This is the thirty-fifth part of a fiction serial, in 758 words.

Miss Taylor was smiling when Hettie came into the room, and after listening to Hettie telling her about the divorce proceedings and her wish to transfer to Berlin, she was still smiling.

“We have known about, -shall I call it your association- with George Bowes since you were both working in Scotland. It was of no concern to us at the time as it did not affect your performance and if anything made you more determined to work hard and stay at Cragie House. More recently, we have been aware of visits to his government accommodation, which I am sure you will understand is a closely monitored building. If you had, or have, an unhappy marriage that would not usually interest us, unless it made you vulnerable to foreign agents in some way, for example if you became depressed or disillusioned”.

She wanted to say that would never happen, but Miss Taylor ignored her attempt to say something, and continued.

“It is interesting that you have come to me to ask to move to Berlin, because that is something I was intending to approach you about. I would caution you to give it some serious thought now that you and Sergeant-Major Bowes are romantically entwined. He may be dressed in civilian clothes these days, but he is still a serving soldier, just operating in a different area of the military. That comes with its own problems and dangers, as you know only too well. And as for your time in Berlin, you would not be able to live together, merely able to maintain a social friendship that could be hinted at, but not confirmed. Do you understand that?”

Hettie nodded to confirm she did, and her manager carried on.

“Far be it for me to pry into your personal relationships, but if they affect your work or put anyone in harm’s way, then I am authorised to do so. Therefore, you could not go to Berlin until you had finalised your legal prceedings here, and established a base to move back to, if necessary. I presume you are arranging to buy or lease somewhere to live, and once I am sure your life here in London is stable, then a move to Berlin can be arranged. But that may take some time. Please come and see me if you have any questions, but meanwhile your position here will remain the same”.

Considering the meeting over, Hettie stood up and thanked Miss Taylor for seeing her. As she reached the door of the office, the younger woman had something else to say.

“I don’t know if you are considering any long term committment together, but be advised now that as a married couple you would not be suitable for employment in MI6, and one of you would have to leave and find alternative employment. Failure to do so would leave us with no option but to post one of you to the far reaches of our area of operation, or simply terminate your employment. We cannot have a situation where say the kidnap of one of you might cause the other to betray their country”.

The meeting had gone a lot better than Hettie had expected, and delivered a few shocks too. She should have known that they would be aware of the meetings between her and George, but she had no idea they knew everything about Scotland. It was not going to be possible to have a proper conversation with George until she got to Berlin, but they were going to have to abandon any plans to get married for the foreseeable future, there was no doubt about that.

For the next few weeks, Hettie was as busy outside of work as in it. A brief court appearance to formally make the allegations against Edward, which were of course uncontested, then an overlong meeting with two solicitors to sort out the financial arrangements. There was enough money left for her to buy a one-bedroom flat in an attractive Mansion block close to Kennington Oval. That would be an easy journey into work once she was back in London, even walkable in good weather. Edward arranged the removals for the furniture and other things from the Beckenham house, and they had a civilised lunch together once it was all over.

They ate that meal together as a divorced couple both seemingly relieved, but with memories that would never go away. When they parted outside the restaurant, it was as genuine friends.

That was the last time she ever saw him.