Sigma Creations

“I don’t know how you do it, Harry.” “Do what?” “Manage to look so... good! Despite the fact that you’re-” “Don’t say it.” “... Alright.” “I would have thought the answer was obvious, Ruth.” “Is it?” “I’m happy. And I’m happy because of you.”

“You know something.” “I know a lot of things, Harry.” “What is it you’re hiding?” “Hiding?! Nothing. Other than your birthday present. But you’ll never get me to reveal what that is or where I’ve hidden it.” “Never?” “Never.... Until your birthday, of course. Then I’ll give it to you, obviously.” “You know what I really want for my birthday, Ruth?” “I... um... No. Not really, but I think you’ll like what I got for you because, you remember that time when-” “Ruth?” “Yes?” “You’re babbling again.” “Sorry.” “Don’t be.” “Don’t be what?” “Sorry.” “Oh.” “I like it.” “My babbling?” “Yes. It gives me hope.” “Hope?” “Yes.” “Hope of what?” “That I might, one day, get what I want.” “What you want?... That makes absolutely no sense, Harry. How does my rambling give you what you want?” “It gives me hope that you are not entirely unaffected by me.” “Unaffected? Why would I- Oh!... Right... I... I don’t know what to say.” “Say you’ll have dinner with me on my birthday.” “Dinner?” “Yes. If you’d like to, of course.” “I... That would be... lovely, actually.”

“You don’t mean that, Harry.” “Don’t I?” “No. You’re not... You’re a good man. You wouldn’t... stoop to their level, otherwise, what’s the difference between them and us?” “Are you saying the ends don’t justify the means, Ruth?” “Yes.” “Well... thank you.” “For what?” “Your faith in me... despite the fact that it's undeserved.” “We are more than the sum of our mistakes, Harry. It’s what’s in our heart that counts.”

“What?” “I want to tear that shirt off your hot body and devour you.” “... Later.” “Good.”

“Oh bugger!” “What?” “I forgot to get the milk.... Again.” “So?” “That’s three times in a row, Adam. She’ll never forgive me.” “Course, she will. It’s milk.” “You don’t know Ruth as well as I do. She can hold a grudge for weeks.”

“Who was that, Harry?” “Just another politician, Ruth, destined for obscurity.” “Why? Was he stupid enough to insult you or the Service?” “... Have I told you today how very much I love you, Ruth?” “I think you might have mentioned it very early this morning, but I was rather distracted at the time, so I can’t really be certain.”

“You’re a good man, Harry. What you do, you do for all the right reasons. That’s what’s most important in the end, regardless of the final outcome.” “Thank you, Ruth.”

“Took you long enough.” “Sorry. Dimitri got us lost.” “Not the best spot for a mini-break, is it though?” “Appearances can be deceptive. Wait till we get inside, Ruth.” “Alright, but... why exactly did they tag along?” “Our cover. We’re meant to be working.” “So they’re not staying?” “No. It’s just you and I, Ruth, for the entire weekend.” “That’s more like it.”

“What do you mean, no cake? Are you mad? Ruth.... it’s your birthday. You can’t have a birthday without a cake.” “But I don’t like cake, Harry.” “....?!!!!” “What? I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. The only dessert I like, really, is cheesecake and then only when it’s home made. They put too much sugar in the commercial ones.” “Right. Cheesecake it is. Eight ‘o clock. My place.” “Looking for excuses to have me over?” “I don’t need an excuse, Ruth. Do I?” “No. No, you don’t.” “Good. So... Eight?” “Eight... And I’ll bring an overnight bag.”

“What about this one?” “Harry, be serious.” “Serious? Yesterday you told me to lighten up! There’s just no pleasing you, woman.” “...” “What?” “I’m not amused.” “Amused? Ruth, I have to go in there and face a woman who’s responsible for god knows how much death and heartbreak, who I once had an intimate relationship with - bloody idiot that I was - who’s lied to me for thirty years, and you think I’m trying to amuse you?!” “No... You’re right. I’m sorry.” “Right... Well, I’d better go back in there.” “Harry?” “Yes?” “You’ll do brilliantly. You always do.” “... Thank you.” “And, Harry?” “Yes?” “I love you.” “... Come with me. In there. I could do with some... moral support. I fear I’m...” “Going to kill her?” “Maybe. Actually, I fear she might...” “Might what?” “I can’t seem to see through her like you can. She’s pulled the wool over my eyes for so long. I’m afraid she’s... I need you.” “Alright. Let’s go face the serpent together and after all this is over, Harry, you and I are going on holiday. We’re going to have a nice relaxing break from it all, by the sea somewhere. We’re going to go for long walks along the shore, eat good food in quaint little places, stargaze in the evenings, and at night we’re going to make sweet love to each other. Deal?”