Spin the bottle
Chapter 1
Harry pulled up slowly into the car park with a yawn and a groan. It was 6.30am on a cold, wet and stormy Saturday morning. Harry more than anything wished he was back in his warm and cosy bed in his rather messy bedroom.
However, instead he forced himself to get out of the car, holding the door tight as the wind attempted to rip the handle from his hands. The sharp icy wind bit at his face as he ducked his head against the violent assault of the pouring rain and ran as fast as he could with briefcase in hand into the Lyell Centre. After buzzing himself in, he sped full tilt into a dazed Nikki coming in the opposite direction.
Harry grabbed Nikki's shoulders in order to steady her as she looked like she would fall over with the sudden impact.
"Oh…hi Harry, you're late again, as per usual," Nikki said with the same dazed expression on her face.
"Actually…no I am not," Harry replied stoically, "You're just early, you… work loving freak."
"No I'm not," Nikki moaned with her puppy dog eyes boring into Harry's. "I like cutting up dead, rotting and decomposing bodies a suitable amount Harry, thank you very much," she said with an insistent tone to her voice. "Anyway…hurry up you useless lump. Leo wants to have his usual deep and meaningful conversation with us of what we'll be getting up to today." Nikki grabbed his arm and was forced to actually pull a reluctant Harry along heading in the direction of Leo's office.
Harry took the time to study Nikki carefully. Today, she was wearing an attractive and curve hugging bottle green dress that stopped just above the knees with stockings and high heeled green shoes that Harry could not even begin to imagine how she could possibly walk in them. Nikki's long blonde hair was today down and the natural curls framed both sides of her delicate and beautiful face. Harry loved her so much that it physically hurt. Yet he was absolutely certain that Nikki was firstly completely unaware of Harry's strong feelings for her, and secondly Nikki did not in anyway reciprocate those feelings. He was her best friend. That was it. Nothing less, nothing more. Oh...how he wished it was more.
Meanwhile, Nikki was rambling on about her usual boyfriend issues. Harry zoned back into what she was saying. "So you see Harry, men are totally a waste of space and are not worth the bother. You should be ashamed of your sex Harry, as men are a bunch of users. They use you and then they dump you." Nikki was saying in a matter of fact voice.
Harry took this to mean that her latest fling…Josh? Jace? James?...well whoever it was had dumped her.
"Oh, Nikki…I'm sorry about what's-his-face, but-"
"-Jason!" Nikki interrupted
Harry continued ignoring Nikki, "-I do apologise profusely for the behaviour of all males in the world. We are a disgusting race who should all be shot for their selfish behaviour and inconsideration for all women." Harry said.
"Well thanks Harry. You know what…I'm going off guys for ever. There not worth it."
"Yeah Niks, we'll see how long that plan lasts. I give it to tomorrow." Harry joked and received a whack on his arm for his efforts.
***
Harry was still nursing his injured and bruised arm when they arrived at Leo's office. Leo took in both of their glum faces and decided that today was going to be a nightmare.
"Hey guys…take a seat." Leo said.
"Leo," Harry began, "Why did you make us come into work today when the weather is atrocious outside? I mean its raining really heavily and it's windy too." Harry complained.
"Yes, Leo and ickle Harry doesn't want his gorgeous hair to be destroyed," Nikki cooed.
"Right, you to," Leo interrupted thinking it would be his only chance as Harry glared at Nikki, "I was just wanting to let you know that there have been no calls from the coroner so there are no cases which means its typing up PM notes for the both of you," Leo finished.
Harry and Nikki groaned audibly knowing they were in for another tedious day at the office typing insistently and repetitively on their keyboards.
"Great… this day gets better and better," Harry said sarcastically.
Nikki grinned in response and began to back away towards the door, a plan formulating in her head. "Bags I Harry's desk" Nikki shouted as she ran from the room heels clacking loudly.
Harry gave Leo a knowing look. "Do you see what I have to put up with" Harry said disapprovingly.
"You two are like two little toddlers," Leo replied struggling to keep the grin off his face, "Now get to work."
Harry ran out of the room after Nikki shouting "I'm gonna get you Niks. You better run"
Leo listened carefully and could hear Nikki giggling away, Harry's mock anger and then blissful silence. He shook his head with bewilderment and genuine confusion. When would Harry and Nikki finally get together? It was so blindingly obvious to him that they belonged together and it infuriated him that they could not see it.
Leo had just seated himself at his desk when the lab assistant Charlie walked in. Leo considered Charlie to be an asset to the staff as she was a great worker. Plus, she was full of information about Harry and Nikki and often came to give Leo the update.
"Who won the desk battle this time" Leo inquired.
"Nikki, of course. Harry physically cannot say no to that woman. He is of course now pretending to be angry at Nikki but we all no that he can't even pretend fight with her for very long." Charlie answered.
"I really wish they would just make the move and go out with each other. They are so blind!" Leo replied.
"Professor… are you a betting man?" Charlie said suddenly with a glint in her eye.
"Not really" Leo said slowly, "depends what I'm betting on."
"Well then," Charlie began, "I bet you that I can get Harry and Nikki to go out together by the end of the week."
"Done," Leo said confident that she would fail miserably as Nikki and Harry had known each other for SIX long years.
"Okay then, let's make this interesting. If I lose the bet," Charlie said, "Then I owe you £100."
Leo grinned like a maniac already planning what to spend the money on.
"If I win" Charlie continued, "I get my own desk."
"Charlie, what do you need a desk for?" Leo questioned.
"Duh Professor, to do work on" Charlie replied.
"Well then Charlie, it looks like you've got yourself a deal." Leo said confidently as they shook hands to confirm their deal.
***
Harry was bored. B.O.R.E.D. Typing up reports was so tedious. This was definitely the down side to the profession. Harry glanced up at Nikki who was typing away on his laptop and on his desk. Nikki, feeling his eyes on her, looked up from her work and smiled triumphantly at Harry. The room was peacefully quiet except for the howling wind and the odd rumble of thunder.
"Harry, do you plan to do any work today?" Nikki inquired.
"Not really," Harry replied honestly. "I mean, I am not at all enthusiastic about typing up about how Mr Sean Smith had a sudden severe heart attack on his way to work causing him to crash into a tree."
Just then, Leo and Charlie walked into the room together and Leo answered before Nikki got a chance, "Well it is what I pay you to do you know. You should count yourself lucky that you get paid as you do not even do a lot of work. I mean, Nikki does about twice the amount of work as you." Leo commented as Nikki glowed at his praise.
"Oh, whatever Leo, I am the best pathologist here and you know it," Harry replied smoothly.
"Yeah, dream on Harry," Nikki replied as Charlie burst out laughing.
"You know, I really am bored." Harry said. "I just wish that something exciting would happen around here!"
"Like what?" Nikki questioned. "Multiple shootings and a vicious serial killer."
Harry's face lit up at the thought and he nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah…yeah I would love-" Harry began.
As Harry was speaking, the bright lights that lit the room flickered and died and silence descended upon the room as a loud boom of thunder reverberated around the four in the room.
Charlie let out a scream in surprise which quickly turned into a whimper.
Harry could hear Nikki's voice somewhere five metres in front of him as she said, "Looks like you got your wish then Harry." Harry grinned. Nikki continued, "Wipe that smirk that I know is currently on your face, off your face." Harry's grin widened.
"Heheheh its party time…no more work today," Harry shouted happily.
Leo was already on the phone to the electricity board trying to discover how long the electricity would be off. He hung up the phone and gave the confirmation Harry was waiting for, "The board says that we will be out all day. There's an electrical fault and half the town is out. Our emergency generators should have kicked in. I don't know what the problem is…they must be faulty. Well anyway, Harry's right, with no computers working or PMs to do, there is no work today. However, we can't just leave encase a body does come in. We are here to six, no electricity or not, so find something to do to amuse yourselves.
Harry could hear the sounds of Nikki rummaging through her desk. Next, a small gleam of candlelight was visible and three faces came into light.
"Niks?" Harry asked.
"What Harry" Nikki sighed.
"Why on earth do you have a candle in your desk?"
"I'm a woman, Harry." Nikki replied as if it were blatantly obvious.
Charlie gave a knowing nod and said, "Yes, we woman are prepared for all possibilities."
Harry just looked bemused which caused both the girls to giggle.
***