Chapter 8

WDC Liz Rawton stood in reception as she waited for the young PC to finish up with the woman in front of her. She gave a warm smile when the other woman left.

"How can I help you?" PC Luke Ashton asked.

"Hey, I'm WDC Liz Rawton, I'm here to see DCI Meadows. I'm due to start here today?"

"Oh, okay. Give me a minute and I'll phone up to him and let him know you're here."

"Thanks."

Liz walked over to the window to see a flash red car pulling up, watching as an older woman got out, stubbing out her cigarette, and walking towards the station. She woman looked a little worse for wear, Liz noticing that the woman was in police uniform. The door opened, Liz standing back to allow the woman inside.

"Hey, good morning." Liz smiled.

"Is it, I'll take your word for it." Gina groaned.

"DC Rawton, the DCI is on his way down?"

"Thanks for that."

"DC Rawton, oh you're the new start for CID?" Gina said.

"Yeah, and you are?"

"Oh sorry, Inspector Gina Gold. Forgive me but I don't normally look like this."

"Bit of a late one ma'am?"

"Something like that."

"Liz?"

Liz turned around to see Jack smiling back at her.

"I'll leave you too it. Morning Jack."

"Gina."

Gina buzzed to get though the door and vanished as Liz returned her attentions to Jack.

"Nice to finally meet you Liz, it's a pleasure to have you with us." He smiled.

"Good to be here Guv."

"Come on, I'll take you up and you can meet the team."

Liz thanked Luke for his help before following Jack up the stairs and away to CID.

…

Jo was busy tidying up the breakfast things when she heard the front door, putting down the cloth to go and answer it, to fine June on the other side, looking like she's just rolled out of bed.

"Wow, rough night was it?" Jo joked.

"Don't, I need coffee."

Jo stepped aside, as June made her way inside, Jo closing the door and following June back to the kitchen. Jo prepared the coffee before taking a seat opposite June.

"So, self inflicted was it?" Jo asked.

"Yeah, Gina came to the pub last night flashing her money around. She put money behind the bar, and I may have had one too many with her."

"Really, well for someone you were adamant you weren't going to get on with, you had a very quick change of heart?"

"We had a good talk last night and sorted out our issues."

"You see, I told you she wasn't that bad."

"Yeah yeah, I know. Anyway, you're looking better today, you're moving a bit quicker too?"

"Yeah, I know it'll take time but I'm getting there."

"I'm glad, and you look a lot happier than you did yesterday."

"I feel it." Jo smiled.

"Did Jack Meadows stay here last night?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I can smell his cologne."

"Yeah he stayed. June, you don't have a problem with this do you, Jack and me?"

"Of course not, look if he makes you happy then that's all I care about. God knows you deserve some happiness after everything that happened?"

"Could you ever have seen Richard staying by my beside for weeks at a time like Jack did?"

"God no, divorcing Richard was the best thing you ever did. You deserved better than him. Does Jack know about him?"

"He knows I was married, but that's it."

"You didn't tell him?"

"That my ex husband was a serial cheat, no I didn't, too depressing."

"What about the other thing?"

"June."

"I'm not saying you have to tell him, but if things did get more serious between you and Jack, and family was discussed."

"If I tell him, he'll track him down, and likely kill him."

"I wanted to kill him too."

"It was a long time ago June, it made me stronger, it gave me the career I was made for."

"One thing you forget, is that I knew you before you were DS Morgan, before you were a police officer. Richard hurt you in the worst possible way Jo, if you're serious about Jack, don't you think he has a right to know."

"I know, I will tell him. Just not now, I've got enough going on with my recovery. I will tell him, I promise."

June got up, Jo following her to the door. June turned back and gently hugged her friend.

"I care about you Jo, you know that. You deserve to be happy, and one day a lot more."

"Thanks June."

"I'll call you later."

"Okay, see you later."

"Bye."

…

Liz followed Jack through to CID, Rod Skase, John Boulton Susie Croft were at their desks, working through their back logs of reports that needed completed before their new DI arrived.

"Attention everyone, I'd like to introduce you all to our new WDC, Liz Rawton." Jack spoke up.

Susie was the first on her feet, coming over to greet Liz.

"Hey Liz, Susie Croft."

"Nice to meet you Susie." She smiled.

"I'm Rod Skase, anything you need to know, I'm your man."

"You're not her type Rod." Susie joked.

"How do you know?" He whispered.

"Needy is never an appealing quality Rod."

"I'm John Boulton, welcome to the team Liz."

"Thanks Sarg."

"Oh and this is Jim Carver."

Liz turned around, following Jack's gaze and Jim entered the office.

"Morning Jim, good to meet you." She smiled.

"Yeah, you too."

"Well, get yourself settled in Liz, that's your desk over by Rod, anything you, just give us a shout."

"Thanks Guv."

"Jim, a word." Jack said.

Jim followed Jack back out towards his own office, the door closing behind them when Jim got inside.

"Is there a problem Guv?"

"Well it depends on your point of view, as you know we have a new DI joining us, after Chris departure."

"Yeah, he was a good Governor, he'll be hard to replace."

"Well I think you'll be happy with his replacement."

"Guv?"

"And old friend of yours."

"Of mine, who?"

"Frank Burnside."

Jim stood open mouthed for a few moments, before he eventually spoke.

"Frank's coming back, really?"

"Yes really, he'll be here tomorrow morning, so if I were you, I'd make a start on your stack or files on your desk."

"Do the others know, that it's Frank?"

"No, only Jo knows. Thought I'd let you tell them the news."

"Cheers Guv."

"Go on, get out of here."

Jim smiled, before exiting the office, ready to break the news to some who might not be as happy as he was to have his old Governor back.

…

To Be Continued…