She walked away with her head held high, shoulders back and a mask that was set to fool. At a safe distance, the pouring rain camouflaged her tears and the sound of the passing traffic muffled her sobs. She couldn't let them see her upset. She couldn't let herself be seen as weak; people took advantage when they saw others' weaknesses, and letting people in only meant one thing...pain. It wasn't her fault she was so independent and strong-willed, she was born this way, and the more people that came into her life, the more distant she became in relationships in an attempt to protect her heart. The only person in her life she trusted was her dad. But when she was fourteen he died and her world fell apart. She lived in his image, following in his footsteps. But thirty years later, she found out she had been living a lie; her dad wasn't the man she thought he was. She wasn't about to be so trusting again.

The sound of her heels touching against the pavement became distant and quiet and the sight of her from behind became smaller as she marched into the darkness. The voice from the person watching her called 'Wait' in a strong accent. She heard but chose to ignore. She couldn't deal with anymore tonight.

Her car seemed to be parked miles away, and after more than a few glasses of dry white wine, Sandra was in no fit state to drive. Sandra battled through the tears and the window wipers on the car struggled to keep up with the rain crashing off of the windscreen. But somehow she managed to get home safely, without crashing or being stopped by an area car. She breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled the key out of the engine, before stepping out of the car and back into the pouring rain.

The house was dark and empty and the only thing on Sandra's mind was getting to the fridge to crack open the next bottle of wine. She could still see the past few hours replaying in her mind, which clearly meant she had not had enough to drink.

FLASHBACK OF THE PAST FEW HOURS...

The case was closed, the people that needed to be behind bars were behind bars and the paperwork was all in order. Strickland was happy and that only meant one thing...

"Pub?" Sandra suggested, knowing the boys wouldn't refuse. It was dark outside and beginning to rain; winter was coming and didn't they know it?! Steve was settling in well...a little too well in Sandra's eyes. But still the massive hole Jack left remained. He had been like a father to Sandra, as well as her mentor, colleague and friend. He was everyone's friend and colleague, and although Steve had filled the vacancy of Jack's job, he could not, and nor could anyone else, fill all the other things that he was.

Steve bought the first round and sat sipping his pint next to his new boss. "Sandra, can I have a word?" he asked ominously.

"Sure" she replied with a smile, not knowing what to expect. "I really respect you as an officer; all that you've achieved and the boys love you.." he broke off.

"That's nice, but where's this going Steve?" she asked, getting more worried now.

"I...I really like you Sandra" he confessed nervously, like a schoolboy, like a duck out of water some may say.

He took a deep breath whilst Sandra sat speechless, before he bit the bullet and leant in. She pulled back as soon as she realised what was happening, before his wet pink lips met hers.

"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, holding her hand against his chest, keeping him at a safe distance.

"Life's short Sandra, and then oh shit, you die, and you never know the day!" He sounded like a self help book, quoting something that really should make sense but is easier said than done.

Sandra grew redder in embarrassment, anger, fear to an extent but was also flattered. Gerry approached the table and noticed the growing tension.

"Where's that knife Brian?" he joked, nudging Brian's arm with his elbow. "I could use it to cut the atmosphere!" Brian didn't look amused...neither did Steve...or Sandra. "Seriously, what's up?"

"He made a pass at her" Brian spoke quietly through gritted teeth, loud enough for Gerry to hear, but so as not to broadcast it to the entire pub.

"HE DID WHAT?" Gerry shouted, not being as discrete. "WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS? MARCHING IN HERE AND THINKING HE CAN GET ANY GIRL HE WANTS!"

"Gerry...Gerry" Brian tried. "People are looking Gerry. Besides, you thought the sun shone out of his..."

"ENOUGH...all of you" Sandra hushed the pair of them in seconds. "Steve...Gerry's right...and Gerry...its none of your bloody business who I may or may not see...and Brian...nah nothing"

"Haha...you act like you're an old married couple!" Brian laughed at Gerry's expense. He knew how much Gerry liked Sandra. He could even go as far as saying he loved her. There was chemistry between them and no one could deny it.

"Yeah, so back off mate!" Steve encouraged Gerry.

"Oi, I'm not your mate" Gerry got angrier. "Why don't you just sod off back to Scotland, where you belong"

Steve jumped up from his seat, almost spilling his pint down himself. He lunged at Gerry but Gerry's fist met Steve's nose first.

"Ha" Gerry bragged. "You think a woman as beautiful and lovely as her would go for a pathetic little weasel like you?! That's the funniest thing I've heard all year!"

"All of you...just stop it" Sandra stood, taking a hold of her bag and coat and making for the door. Tears welled up in her eyes but she bit them back refusing to cry in front of her colleagues. That was weakness in her eyes, so she was forced to fake a smile, she was forced to lie. Gerry's declaration of love with an absence of words threw her. He was a rough diamond in many ways, but had more marriages than she had had hot dinners. An unlikely pair was an understatement.

"Sandra...wait" Gerry called, rushing out of the pub after her.

"Waitttttt" Steve called louder...No reply. Tears fell. And by some luck, she was at home, on her own sofa, drinking wine and watching the television.

Well tomorrow wasn't going to be awkward at all was it?!