New Kids On The Beat
Chapter 10: Too Deep

After his shift had ended, Phil Hunter went home and showered before redressing and heading to the pub where he had arranged to meet Carly from the salon. He actually found himself feeling a little apprehensive about tonight but it was just because he wanted it to go well. He liked Carly, or what he knew of her so far. She might not be Sam Nixon or Kerry Young but that was sacrifice he had no choice but to make. Both of the blondes had made it obvious that neither of them wanted any kind of romantic involvement with him so he had no choice but to look elsewhere.

He headed inside the warm and inviting interior of the pub and ordered himself a pint. While he was waiting for Carly to arrive he exchange polite, friendly conversation with the pretty redhead who served him. A quarter of an hour after they were due to meet Carly Booth finally breezed into the pub, making a beeline straight for him.

To Phil she looked even better than she had that morning now that she was no longer wearing her uniform but a short denim mini skirt and green halter top. Phil bought her a fruity little drink and they took their glasses over to a vacant table. The two of them spent the evening drinking, chatting and dancing and just generally getting to know each other better.

Later than evening, near to midnight, Phil and Carly made their way outside. The cold night air was refreshing after the heat of the pub. For Phil the evening couldn't have gone much better. It was nice to meet a woman who wasn't afraid to let go and have a laugh with him for a change. When Carly kissed him outside while they waited for a taxi he knew that he shouldn't have worried about this evening.

Phil kissed her back, his arms around her waist, playing with the hem of her top that showed her tanned midriff above her short skirt. Carly pressed her lips hard against his as Phil pushed her against the cold outer wall of the bar.

"Phil," She moaned, breaking the kiss for the moment. "Our taxis here."

In a haze of testosterone and alcohol, Phil followed Carly to the taxi and back to her flat.

"Who was that pretty girl you were talking to at reception earlier?" Honey asked, bringing cartons of Chinese food into the living room of her house on the outskirts of Canley.

Gary was led out on the sofa, his thoughts a million miles away and hoping his guilt didn't show in his facial expression. Honey didn't seem to notice how withdrawn he was; at least not yet.

"Huh?" Gary replied, coming back to reality and sitting up on the sofa.

"Who were you talking to at reception earlier?" She replied, handing him a glass of wine.

"Oh." Gary faltered. So she already knew. "Honey, we need to talk."

Honey looked up from her wine glass, swallowing her mouthful and looking concerned. "What is it, Gaz?"

"That was Michelle." He said quietly.

Honey's pretty face was screwed up in thought. "Michelle? Doesn't ring a bell."

"She was my ex." Gary said. "I mean, she still is my ex." He added quickly, this really wasn't coming out right. "But she's pregnant."

Honey saved herself from dropping red wine onto her pale pink carpet at the last minute.

"What?"

"She reckons it's mine. She hasn't been for a scan yet though. She wants me to go with her, I couldn't say no, could I?" He asked, he had no idea how to deal with this situation.

Honey sighed. "You're doing the right thing Gary, but maybe it would be best if you didn't stay here tonight."

When Dale arrived home he found Ally on the sofa, a black and white movie played out on the television screen and a box of tissues lay on the coffee table beside her. He wondered whether it was the film that was making her cry or something else.

"Hi babe." He called, entering the living room.

"Hey," Ally didn't look at him but pushed herself into a sitting position. Dale came and sat beside her.

"What's wrong Al?" He asked, looking at her tearstained face and red eyes.

"You're going to hate me Dale, I'm really sorry. I never meant for this to happen and I never wanted to hurt you."

Dale knew what was coming but it still felt like a slap in the face. Things could only get worse from here on.

"I've been having an affair with one of my colleagues, John, I broke it off with him but I don't expect you to want me back." She said. "I've packed some things and I'm going to go and stay with my sister Katie for a while."

"Ally,"

"I'm really am sorry Dale." She interrupted.

"I have a confession to make too Ally." He said gently. "I've been sleeping with someone else too; someone from work."

Ally nodded but didn't look surprised. "Where do we go from here Dale?" She asked.

Dale shook his head. "I don't know, I really don't know."

"Who was that dropping you off at work this morning?" Samantha Nixon asked when a slightly hungover Phil Hunter arrived in the briefing room the next morning.

"No one." Phil replied. "And is it necessary for you to shout so loudly?"

Sam smirked. "Big night last night?" She asked innocently.

"No one of your business Sam." He said, grateful when Gina entered the room and began the briefing, killing any further conversation between him and PC Nixon.

Gina talked about the cases they were currently working on but the one that made PC Hunter sit up and pay attention was when she mentioned the robbery at the beauty salon. Sun Hill had received information from Barton Street that Carly Booth or Kayla Daniels may be involved. Sam looked at Phil and narrowed her eyes; there was something in his reaction that she couldn't quite work out. When Gina passed around a picture of Carly, Sam recognised her as the woman who had dropped Phil off at work.

As soon as the briefing was over Sam dragged Phil into an empty interview room, bolting the door and standing with her back against it. Phil looked confused but there was a twinkle in his eye.

"Sam?" He began but she cut him off immediately.

"No Phil, I saw you this morning, with Carly Booth or whoever the hell she is. I don't know what you're playing at but if Gina finds out you've been anything more than professional with her God only knows what she'll do!" She said, not pausing between sentences.

Phil hadn't lost his amused expression. "Anyone would think you were jealous, Sam." He replied casually.

With a frustration, Sam yanked the door open stormed off, letting it slam after her.