Smithyfan – there's a reason for the similarity ;o) Shall come clear later

Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks – Part 2

"Wheeeeeeeeeeee!" Charlie stood at the bottom of the slide with her arms open, scooping Rebecca up as she slid down, smothering her in kisses as she laughed, Rebecca squealing and giggling.

Smithy grinned and took Rebecca again, putting her on top of the slide again, holding tightly. "We ready?" He smiled as Rebecca nodded, grinning.

"One….twooo, threee…."

"Wheeeeeeeeeee!" Charlie grinned again, lifting Rebecca into the air as she gently 'flew' her round, blowing a raspberry on her cheek.

Rebecca kicked her legs and giggled loudly, holding her arms up to the sky. "'Gain!" She beamed, holding her hands to Smithy. "'Gain!"

"One more…" Smithy smiled, taking Rebecca and settling her at the top of the slide, grinning as she giggled in anticipation, waving to Charlie. "One…twooo…threee…"

"Wheeeeeee." Rebecca giggled, sliding down towards Charlie, screeching loudly. "More?" She looked at Smithy as Charlie picked her up, beaming innocently.

Smithy shook his head, taking the hand that was offered, "Home, madam."

"No." Rebecca giggled, shrieking as Smithy tickled her, "No dada!"

Smithy smirked and wrapped an arm around them both, guiding them and the pushchair towards the car, packing it quickly in the boot as Charlie settled Rebecca in her car seat, ignoring her protests to stay. "Next time sweetheart."

"Noooow!" Rebecca scowled, glaring at her parents from under her fringe, dropping into Charlie's lap.

"Good girl!" Charlie beamed, clapping as Rebecca toddled into the house, clutching Teddy as she dragged it behind her. "Say bye to daddy."

"Daddy?" Rebecca turned, looking behind her for Smithy.

"Daddy'll see you after work, sweetheart." Smithy opened his arms, bending to Rebecca's level.

"Nooo!" Rebecca's face crumbled and her bottom lip trembled. "Dada…" she whimpered, gripping Smithy's arm tightly. "Daddy…"

"I'll be back soon…" Smithy frowned, kissing her forehead. "You look after mummy for me?"

Rebecca rubbed her eyes and sniffled, shaking her head. "Daaa!"

Smithy sighed and cuddled Rebecca tightly, kissing her forehead. "Daddy'll be back after work." He sighed again, passing her to Charlie as Rebecca's cries increased in volume and she tried to cling to him. "We can go find Becca a new teddy tomorrow – Daddy's here all day…"

"Teddy?" Rebecca hiccupped, sniffling. "…Teddy!"

Smithy smiled and kissed her forehead. "We can go tomorrow, promise."

Rebecca yawned and reluctantly nodded, reaching to hug Smithy again. "Bibi Daddy." She patted his cheek and kissed him, before dropping her head against Charlie's shoulder, closing her eyes.

"We'll have a little nap, won't we darlin', been a busy day, Becca's tired..." Charlie smiled softly, kissing Rebecca's forehead. "See you later." She smiled again, wrapping one arm around Smithy's waist as she kissed him, grinning as he deepened the kiss. "You've got to go…" she murmured, resting her forehead against his.

Smithy scowled and nodded, pulling back with a smirk, "See you tonight…"

"Bye daddy…" Charlie beamed, standing on the doorstep as she lifted Rebecca's arm from her neck, wiggling it in Smithy's direction.

"Ah, Smithy."

"Ma'am?" Smithy looked up from the form in front of him, glad of the distraction, as early into his shift as it was.

"Canley Primary, a disturbance. They've asked for me…" she glanced behind her. "I don't suppose you fancy a wander?"

"Not taking Amber?" Smithy smirked, pushing his chair back as he switched his computer off and stood up.

"After yesterday?" Gina raised an eyebrow. "It was enough just getting her up and into the school, never mind the time it took her to stop pouting after she got chocolate finger prints over her uniform hat."

Smithy chuckled and picked his equipment belt up, fastening it around his waist, before pulling his jacket on. "After you…"

Gina turned, leading Smithy along the corridor. "It's a father mouthing off at staff from outside, the mother hasn't let him see his son for a good 6 months of so, and is taking it out on them. He says he'd go if he could just see his boy…"

"Do we know his name?"

"James Henderson, his son's name is Craig. The caretaker has him being watched, but he needs to be removed from the premises."

"The mother been contacted?" Smithy asked.

"Not until we get some more information." Gina mused. "When we find out why he hasn't been allowed to see his son, then we'll see what the next move is."

Smithy nodded, getting into the drivers side of the panda car as Gina got in beside him, fastening her seatbelt as Smithy started the car, driving towards the school.

"Mr Carter."

"Inspector Gold." The head teacher drew himself to his full height, nodding at Gina and Smithy as they approached. "PC…?"

"Sergeant Smith." Smithy held his hand out, shaking Carter's hand, smiling politely. "Mr Henderson…?"

"Ah, yes…" Mr Carter looked suitably embarrassed and frowned lightly. "I'm afraid he got away from Paul."

"Paul?"

"The caretaker." Mr Carter gestured to the door, "He's now in the classroom-"

"He's what!" Gina blinked. "Which classroom?"

"Just through here…" Carter opened the main door, leading them through. "We've got the area cordoned off, there are no children allowed near here, they're all either in the gym, the hall, or in classrooms the other side of the school. Craig is in my office with his teacher." He nodded at the man stationed outside the room, introducing him as the caretaker, "Anything you need, I'd only be too happy to help."

Smithy exchanged a sidewards glance with Gina and nodded discreetly.

"We'll take it from here…" Gina dismissed the caretaker, before opening the door. "Now, Mr Henderson…"