Chapter 7- Secrets Uncovered

Francesca shut the office door and turned to Sam. 'That was simple enough,' she remarked as her mobile started ringing. 'Sorry sis, I've gotta take this.'

'Go ahead,' Sam replied.

Francesca answered her phone. 'Hello?...Have you? Good…yeah, it's 21 Broom Lane. Cheers Jane, I'll see you later, bye,' She hung up.

'Who was that?' Sam asked.

'A mate. She's managed to persuade my idiot of a husband to hand over the rest of my stuff. Mainly party dresses, that sort of thing. I thought I'd try and get someone to talk to him for me,' Francesca replied.

'While we're on the subject of parties. Are you coming to the Christmas bash?' Sam asked.

'Course I am. I've always been one for a party. You remember don't you?' Francesca replied.

'Course I do. The life and soul of every party, you were,'

'I still am, sis. I may be knocking on a bit but I know how to liven up any party,' Francesca replied. 'She said she'd be round yours in half an hour so I'd better be off.'

'See you later, sis,' Sam replied as she watched her sister descend the stairs and exit the station.

Jo came up the stairs a few minutes later. She got to the top of the stairs and looked at Sam. She followed Sam's gaze and saw Francesca get into her Black BMW. 'Nice car,' Jo remarked.

'Yeah, it is,' Sam replied.

'Listen, can I have a word?' Jo asked.

'Yeah sure,' Sam replied and she opened the door to CID's briefing room. 'What to do want to talk to me about.'

'I was just wondering, I heard the DI and DCI discussing DS Simmonds a few days ago and I was just wondering what they said about her was true,' Jo said.

'What did you hear them say?' Sam asked.

'They said that DS Simmonds was your sister. Is it true?' Jo asked.

'Yes, it's true,' Sam replied.

'Why didn't you tell me? We're friends aren't we?' Jo asked.

'Course we are, Jo. I hadn't seen her for 4 years; her turning up was a massive surprise for me. After getting engaged to Phil, I thought that she'd disapprove of who I was marrying, mainly because if his past reputation. She didn't disapprove, she's happy for us. Francesca recently split up from her husband and she came back down to see me because she wanted to put things right. I didn't approve of her husband and now she's realised that I was right about him all along,' Sam replied.

'Where was she living before?' Jo asked.

'Yorkshire,' Sam replied. 'She's moved back down here. She's staying with me and Phil until she gets somewhere else. You know what? I'm really glad that she's back because now we can start to rebuild the relationship that we had before her husband came along.'

'Is she coming to the Christmas bash?' Jo asked.

'Yeah she is,' Sam replied.

'Good, then I can start to get to know her then,' Jo said.

'OK then, look I'd better be off,' Sam said and she left the briefing room.

Sam and Phil left work at about 6 o'clock that evening. Sam unlocked the door and entered the house. 'Anyone home?' Sam called.

Francesca came down the stairs. 'Yeah, I'm here, sis, there's no need to shout,' She replied.

'Sorry,' Sam said.

'That's OK, anyone fancy Chinese for dinner?'

'Yes please,' Phil replied.

'Right,' Francesca got her coat from the banister. 'I'm going to get our dinner I'll see you later.

'You get the Chinese. I'll get the drink,' Sam said.

'OK then,' Francesca said as she shut the door to the house.

Sam and Phil went through to the kitchen. 'What do you fancy?' Sam asked.

Phil put his arms around Sam's waist. 'You,' He finally said.

'I meant to drink you idiot,' Sam replied, slapping his arm playfully.

'Oh, OK. I'll settle for anything,' Phil said.

'Would Red wine do you?' Sam asked.

'Yep, that's OK with me babe,' Phil replied.

Francesca came back about half an hour later with a couple of bags of food. Sam and Phil had already set up the table. Francesca opened the bag and put the food on the table. About an hour later, every single tray was clear. Phil had emptied out every one. Francesca went up to bed soon after.

Sam and Phil sat downstairs together for about an hour before they both decided to call it a day. They lay in each others arms, enjoying their time together. 'This is nice you know,' Sam said, puncturing the silence.

'I know it's nice, it's perfect. You know how much I love you don't you?' Phil replied.

'Course I do,' Sam said as she rested her head on Phil's chest and went off to sleep.

Phil sat there for a few minutes and watched Sam sleep. He smiled to himself and gradually went off to sleep.

Plz keep pressing the big blue button and reviewing. It gets more Christmassy soon I promise. Luv Gemz xx