Chapter 36

Laura walked him to the door, watched him walk to his car waving when he looked back at her. Despite the murder of one of her closest friends, she couldn't help but smile to herself. He'd come to see her. Under the auspices of the case but he could have done it by phone.

He'd wanted to check on her, had said as much before he left. She probably shouldn't feel this way, shouldn't be almost giddy with pleasure. But for the first time in a really long time, she felt as if there was someone on her side. Someone who was looking out for her, someone who cared.

If anyone had told her all those years ago when she'd gotten his first letter that one day she would be this excited by him stopping by, she would have told them they were crazy. Yet here she was, pulse racing, cheeks warm with a blush thinking of him.

"If I didn't know better, I would say you have a crush."

Turning back to Ellen, she shrugged, "And if I do?"

"He isn't the one you had a date with, is he?"

"And if he is?"

Ellen shook her head, "Nothing, I just don't think I expected him to be quite so…" A look from Laura stopped the next word from tumbling from her mouth. "Northern."

Laura laughed, "I know, he's older but somehow, I don't notice it. I don't even care when others do."

"He's quite…I'd say cute but can you call someone his age cute?"

Rolling her eyes, Laura walked past Ellen toward the kitchen. "I'm not even sure you can call someone our age cute. Why don't we settle on handsome?"

"I like handsome. Should we add stable, solid, reliable…"

"He's not a sedan." Meeting Ellen's glance, "Alright, he's all of those things but he's also funny and smart and kind and…"

"A sweetie?"

"Yes, he's a sweetie."

Ellen wrapped her arm around Laura, "So when are you going on a real date?"

"We were supposed to go out tonight but with the case, I doubt that will happen."

Sitting at the kitchen table, she smiled up at Laura, "I could make my scarce. You could invite him over, cook."

Laura shook her head, "Oh no, I won't be the reason you call Alec."

"I have other friends who live here."

"Really, planning on spending the evening in the morgue with Ligeia?"

Cringing at the bluntness of Laura's joke, "I could go to a movie."

Laura laughed, "No, it's OK. There will be other nights."

"And is it nights you want?"

Laura blushed, "Among other things."

"Then don't wait, call him. I can go back to London."

"He'll be busy with the case." Pointing toward the stairs, "I'm going to take a shower."

"OK, I think I'll take a quick walk. Think about what I suggested."

Laura laughed as she headed for the stairs. As she waited for the water to heat, she couldn't help but think of Robbie. It would be nice to see him. Perhaps seeing him would help her gauge his interest. He did have to eat. Stepping into the shower she decided going to work might be just the thing.

Ellen was returning from her walk when Laura came down the stairs. Looking back she saw the laptop, "You're going in?"

Trying to act like she didn't have an ulterior motive, she changed the subject. "What are you planning to do?" Recognizing that might seem too obvious, she change tactics. "I mean you're welcome to stay here…"

Ellen sighed, she'd offered to leave but really wanted to stay, needed to be close. "Would you mind?"

"No, of course not."

Anxious to get to the office, anxious to see Robbie, Laura shuffled around trying to gather her things.

Ellen put her cup on the counter, making more noise than she'd planned. "Do you think we should call Alec? I mean, they were, you know…"

Laura stopped herself from rolling her eyes, "Yeah, 20 odd years back. You want to seek Peter out as well?"

Ellen laughed, knowing she'd taken the wrong approach. "Well there will be a funeral…"

"Eventually."

"I'm sure she'd want Alec to be there."

"Ellie! Didn't you ever read the instructions? Never return to a firework once lit."

Ellen nodded, "I know. But, he loved her."

"Are you hoping, now that she's gone, he might love you instead?"

"I didn't mean…"

Softening, she crossed the room. Her hand gently touched Ellen's arm, she often forgot how fragile Ellen was, especially where Alec Pickman was concerned. "I'm sorry, that was cruel. Tell you what, once the funeral is scheduled, you can call him then. But let's not invite him in too soon, eh?"

Closing her eyes, Ellen nodded, her hand moved to cover Laura's. "You're right." Opening her eyes, she smiled at Laura, "Just too many memories."

"Tell you what, tonight what if we take a stroll down memory lane." Smiling at Ellen, "Just the two of us."

"And your Inspector?"

"Will still be around in a day or two."