This last chapter is more of a lighthearted, amusing one, where Sandra invites everyone around to house for a get together and reward him with a deserved meal, however when Gerry offers to cook, things get out of hand. Thank you to The Mominator, b-o-l-ly24 and EvilEye94 for the reviews of some of the chapters.
Playing with Trouble - Chapter 10
Sometimes Sandra Pullman generally didn't particularly enjoy socializing with any well-known colleagues outside work as they'd frequently involve themselves in her never-ending messy love life despite her protests, nonetheless this time around regardless of this she felt precisely impressed and awestricken by how professionally well UCOS strongly focused, stayed determined to carry out the re-investigation murder case of Vinny Baxter and eventually finally charging Kenny Andrews.
Somehow Sandra couldn't help in strangely feeling somewhat undoubtedly unconvinced by Gerry's blossoming relationship with Layla from Skelton's Gym, she was someone who was particularly neater, smart, intelligent, pleasantly compassionate in everything she prefered to mention, she always honestly tended to speak her mind when it mattered, never once allowed flirty newcomers to woo her immediately, she even had some feisty guts to stand up to a few male gym members who attempted to bully her. Sandra couldn't quite put her finger on it whether this might be obvious jealously to such a point, afterall after worrking together for so long time they'd fought back and forth for plenty of years, luckily Strickland hadn't cottoned on at all or she'd be in for a telling off, one she never generally wanted to listen to.
"Brian could i have a word with you in my office please" Sandra surprisingly chose her eccentric but clever friend to share a short conversation with, he glanced back at Jack whose look said it all, as even more perplexed as his best friend's generally appeared to come across as.
"Alright it'll have to be quick because Esther's bought me the Wire DVD Boxset and said she wanted me home so we could watch it together after our tea, well while there's nothing else on television to watch" Brian happily smiled as he readjusted and secured his bicyccle helmet comfortably over his head, lastly fastening the strap lightly over his chin carefully.
Brian became hestitant at first, however eventually going against what he thought,as he followed Sandra into her office and stood more leaning against the doorway as he prepared to listen to what she had to say to him.
"Friday this week near the weekend once again, i'm considering treating everyone to a well deserved dinner at my house for all the hard work and determination you've shown during this investigation and previous ones as well..I know i keep myself to myself but i think you, Jack and Gerry fully deserve it...so what do you reckon Brian..." Sandra sighed, hands clasped together awkwardly a little, as she awaited his response.
"I don't know I suppose I'll come then...it'll be a night out for me and Esther, we can watch the Wire another time i guess" Brian mumbled profusely, Sandra assumed he'd said muttered some other word under his breath, quickly dismissing it as nonsense.
"Thanks I've got a cookbook which includes plenty of recipes have no single idea what i might cook" Randomly
she never tended to cook enough times than she prefered to, every night microwave meals were always on the menu for late tea depending on what time she arrived hom each night of the week.
"I've got plenty of the famous chefs cookbooks in my desk drawer, me and Esther we've been trying food recipes by the Hairy Bikers, after trying their recipes out you do realize they come with some cracking recipes, some which are delicious" Brian helpfully mentioned.
"Brian you're turning into a right know-it-all masterchef" Sandra nodded, she couldn't control her laughter.
"What's going on?..what you two been whispering hopefully not about me cause i'll know if my ears are burning up..thats always a tell-tell sign if you never realized" Gerry impolitely walked in without knocking, clutching two folders in one hand and noticably much to Sandra's clear annoyance. now he was keen to uncover who or what the conversation may be about
"Sandra's invited us all around for dinner Friday night for a brave deternmination in never giving up on this investigation case, you're coming aren't you Gerry?" Brian overtook Sandra's prepared words, she felt like huffing to retain attention.
"I can't be reasonably convinced whether i come or not, I wanted to ask Layla out but unfortunately she's going out for a girls night in town" Gerry smoothly ran a hand through his hair as he continuously thought on what to do.
"Come on it'll be a laugh we can hear more stories about Sandra's favourite subjects" Brian grinned eagerly.
"Brian!" she didn't prefer everything else to be discussed rather she wished they's both left the office and allowed to get on with some unfinished work.
Gerry slowly glanced downward towards a flustered Sandra as she placed a hand over her right eye, confused by her quiteness, somehow he guessed she never liked Layla's name being mentioned occasionally, two women possibly fighting over him, although he never enjoyed being a ladies man mostly, he found it altogether to feel very amusing.
"Why not, i was hoping on going to see Emily but i guess that can easily do that other night when i'm not busy" Gerry finally answered much to his friend's delight, his avid look on the Detective Superintendent briefly ending.
xxxx
Friday Night 6.30pm
One thing she wished for, that this would be an unruffled, relaxing and peaceful get together with respected friends, no harm created, no arguments dampening the happy atmosphere around the dinner table, beforehand Sandra had not been that use to hosting a one off dinner party before, she'd always been the invited guest.
Re-setting the knifes and folks perfectly on the napkins which were half folded, she felt peculiarly anxious unsure, skeptical of what everyone else might think might think of her potential guest hosting skills may prove. The doorbell suddenly rung, making her jump a little as she went to answer it, exiting the dining room and stepping forward to see which guest would be standing on the front door step.
"Hello Sandra nice smart dress...Looking forward to a great evening " Jack was the first to arrive, dressed in a grey blazer with matching trousers, white shirt and yellow tie, he smiled beamingly, deciding not to bring a bottle of wine as he relied on Gerry to bring one or two bottles liked he normally would.
"Any sign of Brian or Gerry yet?" She curiously asked, eagerly hoping they'd take a while to arrive while she continued tidying up and taking two pairs of shoes upstairs out of the way.
"No haven't seen them, I can imagine Esther's trying her best at persuading Brian to dress smarter, knowing Brian he doesn't appreciate blazers or t-shirt" Jack chuckled, hoping he's guessed correctly. Jack smelt the aromas of the cooking, the hot steam coming from the larged sized kitchen, he could tell she loved to cook, didn't really like those packaged foods were you microwaved them for a few minutes andd then served.
"Need any help with the cooking, what is it that you're cooking for us tonight Sandra?" He couldn't help in asking, wondering whether she'd accept his generous offer.
"Well for Brian and Esther i'm doing them a Lancashire Hotpot, I know how Brian loves them and for you, Gerry and me i'm cooking a spiced fish omelette, both are nearly ready" She happily handed him an apron to which he nodded and tied it around his waist lightly.
xxxx
"Brian please don't make a massive fuss, i think you look marvellous and handsome in that suit, i remember the last time you wore it, it was to my sister Barbara's wedding in Dorset, you had a right unhappy look on your face that day and i briefly remember you wearing made you liked the spitting image of John Bosley from Charlies Angels" Esther enlightened her husband's eccentric stern glances.
"Look at me i look bloody ridiculous wearing this jacket... Esther love they might presume my fashion sense is still trapped way back 25 years ago...oh by the way have you remembered ti bring the bottle of Weinkonig Scheurebe for Sandra and is it in the bag just incase" Brian checked, he swore he wouldn't drink another wine but decided the Detective Superintendent deserved as bottle of the non-Alcoholic German wine and for her to store safely out of the way.
"Of course i have forgotten the bottle, Just remember you've promised to stick to drinking the bottle of Lemonade i've also got with me stored in the bag" Eyes averting towards him making sure he stuck by his guaranteed words.
"Blimey Esther I'm practically addicted to Lemonade..can't stop drinking it..its just a shame you never bought some Iron Brew its nice to drink very tangy when you drink it" Brian mockingly implied upon taking a look, sighing quietly as he glanced upwards and out at the darkened roads as the car travelled past quickly.
xxxx
"Alright Jack what you doing helping out with cooking for, should have left to me, I can tell ya my cooking definitely can compare to what Marco Pierre White cooks on telly" Gerry stood with both hands in pocket and acknowledged his genuine surprise to see Jack carrying two extremely hot plates of Lancashire HotPot and struggling to hold them with both hands. "Come on you go and put ya feet up I'll take over" Gerry's persuasive words worked.
"Sandra's not going to be best pleased seeing you taking over her kitchen when actually you're supposed to be an invited house guest"
"Never mind Sandra, I can ruffle some extra special food treats that'll impress the socks off ya Jack" Gerry winked enthustically, rubbing his hands together, seartching through each annd every cupboard.
"I just hope you know what you're doing..don't go humilating yourself in front of all of us in the meantime"
Sandra knew she should never have left Gerry alone in the kitchen, she hoped he wasn't distracting Jack too much as he took out the food from the oven.
Brian and Esther finally arrived, looking as glamorous as normal.
"Esther nice to see you again and Brian my oh my has Gok Wan or Trinny and Susannah given you an stylishly inspiring makeover" Sandra amusingly joked, all in all she was glad they'd arrived at last and invited them into her house, which featured two wall framed pictures the couple hadn't seen before.
"What's that smell, smell's like something's burning" Esther smelt the obvious burning that unexpectedly set off the smoke alarm, Sandra's eyes widened in horror as she rushed through and into the kitchen.
" Gerry! what the hell are you playing at, are you foolishly trying to burn my house down to the ground" She fumed irately, his attempts at cooking pasta had failed miserably.
"I told you Gerry should have left the remainder of the cooking to me" Jack shook his head unimpressively.
"Don't get all high and mighty with me, I only offered to help, add something different to the prepared food"
xxxx
An hour and half later dinner was finally served, the tense atmosphere could be instantly felt between everyone, any looks towards Gerry were awkwardly dodged, as Sandra refused to speak to Gerry, who'd now secretively wished he'd gone to visit Emily instead, he hated receiving blame for everything he touched or mentioned during conversation.
"The food is bloody delicious Sandra, its very tasty..very filling" Brian appreciated and complemented the Lancashire hotpot, after three bites of it his stomach felt full up already, couldn't eat anymore, he sipped a glass of lemonade from the wine shaped glass.
"Sandra although i haven't ate Fish Omelette before, i have to confess its the best i've eaten in a long time" Jack also complemented the food.
Gerry stayed quiet in fear of another telling off or having his ears deafened by the sound of Sandra's voice screaming at him.
"What do you think of the food Gerry. very tasty and very filling wouldn't you say?" Jack firmly attempted to get him to speak but unfortunately he stayed understandably and perfectly mute fingers clutching the fork as he tasted another bite, all the signs he gave were a slight nod of the head to necessarily agree.
Sandra had a few words to say to her friends, she stood proudly " I know this last year has been one of the most difficult UCOS has had to face professionally, i understand some cases have fallen through and that's shown our mindsets to decline slightly , yes Strickland has been on our backs endlessly but time and time again we proven to him and everyone else that we never give up, mainly thats down to you Brian, telling us we need to get our thinking caps on when solving investigations espoecially this last case finally getting justice for Thomas and allow him to see his younger brother's killer go to court and hopefully be sentenced in over two months time, Now I know the next year or the year after as a team we'll all be as stronger, dedicated more than ever and that we can give the other police departments a run for their money when the chance comes" Brian cheered loudly, grateful for Sandra's dinner table speech.
"Gerry have you got anything else to add?" the friends all asked the same question as he felt a little embarrassed to say something notable.
"What do you want me to say Jack..I've already been blamed enough as it is." He shrugged his shoulders, baffled by the glances all being aimed towards him.
"Like saying sorry for earlier.. "
"Oh alright...Alright i will..." Gerry realized he never partially wanted to feel ashamed for too much longer and awkwardly stood up amongst his fellow dinner guests, hands placed on table to balance his composure. "I know i stuck my nose in where it wasn't wanted and that i shouldn't have tried to involve myself in the food preparation earlier, i felt a bit too cocky that i can be sure of... Sandra the food you've cooked for us tonight has been magnificent..if you weren't a detective i'd say you could match the likes of Gordon Ramsay or Jamie Olivier at cooking..last but least you're are without a doubt the best Detective Superintendent or colleague i've had the immense pleasure of working alongside, you know the right words to say when we all feel down..you pick us up, inspire us, make us laugh with some wise-cracking jokes..to you Sandra Pullman the best feisty female Detective Superintendent ever to grace the UCOS department" Everyone raised a glass, Gerry's words left Sandra in tears, as she scarcely wiped them away.
Esther hugged her kindly, whsipering reassuring words and then went to sit back with Brian.
"You alright Sandra" Gerry worryingly asked, scared his words have set off her overwhelming emotions
"Yes I'm fine Gerry i appreciate your generous concerns..its just that i'm overwhelmed thats all, overhearing everyone positive words about me, thank you i really appreciate it everyone" Sandra half smiled, head turning towards the stereo underneath the widescreen High Definition Television.
"Since we finished our meals... what do you say to half an hour of dancing Gerry..surely dancing to one song is good enough" Sandra smirked, feeling more relaxed and tranquil towards him.
"Count me out...No..I'll just watch some television or any DVDs you've got" Gerry protested frantically waving his hands about. The rest of the house guests found it altogether hilarious as Sandra leapt up from her chair, extending one hand out for Gerry to grasp securely with his own hand.
"Oh Gerry don't be such a great massive moaner" Brian implied, Gerry accepted Sandra's hand
"Just don't go assuming you're up some nightclub and embarassingly showing off horrible dance moves" Jack mentioned as the first song blared out of the stereo loudly, luckily for Gerry it was an Duran Duran song, Hungry like the wolf.
He happily took centre stage and danced alone on his own taking Sandra with him, much to everyone's relief thankfully they could see the promises of emerging closeness between Sandra and Gerry as she walked towards the middle of the living room, watching on, laughing hysterically to herself, knowing all too well her colleague looked as if he danced like he'd only learnt it ten minutes ago but his confidence seemed to grow by every minute. Brian, Esther and Jack spyed on the from the kitchen, the scene they witnessed was something rather less different than at UCOS. Any thoughts of Layla soon disappeared from Gerry's mind as he showed off his impressive dancing.
"Gerry Standing you are without a doubt a bloody..." She muttered uproariously, paying close attention as he spun around one foot, rotating his wrists, like a professional ballroom dancer.
End of chapter
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