With thanks to The Eagles fantastic new song Too Busy Being Fabulous for the inspiration for this one.
"Hot date sarge?" Kerry asked as I sauntered into the office, skirt flowing out behind me
"A date yes, hot no, he's twice my age"
"Why not hot? Age is no object"
"At my age you have to take what you can get Kerry"
"How old are you then sarge?" Mickey asked
"Middle aged Mickey, middle aged"
"She's not likely to tell us" Kerry said, a mischievous look in her eye
"The offers stop coming when you reach my age, uh oh why do I sense a science lesson coming on?" I perched on the edge of John's desk
"Based on the average person reaching ninety, middle age is approximately forty five…"
"Do you have to sit on my desk?!" John snapped
"Sorry! What is up with you today?!" I stood up and leant again the filing cabinet, I could see Kerry watching John
"As I was saying, technically middle age is forty five but as my research suggests, you're the same age as Sgt Boulton, fifteen years younger than Sgt Beech, six years older than Mickey and four years older than myself, hardly what I'd call middle aged Sarge"
"A very early mid life crisis?" I replied hopefully "Thank you for the lesson but I've got things to do before my 'date' arrives" I returned to my temporary office, leaving the door ajar I heard Kerry cross the room to John:
"You've got to say something Sarge, you can't go on like this" Kerry spoke quietly
"It's killing me, talk about rubbing my face in it. I can't deal with it Kerry"
"You can and you will I know you will, just talk to her. She already knows something's up, she's not daft"
I listened quietly trying to work out what they were talking about, I guessed that it was to do with me and my outfit for tonight. I couldn't believe I had been so stupid and come back to work dressed like I was.
"Is there a problem Kerry?" I stood in the doorway, twirling my hair round my fingers
"You look like a tart" John spat slamming the door to the balcony behind him
"Okay would someone kindly tell me what the hell is up with him today?"
"You need to talk to Sgt Boulton, not us Sarge, sorry" Kerry replied
"I haven't got time for this now, it can wait until tomorrow. Now do I pin my hair up or leave it down?"
"Leave it down, you don't want to look like you've made too much of an effort"
"Considering I've already been told I look like a tart, should I just go in my work suit?" I sighed
"No! You look amazing, don't worry about Sgt Boulton, he'll come round, trust me"
"You two seem to be getting on too well recently, what is going on?"
"I can't say anything, it's Sgt Boulton you really need to talk to"
"Okay okay, I can see I'm not going to get anything out of you tonight" I headed towards the balcony, John didn't move as I opened the door and closed it again behind me "What's wrong?"
"You look really nice, I didn't mean to say you looked like a tart- sorry" I smiled at the apology
"What's going on? You've been funny with me all day" I laid my arm across his shoulders
"It's nothing, don't worry about it. Just me being a git"
"I don't believe that, you're never a git for no reason. Is it something I can help with as a DI or as a friend? Talk to me John"
"I think we're spending too much time together, I think we should take a step back and make some space between us that's all…"
"Is Claire ready then?" James' voice interrupted John
"Have your hair down, it really suits you" John ran his finger through a few strands of my hair "That's better"
"James, I don't think I can come after all, my officers really need me here tonight…"
"Don't you dare" John warned
"I'll call you as soon as I get back" I promised
Second chapter is in production already...Am surprising myself too!!