One week later.

"Nice place this." Robbie was looking around at the surrounding landscape of their temporary new home, a lovely and remote location with mountain views. "I never even heard of it before."

Laura stood next to Robbie also taking in the view. The taxi that had dropped them off was fast disappearing. Their suitcases and the car seat sat in a row on the edge of the unpaved road. "I had heard of it but did not know how to pronounce it." She looked over at the small structure where they would be staying. If James had seen it he would have been reminded of the house where he once tried to question Jack Cornish about a drugs factory.

Robbie rocked back and forth on his feet as Flavia was now asleep in the baby carrier on his back. "Did we do the right thing?"

Laura put her arms on his shoulders to steady him and brush some dust off his jacket. "I know I did but I never expected you to drop everything."

He covered her hands with his. "The only thing I won't drop is the bairn on my back."

"You didn't even tell Moody you were leaving."

They walked towards the house and Robbie opened the door, not sure if he should let Laura in first or check it out himself, but then he had Flavia with him which slowed him down. Laura solved his dilemma by running in ahead of him. By the time he and Flavia were inside Laura was already returning from a quick tour of the small house.

"So, what do you think?"

Laura put her hands on her hips. "As promised, some food and supplies were brought in. It'll do for starters."

"Good. Let's get Flavia settled then we can eat lunch."

Half an hour later, Robbie and Laura sat at a simple wooden table with bread, cheese, and wine.

Robbie broke off a chunk of bread and talked in between bites. "So, does my not telling Moody I was leaving make up for me not telling you when Innocent lured me back to work?"

Laura took a sip of the surprisingly good wine. "Hardly, but you have made it up to me in other ways without me even having to remind you."

"I had a plan."

"Did it include traipsing around the world with an infant on your back?"

"No, not originally. This is most certainly a new chapter I never expected."

Robbie's phone buzzed. Laura saw his expression. "Problem?"

"Not for us. James says Moody got the sack and Innocent is coming back to her old job as Chief Superintendent. I wonder..."

Laura finished his sentence for him, "if your leaving without notice caused Moody to get the sack?"

Robbie reached for more bread, "Mmm, needs garlic." He mulled something over in his head. "No, there must be another reason."

There was a knock at the door. Robbie and Laura exchanged glances. Laura went to check on Flavia while Robbie opened the front door a crack to see who was there.

Ellen Jacoby had ended an unsatisfactory phone call with her son Cale. She had recently gone shopping and bought several lovely and impractical outfits for her granddaughter Flavia. Her son had told her there was no way to get the clothes to Flavia right now. Ellen did not pay much attention to the details of the situation. Her only concern was that the child was stylishly dressed. Cole was reminded of his own childhood and decided that at least Flavia was shielded from Ellen's customary rejection of the important things in a child's life. Cole survived because of the love and care he received from his Aunt and Uncle.

Ellen shook her head at the image of Alec Pickman's grandchild emblazoned with Dodos and Fire Trucks. She folded up the newly purchased clothes for Flavia and put them away. She quickly forgot about her granddaughter and went back to planning the memorial service for Alec. She had intended to ask Cole if he would deliver the eulogy but never got to ask during their brief phone conversation. Going through Alec's things she found a phone number for Mrs. Collinson and called the older woman and pressed her into service to deliver a speech about how Alec did the right thing by his son and saved his life. While Mrs. Collinson agreed to pay homage to Alec, she suspected Ellen would have preferred that Alec not have sacrificed his life for Cole's. Ellen would do more shopping and get herself a new black dress and coat for the occasion.

Bradley Hobson sat by his daughter's bed. He cleared his throat and opened a book. "Well, Caroline, let's see what our young chemist is up to now. Canada appears to be in her future, lucky lass." Brad read for 30 minutes pausing every few pages to look over at his daughter, study her face for a sign. Finally at the end of a chapter with no cliffhanger he closed the book.

"I'm sorry I don't have the reading voice of Robbie Lewis." He smiled at her fondly. "Yes, I know you had a bit of a crush on him, or his voice at least. Your mother does too and understands why Auntie Laura is smitten with him. And he's an all-around good bloke. By choosing Laura to care for your daughter, you got him too." He took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. "And don't worry, Mum and I aren't upset you didn't choose us. All we want is what is best for you and Flavia. We will be here looking after you. I have taken a leave of absence from work for as long as you need me to keep on reading."

A/N: Apologies for the delay of the completion of this story. My original ending just didn't feel right anymore and I changed course. There should be another chapter soon if I don't get too distracted with an idea I had for a Robson Christmas story.