A few days later Sheelagh was lying with Des on his sofa and they were watching the TV. Des kissed the top of Sheelagh's head. Sheelagh put her hand on his chest and pulled herself up till her face was level with his. She kissed him gently and he immediately returned it and his hands wandered to the bottom buttons of her shirt.

While Sheelagh and Des were enjoying themselves on Des's sofa, Adam and Gina were in Adam's office talking about them.

"I think that they slept together on the undercover op, Adam." Gina said.

"What makes you say that?"

"Something Reg said in passing."

"Go on."

"Reg said that on the day Honey was beat up. Sheelagh and Des kept glancing at each other over the drinks and…"

"That doesn't mean anything." Adam interrupted.

"Hold on, he also said that he had asked Des if he'd been able to pull Sheelagh. You know, feelings get mixed up in undercover situations. And apparently Des got all defensive and said, 'none of your business!'"

"Your saying that Des didn't deny sleeping with her?"

"Yeah."

Adam sighed.

"Do you want me to talk to her?"

"Would you?"

"Okay. I'll tell you tomorrow what she says."

"I'll talk to Des."

The next day it was 'conveniently' arranged so that Gina and Sheelagh were on foot patrol together and Des and Adam were in the area car. In the car Adam was saying.

"I think I'm a bit rusty."

Des didn't say anything.

"Are you always so quiet Des?"

"Only if Reg or Sergeant Murphy is in the car."

"Why?"

"Because Reg never lets me get a word in and I can never find anything to say to Sergeant Murphy."

"Are you and Sergeant Murphy awkward round each other?" Adam was glad that Des had been the one to mention Sheelagh.

"No, but she's my friend as well as my sergeant and I don't want to make a fool of myself."

"Oh."

While they were talking about Sheelagh. Gina and Sheelagh were talking about Des.

"So, how did you get on with him during the operation?"

"Reg?" Sheelagh decided to make it as hard as possible for Gina.

"No, Des." Gina was patient.

"Okay, he makes nice toast."

"What about at night?"

"What about it?" Sheelagh stared in front of her.

"Did he, you know, try anything he shouldn't?"

"No, we slept on separate sides each night."

Neither Gina nor Adam got anything more out of either of them. Later, when they were both in Adam's office Gina said.

"They're not gonna say anything."

"You're probably right."