"What do you think about me?" she asked.

Gene breathed a sigh of relief. What could he say? Expressing his feelings and emotions were not one of his strong points.

"Well…" He began, but nothing he could think of seemed right for the moment. "You're a good copper"

"Right." Alex said, raising an eyebrow. Surely he had more to say than…

"You're a bloody good copper. I don't under stand any of that psychology crap, but it works." He said.

Alex smiled. It was very rarely that Gene ever called it psychology.

"What else?" She asked, intrigued.

Gene began to think again. He could get an answer from a brainless piece of scum, but when it came to his Ladybols…

"Look, if you think I'm a moody cow and has a face like a slapped arse…just say so!" Alex said, desperately wanting an answer.

"No!" Gene said , perhaps a little too loudly. "What I mean is…I don't think that!"

Alex smiled again. Gene was so easy to wind up.

"I'm joking." She laughed. "But seriously, what do you think?"

"It doesn't matter what I think." Gene declared

"It does to me." Alex said without thinking. She felt her cheeks growing pink again. She looked down to hide her embarrassment.

"I'm sure it does" Said Gene, sarcastically. "What about me then? Honestly."

"Honestly?" said Alex looking up. "Well…"