Disclaimer I do not own Blue Murder. No copyright infringement intended nor should any be inferred. This story was supposed to be up last week but as it's the sequel to Breaking Inside I had to finish that first.
Bang
Tom laughed as the fireworks shot into the air. Richard smiled slightly, the kids were clearly loving the fireworks. Charlotte snuggled into him as Ellie and Janine watched the rockets shoot into the night sky. Charlotte yawned as Richard cuddled her.
"You tired?"
"No." Charlotte shook her head as her eyelids drooped. Richard raised an eyebrow.
"She's just like you." He whispered to Janine. "No idea when she should give in."
"As long as she's not like Pete. I'll settle for that." Janine smiled back. Tom nudged her arm.
"Do we have to stay until the end?"
"I thought you liked fireworks."
"I'm tired. Charlotte is tired, they are loud and smelly." Tom yawned. Ellie rolled her eyes. "Waste of money and I'm cold."
"You sound like an old man." Ellie complained as both Janine and Richard tried to suppress grins. "But it is cold. And Michael is due home, it would be bad if he got home to an empty house."
"Ok then." Janine gave in, secretly pleased her kids wanted to go home. The organised bonfire and fireworks display wasn't her idea of fun but when Tom had suggested the idea Richard had lept at the chance for them to all go out together. Linking arms with Richard she followed Tom and Ellie back to the car. Charlotte was already asleep in her coat and mittens when she touched the car seat. Janine smiled as she strapped her toddler into the car seat and watched the older children secure themselves in the back seats. Richard started the engine as Janine settled. Ellie and Tom continued to bicker good naturedly all the way home.
Xxxxxxxx
"You eat anymore crisps you'll turn into a bloody crisp." Kat huffed as Butchers opened another packet of cheese and onion. Shapps sipped his pint ignoring his friends as he watched the blonde woman on the other side of the bar. The crowded pub meant he could watch her unheeded while Butchers and Kat continued to discuss crips.
"Who are you watching?" Kat asked, pinching one of Butchers' crisps as she spoke.
"Blonde bird."
"Should have guessed."
"Give over, isn't that blonde Christine Francis?"
"Can't be." Butchers frowned. "She's doing ten years at her majesty's. Isn't she?"
"Conspiracy to murder." Shapps nodded. "Wasn't best pleased with the guilty verdict. How on earth is she sat over there getting bladdered?"
"You sure she wasn't an identical twin?"
"Butchers." Shapps turned to him. When he looked back the woman had vanished.
Xxxxx
The drive home had been uneventful and Richard knew he had to get back to his flat if he was going to get any peace before work the next day.
"Richard?"
"Tom."
"Are you staying with us tonight?" Janine smirked as her son spoke.
"I."
"Yes, he is. Is that ok?" Janine manhandled a still sleeping toddler out of the car seat.
"Yeah! Great!" Tom launched himself out the car as both adults tried not to giggle. Ellie opened the house door, ushering Tom inside out of the cold.
"MUM!" Ellie screamed as Tom stared ahead "MUM! RICHARD come quick!" Ellie yelled unable to keep the panic out of her voice. Both adults scrambled to the house door terrified at the panic in the teenager's voice.
"No." Janine whispered as she looked at the mess around her. "Oh no."
Xxxxxx
A\n worth going on? What has Ellie found? Please review
