My Girl

Disclaimer: New tricks belongs to the bbc. It's not my fault they leave them lying around, finders keepers!

Author's apology: I'm so sorry I havn't updated for so long, since the kids have been off school I havn't had a moment to myself during the day and in the evenings I've been so knackered I havn't been able to string two sentences together. Also, I have a new laptop, Hooray! The keyboard is a different size so I'm still getting used to it, please excuse any typos.

/

Gerry wandered back down towards the office. He was running the whole conversation with Emily through his head. One sentence stuck in his memory. 'You really havn't seen the best of him.' He thought about the man who had become a member of the family he held dear. He tried to list the things he knew about Robert Strickland. He knew he had two children with daft names, that he was divorced, Gerry decided he needed to know the reason behind the divorce, if this guy was going to be involved in Paula and Gerry's lives, he wanted to know what he did wrong the first time. He knew that Strickland had had a brief spell in the army which ended when he punched a man. Again, he wanted to get to the bottom of this, he had never considered Strickland to have a temper, yeah he could go off on one sometimes, but it was usually after some serious pushing. He knew about the boat of course, but that was about it, he didn't know when his birthday was, he didn't know if he had a second name, or even if he supported a football team. Not much considering they had been working with him for four years.

He acknowledged people as they passed in the corridor, not really paying attention to the faces as he got lost deep in his thoughts, until a voice brought him out of his trance.

"Not got so much as a 'morning' for me then?" A gruff voice pulled him back to the present and made him smile.

"Morning Pete." He turned to face the man, "Sorry mate, I was a million miles away."

"I noticed, I asked you if your Paula was alright?"

Gerry smiled, Pete Cross had been his friend for years. Pete's daughter Katie and his Amelia had been best friends at school.

"She's fine Pete, why?"

"My Kate saw her at the doctors the other day, she said she looked a bit pale and down."

"Oh, she's fine. Look, it's not common knowledge yet, I've only just told Emily, but, well, I'm going to be a Grandad again."

Pete Cross beamed and slapped Gerry on the shoulder.

"Congratulations mate! Don't worry, you know I'll keep schtum. Has she got herself a fella yet?"

Gerry paled and looked down to the floor.

"Well... she has, but I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be public knowledge yet."

"You know me Gerry. Anyway, you know Jackie will get it out of Alison next time she see's her." Pete laughed, Gerry chuckled.

"Yeah. Keep it to yourself though. Paula's been seeing this bloke for about three months. She met him at A&E."

"A doctor?"

"Nah, he's a copper, she treated him."

"A copper eh? I bet Carole is really chuffed about that."

"She is actually. The only one who's having any sort of problem with this is me."

"How come? He's not one of the knobs from corperate crime is he?" Gerry laughed.

"No, he's not. He's a ranking officer."

"You're nearly right." Pete winked, making Gerry laugh.

"Yeah, well..."

"Go on, or are you going to make me guess?"

"She's been seeing...Well...It's..." He took a deep breath. "It's Rob Strickland." He closed his eyes, waiting for the mickey taking to start.

"Strickers! Bloody hell! Well, he's a dark horse. Could be worse though." He grinned at Gerry. "I can see how you'd be a bit put out. What does Sandra think?"

"She's completely ok with it, like I said I'm the only one who's struggling."

"Look mate, you're her Dad. No man will ever be good enough for your little girl, I feel the same way about Katie. But your Paula's a clever girl, she can take care of herself, if she's picked him, there must be a good reason. Anyway, how is the lovely Ms Pullman."

"She's amazing as alway's, I'll tell her you asked after her."

"I still can't believe a total pillock like you managed to get it on with a classy lady like her." Pete smiled, Gerry knew his mate was joking.

"Pete, mate, neither can I." Gerry smiled. "I'll catch you later."

"Yeah, see ya. And don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut. Is it okay if I tell Jackie and Kate?"

"Yeah, like you said, Alison will soon spill anyway. See ya."

He watched as his friend walked off down the corridor, and turned and carried on towards the office, he pushed the door open and entered. Sandra and the others, including Strickland were all gathered around the table, looking through the witness statements linked with the case they were currently working on. Sandra looked up as he entered and smiled.

"How was Emily."

"Chuffed to bits, she's going to give Paula a ring later. I bumped into Pete Cross on the way back down. I'm sorry, but I told him, he's been my mate for years, I couldn't not tell him." Gerry looked apologetically at his boss. Robert shrugged.

"I don't mind. It's going to get around eventually. Nothing stays private in this place."

They looked at the case in front of them for a while, dividing up the tasks ahead. Sandra decided on the plan of action.

"Brian, can you go through the bank and phone records, find anything which doesn't make sense. Jack, can you and Gerry go through the original interview notes, lets find somewhere to start."

Sandra laid out a plan of action, Robert held up a hand to get her attention.

"Sandra, I was wondering if I could have a word with you and Gerry first."

"Does it need to be in private?"

"Not really, It's about the two boys from Caitlin's party." Sandra saw Gerry bristle, she laid a hand on his arm. "I made a few phone calls, the more passive one is Jake Dernfeld, his father is Nigel Dernfeld, a property developer with links to half a dozen brownland projects through London..."

"Brownland?" Sandra questioned. Brian answered.

"Developers buy up old buildings, demolish them and rebuild whatever they want. It's easier to get planning permission on brown land."

"Right. The other boy was Karl Harper. His father is an investor, and from what I have heard, Jason Harper is a piece of work. He's the driving force behind Dernfeld's projects, Dernfeld presents a respectable face, Harper has the dodgy contacts, and he has a record, two GBH convictions and several assualt complaints."

"Looks like the sons are following the same pattern." Jack added.

"What do we do? Jayne only gave me the edited version of what happened, then... well let's just say I was distracted." Gerry folded his arms. Robert sighed.

"I do believe that if we hadn't arrived when we did, Caitlin would have been in real danger..." He couldn't bring himself to think of the possibilities.

"But what can be done, I want to see these little bastards get what they deserve, but talking about commiting a crime isn't a crime, if it was, I'd have been locked up years ago." Gerry was struggling to keep his anger in check. Sandra gave his hand a squeeze.

"Can't we get them on spiking her drinks?" She asked. Robert shook his head.

"If we could prove it, which would be bloody hard, they would only get a slap on the wrist at best. Umm.. I had something else in mind."

"Is it illegal?" Sandra asked, her voice nervous. Robert shook his head.

"Slightly immoral. But it will be bloody painful."

"Let's get it set up." Gerry grinned. "What do I have to do?"

"We need to talk to Caitlin, get her onside. I need to make some calls."

"How about I cook for us tonight. You and Paula come round about seven, I'll call Cait, get her there. Then you can tell us your plan." Gerry was excited, he had been wondering about the boys who had tried to get his little girl drunk. He noticed the others staring at him. "What?"

"Nothing." Brian and Jack muttered, returning to their assigned tasks. He looked at Sandra who was beaming at him.

"Thank you. I'll tell Paula, maybe she can get her Mother to babysit, I don't think Gj should hear what we're plotting." Robert finished his drink. "I'd better go and get ready for this bloody meeting. If I'm not going to be free on time to collect Gerry I'll let you know." He gathered his briefcase and hat and headed for the door. Sandra and Gerry watched him leave. Sandra gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Thankyou." She whispered. He blushed.

"Yeah, well. We'll see what happens."

/

Robert pulled his car up outside the playschool a full fifteen minutes early. He sent Sandra a text to tell her that he was there and sat and watched as assorted parents started to gather. There seemed to be more fathers here for the pick-up, he watched the clock as it ticked closer to three. He felt like he had made a breakthrough today, Gerry had seemed to be at ease with him, and he had even been invited to dinner. He looked at the papers on the seat next to him, he had picked them up on a whim, but he felt sure that it was the right thing to do.

He noticed that the croud of parents had grown larger and that it was nearly time for the children to come out. He got out of the car and joined the gathering, he watched as one by one the children were released to the waiting parents, he smiled as he recognised the blonde head in the doorway. Little Gerry pointed at him and the teacher nodded. He braced himself as the little boy threw himself into his arms.

"Hi, did you have a good day?" He asked the boy. Gerry nodded.

"I did lots of paintings, but they're still drying so I'll have to bring them home tomorrow."

He held the boy's hand as they wandered back to the car, Gerry talking the whole time about the things he had done during the day. Robert was sure the lad didn't stop talking long enough to draw breath the whole way home.

As they drew up outside the house, the door opened and Paula met them. Gerry rushed to her and proceeded to tell her all the things he had just told Rob. Rob followed behind, smiling at the childish enthusiasm, he wondered if Gerry would still be so keen on school in ten years time. He went through to the kitched and emptied out the rucksack, putting the lunch things to wash. He wandered back into the hallway and stood in the doorway to the sitting room, watching as Paula listened intently to her son's non-stop chatter. He smiled as Paula turned to look his way. He pointed up the stairs and left to change out of his uniform.

When he came back down a little later, he could hear the television. He peered through the door and saw Gerry curled up on the sofa, half snoozing, half watching Thomas the tank engine. He smiled and went through to the kitchen and found Paula boiling the kettle. He walked up behind her, snaking his hands around her front, clasping his hands on her stomach, he kissed her neck softly.

"How do you feel now?"

"Better, thanks. Do you have time for a coffee?"

"Yes, Thanks." He drew back and put a bag on the side. "I got some ginger beer on the way home. It really does work." Paula smiled, "And I picked these up..." He handed her the papers from his car. She had a look, her eyes widened.

"Estate agents?"

"There is a house for sale, just opposite the school. It's closer to work for both of us, it has four bedrooms, and a big garden. I don't want to rush you into anything, but when the baby arrives, we're going to need another bedroom..." He stopped as she wrapped her arms around his middle and smiled at him. "I want us to live together as a family."

"You want us to live in sin?" She grinned. He laughed.

"For now. Your Dad seems to have got his head around us being together, but I don't want to push my luck yet."

"That's probably a good plan." She nodded. She smiled excitedly. "When can we go and have a look?" He smiled, her enthusiasm rubbing off on him.

"I'll call the estate agent later, make an appointment." He leaned down and kissed her, "I love you."

"I know. Now what's this message you sent me all about? I called Mum, she can babysit tonight."

"We've been invited for dinner at your Dad's and Sandra's."

"Really! Wow. You have won him over." Rob laughed.

"Not quite. It's a strategy meeting, we're going to talk about a plan for teaching the two little shits who spiked Caitlin's drinks a lesson."

"Is it legal?"

"Why does everybody keep asking me that? Yes, it's legal. Just a bit unethical."

"You've been spending too much time with my Dad." Paula joked. She adjusted his shirt collar, tucking his tie in underneath and adjusting the knot. She smoothed the lapels ofhis jacket down before capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. "Will you come back here straight from work?"

"If that's ok. If we're going to get a house together, we ought to start practising living in sin, don't you think?"

"Oh, I think we should." She agreed.

/