On the way back to the station Sam found herself lost in her own thoughts- and they weren't just about Abigail.

She'd heard far more of Neil and Tony's conversation that they'd realised and hadn't liked the direction in which it had been going. Obviously Neil was trying to suggest that Tony had some sort of ulterior motive for helping Abi because of that false allegation of child abuse ages ago. Everyone at Sun Hill knew it was a ridiculous notion, Sam hadn't even thought of that particular thing when she'd found out Abi was in the station. In truth, she'd been more worried about what Manson might be talking to Abi about- and with good reason.

From what Abi had told her, Neil had been digging to see whether she was a good mother or not. It fitted in with her theory on why he hated her but it wasn't a reassuring thought, if he was so against women in the job then there was no telling how far he'd go to get her out.

The one silver lining was that Abi was alright. If she'd have been seriously hurt then Manson would have felt the full force of her temper, it had been his fault she'd been put in the firing line.


Having charged Danny Cullum, Jim found himself in CSU late that afternoon sorting out some of the paperwork he'd been neglecting lately. The room was empty apart from him, it was the time of day when everyone got stir-crazy and made excuses to go out.

The sound of the swing doors opening caught his attention and he looked up, surprised to see June walking towards him.

'Back so soon?' he joked trying to hide his delight. 'You really must miss it here.'

'More work for you,' she smiled passing him a folder. 'Domestic.'

'Great, what happened?'

June shrugged. 'The usual. Neighbour reports a disturbance, we go round there, she's got a black eye, he says she walked into a door.'

Jim's smile faltered a little as he recalled the time he'd used that flimsy excuse back when Marie had been hitting him. 'Right.'

She realised immediately. 'Jim, I didn't mean it like that.'

'I know you didn't,' he assured her. 'Forget it.'

'Well, you might want to have a word with neighbour, Mr Jacques,' she said. 'He's always sticking his nose in, he knows all about them.'

'The 'Reg Hollis' type?' Jim said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

'Exactly,' June smiled.

'I better get over to this Mr Jacques then,' Jim said standing up.

'Have fun.'

'The way you said that makes me worry,' Jim replied.

'It's alright, I'm sure you'll cope,' she said walking back towards the doors.

'See, that doesn't reassure me!'


Tony was back at the station after a lengthy chat with Abigail Nixon. The young girl was a real talker, even when she'd just been shot and was lying in a hospital bed! Not that he was complaining, it had been nice to talk to someone who wasn't a copper for a change.

He'd got into a bit of bother with Inspector Gold when he'd got back but not as much as he'd expected. In fact, he had a sneaking suspicion that DS Nixon had squared it with her.

It was close to the end of the shift so there was no point in going back out on the streets so he was finishing up a report in the writing room.

A quiet knock at the door interrupted his train of thought and he looked up to see Samantha Nixon enter.

'Gina said you'd be here,' she opened.

'Oh, right. Did you want me for something?'

For a moment she looked undecided then she said; 'What do you think of Neil?'

Tony looked at her with surprise, was she planning something against her superior? He wouldn't mind being involved in that. 'Truthfully? I hate the guy.'

'Any specific reason?'

'He's slippery,' Tony replied. 'I don't trust him.'

'It sounds like he doesn't trust you either,' Sam commented and Tony knew she was referring to the conversation at the hospital.

'Maybe he's just being careful,' Tony answered. 'I mean, he doesn't know me.'

'I suppose,' Sam said thoughtfully as she turned to leave. 'Thanks, Tony.'

After she'd left, Tony sat contemplating Neil Manson. If Sam was going to get the guy then he was going to keep a close eye on the situation, not so that Sam didn't find anything but to make sure Manson didn't catch her.


'It's that Williams bloke at number thirteen you've really got to worry about.'

'Right, Mr Jacques,' Jim sighed. 'But it's Carol and Michael Davies I'm here to talk about. You did report that disturbance earlier?'

'Course I did! Banging and her screaming, how am I supposed to get anything done with that going on?'

'Does it happen a lot?' Jim seized his opportunity to get back on the subject.

'They're at it all the time!'

'You've never called the police before though, Mr Jacques,' Jim pointed out.

'He's never chucked her against the wall before,' Jacques countered.

'How do you know he did?'

'I thought the wall was about to cave in! It was shaking, he must have pushed her hard.'

'Maybe he threw something else,' Jim argued. 'A chair or something.'

'It was her!' Jacques insisted. 'I heard her screaming.'

'Alright, Mr Jacques,' Jim said. 'Thanks for your help.'

'If you really want to get someone, try that Mrs Ball at number six.'

'Bye, Mr Jacques.'