“I went to see Rhiannon and the family.”

            “How did they take it?”

            “Surprisingly well, all things considered. Gwen did a lot of preparation, so they knew what to expect, more or less. She’s agreed to help me with the memories.” Ifan sat down next to Jack. “Did… he… Ianto… spend time here?”

            “He liked to watch the ocean. Said it soothed him.”

            “That was a memory, then. Have you heard from Alice?”

            “She called this morning. Steven is doing very well. Australia suits them.” Jack smiled. “She invited me to visit next year. Give him some time to get his bearings, she said. But he asks about me.”

            “That’s brilliant. And you’re off to London?”

            “Yes. The Queen has asked me to take over and clean up the stables. Some of the boffins are less than happy, but they’ll live with it.”

            “Or they’ll spend their lives at her Majesty’s pleasure?”

            “She can be shockingly direct when it suits her.”

            “So are you taking over existing staff or are you hiring?”

            “Kathy’s moving over as soon as Mickey gets here to replace her. UNIT has agreed to put Martha on long-term loan to restructure the research labs.”

            “And John?”

            “He’s staying with Torchwood Three. Well, when he comes back from vacation.”

            “Where is he going?”

            “Hell if I know. The Doctor has invited him to travel for a while. Two weeks vacation from Torchwood Three, as much time as he wants to see the Universe.” Jack looked at Ifan out of the corner of his eye. “I need a personal assistant.”

            “I can do that. I also can be a butler and a guard dog.” He laughed. “Is that a memory too?”

            “A bit of one.” Jack sipped his coffee. “Won’t you want to stay in Cardiff?”

            “I don’t think so. Cardiff is overwhelming. Everything feels like… I should remember. I need a place where the memories are not so fresh.”

            “Ianto used to have nightmares about London.”

            Ifan leaned his head against the back rest of the bench. “All the memories that are surfacing… everything that means something… is about Cardiff. You. London seems a lot more distant. Second hand.”

            “They were probably interested in your memories only as they related to me. Sorry.”

            “It’s ok. Jack… some of the memories… I’m not Ianto. I’ll never be him, not really. But… if we take it slow… dinner, a movie?”

            “Are you asking me out on a date?”

            “Interested?”

            “Oh, yeah.”