I shouldn't have done that," Laura admittedly guilty, "He didn't really deserve it."
"Peterson?" Robbie guffawed, as they turned to cross the river, "I should think he probably did, if he even noticed. Immune to the obvious that one."
The late afternoon sun was just beginning to cool as they walked, an unspoken purpose to their stride as, hand-in-hand, they left the towpath and headed back to navigate the bustling streets of Oxford city centre. By rule they tried to avoid it at the weekend, the jostle of now weary weekend visitors with tired, hungover college-types rarely providing the backdrop to a contented stroll and this occasion was no different. Their chatter was interrupted as a student on a bike veered violently out of control, careering off the pavement onto the cobbled street where they were crossing, its last ditch attempt to dodge a group of tourists that had abruptly halted by one of the college entrances. They separated as the wheels appeared to be heading straight for them before turning only at the last moment, a call of apology preceded a string of cursing as the cyclist all but collided with a litter bin sitting at the edge of the curb and swerved dramatically to avoid a lamppost. Sharing a silent exchange between them, the daily encounters between town and gown all too familiar, they came back together, as the danger passed, her hand slipping into his once more.
"In step," she commented lightly, his puzzled look met by her nod down to where they were joined
"That's a good sign, that is," he said confidently.
"I thought you said..." she started, her thoughts flashing back to a few weeks ago.
"Oh alright, a better sign then," he corrected, grinning at the sparkle that could be found despite the eye roll being offered to him.
The last of the dishes washed and stacked on the draining board, a damp cloth flicked over the table and counter, Laura retreated to the living room, her lips curling into a smile at the sight that greeted her.
"After Eight?" Robbie offered from where he was perched on the edge of the sofa.
"Thanks," she replied, taking one from the elegant green box resting on the coffee table before sinking into the armchair across from him.
She watched as he topped up their glasses from the half drunk bottle of red he'd carried in from the kitchen, placing hers in front of her and resting back with a contented sigh and closing his eyes.
"What's the occasion?" she enquired, taking a small bite from the dark square of mint chocolate.
He opened one eye and frowned, "Occasion?"
"Christmas and parties," she replied, "At least, that was the only time they ever came out in my parent's house growing up."
He smiled, "Well, don't say I don't know how to see a lass rightl," he teased.
She laughed and leant back, matching his relaxed state but resisted the temptation to join him in the inevitable outcome of a full stomach after a long day and even longer week. If he'd asked she'd have admitted to being happy; happy that the equilibrium between them was restored, the simple enjoyment of just being together. Perhaps it could be this easy, she mused as she noted his breathing slowing, there was no need to try and change themselves to fit one another. They already did.
"You staying?" she asked at last, her voice causing him to jolt back awake, blinking as he took a minute to digest the question he'd been asked.
"If I'm allowed," Robbie replied, bringing his hand up to cover his yawn. "As you see, I'm primed and ready for anything."
"Anything?" she asked, an eyebrow arching at the implication.
"Well," he considered, "Anything that involves lying down," a blush spreading across his face as he heard back his words and only growing at the sight of the suggestive look she was now giving him. "I mean, in bed," he tried to clarify.
"Is that right?" she murmured, reaching for her wine and taking a sip, her eyes wide as she regarded him over the rim of the glass.
"I mean," he tried again, his visible awkwardness rising, "Under the covers, you know, together..."
Laura's smirk dissolved into a chuckle as he continued to try and dig himself out of the ever deepening trench of innuendo before giving up completely by throwing her an exasperated look.
"You know what I mean, woman," he growled, before adding pointedly, "Sleep!"
Laura snuggled under the duvet, her too long pyjama bottoms riding up her legs a little as she did so, the warmth these would ensure countered by the slightly more seductive vest top she'd opted for. She wasn't immune to the idea of doning something more revealing, lacy and softer to the touch, but that felt too bold. For now, at least.
She listened as he padded about the ensuite, the reassuring domestic sounds of him strangely comforting. She closed her eyes, let her head sink deeply into the pillow and waited, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep with his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. The click of the bathroom light followed by the mattress shifting under his weight had her half holding her breath in anticipation, but the feel of him pressing up against her never came. She turned to catch a far off look in his eye as he sat half propped up against the headboard.
"You ok?" she asked with concern, turning over more fully, her hand moving to rest gently on his chest.
"Aye," he nodded, "It's just...well, I handed in me papers, officially like."
She waited, it being clear there was something more, and used the minutes to feel the soft fabric under her fingers, lightly caressing the curve of his stomach, the warmth of him ever present.
"It's the real reason we were late," he confessed at last, "A bit of healthy negotiation on me leaving date," he paused before adding conclusively, "So, that's that I guess."
"It's ok to have doubts," she offered quietly, seeing the look of worry stretched across his face. "It's a big decision."
"It's not really though, is it?" he shrugged with a forced smile, "Been thinking about it for years. It's just..." he hesitated as he looked directly at her, "Well, it's easy to say it's time to retire and quite another to actually do it. Innocent says I needed to commit to it, embrace it fully, now that I'd taken the first step. But that was just her code for some unfathomable instruction she wants me to follow."
Laura smiled knowingly. "Probably," she conceded without elaborating. "Look Robbie, you don't have to have it all mapped out, just take it a day at a time."
"But that's just it," he countered, "And do what? Sit about, twisting me thumbs. Can you really imagine me doing that?"
She laughed, "No, not really. But you can start by looking after me. There was talk of dinner being on the table when I got home, I seem to recall."
"Ha! I can't imagine you're the kind of person that needs a lot of looking after," he argued.
Laura dipped her head for a moment, as if in thought, and then lifted her eyes to meet his pleading gaze once more.
"There's a huge difference between need and want though," she murmured, her hands smoothing unseen wrinkles from his t-shirt, "I mean, I need to move because frankly the arm
I'm leaning on has gone a bit numb. But what I want to do right now is something quite different."
"Oh yes?" his eyes brightening at the seductive tone she'd adopted. "And what's that then?"
She shifted her weight so she was lying fully against him, her arms slipping behind his neck to pull herself closer still, her lips hovering just an inch or so above his.
"Oh, I think you know, Inspector," she whispered as she captured his mouth with hers, a happy hum escaping as he responded just as keenly with his own.
The End! At bloomin' last, I hear you cry!
I honestly wondered if I'd ever reach the end of this one. It's my longest Robson to date and I've struggled with the tone at times. We see only flashes (sadly) of Laura's character on screen that it's hard to know what she really thinks of Robbie and his dithering, albeit interspersed with the odd actual decision. But for all of that I've enjoyed committing my meandering thoughts to paper. I hope you have too. I thought I'd have a little break but, guess what, I've already started the next one. I'm a sucker for punishment at no mistake!