Gill walked in with her head held high, this was a fresh start for her, a chance to make something of herself, on her own, without her husband looking down his nose at her. She met Ian Fielding, head of MIT at the front desk, and the pair walked up to her new office together. It was still early so no one was in yet. Gill and Ian made themselves comfortable in her office, drinking coffee until 8am when the team arrived.

"Gill, this is Andy, he's your Sargent, Andy, DCI Gill Murray, head of MIT" Ian introduced as Andy approached the office.

"Ma'am" Andy replied, shaking hands with the DCI.

"And you've got DC Ian Mitchell, DC Lee Broadhurst, DC Pete Readyough and DC Janet Scott" he continued as the troops piled in together.

Gill shook hands with each one in turn. "Why did you have to put her on my team?" Gill joked.

"I can assure you Gill, DC Scott is a fine detective…" Ian answered nervously, unaware of their friendship.

"Alright cock?" Gill smiled, going to kiss Janet on the cheek. "We go way back, trained together….17 years ago?"

Ian breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll leave you to settle in".

Gill addressed the team in the briefing room. "Good morning everyone, I'm DCI Gill Murray, new head of MIT. I've come from the NPIA, so don't think you're going to get anything past me! Shall we get started?" She was blunt but not rude, the team already making judgements about her. Gill possessed the ability to remain strong and in control on the outside, although she was falling apart inside. She had never been the type to let anyone in, or admit her feelings to anyone, it just wasn't in her nature, and she certainly could not let her new team think she was weak, she needed them to trust and respect her; if they knew her flaws, they would prey on it, and she would be a head teacher in charge of a primary school, not a DCI in charge of a Major Incident Team.

The team were made aware of their first job together and were allocated their roles. Gill hadn't seen Janet for a couple of years, so Janet bought Gill in a coffee and the pair caught up in the SIO's office.

"So…what have I missed boss" Janet teased.

"Dave's moved in with a 23 uniform from Pendlebury…and she's pregnant, let me and Sammy…I've applied for a divorce and had to resign…so I'm here" Gill breathed a sigh of relief after getting it off of her chest. Her son was in bits, she couldn't burden him telling him how she really felt, and she had to be strong for him.

"Oh Gill, when did all this happen? Why didn't you tell me?" Janet asked worriedly.

"Few weeks ago. I don't know, didn't know how to. I can't even bare to think about it, let alone talk about it, I feel so stupid!" she exclaimed angrily.

"No, it's not your fault Gill" Janet said.

"It is, I knew he was seeing someone else, I've known for years, but I couldn't admit it to anyone, not even to myself, I didn't want it to be real, I loved him" Gill said, a single tear escaping from the corner of her eye.

"I'm sorry" Janet mouthed, not wanting to make things any more painful for her friend.

"Don't be" Gill replied "I'm not, I'm only sorry I didn't kick him out sooner".

"How's Sammy coping?" Janet asked, knowing how he was feeling already.

Gill shook her head. "He's in bits poor kid. Dave's been round dripping poison in his ear"

"Oh, like…?" Janet questioned.

"I'm a shit parent, I've failed him as a mum, he's a failure. And he wants Sammy to go and live with him, and the whore. I told Sammy he's going nowhere, I'm not letting them take my little boy and turn him against me, I won't have it!" Gill finished almost shouting.

"Why don't you both come round to ours for your tea tonight?" Janet offered.

"Thanks cock, I'd love to" Gill smiled.

Gill was beginning to feel better. She had a new job, a great team to work with, she was a free woman, had her best friend back, someone she could talk to, and she didn't have to cook dinner! But she knew her problems were still going to be there in the morning.