"He seemed nice…"
The pavements were deserted as they walked down Tennis Court road, his arm still resting across her shoulders. In contrast to the artificially-heated lab, the air was chilly and Laura shivered,
"Yeah, he is. Bit mad, but then again they all are…"
She leant against him a little, conscious not to put too much pressure on his injured shoulder. Robbie smiled to himself, noting her choice of the word 'they',
"I'm assuming I don't need to be jealous about…"
"Hamish?"
She looked up, a wry smile playing across her lips,
It wasn't exactly what he'd meant, but he nodded, a twinkle in his eye.
"Just because Leo has a penchant for sleeping with his graduate students, it doesn't mean the rest of us are at it…"
"He does?"
"Hmm"
"Is that allowed?"
He looked genuinely shocked at the thought and she smiled indulgently, snuggling back into his shoulder,
"Technically yes, as long as you declare any conflicts of interest, but…"
"…Must get complicated"
She smiled to herself as he obviously pondered the logistics of such an affair. He really was quite the innocent…
"Hmm…can't say I've ever found that aspect of college life particularly appealing…"
They made their way over the icy cobbles of Botolph Street, careful not to slip, and she nodded towards a large oak door in the wall.
"Speaking of colleges, if you want, we can cut through here… I have a key"
They walked through the small courtyard at the rear of the College, past the kitchens, and under the main dining hall. The place was deserted and in the dim afternoon light the dark oak staircase and wainscoting took on a slightly sinister hue. There was a creak overhead, and Robbie looked up quickly,
"Any ghosts I should be aware of?"
She grinned and followed his gaze up the stairs,
"Plenty…though most of them are still on the fellowship"
A faint shaft of light caught the old stained glass window above, and she dragged him through the passageway out into the old courtyard.
Even though he'd spent half his life wandering around Oxford colleges, Robbie never really felt that comfortable with the places or the people who lived in them. The students were alright, for the most part, but he had little time for dons and officious porters. It all seemed like a complicated joke to him, a world away from reality. Laura squeezed his hand and he was drawn from his thoughts.
"Didn't have you pegged for the superstitious type…"
He smiled and curled his hand around her much smaller one,
"I'm not, pet. Just thinking about how strange these places are…"
She raised an eyebrow, encouraging him to elaborate.
"You know, gowns, traditions, poncy private school kids with trust funds"
She smiled and shrugged,
"I know. But it is changing now…that's not where I came from…"
He grimaced, immediately regretting his choice of words,
"I know, pet, I didn't mean it like that…"
"I know. And for what it's worth, I don't exactly agree with a lot of it, but education is so important, Robbie, and research…"
He smiled and wrapped an arm back around her, pulling her closer,
"Don't"
She looked up, a little peeved,
"What?"
He smiled and kissed her forehead,
"Don't justify yourself to a stupid old dinosaur like me. You're right. I'm being unfair"
She smirked and kissed his cheek,
"Tyrannosaurus rex or triceratops?"
He chuckled softly, kissing her lightly,
"Now, if I'd got a science degree, I'd be able to tell you…"
They walked back out onto the street, and took a left turn onto King's Parade. It was the street that Robbie knew best, and as they strolled along, he admired the architecture. Opposite King's, Laura paused, her interest drawn by a brightly lit window, full of antiques and ethic soft furnishings. He waited patiently as her eyes lingered over the vibrant colours, and he took the opportunity to admire her face in the reflection of the glass.
"Are you looking forward to coming back to Oxford?"
She was concentrating on the intricate woven fabrics, and for a moment he wondered if she'd heard the softly spoken question. Unobserved, he watched her face, his heart lifting as she smiled to herself,
"Absolutely. I can't wait to get back into the field…"
He was still holding her hand, his fingers warming hers,
"Really? But don't you prefer the academic stuff to all the blood and gore?"
"The two aren't necessarily separate."
She turned, her attention now fully on him and carefully, deliberately she kissed his cheek. She understood entirely what he was asking.
"I'm really looking forward to coming home, Robbie. For lots of reasons. One of which happens to be slicing up bodies with my favourite DI"
Her hand had risen to cup his cheek, and he smiled, pressing a kiss to her palm,
"I don't want you to feel you have to…"
"I know. And I don't. If it makes you feel any better, I decided weeks ago"
They strolled on, past Caius College, down past the smart new shops on Trinity Street. Opposite the college of the same name, was a large bookshop, and it was Robbie's turn to linger. Although Blackwells more than catered to his needs, it was hard to resist the temptation to step inside. He felt Laura's arm slide around his waist,
"Shall we go in? They don't shut for another half hour"
"Nah, you're alright, I'll come back another day…have a proper browse"
She nodded and adjusted her scarf, amused as he took another second or two to prise his eyes from the display. They walked on, and paused to admire the beautiful paintwork on the great gate of John's. The light was really fading now, and she was conscious it would be dark in an hour,
"We can go this way, if you like…"
He hesitated for a moment, eyeing the Porters' Lodge, and the prominently displayed 'No Visitors' sign,
"Won't they be shut?"
She dug into her pocket and pulled out her wallet,
"Not if I show them some ID"
She waved the small blue card at the porter on the gate and he nodded, stepping back to let them in. Robbie quietly put his warrant card back in his pocket, but not before she saw it and smirked,
"Mine also gets me a 20% discount on books from Heffers, you know…"
He grinned and pulled her closer as they walked across the courtyard,
"Best keep in your good books, then, doctor…"
It only took ten minutes to cross the long lawns of St Johns out onto the Backs, but as they walked in silence, Laura's mind was wandering. Term would be starting soon, she'd planned to be back in the office from Monday, and she had at least two days of writing to finish before then… Glancing at him, she smiled as he was distracted by a pair of squirrels skidding over the last of the snow.
"Robbie…at the risk of sounding like a terrible host…"
"…you were wondering how long I planned on staying?"
He squeezed her hand gently and turned to look at her, not a little amused at the look of shock on her face.
"How the hell did…?"
"…I know what you were going to say?"
She shook her head in amused irritation as, once again, he took the words out of her mouth,
"Yes…"
"I've known you for the best part of fifteen years, Laura"
She rolled her eyes.
"…and besides, you've not said a word since I mentioned that I'd go back to that bookshop later. I am a detective, you know?"
"I'm going to have to watch myself around you, aren't I?"
He raised an eyebrow suggestively, and she chuckled,
"So, Detective Lewis how long am I going to have the pleasure of your company?"
"I'm not sure, pet…"
"Is Lynne expecting you back?"
"Nah, we agreed that I'd head back to Oxford. She needs a break from her old dad…"
"And do you have any pressing need to be back in Oxford?"
"Nope. In fact I'm signed off for at least another month. I'll need to give evidence at the enquiry in London, at the end of January, but otherwise my schedule is clear."
As they walked, the silence stretched out. It wasn't awkward, not exactly, but it was felt.
"How about you?"
She looked up at him, confused,
"In what respect?"
He'd meant to ask whether she was busy, whether she had plans, but simply settled with the obvious,
"Me staying…"
She looked at him, head tilted and a small smile playing on her lips,
"Yes please"
"Are you making fun of me?"
She smiled and shook her head,
"Nope. I want you to stay. For as long as you like"
"Really? You don't have to say that, I know you like your own space, and…"
She held up a hand, gently pressing it to his chest,
"Robbie, I've spent the last four months…"
She sighed, not wanting to descend into cliche, and tried again,
"I think I've had enough of my own company for a while...if that's ok with you?"
He grinned broadly, and kissed her forehead,
"It's more than ok, love"