“Yes, well. Thank the Lord for Admiral Hall and his powers of persuasion.” He sidled over to the money tin and drew out two pound notes. “This ought to be enough, I’d think. Though if not—”

“If not, then I’ll cover it and you can reimburse me later.” The words were casual, but Red’s tone was elated. “Color?”

“Grey or black. Use your judgment.”

“Until this evening, then. Cheerio.”

He left with every bit as much enthusiasm as he’d entered, leaving Drake to smile and shake his head at the empty-again flat.

Having had enough of pacing for a while, he settled at the table to finish today’s stack of intelligence review before the quiet was interrupted by Dot and Margot bustling in to start the meal.

Something more to make him smile.

He’d found a routine for the work. Reading through each telegram, each diplomatic report, with a pencil always in hand. He’d underline anything that struck him as important, note it on a separate paper, and then mark each paper with a few words at the top to sum them up, in case they needed to be referenced later.

Not exactly like being out in the field, finding the HUMINT to prove or disprove the SIGINT. But he at least knew he was being useful. And it kept him busy, which certainly improved his disposition.

Soon enough the clock struck the hour that was his signal to finish for the day. He gathered all the papers together and slid them into the folder for Dot to take back to the OB tomorrow. He then went and tidied himself a bit, caught between wishing for the wardrobe still in Spain and glad he didn’t have the choices to worry over. It wasn’t as though Margot were the type to really care about whether his jacket was single- or double-breasted anyway.

Still. He knew he looked sharper in the suits Abuelo had provided than he did in these—the ones he’d left in London for when he visited. At some point he’d have to fetch his uniform from the flat where he’d stored it, but he couldn’t exactly get across the city easily just now, and Hall hadn’t mentioned it.

He emerged from his room a few minutes later and didn’t even have the chance to consider how to fill the time before he heard the key in the lock and laughter outside it. Dot and Margot. His pulse sped accordingly.

She followed his sister through the door, still smiling. And directing it at him. “Hello, Drake.”

A smile. That was all. A hello. Simple things. But they felt far from simple, and his speeding pulse went bumpy. “Evening, ladies. May I help with anything?” Now that he could spend a bit of time on his feet, he wouldn’t mind helping his sister with meals in general.