So I am stuck on my other stories – devoid of inspiration – and then this came into my head. Happy to continue it if people like it.

And of course I do not own Rookie Blue or any of the characters...do I need to bother saying that anymore?

...

'There,' Elaine said, smoothing her hands across Gail's shoulders more from habit than because she needed to straighten Gail's shirt. She took a step back and surveyed Gail from head to toe. 'You could have worn a dress but I guess this will do.'

Gail rolled her eyes. 'Well, if I'm not up to scratch then perhaps I should go home.'

'No, no,' Elaine put a restraining hand on her forearm. 'That's not happening.'

Of course not. Gail sighed internally. Tonight was all about celebrating in a very public way her father's promotion. Gail had not missed the Peck soirées at all. After Steve went to prison, Elaine and Bill had retreated. Pulled up the draw bridge so to speak but if anyone imagined they'd given up on their personal ambitions, well clearly they hadn't been paying attention.

Never say never to a Peck, Gail thought wryly. 'It will blow over', Elaine had told her after Steve was convicted, referring not just to the family disgrace but Bill's rejection of Gail. It had taken the good part of two years but her father had come around grudgingly. Although Gail knew he would never entirely forgive her.

Elaine was much more pragmatic. Having lost her golden boy, she pinned her hopes on Gail to carry on the Peck legacy. No doubt she had invited a string of eligible women to tonight's event in the hope of marrying Gail off to one of them. 'You're not getting any younger,' Elaine had reminded her recently, 'and once your looks go, well.' Elaine shook her head sadly as if this was a reality too awful to contemplate. 'I'm thirty-two. I don't think my ovaries have shrivelled yet,' Gail had replied. To which Elaine had tssked, 'no need to be crass'.

'I suppose this,' Elaine flapped her hand to indicate Gail's grey silk shirt and black tailored trousers, 'is what the women go for.'

'The women?' Gail quirked an eyebrow. 'You mean the gay women?'

'The guests will be here any moment,' Elaine flapped her hand again, but dismissively, as though she had no time to get into a conversation with Gail right now. 'At least you're not wearing those dreadful combat boots. Now remember, we want a united front. After tonight, everyone who matters will know the Pecks are back in town.'

Gail groaned inwardly. It was like they were on the set of some bad soapy.

'I just need to have a final word with the caterers. Will you go wait by the front door with your father,' Elaine said. It was an instruction rather than a request.

'Yes mother.' Gail said, wondering if she could make a detour by the bar for a shot or three of tequila without Elaine noticing.

'And Gail, if you get a chance, let the Commissioner know how well your undercover op went.'

'Yes mother,' Gail said without any real conviction. She had only been back a little over a week, and while the operation was a success, it had been a gruelling and at times harrowing five months. Outside of her therapist, Gail didn't think she wanted to tell anyone about it.

'One last thing.' Elaine, who had started walking toward the kitchen, stopped and turned around.

'Yes mother,' Gail said, sounding more and more like an automaton.

'I've invited your ex. I thought it would be a nice welcome back gesture. I assumed you'd be okay with that.'

Gail crinkled her face. Did her mother think she was still hung up on Nick. The undercover op meant Gail had only seen him twice since he returned from Vancouver, the relationship with Juliet having run (from all accounts) its bitter course. These days she didn't have a lot to say to Nick but nor did she dislike him.

At least if she hung with Nick during the party it might keep at bay some of the sleaze bags her parents seemed to always invite to these functions. Although, the #MeToo movement had forced quite a few to reign themselves in so perhaps Gail didn't have to worry too much about their 'unwelcome attention' as Elaine obliquely referred to what the law quite plainly defined as 'sexual harassment'. But, hey who was Elaine to stop at pimping her daughter if it meant the Pecks could get ahead. Gail shook her head slightly in resignation.

'Seeing your ex - that's not going to be a problem?' Elaine asked sharply, mistaking Gail's gesture.

'No, not for me but I thought you didn't like Nick.'

'You're quite right about my opinion of him. The man is a fool in more ways than one. But no, I didn't invite Nicholas. I was referring to Dr Stewart.'