Lewis got home to a message on his answer phone from Lyn. He pressed the playback button, smiling at the warm feeling he got whenever his daughter phoned.

"Hi Dad. I just wanted to check we're still ok to come up on the 30th. You know I've had a great idea. I'll tell you when you phone back Dad. Hope your day was okay, speak to you soon, love you Dad."

He was still smiling as he dialled her back.

"Hi Lyn? Yeah it's still fine for you to come up, why wouldn't it be pet?"

"I dunno Dad, murders or something."

"Well I'm on leave as of the end of tomorrow so no fear love"

"That's good to hear. I'm always worried you're going to get called out.

"No worries this year Lyn, now what's this idea of yours?"

"Oh that, well I was thinking how much I missed those parties when I was a kid. Mum used to love them."

"Aye, she'd be busy preparing for hours", Lewis agreed, his tone wistful for the life he'd once had. He suddenly cottoned on to what his Daughter meant.

"Wait you want to have a party here? In Oxford?"

"Yeah. Oh come on Dad, it'll be great. Get James and Laura and Innocent to come, anyone."

"I don't have a massive house Lyn"

"So don't invite loads of people. Dad, you know you'll love it."

"You know me too well pet."

"All me life Dad." He could hear the facetiousness in her voice. She would be a force to be reckoned with if if her and James ever took it upon them selves to gang up on him. He smiled.

"Away with ye, cheeky lass. Did you talk to Ken?"

"Aye Dad. He says he can't make it for New Year's, work won't let him off, but he'll give you a call. And he's got a fortnight off in the middle of January, said he's coming home then...and do you have a spare room?"

"Shame, he should be home. Still, he called me at Christmas, he'll call me at New Year. You told him I had the spare right?"

"Yeah Dad. He said he'd find out when the flights were and let you know."

"Cheers love. Well if we're gonna have this party, what time are you coming up to help me cook and stuff?" He could hear the smile in her voice as she answered;

"Whenever you like Dad, 4 pm ok?"

"Brilliant love, you can remind me I need to phone James at 8pm."

"What?"

"Never mind pet, just a favour sown that has to be reaped"

"I'm not even going to ask."

"Aye, safer that way, love you pet see you on the 30th"

"Love you Dad."There was a click of the phone as she hung up.

As he shook his head at his daughter and her ideas, he couldn't help but feel she'd hit the nail on the head. A new years party was exactly what he needed.