As he left M’s office he found Moneypenny puttering around. She was straightening a picture on the wall, and the light from the window gave her a backlight that made her look almost angelic. Her hair was like a translucent glow that framed her face.

He paused to hold that vision. She turned to him and said, “So you’re off then.”

“Yes, but don’t worry. I’ll always come back to you”.

“Like the proverbial bad penny” she muttered.

He stepped out into the hallway, and approached the lift doors. He pressed the button and waited. As the doors began to open he heard a shout of “NO” behind him. An Asian man in a tan jump suit was charging at him arms outstretched. One hand held a roll of yellow caution tape, the words “Otis Repair” embroidered on his chest.

He crouched low and with a powerful leg sweep, knocked the man off his feet and down the open elevator shaft.

“Have a nice trip. See you next autumn.” That’s not quite right. I really should work on that a little more, he thought as he headed for the stairs.