share a ditch with."

"Shut up, you oaf."

Tom squeezed her thigh. "Yes, m'lady."

"Please, Tom."

"Sorry, my Bri."

His hand stayed where it was but he never moved it again.

They arrived home and Briony switched off the engine, unfastened her seatbelt and flung herself across the car.

"I love you, Tom. I love you so much. I mean it's been ridiculous the way I've missed you these three days, three I ask you. What if you'd been gone for a week, let alone more?"

"I don't know, my precious. I've missed you too just as much. We're just a couple of old softies."

"No, Tom. We're not old and we're not softies. We're two people made one and more than a few hours apart starts to hurt."

They leant across the car to kiss.

"Come on, my Bri, my darling Bri. I don't like being separated from you by a bloody handbrake."

They both got the giggles, got out of the car and walked hand in hand into the house.

"Supper?"

"No, my darling Bri, you."

An hour and a half later, hand in hand, they came down to the kitchen to get some supper.