Steve awoke with a start, instantly aware something wasn't right. It was a lot brighter than he had expected and there was a lot more traffic noise and general hubbub going on outside for 6:00 am. He grabbed his phone to look at the time. 7:15 am! Bastard alarm hadn't gone off.
"Shit!" he said to himself as he sprang out of bed and hurried to the bathroom heading straight for the shower. He turned it on and sent a quick text to his friend as the water warmed up, before he received a message from her asking where he was. They were due to travel to London to interview a police officer as well as look up information on a suspect they had on a case in AC12. It was going to be a long day and the earlier start they could get, the better. Steve's lie in wasn't going to help.
Pressing the send button, he despatched his message before hopping in the shower. His breath was instantly taken away by the freezing cold water raining down on him and he felt his testicles jump up into his abdomen in protest. "What the fuck?" thought Steve to himself. This morning was not going well. He fiddled with the dials a bit but it soon became apparent that there wasn't going to be any hot water for his wash. It was too late to do anything else so he gritted his teeth and had a cold shower.
Quickly drying off he put on his dressing gown as he headed for the kitchen. Kate had replied to his message. She would be waiting for him at AC12. Starting the coffee machine and putting two slices of bread in the toaster he then made his way back to his bedroom, putting on a shirt and trousers before detouring back to the kitchen. His coffee was nearly done. Grabbing some milk and butter from the fridge he applied the butter to his waiting toast before putting the milk in his coffee.
He was in such a rush eating his breakfast that somehow he managed to spill some coffee down his shirt. Not to worry, he thought to himself, his waistcoat would cover that when he had put it on. Shortly after, his bad luck continued and he managed to drop his toast, butter side down on his trousers, leaving behind a greasy stain. Steve closed his eyes in despair, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger as he counted to ten, trying to dampen his anger down. The universe really had it in for him today.
Rushing back to his bedroom Steve had to completely change his clothes- swapping his intended grey suit for a blue one before grabbing everything and heading for the door. His phone pinged. It was another message from Kate. Don't forget a suitcase! : ). In case the day dragged on, they had decided to pack something in case they had to find a budget hotel to stay in overnight instead of driving all the way home. "Fuck's sake!" Steve again said to himself as he rushed back into his room and threw a few things into an overnight case. This time he was successful in leaving his flat.
He rushed down the stairs to his car, hurriedly dumping his suitcase in the boot. "What the fuck?" Steve exploded as he noticed that his front right tyre was flat. He kicked the wheel in disgust which only succeeded in hurting his big toe whilst the tyre remained deflated. 'Stupid fucking service car!' Steve thought to himself as he walked off the pain. He didn't have time to change the tyre so retrieved his suitcase from the boot and headed to his own car.
"You still here DS Fleming?" Ted Hasting shouted from his office door, looking at his watch. The officer he was directing his question to, was leant against PC Maneet Bindra's desk with a cup of coffee in hand gossiping with the junior officer and keeping her from her work. Obviously they were being a little too loud, Kate thought which had caught the attention of their superior.
"DS Arnott's alarm didn't go off so he's running a bit behind," Kate informed the Gaffer, feeling a little guilty at grassing Steve up, but at the same time, a little relieved that his ire would now be directed at someone other than her.
"I'll give him 'didn't go off'" Kate heard Ted mutter to himself as he closed his door and disappeared back into his office.
Shortly after and Kate saw Steve heading out the lift. Wanting to avoid a confrontation between him and the Gaffer, she put her cup down, wished Maneet farewell, grabbed her suitcase and headed over to Steve, directing him back to the lift before Ted had a chance to see him. "Gaffer wasn't happy we were running late," Kate informed her partner once the lift was descending to the car park.
"Right. Thanks, mate," Steve replied gratefully. He really couldn't face being chewed out by the Irishman in front of the department this morning.
"You ok?" Kate asked. "You're looking a bit flustered,".
"Just having a really crap morning. First the alarm, then I have to have a cold shower as I didn't have any hot water and I spilt my breakfast all over me. Apart from that, everything's great. It's because it's Friday the thirteenth, I swear!".
"You don't believe in that bullshit do you?" Kate asked surprised as the lift doors opened and they made their way through the car park.
"I didn't. But I can't think of any other explanation today," Steve answered. They stopped in front of his car. "Don't ask!" Steve said before Kate could question why they weren't travelling in his service car. "Tyre had a puncture which was the real icing on the cake!" he explained as he unlocked the car. He took Kate's suitcase from her and placed it beside his in the boot.
"Sorry mate," Kate consoled as she took her seat and did up her seat belt. She had to admit that Steve was having a pretty shit morning.
"As I said, it's Friday the thirteenth," Steve reiterated as he took his seat at the wheel and did his belt up too.
"Well in that case I'll be your good luck charm," Kate suggested as Steve started the car. "Your day is going to get a whole lot better, trust me,".
Travelling through the city towards the motorway heading south, Steve began to think Kate was right. She was his good luck charm. Every single traffic light they approached was green and they had an unhindered journey. They soon were making up for lost time and Steve's mood improved a bit. It was short lived however as an hour into their trip all the cars around him on the motorway were putting their hazard lights on as they slowed to a complete stop.
"What the hell is this?" Steve asked as they were surrounded by stationary cars as far as they could see both in front and behind them. It didn't look like they would be moving anywhere fast anytime soon.
"Oh this doesn't look good," Kate said as blue lights whizzed past them on the hard shoulder as police, ambulance and a fire engine went past.
"I want a refund. My good luck charm appears to be broken," Steve muttered, his testy mood returning.
"Shut up, Steve. I don't think your Friday the thirteenth is anywhere near as bad as for who has been injured or whatever," Kate retorted.
"Sorry, mate. You're right," Steve apologised.
Whilst they waited Kate phoned the police officer who they were supposed to be interviewing to let him know that they had been detained. She also called Hastings to let them know they wouldn't be reaching London until a lot later than they estimated. Once that was done she delved into her handbag to find the packet of sweets that she had packed for the journey. Maybe Steve's mood would improve when his blood sugar level was raised.
After 30 minutes there was still no sign of the jam breaking so Steve turned the car engine off. Knowing his luck today the last thing he wanted was to run out of petrol. He turned the radio on for some entertainment. The sounds of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstitious' filled the car for a while. The DJ then came on air and started talking about Friday the thirteenth and Kate rolled her eyes. Listeners were being encouraged to phone in and talk about good luck rituals they did. Some were well known, others sounded insane to Kate.
"Did you forget to do all these this morning?" Kate teased. "If you're quick you can greet that lone magpie I spy over there," she said, pointing to the embankment. "Might change our fortunes. Oh never mind- it's flown off!". Steve didn't reply. He knew his friend was taking the piss. Ordinarily he would have joined in with her but he was having the day from hell and as far as he was concerned there had to be a reason.
Two hours later and they hadn't move one centimetre. The effects of the coffee that both Steve and Kate had consumed that morning were starting to take effect. Kate was shifting in her seat quite a bit trying to alleviate her discomfort and trying to take her mind off her predicament. Steve was contemplating a quick trip into the bushes to relieve himself as they had seen a few other stranded drivers do. "I really need to piss," he informed Kate.
"Me too," agreed Kate. "It's so much easier for you. There's no way I can go with all those stinging nettles around," she continued miserably.
Thankfully it wasn't too much longer before the traffic started to disperse and the police officers were once again on the move and in frantic search of a service station. They found one just in time and once more comfortable took the time to stretch their legs and also have something to eat. Feeling better they headed back to the car and resumed their journey. Although the traffic was heavy they were moving and eventually reached their destination.
On their arrival at the South London police station they found that the officer they needed to speak to had gone out on a shout and was currently unavailable. "Of course he is!" Steve muttered to himself. To occupy themselves they were given a stack of notes that they had been told may be of use in their case. It became abundantly clear after a fruitless search that that was not the case. Thankfully by the time they had decided this, the officer they needed to speak to was back in the building and they were able to speak to him. His answers however weren't particularly of any use and Kate and Steve could confidently say that this lead of enquiry in their investigation was a dead end.
Steve's pessimistic view of the day had spread to Kate by this point and she was frustrated that the whole day had been a waste of time. "What shall we do now?" She asked. The choice was to get back in the car and head home although it was now rush hour which would add to their journey time. They had already spent so much of the day in the car that it felt like a prison and wasn't a tempting option. They could eat and then head home or they could find a budget hotel and head home tomorrow. Before they had a chance to decide, Steve's phone rang.
"Mum?" Steve said, answering the call. He was a little surprised she was phoning at this time of day as she knew he often worked late.
Kate saw her partner pale and slump against the car as he listened to what his mother had to say. "What's happened?" Kate asked concerned when he had hung up. Something bad had happened she could tell.
"It's Dad. He's been taken to hospital with a possible heart attack," Steve informed her. This was the last straw for him today and he felt completely defeated. Kate immediately enveloped him in a hug and took charge of the situation.
"Which hospital? We should go there. Do you want me to drive?".
"I'll be fine to drive," Steve stated as he opened the car and got in. Kate didn't argue but wordlessly got in the front passenger seat.
"I know it's not the best news to get," Kate said as they navigated their way through the London traffic, "but it's sort of good that you were near by right?" Kate encouraged, trying to be positive. She didn't receive an answer so let her partner concentrate on the drive.
It wasn't long before they reached the hospital. Steve found a space and Kate followed Steve inside. "Coronary Care Unit?" Steve asked the lady at the information desk before receiving a complicated set of instructions before setting off immediately.
"Steve wait a minute," Kate begged as she caught up to him and took his hand. "Do you want me here? This is a family time and I don't want to intrude. I can make my way to a train station and head home, it's no problem,".
"Can you stay?" Steve asked. "I think I need you here. The way today is going I'm not sure I can handle any more bad news," he admitted.
"You're sure?" Kate asked and got a nod from Steve. She squeezed his hand in support and didn't let go as the pair searched for their destination. They eventually found it and were informed that Steve's mother was in the waiting room as his dad was in the cardiac catheter laboratory undergoing a procedure.
"Hey mum," Steve said as he entered the room and saw his mother sitting by herself looking sick with worry.
"Steve!" She replied in relief at finally having company. She got to her feet and went over to her only son who wrapped his mother in a hug. Kate hung back and let the pair reunite.
"Mum," Steve said as he relaxed his hold on his mum, "this is Kate," he continued as he introduced the pair. "Kate, this is my mum,".
"Nice to meet you, Mrs Arnott. I'm sorry it's in these circumstances," Kate said, extending her hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Kate. It's good to be finally able to put a face to the name. Steve's always 'Kate this and Kate that' whenever we talk,".
"Mum!" Interjected Steve clearly embarrassed. Kate saw that he was blushing.
"What?" Questioned Mrs Arnott, clearly at a loss for what she had done wrong. "Anyway call me Lynn," she told Kate.
The three of them took a seat and Lynn told them the potted history of what had happened to Steve's father at home and how he had been rushed in immediately to the hospital. "It's lucky you were down here wasn't it?" she finished off.
"Yes, wasn't it," Kate agreed with Steve's mum, giving a pointed look at her partner. Hopefully he would stop all this talk of bad luck now his mum thought it was lucky they had been nearby.
The news was obviously doing the rounds on the family grapevine and Lynn's phone was ringing almost non stop as different relatives offered their condolences and support. Steve and Kate had to listen to the same story quite a few times as Lynn recanted it to the different callers.
"Shall I get us all a drink?" Kate offered once the latest call finished. "I think I saw a Costa at the entrance,". Both Steve and Lynn took her up on her offer and she left mother and son to some family time as she tried finding the shop. She also took the opportunity to phone Ted and inform him of Steve's news. She promised that she would be at work on Monday but didn't yet know if Steve would be as well. Once she hung up and collected her drinks she made her way back to the waiting room. There had been no updates during her absence. "Here you go," she said as she handed out the refreshments. "I bought a bit of food as well just in case," she explained.
Although it had been a while since any of the three had eaten, no one had much of an appetite. Kate managed a cereal bar and as the hours ticked by she felt herself fighting sleep but in the end she nodded off with her head resting in her hand.
"Is she ok like that?" Lynn asked her son, noticing the uncomfortable position Kate had fallen asleep in. Steve looked at his partner and had to agree with his mother. He reached over and gently shook Kate who was sitting next to him.
"Kate?" He said gently. Kate gave a start and looked around a bit disoriented at having been woken. "You can use my shoulder if you like?" Steve offered, extending his arm behind the sofa they were sat on. Kate gladly accepted the offer and soon was nestled into Steve's side, her head resting on his shoulder. Steve's arm went round her in response. It wasn't long before she was asleep again. It had been a long day for the pair of them and soon Steve was drifting off as well with his head resting on top of Kate's.
Lynn couldn't help but smile at the pair. They were obviously close from what Steve had told her during their phone calls over the years since he had joined AC12. She didn't know how close but wondered if they were more than friends. She certainly hoped so as she really liked this girl. Her only son was now in his mid thirties and showed no sign of settling down, flitting from one relationship to the next that she found it hard to up. She repeatedly had to tell him that it was time to start a serious relationship and think about starting a family. She wanted grandchildren and didn't want to be too old that she couldn't enjoy them. Maybe he had finally taken her advice on board, after all a mother was never wrong.
The door to the waiting room opened, pulling Lynn from her thoughts. A man in theatre scrubs entered. Lynn woke Steve up with a gentle touch to his knee so he could hear the news. Kate woke as Steve moved. "Is this Mr Arnott's family?" The doctors asked and received a positive reply.
"I'm the interventional cardiologist on call this evening. Your husband," he said directing himself at Lynn, "was indeed having a heart attack but I'm pleased to say we have managed to get rid of the blockage in his artery. I've put two stents in as well to keep the arteries wide open. He's responded really well and the heart muscle is looking a lot better,".
"Thank you so much," said Lynn as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. She had been preparing herself to hear the worst news and was so relieved not to get it. "Can we see him?".
"Just for a short while. He's a bit drowsy from the anaesthetic still and we should let him rest. I'm afraid only two can visit at one time," he warned them.
"Don't mind me," Kate said instantly. "I'll wait here," she told the two Arnott's.
"We won't be long," Steve informed her. "Just let mum see he's ok,".
"It's fine," Kate replied.
"Finally some good luck, eh?" Steve said. He was as relieved as his mother that his dad was going to be ok.
"It's not the thirteenth anymore," Kate told him after a quick look at her watch. It was now in the early hours of Saturday morning. "Hopefully that means you are done with all your talk of bad luck!".
Kate didn't have to wait long before they were back from their visit. The patient had clearly wanted to rest and seeing that he was ok, both Steve and Lynn felt comfortable leaving him.
"Mum's offered to put us up for the night," Steve told Kate.
"Are you sure?" Asked Kate, not wanting to put the woman out. She had lots on her plate at the moment.
"Of course," Lynn replied, "and I could do with the company. I've been married to Steve's father for so long I'm not used to being alone," she explained.
"That would be lovely then," Kate agreed. She realised they hadn't booked a hotel yet and it would be difficult at this time of night.
Letting Lynn take the front seat next to Steve, Kate made herself comfortable in the back directly behind him. The three of them chatted away as they made their way to the house, their journey so much easier with very little traffic on the road. They were soon pulling up in the driveway.
"How about some soup and toast before bed?" Lynn suggested. "My appetite has returned now I know Pete is going to be ok,". Both Steve and Kate accepted her offer. "Excellent. I'll show Kate in and you can bring in your suitcases," she instructed Steve.
"Yes, mum," Steve replied.
"I can take mine," Kate interjected, not wanting Steve to be running around after her.
"Nonsense!" answered Lynn. "I've brought him up to be a gentleman," she informed Kate.
Steve blushed with embarrassment again. His mother was obviously back to her normal self after hearing the good news about his dad. He had never brought any girl home before and he was being reminded why.
Lynn led Kate into the house and through to the large kitchen/diner at the back of the house, switching on lights as she went. Kate heard Steve enter the hallway behind them and put their suitcases down before closing the door and joining them.
"Can I do anything to help?" Kate offered as she watched the older woman start to bustle about the kitchen.
"You can sit there," Lynn replied, pointing at the dining table, -"and keep us company. Steven can get the drinks,".
As they worked in the kitchen, Kate noticed some family pictures on the wall and went over to inspect them. There were lots of the family when Steve was much younger and some more recent ones. Some of Steve by himself and of course one of him graduating from police college. Lynn saw her looking at them with interest.
"I can show you his baby photos tomorrow if you like?" She suggested cheekily, knowing she was embarrassing her son enormously.
"Yes please," replied Kate, playing along. She would have lots of mileage with those in any future disagreements or arguments they had.
"Shut up, Mum!" Steve suggested to his mother. "And you," he said to Kate, "can stop encouraging her!" He continued trying to sound annoyed but really was very happy that the two most important women in his life at the present time were getting on like a house on fire.
They quickly ate their late meal before heading to bed. Steve told his mother to go on ahead whilst he locked up. "OK. I'll see you two tomorrow morning. I'll do us all a nice English breakfast when we are up. Steve you know where everything is?" She checked with her son who informed her that he did. It wasn't long before Steve and Kate were following her up the stairs.
"First door on the right," Steve instructed Kate who was ahead of him on the stairs. She did as she was told and found a guest bedroom already made up. Steve followed her, putting their suitcases down before shutting the door behind them.
"Have you told your mum about us?" Kate asked as she turned to face Steve.
"She sort of guessed when we fell asleep on each other in the waiting room," Steve answered her as he approached Kate, putting his hands on her waist and giving her a quick kiss. "She asked me when we were visiting dad and I told her then. Is that ok?".
"Of course," Kate said as she rubbed her nose against Steve's in an affectionate manner.
They had decided on giving a relationship a go after a long chat following Dot's demise just over three months previously. Their friendship had been really bad immediately beforehand, each angry with the other at how quickly they had been replaced as partners by Dot and Lyndsey. Once Kate had helped get Steve out of his cell they knew they had to clear the air. As they talked it over, it was clear they were angry because they had a lot of buried feelings regarding the other and jealousy had reared it's ugly head.
Their relationship was their little secret however, just in case it didn't work out and also because they were slightly going against the regs and dating someone they worked with. To their surprise, things were going from strength to strength, and they had slipped from friends to lovers quite easily, but always were careful to keep up appearances when at work. It would not look good for anti-corruption officers to be seen to be breaking the rules.
"Do you want to use the bathroom first?" Steve asked before showing Kate where it was. She made a quick visit and Steve soon followed. When he returned to the room he found her in bed wearing one of his T-shirt's that she had obviously stolen from him after a previous night at his flat. "Do you know that you are the first girl that mum has allowed me to have in this room?" Steve mentioned as he joined her in bed in just a pair of boxer shorts.
"Wise woman," Kate retorted as she snuggled down under the duvet. "This was your room growing up then?".
"Yep. Different decor to now but same room," Steve replied. "Same bed as well," he added as he turned on his side to face Kate.
"Different mattress I hope!" Kate teased.
"Of course!" Steve replied as Kate felt one of his hands disappear under the shirt she was wearing, his fingers gently walking over the skin of her abdomen before reaching one of her breasts, letting Kate know his intentions.
"Steve!" She chided him quietly as she jumped away from his touch, not completely at ease with what he had on his mind. "What about your mum?".
"I don't really want her here watching," Steve replied, choosing to misunderstand her. He got an annoyed eye roll for his effort.
"That's not what I meant! Which one is her room?" She asked. "She might hear! I've only just met her and I don't want to spoil it,".
"She's across the hall and probably fast asleep already," Steve answered hoping to change Kate's mind. After a day from hell he really needed this although would never force her. "We'll just have to be quiet," he suggested flirtatiously as he leant forward to kiss her. It wasn't long before she was under his spell and offered no resistance as he removed his T-shirt from her. He paused, taking in the beauty of the woman beside him. "Love you so much," he said almost in awe.
He set about showing her that he really meant his words, although it was quite difficult. With every squeak of the bed, Kate would freeze, listening out for any signs of Steve's mum being awake. "Relax," Steve murmured. "She loves you, mate. I think she'll actually be over the moon if she knew what we were up to. She's always reminding me I need to settle down in a serious relationship,". He felt Kate relax and he continued with his activities, which were a lot more sedate than usual, taking their time, gazing Into each others eyes, whispering sweet nothings to each other. "I'm the luckiest guy to have you," he admitted.
"You've changed your tune. You were the unluckiest guy in the world, earlier apparently," Kate reminded him.
"I know. Glad that day's over," Steve replied. It wasn't long before Kate was biting her lower lip in an effort to be as quiet as possible as she reached her peak. Steve followed her soon after. When it had become clear that their relationship had some mileage and wasn't just a one night stand or quick fling, they had done the adult thing and had a conversation about contraception. They decided that the best option for them was for Kate to go on the Pill as neither particularly liked the inconvenience of having to use condoms. She had been on it over a month now and knew they were safe not using one tonight.
"Love you," Kate whispered as they entangled themselves and found herself being pulled into Steve's arms. She tucked herself into his side, head resting on his chest and they were soon settling down to sleep. "Steve?" Asked Kate into the darkness after a little while, a thought suddenly entering her head which was stopping her from going to sleep.
"Mmmm," Steve replied groggily as sleep had nearly claimed him.
"If your mum guessed about us, you don't think that anyone at AC12 knows do you?".
"No!" He replied confidently. "You haven't said anything have you?".
"No," Kate clarified. "But we didn't say anything to your mum and she guessed. And the longer we are together the more hard it is not to say anything,".
"Kate, I know we need to talk about this but can we do it when I'm not just about to fall asleep," Steve pleaded.
"Sorry," Kate apologised and gave him a little kiss on his cheek. "I just think the Gaffer will take it better if we tell him, otherwise knowing our bad luck he'll find out some other way,".
"Err I thought you didn't believe in bad luck. Said it was all bullshit this morning," Steve reminded her.
"Steve?".
"Yes?".
"Shut up!" Kate retorted. "Otherwise your bad luck will be returning pretty soon and you can spend the night on the sofa,".
Steve gave a little chuckle at her threat. "Night, mate!" He said as he kissed the top of her head and settled down. Kate soon followed and this time both drifted off to sleep.