Rob introduces Cassie to his mother a few months after their first meeting.
"Mum," he says, giving Clare an awkward half-hug. "This is Cassie, from work."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs Reilly," Cassie says warmly, shaking her hand. Clare looks at Rob questioningly.
"She knows," he says, without further explanation.
Clare nods. "Call me Clare," she tells Cassie.
The two women are left alone together while Rob goes to get the coffees.
"How long have you and Adam worked together?" asks Clare.
It takes Cassie a moment to think who she's talking about. "We've been partnered for a couple of months."
"I'm glad he's got a friend," says Clare, glancing over at her son. "I worry about him. He was such a happy child, but after what happened..."
"He told me how you had to move to England," Cassie says sympathetically. "That must have been tough."
"Yes, and putting him in boarding school." Clare sighs. "I do regret that now, but we thought we were doing the right thing at the time."
"He knows that," says Cassie.
"Do you have kids?" asks Clare.
"God, no." Cassie smiles.
"A boyfriend?"
Cassie can see where this is going. "No. It's difficult with work, you know."
"It's the same for Adam. I'd like to see him settled down. Your parents must feel the same way."
"My parents are dead," says Cassie, used to not tiptoeing around the fact. "Car crash."
"Oh, I'm so sorry..."
Cassie shakes her head. "It's fine. I was young when it happened." She's not sure why that makes it any better.
Rob returns with the tray of coffees. "Your mam was just about to show me your baby pictures," Cassie tells him. He flicks her in the nose while Clare watches.
When they say goodbye, Rob manages to give his mother a proper hug and Cassie does the same.
"She seems lovely," says Cassie, as Rob drives them back to the station.
"Did she try to convince you we were a match made in heaven?" Rob asks, eyes on the road.
"Yep," says Cassie cheerfully. "I told her I wouldn't touch you with a bargepole." Rob takes his hand off the wheel to give her the finger.
