The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

Call Me Daddy

Author: Xeen

Note:

I'm new to this franchise and I never read any Elizabeth George book so I guess what I will write can hardly be considered true to the canon. This takes place some time after the end of the TV series.

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PROLOGUE

The shutters were closed. In the distance, some white garden arm chairs, a table and a parasol were the only sign of human interference with the derelict gardens.

She smiled sadly. Unconsciously, driven by the force of habit, she averted his intense gaze. She turned her back to the house to face the sea. She shivered.

"I could not ask for anything more during all these years I stayed at your side and you knew I would not, didn't you?"

He stood perfectly still, waiting for his personal hell to eventually break loose if she was up to what he was thinking she was. He stared hesitantly at the sea and sighed, his chin sinking to his chest.

"But after she had died, how could you?" she said. Her voice low, shoulders trembling, she added. "You knew all along that I fell for you right from the very beginning. But you never said a word, didn't you? You even rejected my friendship at some point to turn to vodka or scotch, whatever poison you fancy the most. I'm sorry, but I can't accept your offer. You're too late. I've moved on."

"But I'm ready! I was a fool... I was too self conscious to let you into my life! I was afraid of what people would say. Please…"

"And now you're not?" she snapped. "Please, Sir, don't insult my intelligence. Everyone knows you're quite the womaniser and I wouldn't have been the first to share your bed. But sleeping around seems all you're capable of, commitment clearly isn't your strong suit or you wouldn't have waited that long to embrace matrimony. She was your friend too, your late wife. Look what it brought her. I pity you. Don't ever try to see me again. I'm through with you!"

With that, she left abruptly, leaving him stunned and confused.

"Ann!"

She didn't even slow down.

"Man," a strong voice boomed near her left ear, "talk about soapy!"

The man stretched out his hand and retrieved her headset and his in the same motion and shoved them in the compartment before their legs.

"Enough with this," he stated, "where does British Airways buy that direct-to-dvd stuff anyway? No wonder you lost your empire, this is worse than the worse Harlequin American romance novel," he laughed out loud. "I should know: my mum used to read a lot. And I mean it! I always thought they were cheaper by the dozen but she actually bought them second hand," he winked.

He shrugged to let go of the past and waved a thumb to the back of the aisle. "I'm gonna pay a visit to the facilities this plane has to offer and when I'm done, get ready for a serious drink, Barb!" he grinned.

Barbara Havers blushed instantly and tried to cover her uneasiness at his direct tone by putting a lock of hair behind her ear. She smiled back shyly and nodded. "That'd be great Jack."

"OK, that's my gal! Don't go anywhere: I'll be back in a flash!"

TBC