Seven days later Patrick Murphy was sitting in his kitchen with a cup of tea in front of him. He had been staring absently at it for the last en minutes. He was missing Sheelagh. On the other side of the table was Sheelagh's mobile number. He was contemplating whether or not to text or ring her. Patrick got his own mobile out of his pocket and opened up a new message. He typed out this message:
Hi Sheelagh, how are you? Hope you're having fun in everything you do. Missing you. From Patrick.
Patrick sent the message then made himself a fresh, warm, cup of tea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheelagh was sitting in the sergeant's office with June Ackland when her phone bleeped. She picked up her phone and read the text message.
"Is it from Des?" June asked.
"No." Sheelagh replied absently.
"Who then?" June persisted.
Sheelagh looked up at the London-born copper. "Just a friend." She replied defensively. June heard in Sheelagh's voice that she had persisted too much.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"Honestly, it's just a mate."
"I'm going to the loo." June stood up and left the office. Sheelagh took the opportunity to send Patrick a text back.
Hi! I'm great thanks. How are you? I'm bored at the minute. From Sheelagh.
When she was sending the message, June came back in. Sheelagh gathered up her stuff.
"I'm off. I'll see you tomorrow." She said.
"Okay. See you." June replied cheerfully.
Sheelagh left the room and her phone bleeped again.
Why don't you come round? Keep me company too.
Sheelagh smiled then started to walk to the front office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick heard a knock on the door and smiled to himself. He let Sheelagh in and greeted her with a quick kiss on the cheek. They went through into the kitchen and Patrick put the kettle on. They sat opposite each other at his kitchen table with cups of tea in front of them.
"Any interesting cases at work recently?" Patrick asked in between taking sips of his tea.
"No," Sheelagh laughed, "it's just normal shoplifting that kind of thing."
"Oh. How's your husband?"
"Okay. How're you and your family?"
"Yeah, we're good thanks. They're coming to London for a week's holiday soon."
"Oh, you should all come round to ours and have dinner."
"We wouldn't want to put you out."
"You wouldn't be. I love cooking for people."
"Well I'd have to ask them."
"Okay."
"Come on. D'you want to go into the sitting room?"
"I don't mind."
Patrick stood up and held his hand out towards her. By this time they'd both finished their drinks so they left the cups on the kitchen table. Sheelagh took Patrick's hand and he led her into the living room.
Sheelagh sat on the sofa while Patrick tried to turn the TV on. He tried a few times, and checked that it was plugged in. He turned to Sheelagh, who was watching him.
"It doesn't work." He stated.
"Oh."
"There is one that works," Patrick looked at her confidently but his voice was quiet, "but it's in my bedroom."
"I don't mind." Sheelagh's voice was equally as low.
"There was a film I wanted someone to watch with me. Will you?"
"If you want me to."
"Great!" Patrick's face broke into a grin. He picked up a DVD box that had been on top of a pile of DVDs and stood up. Sheelagh followed him out into the hallway. "Are you sure? I mean, you'll have to sit on my bed with me." Patrick asked, trying, unsuccessfully, to ignore the excitement that was growing inside him.
"I'm okay with it." Sheelagh confirmed in a calm voice. Although, she was far from calm inside!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half-way through the film Sheelagh lay her head on Patrick's shoulder. Patrick waited a minute before putting his arm round her so his hand was resting on her waist. They felt comfortable like this…so they stayed like it.
Patrick waited about half-an-hour, until he felt sure that Sheelagh wasn't going to move, before he started gently stroking her side. Sheelagh didn't stop him so he kept doing it. Sheelagh snuggled into Patrick more and put her arm round him. Patrick picked up her hand with his and slipped his fingers through hers. Sheelagh looked at the united hands then she tipped her head back to look at Patrick. Patrick felt her move so looked down at her. Their eyes met and they couldn't break the gaze. Patrick smiled at her then kissed the top of her head causing their eyes to part. Sheelagh took her hand from Patrick's grasp and reached up to stroke his face. The film had finished by this time.
"I'd best get going. Des'll want his dinner." Sheelagh said regretfully.
"Oh. Okay. Did you like the film?"
"Yeah. It was good. Did you?"
"Yeah," Patrick smiled at her, "do you really have to go?"
Sheelagh nodded. "sorry."
"It's not your fault. Come on, I'll walk you to the door."
Sheelagh left Patrick's flat and walked the short distance to her house. She thought back to Patrick and smiled.