Alec Hardy left Broadchurch on a Friday. Just like any other Friday out of the fifty-two weeks in the 365.
Two days after Alec Hardy's departure from Broadchurch, Ellie Miller went back to work as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
It was Monday. An ordinary Monday. Just another mundane Monday.
The day carried on as usual: filing paperwork, writing up reports of petty theft criminals, being a part of those office banterings between workmates. It was all swell, but something was missing.
Someone was missing and something felt out of place.
Hardy was missing and she was out of place.
Since the DI's absence from the workforce in Broadchurch was permanent, Ellie accepted the position promotion, and the office space that was once his. It felt wrong. That was his office, not hers.
It should have been his name hanging on the door outside, instead of hers.
Everything should have been his, he was boss. He was the brain,and everyone else was just his hands and feet. Now she became "the brain" and had to oversee all those "hands and feet", who were scattered all over the floor outside of the office walls busy with their tasks.
It was painful to watch. She should have been there right sitting next to PC Jones, PC Brown, or even DS Smith, instead of holed away in this office- which should have been Hardy's.
It wasn't right. He shouldn't have left Broadchurch. It just made everything complicated.
Why did you have to leave? You selfish sod! Don't you know how much of an impact your very presence is in the force? You just HAD to leave and force me to clean up the mess, didn't you? Typical men.
One week after Alec Hardy's departure Ellie Miller finally found her routine again.
Everything soon fell into the same old, boring, rut. Filing paperwork, writing up reports, cataloguing missing items...petty things that only helped pass the endless hours in that dismal office space with dingy grey walls and whitewashed corridors.
Ellie applauded silently whenever something halfway remotely interesting came into the office. At this point, even this missing cat case was a welcome relief for her and the team. It gave them something to do, instead of reminisce on what had transpired over the past months.
It took a toll on everyone in the force. No one said a word, but they knew DI Miller took the change harder than anyone else. In just three small words, Miller's life fell to shambles and made Hardy leave.
"It was Joe."
Closing the Latimer's case did ease away some of the raging pain in Ellie's troubled spirit, but it only channelled into another direction- the reason for Hardy's absence.
With Joe behind bars, and Alec gone, Ellie felt incredibly lonely. Despite all the turmoil of the investigation, only Alec did not turn his back to Ellie, like her friends did when the disgustingly horrible truth came to light.
However, the Latimer's did come round in their thinking and apologised for their rude behaviour accusing Ellie of knowing all along.
It wasn't quite there yet, but Beth and Ellie were slowly coming back to being good friends again. Their four (well, little Lizzie was too young to understand it all) children got on alright, considering all of them suffered the same loss-Danny's absence.
For Ellie, it wasn't just Danny's absence, it was Alec Hardy's also. No one knew him better than she did. She missed his stubborn ways and sarcastic back-hand comments on everything she liked. She missed the Scottish burr constantly rambling in her ears.
Two months after he took leave of the quaint seaside town, Ellie finally had a proper case to keep her occupied. Thankfully it wasn't a murder case, but a missing person. Her team worked tirelessly round the clock trying to piece together all the details.
Sometimes she'd catch herself staying late in her office (his office) nattering on to no one about a specific detail, then suddenly stop and look around, expecting to see the brooding grumpy bear scowling at her.
But he wasn't there.
Ellie, get ahold of yourself. He left. Despite the circumstances, it really was for the best. He's not coming back. This place had too much penance for him. He deserved much better.
Nine months after Alec Hardy found a permanent residence away from Broadchurch, Ellie Miller finally allowed herself to grieve. She took a long walk along the seaside where his little blue chalet was. She finally accepted his death and eternal absence. Alec Hardy wasn't returning to Broadchurch. Ever.
Rest in Peace cheeky sod, it's time you gave your heart a break. Be free. Be happy.
A-N: It's been an eterninty and a day since I've returned to the world of writing and reading. I've only recently been pleasently introduced with this marvellous series 2015 BBC The Muskeeters, and much joy I've had in watching another recreation of Dumas' famous works brought to the screen again! I've begun my hand in writing stories relating to this fantastic adaptation. Since starting I've picked up Broadchurch again. If you've stayed on during my abcesne, welcome back my friends!
Here's a plot bunny I wrote years ago betwen S2-S3. Please don't hate me for it! Comments? Thoughts? I know S3 ended much better than this "what-if".