On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... ten seconds to keep your temper
Rachel stared at her mother, the words that had just tumbled out of her mouth on a wave of vodka ringing in her ears.
'You're not a proper copper anyway, you just run around with your little mate, jumping through hoops cos that stuck up bitch tells you to, fitting up innocent people for crimes they didn't even do half the time, you just fancy yourself, you and that other one, dressed up like you're something special but you're not, you're just a fraud Rachel and one day they're all gonna notice that and drop you like a dead rat.'
...
Nine unwanted presents
'Pete, what shoe size are you?' Lee called across the office.
'Err what mate?' Pete exchanged glances with Mitch, both on the verge of laughter.
'Shoe size. And you Mitch.'
'That's very personal information.' Mitch adopted a mock serious tone.
'It's my Auntie Doris,' Lee explained. 'Christmas socks. She hasn't worked out that I've grown since I was about fourteen.' They all chuckled.
'I've got three pairs!'
'Speaking of presents...' Rob opened his desk drawer. 'Anyone want a bottle of Baileys?'
Rachel's head shot up. Janet spun in her chair.
'I'll have it,' they chorused.
'If you're sure,' added Janet.
...
Eight missed calls
at 4.44pm
'Hello?... oh bother...'
at 4.45pm
'Gill it's Mum. Sorry about that last phonecall. I don't know if it went through or not, something went funny on the signal. Just wanted to check what time you want us round tomorrow? Ring me when you get this. I hope you're not still working. Talk to you soon love. Bye'
Gill rolled her eyes. Fat chance of that.
at 4.52pm
'Boss, it's Rachel. We've got something on CCTV. Edwards. Rob said to check with you first before we draw up an arrest strategy. So... can we go ahead and do that?'
...
Seven resolutions
Dave Murray liked New Year's resolutions. He always wrote them in the back of his personal diary. There was something so fresh about that – the neat list, the new book all crisp pages and leather binding, carrying them around close to heart in his jacket pocket. Somehow it made him feel clean, virtuous. He smiled a lot for the first week of the year.
Although, the page usually ended up torn out when he looked back on it in February or March.
This year he had resolved to be nice to his ex-wife.
The page went on day two.
...
Six New Year's kisses
It was a little over a year since they had done this, but Mitch hadn't forgotten how sweet it was kissing Gill Murray. Not that it was any less of a surprise. It must be something about the time of year, or maybe they'd been standing in exactly the same places as last time. Hadn't there been mistletoe? Or was that just his excuse? This time it would be New Year's, although he hadn't kissed anyone else like this today – wrapping them both up entirely in the moment.
'This has got to stop.' But Gill held him in place.
...
Five (g)old rings
Helen sat staring at the ring for a long time. Long enough for Louise to get tired of making conversation and go back downstairs. Long enough for it to get dark outside. Long enough for her to get cold, the hand that held the ring turning gradually darker and purplish. Her head full of her sister.
.
Julie slid the ring back onto her little finger. It was snug there. She pulled it off and tried it against her ring finger. Far too small. But her mother had been a small woman, fine boned and light. Like somebody else Julie knew.
...
Four used Advent calendars
When Taisie was finally calm and had been distracted by her phone going off, Janet looked in on Elise, mindful not to be accused of favouritism. Elise was characteristically calm about the whole affair and inclined to be smug.
'Well some of us know what we're talking about with boys,' she said dismissively. Janet fixed her with an eagle eye.
'Oh do we?' Elise had the good sense to blush so Janet let it drop.
'What happened to your Advent calendar anyway?' She looked around the room. Elise shrugged.
'Oh I gave it to Taisie. Those things are for kids.'
...
Three bald coppers
'No.' Gill held up a hand just as Kevin opened his mouth. 'Save it for inside.' She stood back to let the three of them out, waited while they fumbled to pay for the taxi, pointedly ignoring their horror at the final price, then strode ahead of them into the pub.
'Gill?' Janet was the first to notice her reappear. 'What's happened?' But there was no time for an answer before the three offenders traipsed in, looking more uncomfortably sober with every second that passed.
Four jaws dropped. Four pairs of eyes widened.
Then Rachel giggled and they all exploded.
...
Two Christmas dinners
At one o'clock, Gill set the gleaming, steaming turkey on its platter and carried it in state through to the dining table. She paused for a moment, slightly breathless with the weight of it and the pressure of carrying it perfectly steadily. She would never have trusted Sammy not to trip or something at the last minute. Gill surveyed her table with a critical eye. The plates gleamed. The glasses sparkled. Dishes of perfectly cooked vegetables lined up down the centre and the turkey took up one whole end. All in all, not bad. Gill permitted herself a satisfied smile.
...
And a whole Scott & Bailey family
With a turn of her head, Gill handed over to her Sergeant.
'Right, so. Actions.' Rob sat up straighter and cleared his throat.
'Janet and Rachel to join Uniform on house to house. We're still pending an ID but, when we get it, you two to deliver the death message and talk to the family.'
'She can't have come far in that state,' Rachel observed.
'Indeed.' Gill gave her a nod.
'Err, Pete to look for any local CCTV. Could be tricky given... today. Mitch on Exhibits.'
'And I'm going to the PM,' Gill glanced at her watch, 'ooh now.'