When Purdey is asked to join Steed in a security team protecting an important delegation of visiting Arabs, she turns the assignment down flat at his surprise. Her colleagues don't know that seven years ago Purdey had been a dancer with the Royal Ballet, she had met Larry Doomer and felt in love with him. They had planned to settle down and build a home, but their plans were being crossed when Lary's father, a troubleshooter with an oil company, had been killed by Arab soldiers. Larry had sworn revenge.