Moments Upon Moments chapter 2
Barbara barely touched her beer, and lethargically picked at the basket of chips Lynley had brought back with his second whiskey. "Barbara?" he said, "I think you're feeling as awful as I am about this plan of Hillier's."
She looked up at him. "I am. I just can't imagine not working with you. I mean, you changed me so much, Sir. Remember what I was like when we started working together? Sullen, angry, suspicious, rude."
"And smart as a whip, "he said, smiling. "With an uncanny ability to get people to talk to you – suspects, witnesses. By the end of our first case, I knew you were a treasure. And eventually, a friend,"
She nodded. "The best friend I ever had."
He reached out again to touch her hand. "Me too."
Her eyes filled with tears despite her intention to NOT cry.
Still holding her hand, he said, "You know, Barbara, there are other alternatives."
"Yeah, I heard him. You to Yorkshire and me to the Midlands. Some alternatives."
"No, I was thinking of the Cornwall Constabulary. I'm sure I could get us jobs there, DI for you and DCI for me."
She pulled her hand away from his. "Cornwall! What would I do in Cornwall? I don't know anybody there except you."
"And my family," he said tenderly. "Mother would love having you there."
"Yeah, I bet. Occasional visit, sure, but you think she'd want to hang out with me?"
"Actually, I think she'd like that very much. And having you in the house."
She was shocked, and it showed. "What, Howenstowe? The family pile – oh, excuse me, house? What would I be doing there? You've lost your mind, Sir." She started to get up, ready to flee. He stopped her.
"Barbara, sit down. I've been trying to work up the courage to talk to you about this for months now. Hillier just forced my hand. But I think it's time."
"Time for what?" She was confused, puzzled.
"For us to get married."