Chapter #20: Epilogue

DCI Alex Drake has her first meeting with Jamie Murphy's Reception teacher at St. Michael Primary School to gather how his progress has been since starting school back in September. As his foster parent and being a CID police officer, she has a dilemma on whether her foster son Jamie would be better at 5 years old, rather than 4; it turns out that once he settled into the routines of primary school, it was just right for him.

DCI Alex Drake had been called into St. Michael's Primary School for a quick word, a soft knock on the Year Reception classroom door which was painted bright yellow brought Mrs. Treadwell out of her thoughts as she worked through her plenaries, marking names on children's artwork and lesson planning linking to the National Curriculum at Foundation Stage.

"Come in, Mrs. Drake." said Mrs. Treadwell at her desk with neatly stacked paperwork, files, laptop, stationary and I-Pad.

"I was asked to start Jamie at Reception aged 4 by Greater Manchester Council's Social Services; but also concerned that Jamie was going to learn more behaviours that we consider unacceptable (screaming, shouting, standing on tables etc) from nursery." as he's the youngest in the year to turn five in August 2020 when most of the eldest pupils of his class will be already 6 years old when they enter Year 1. DCI Alex Drake kept a diary of his behaviour, as she pondered on why the emphasis is on getting kids into school at the earliest possible opportunity?

"We feel that Jamie at this age is still too young to attend school on a social and emotional basis at his current age of four." replied the friendly Reception Year teacher, Sally Treadwell who had 26 years of experience as a primary school teacher, being in the career since 1994. She had bright red orangey long hair, wore a lovely knitted jumper and smart legging trousers with slip on black shoes.

"I can't understand why it's so important to start reading and writing at such a young age, even if most of the activities in Reception year are still play-based especially if they come from a looked after child background or have additional needs." answered DCI Alex Drake wearing her formal business woman clothes during the foster parent to teacher talk. "It seems to be about convenience for working parents/Social Services, or nurseries who turf still preschoolers into formal schooling too early; when they're only 4 years old and could benefit from another nursery year." it is a big step up because it is going from EYFS to Key Stage 1. "He hasn't been causing trouble?"

"No he's been fine once we've got over his inital settling in issues. But I can't help but think he may be better in Reception for another year at five, as I'm concerned Year One would be a big jump for Jamie, in the next academic year."

"Thanks, for keeping an eye on him." Alex looked at her digital watch out of habit.

"You're the best teacher I ever had!" Jamie answered excitedly "Is it time to go home yet?" jumping up and down on the spot in his classroom. His excitement about learning and school had been steadily growing since he left Nursery; Alex and Molly thought he would burst.

"Nearly, the Guv Gene Hunt is a best mate of mine and he's waiting in his Ford. So will you go and get your book bag please?" she asked the 4 year old boy.

"He gets excited about being in school." replied Sally Treadwell smiling at one of her pupils.

"Yeah, I've gathered that." Jamie rushed about in the Reception classroom playing with the learning resources and toys.

"Well you can hardly blame him after what Jamie's been through in his short life. It's made him be more confident."

"Goodness knows what he'll be like when old enough to play in the St. Michael Primary School football team!" The beep of a horn from the Gene Genie signalled it was time to make a move, so Alex ensured Jamie had his coat on and made their way to the car.

Detective Superintendent Gene Hunt ends up spending far too much time on the Internet. He is very like his 27 year old daughter, Megan Hunt drooling over new technology as he gets given a cybercrime assignment in the Southampton Constabulary CID; will a cool dude of the 80s and 90s be able to find the leads without having to do the back door hacking?

He teases Megan, even as she loops her arms around Gene's neck and kisses the top of his greying long mullet hairstyle.

"If you must know, this informer of Daddy's is giving me leads on the cybercrime case." he replies. "When I officially retire from policing I'll be moving into the UCOS unit, because I will always be the street cool Guv." both of them smiling as they faced the slim desktop computer.

"You'll always be a cool dude Daddy. I know that as you've got to spend your youth in the 1980s and early 90s; my big sister and I were one of the best gifts you've ever had since." replied Megan J Hunt with big bursts of laughter as her dad shares another joke in turn.

"Yeah, of course, darling. You'll always be my little mate." he can still be seen to be dressed awesomely and draw upon his experiences of the late 1980s and early 90s; the spirit of then seen to have left its mark on him too since being an adult.

After a childhood in the 1970s to early 80s being at primary and secondary comprenhensive school; Gene was easily misled, bunked GCSE's and never taking any exams but nevertheless despite a bit of immaturity, his childhood was perhaps much more grounded in the realities of poor role models, seeing some off putting things and a sibling he never got on with ever.

"One thing led to another, like a domino effect; I only wished I made better decisions, Megs." he sighed working with the Cybercrime unit. Gene Hunt himself never took part in smoking or using motorbikes to name a few red lines – explaining that the deaths, broken units or end results of certain family members was more than enough to put him off.

Detective Superintendent Gene Hunt's formative years was not all so negative. "My home life was very suburban, and I'll always be my parents little boy, no matter how old I get." he nestled his 27 year old daughter Megan around him, embracing their love and she admires her father.

"Oh, daddy I love you so much like mum and my big sister." Megan replied to her dad, giving Gene a kiss on the cheek. "You're there to be funny, making people laugh."