The following morning, Laura awoke irritatingly early. She supposed that was inevitable. Her sleep was, at the very least, slightly disordered and a lie in two days in a row was probably too much to hope for. She sighed and rolled onto her back. Robbie muttered in his sleep and slid his hand over her stomach, drawing her against him and she smiled. He kissed her shoulder gently and settled against her, still contentedly asleep and Laura sighed again. At least it wasn't too early, she mused, nearly seven o'clock. And a sleepy Robbie sent pangs of affection, of endearment through her. It was moments like these that she clung onto the memories of when they weren't able to see each other as often. He looked so carefree in his sleep. Fewer lines, more relaxed. She gently brushed his hair to one side and he smiled at her touch. "Laura," he murmured, capturing her hand in his and intertwining their fingers. She'd had no real agenda for their time in Suffolk. A rare four day weekend, and both of them off duty. Absolute bliss. Just to be able to spend time together was simply lovely. Laura didn't need dramatic gestures or elaborate schemes. This, this was what she sought. Genuine affection, companionship, an unexpectedly intense physical attraction, a certain degree of mutual interests. It was just proving to be really lovely. Her hopes and expectations for their relationship were proving well-founded, and even if Robbie hadn't told her that he loved her, Laura certainly felt loved. And right now, it was enough.
Their conversations yesterday had surprised her. Frankly Laura wished Robbie would get over his preoccupation with the age gap between them. She cared so little. It was so obvious to her that they were well suited but it clearly bothered him. But Laura couldn't quite get to the bottom of that particular concern. She idly wondered what it would take to convince him of her perspective. She smirked slightly as memories of the previous evening returned to her. Laura was quite convinced she'd demonstrated exactly how attractive she found him. It intrigued her too that he was so curious about her love life, how surprised he'd been when she'd confessed how long she'd had feelings for him. Honestly, men could be so blind sometimes. Laura was quite confident she'd not been that subtle. And surely since Dorset, he must have known that she wouldn't have so much as looked twice at another man since then. It was almost six months now. Not that Laura set any great store by the passage of time, but it was nice to be able to reflect back on the nicer moments they'd shared in that time. She still valued keeping it discrete at work, enjoyed the brief moments of banter between the two of them. Laura wondered how long it would take James to work it out. Surely, he of all people, would clock it soon enough? Laura was reasonably confident that Jean Innocent had her suspicions but she doubted the Chief Super was likely to start asking probing questions of her chief pathologist and one of her CID team.
And today was Easter Sunday. Lucy had appeared the previous evening with a stash of chocolate and an invitation for Easter dinner, and Robbie had been quite happy to play happy families. After Lucy had disappeared, Laura had made her way over to him and kissed him lovingly. "Thank you," she murmured and he had looked at her quizzically. "For being so easy about my friends hijacking our weekend away," Laura continued and Robbie smiled, holding her in his arms. "Laura, it's nice. Besides, I like seeing you happy, and they're pleasant company, so it's fine," he'd told her. Laura smiled. They had the rest of the day to themselves, but he knew she was looking forward to the meal tonight, and to spending time with Lucy's rabble of children. And Robbie liked a houseful of kids as much as anyone. Perhaps, Laura mused, perhaps if they'd been younger when they'd met, or they'd met in different circumstances, perhaps marriage and babies would have been on the cards. But having such a prospect was suddenly strange. Was that something she wanted? And goodness, would it be something Robbie wanted? Laura closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. She had no idea what had suddenly brought on this train of thought. She'd gotten so used to the idea that her life would always be as it was that the prospect of something different was almost alarming. Robbie stirred against her and Laura turned her face so that she could brush her lips against his forehead. He smiled at the gesture sleepily, tightening his grip on her waist.
Laura suspected that Robbie was pretty traditional. In fact, she was categorically certain he was. She knew he'd prefer his daughter Lynne to be married, even though she and her partner Tim had been happily living together since they were students. So it sort of followed that she imagined that if they had any future as a couple, in the long term Robbie was going to want to get married. It seemed so odd to be contemplating such a thing when she'd not even told him that she loved him. And yet, she was simultaneously confident that this was the road they were headed down. Last Halloween had been intensely traumatic but the one good thing that had come out of it had been this relationship with Robbie. She cast her mind back to their trip to Dorset, back to that moment on the beach when they'd been stood at the Golden Cap Cliffs. She'd been watching the waves when Robbie had come to stand behind her. Laura had leant back against him and he'd enveloped her in his arms. And it had felt so utterly right to be there. To be in his embrace. And from that moment on, she'd just known. Marriage was something she'd had to consider before. Something she'd turned down. It hadn't felt right, not the right person, not the right time in her life, not the right place. But here and now, it felt like it could be. Not that she was intent on it happening anytime soon. Some day, perhaps, some day though. She could somehow envisage them growing old together.
"You're deep in thought, my love," Robbie murmured and Laura smiled, kissing his forehead again. "Mmmm," Laura replied and Robbie drew her closer. "You been awake long?" he asked and Laura considered the bedside clock. "About half an hour," she replied and he yawned. "Not so bad," he said, knowing that her sleep was quite often poor. "Do you fancy a cup of tea?" he answered and Laura nodded. "That would be lovely," She replied and Robbie stretched slightly. "I'll go and put the kettle on," he offered and Laura pressed a kiss to his cheek. "That would be lovely," she said and he grinned at her. "It's so lovely waking up to you," he owned and Laura smiled broadly. "It's pretty nice waking up to you too," she replied warmly and they kissed slowly, leisurely, drawing closer until Laura found herself pressed into the mattress, unable to resist the lure of his kisses and the expectation they brought with them. Robbie nuzzled into her neck and she entwined her wrists around him, giggling softly at the sensations he was arousing in her. "Such luxuries are rarely afforded us in Oxford," she murmured and he shifted himself so that he could transfer his attention to her body. The feeling of his mouth on her made Laura arch her neck in pleasure and Robbie grinned to himself.
He was thoroughly enjoying his lazy exploration of Laura's body. He'd worried that he'd be too old for Laura, that she'd be disappointed by him, but in reality they'd turned out to be incredibly compatible. Their longstanding friendship had turned out to be a perfect basis on which to develop the physical attraction burgeoning between them and he was besotted with her. He'd have never said he had a type but he was entranced by Laura's petite figure. Robbie wasn't sure he was much in the looks department but judging by the way Laura reacted to him, he was doing alright. The resurgence of this aspect of his life was a revelation, and a delight. He kissed his way across her stomach and down to her hipbone, before encouraging Laura to part her legs so that he could continue to kiss and lick her intimately. Laura cried out as he circled her nub with his tongue and he grinned before repeating the action again and again until she was crying out his name. She tugged at his shoulder, wriggling away from him and he looked up at her. "I want you," she said and he grinned at her. "C'mon, Robbie," she said and he drew himself level with her. Laura slid her hands to his hips, raising her hips so that he could thrust into her, and then sliding her hands to his lower back as they began to move together. "God, you feel good," Robbie told her and Laura grinned. "You feel amazing," she murmured and he ducked his head to nuzzle against her neck. Laura giggled at the sensation, turning her face so that their foreheads were touching and they smiled at each other. Laura brought her hand up to cup his cheek as they kissed softly. Something about this lazy intimacy made Laura feel quite emotional and she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to regain her composure. Robbie leant into her touch and she smiled. She shifted her hips and he sank more deeply into her, causing her to cry out in pleasure. Robbie kissed the palm of her hand, and then carefully brought his hand between them. "Let me touch you," he murmured and Laura moaned as his fingers began to caress her intimately. Soon his touch had her crying out his name and he clasped her closely with his other hand as she began to come undone around him. Sinking deeply into her again, Robbie knew he wouldn't last much longer and as Laura cried out his name once more, his hips bucked hard into her and he knew he was lost. "Laura, love, oh," Robbie thrust hard into her, spilling himself before collapsing against her, smiling to himself as she gathered him into her arms and they quietly began to doze back to sleep together.
An hour or so later, Robbie awoke to find himself alone in bed, and he frowned as he realised there was a hot cup of tea on the bedside table. He sat up in bed as Laura appeared in the doorway, hair slightly disheveled and wearing his shirt. He grinned at her. "Hello," he said affectionately and Laura smiled at him, holding a mug of tea in her hands. He gazed at her, wondering how the bloody hell he'd ever managed to get this lucky. "Hello," she replied, smiling broadly. He wasn't quite sure how Laura managed to make his shirt look as good as she did. "You getting back in?" he enquired and Laura shrugged lazily. "Come on Hobson," he chided and she grinned before coming over and perching on the side of the bed. Robbie leant in to kiss her affectionately and then picked up his mug of tea. "I'm impressed you're not eating chocolate for breakfast," he mused and Laura chuckled. "I thought it would be kinder to share," she replied warmly "but I can probably stretch to a fry up." Robbie raised an eyebrow and Laura laughed. "Normally when you look at me like that, it's not food on your mind," she rebuked, amused and he smiled at her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "Thanks for the tea," he said and she shrugged easily. "How about you shower, and I'll crack on with breakfast?" he suggested and Laura smiled. "Sure?" she replied and he nodded. "Aye, I'm not exactly Michelin starred but I can manage a pretty mean fry up," he replied and Laura smiled. "Great," she replied.
When Laura emerged downstairs a little while later, she found Robbie still looking agreeably sleepy, dressed in a long sleeved t-shirt and pyjama bottoms. She snuck up behind him, sneaking her arms around his waist and pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades. Robbie squeezed one of her hands, keeping his attention firmly fixed on the pan in front of him. "Can I do anything?" she asked and he shook his head. "Nah, you're good," he replied easily and Laura smiled to herself. She refilled her tea from the pot, and then leant on the counter top, watching Robbie as he cooked. He glanced up, and smiled at her. "You look pretty," he observed and Laura smiled. She'd chosen a jersey tunic, a chunky cardigan and some leggings, and she liked the ensemble. It was far more relaxed than most things she ever wore in Oxford and she was pleased with the compliment. At length, Robbie presented Laura with a plate of toast, eggs and tomatoes and she pressed an appreciative kiss to his cheek, before tucking in cheerfully. When Robbie sat down next to her, he passed a couple of rashers of bacon to her and she flashed him a smile. "What time is Lucy expecting us?" he enquired between mouthfuls. "About five. She was going to slow roast a shoulder of lamb, and she's an excellent cook," Laura replied. "Fancy a stroll along the beach?" Robbie enquired and she nodded. "That's be lovely," she said and he grinned. "You, me, some suitable geography and our hiking boots," Robbie mused "is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?"
After breakfast and once Robbie had dressed, Laura and Robbie made their way back out to the beach, strolling along it hand in hand, conversation flowing between them in dribs and drabs. "How's Ellen?" Robbie asked and Laura smiled. "Well," she replied, gazing out to sea. "I'm fairly sure she and Alec have parted ways, but I haven't spoken to her for a couple of weeks and even then it was brief. So I'm a bit overdue a catch up with her." Robbie shook his head and Laura glanced at him. "Alec really rankled with you," she observed and Robbie shrugged. "Couldn't stand him, Laur, if I'm perfectly honest," he replied "did you live with him for long, the three of you?" Laura shook her head. "Only for final year. Ellen and I were together all five years. She and I shared a room for our first year at college and then we always stuck together. Ligeia we got to know in second year, and the boys, well, they were all postgrads when we were finishing up. Ellen always had eyes for Alec, and you know the whole mess with Pete and Ligeia." Laura glanced at her feet for a moment, and Robbie squeezed her hand. "The CPS have been in touch about Charlotte," Laura said and Robbie turned to her, surprised. "You kept that quiet," he said and Laura met his gaze steadily. "There's no need to be hoity," she replied sharply and he grimaced before pulling her into his arms, rubbing his hands over her upper arms. "Sorry," he said and Laura chewed her lip. "The letter only arrived on Thursday," she replied "and I wanted to think it over for a few days. I needed that time." She looked up at him and he nodded, wondering whether she would continue. "You don't have to tell me," Robbie said and Laura sighed.
"I think you find it hard," she observed "when I don't tell you something straightaway. I think it worries you." Laura glanced up at him, and he squeezed her shoulders affectionately. "You rate me, as a pathologist?" Laura continued and Robbie frowned, surprised. "Laura, of course I do," he replied, confused and Laura nodded. "Have you ever seen me rush a scene?" Laura asked and he shook his head. "Do I irritate you no end because I work through everything, and make you wait for my decision?" Laura asked again and a smile began to edge at Robbie's lips. "Aye, sometimes. But I'd rather wait for your decision than get Rawbones' quickly," Robbie confessed and Laura's eyes twinkled. "Are you seeing a theme here?" Laura enquired and Robbie drew her closer and kissed her softly. "Aye," he replied. "I'm not secretive Robbie," Laura said and he sighed. "I just prefer to think something through," Laura continued "and I don't like making snap decisions." Laura looked up at him and he regarded her silently, hoping that she would continue. "You will already have worked out that the CPS weren't sending me court dates, because you would have been called too," Laura said and Robbie nodded curtly. "Charlotte's dying," Laura said, her voice suddenly slightly emotional "and she was so ill when all this happened… She wasn't in her right mind. If Vince was alive, well, it might be different, but they wrote to say that any trial was unlikely to be convened for another six months. And Charlotte won't survive that long. And you know, mens rea and all that." She shrugged her shoulders and Robbie wrapped his arms around her. Laura leant her cheek against his chest, taking comfort from the sensation of his hands caressing her back. "No prosecution then, eh?" Robbie asked and Laura shook her head. "Oh, Laura," Robbie murmured and she inhaled slowly, trying to halt the tears threatening. "I'm sorry pet," he murmured and Laura closed her eyes.
It was strangely reminiscent of the moment Robbie had taken her into his arms after Ligeia's funeral, held her close. And here they were, six months later. She snuggled into his embrace, feeling him sigh and tighten his arms around her. "Thank you," Laura whispered and he pressed a kiss into her hair. They stood for a few more minutes until Laura stepped back. Robbie squeezed her hand and she looked up at him. "Sorry, wasn't expecting to get so emotional about it," she owned and Robbie shook his head. "I think it's pretty reasonable," he said and she smiled. "Shall we?" Laura asked, and they turned to continue their walk along the sand. "It's a lovely part of the world," Robbie mused as they walked along "do you miss it?" Laura shrugged. "Do you miss Tyneside?" she asked and Robbie chuckled. "Ducking the question, Hobson?" he rebuked and she smiled. "I come back regularly," Laura said easily "and having the cottage here keeps me rooted here. I'm still a Suffolk girl at heart," Robbie smiled. "Sometimes I miss it, but it's easy to come back, get a lungful of sea air," Laura finished and she glanced up at him. "Do you miss Tyneside?" she enquired again and he shook his head. "Nah, not really. I mean, I've happy memories of me childhood," Robbie replied "but you know, I'm here, Lynne's in Manchester, Pat's on the other side of the world. There's little to tie me to it anymore. Me Mam and Dad are long gone. I've an Auntie in Gateshead, but that's it really."
Robbie wouldn't have said he was much for public displays of affection, but there was something about being with Laura like this which lowered his defences. Walking along, hand in hand, was soothing. Obviously they didn't do so much of this in Oxford, at least not so publicly but he enjoyed it. Her hand still felt so delicate in his and he squeezed her fingers affectionately. Mind you, Robbie mused, prior to dating Laura he wouldn't have had himself pegged as much of a hiker either. But Laura loved the countryside, loved to be out in all seasons and thoroughly enjoyed running and walking through the landscape. Seeing Laura in her home county reiterated to him how at home she really was in such surroundings and he enjoyed seeing her so happy and relaxed. It was almost as if her smile had widened, and she was definitely less tense than she had been of late. She'd kill him for saying so, but the few lines on her forehead had softened as she'd relaxed and it was clear that being back in one of her favourite places suited her.
They strolled along the coast for the best part of two hours and Laura was quietly pleased to see Walberswick come into view as they made their way home. "I can't wait for a cup of tea and some cake when we get in," she mused and Robbie glanced at his watch. He shook his head in amusement, and Laura rolled her eyes. "Is the cake homemade?" he enquired and Laura nodded gleefully. "But don't eat too much because we're going to Lucy's at five and if I know Lucy, she'll have laid on an absolute feast. I mean, in a household of seven, two more mouths doesn't make too much difference but her scale of catering is bordering on the epic," Laura replied and Robbie wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Lucy's always trying to fatten me up. She'd mother anything that stood still long enough," Laura mused, and Robbie chuckled. "You are gorgeous just as you are," he said and Laura grinned. "Very diplomatic," she retorted and Robbie swung her round so that she was stood in front of him. "Never a truer word was spoken, but don't doubt for one second, Laura Hobson, that I don't mean every word of it. You are lovely, absolutely lovely," he told her and she smiled, amused.
Later that afternoon, Robbie realised that Laura was beginning to fret about something. She was decidedly fidgety and he wondered what was on her mind. Something was. Clearly. "You alright, Laur?" he wondered aloud and she glanced at him, trying to determine the extent to which he'd pegged her mood. Laura sighed heavily and dropped her chin into her hands. "I'm fine," she muttered and Robbie sat back, arms folded and considered her silently. "Give over," he replied at length and Laura glowered. "You're brooding," he rebuked "and I know you of old, Hobson, so what gives?" Robbie met her gaze steadily and Laura sighed. "Fretting about me meeting your goddaughter and all of that lot?" he enquired and Laura sighed. "Fretting makes me sound reluctant," she replied tersely "and it's not that exactly." Robbie raised an eyebrow and she shook her head in frustration. "I've never introduced anyone to the Walberswick lot," she said simply and Robbie made a little snort. "Ah," he said and Laura glanced at him. "You're overthinking this, love," Robbie said kindly and Laura glared at him. "Look, if you're worried that somehow we're rushing into this, then I think we both know that's not true. And if you're worried that I'm going to read too much into this gesture, then, well, I don't know what to say. We're too close to pretend this isn't serious or important, I hope. Neither of us started this lightly, but I'm enjoying us, Laura. I like getting to know you and spending time with you. And I want this to go somewhere. I think you do too. But I also don't want to ruin a nice weekend away because of this. It'll be a nice meal with your friends. Can't we leave it at that?" Robbie finished and Laura breathed out slowly. "Come here," he murmured and Laura titled her head slightly, considering his expression. She walked over to him as he stood up, and she rested her hands on his waist. "You're always so sensible," she murmured and Robbie linked his hands behind her back. "You're perfectly sensible," he replied warmly and she tiptoed up to kiss him. "You're such a worrier though Laur," he rebuked her gently and she sighed. "Mmmm," Laura replied.
Sat round the table at Lucy and Martin's, Robbie was pleasantly surprised by how much he was enjoying himself. Lucy and Martin had a lovely home, warm and comfortable and as Laura had predicted, she'd created a veritable feast. With a good glass of wine in hand, Robbie was enjoying the easy conversation around the table. Libby, the littlest of the kids was curled up in Laura's lap, sleepy, and Laura was conversing animatedly with her goddaughter and her sister over their bowls of pudding. Bella, it turned out, was harbouring dreams of nursing school and Laura was talking her through GCSEs and A-Levels. The two boys had engaged Robbie and Martin in a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of their respective teams for the remainder of the season and he had rather enjoyed it. Football wasn't something he got to discuss much in Oxford, though he and a couple of the other inspectors occasionally dissected the respective performances of their teams over a beer.
Lucy's glance fell on her younger daughter when she came in from the kitchen and she sighed wistfully. "Libby, it's past your bedtime," she chided softly and the little girl snuggled into Laura. "Not tired," Libby protested and Laura chuckled, cuddling her closer. "Is that so, Libby Lou?" she queried as the little girl stifled a yawn and Libby nodded. "Want to stay with Aunty Laura," she protested and Lucy smiled. "She's so like Emme was when she was little," Laura mused plaintively and Emmeline groaned. "Aunty Laura, you're as bad as Mum," she protested and Martin ruffled her hair as he collected the dishes from the table. Robbie began to assist and Lucy protested. "No, no, you're a guest Robbie. Ned and Thos can help their Dad," she said firmly, and the boys slowly got up to help. "Shall I put Lib to bed?" Bella asked and Lucy glanced at the clock. "It is past her bedtime," she said and Laura chuckled. "Mmm, you might struggle Bella. She's pretty much asleep," Laura said and Lucy peered at her littlest. "Bless her," she said and she glanced up at Bella. Laura gently eased the little girl into an easier position and then slid her hand under her knees so that she could lift her. "Bells, if you show me where her bedroom is, I'll carry her up?" Laura said and Bella nodded. "Course, Aunty Laura" she said and Lucy flashed a smile at her middle girl. Laura carefully carried the sleeping Libby up, following her sister up the stairs and then laying Libby in her bed carefully, before tucking her in and kissing the little girl's cheek affectionately. "Sweet dreams, poppet," she murmured and Bella tucked a blanket over her little sister. "She's pretty cute, huh, Aunty Laura," Bella said and Laura nodded, pulling the bedroom door too and following Bella down the stairs. Bella linked her arm into Laura's and squeezed it. "S'nice to see you Aunty Laur," she murmured and Laura smiled broadly. "It's nice to see you too Bella, and even more exciting to hear you're thinking about nursing. That's a really lovely thing to hear," Laura replied and Bella grinned, pleased with the compliment from her brevet aunt.
They'd all moved into the living room when Laura and Bella returned downstairs, and Lucy had dug out a bottle of whiskey and a pot of tea. "Can I tempt you Robbie?" Lucy offered, gesturing to the whiskey and Robbie considered. "Aye, go on, just a small one," he replied and Laura smiled, sitting down next to him and curling her legs underneath her. "Laura?" Lucy enquired and she nodded. "Just a finger," she replied easily as Robbie squeezed her knee. "She's out cold, Lucy, still in her clothes," Laura continued and Lucy flashed Laura a smile. "Bless her, " Lucy said, passing Robbie a glass of whiskey and then passing another to Laura,"We wore her out today," Lucy said and Laura and Robbie smiled. He had fond memories of a sleepy Lynne, clasped in his arms and slumbering sweetly as a child while Laura was musing over the littlest of her brevet nieces and how much she missed seeing Lucy and her family. "Back to Oxford in the morning?" Lucy enquired, settling on the rug with her back against the armchair and Laura nodded. "Yup. Back in the office on Tuesday morning," she lamented and Lucy smiled sympathetically. "And when do we get to see you again?" she asked and Laura considered for a few moments. "The cottage is rented for most of the summer, and Sam wants it for a few days in September. Maybe in the autumn? You must come up to Oxford sometime. I can't quite squeeze the six of you in, but maybe if you brought the girls?" Laura replied and Lucy nodded, glancing over at Martin who was listening on the other side. "I can always drop you girls off when I take the boys up with me to the footy," he offered and Lucy grinned. "Sounds like a plan," she replied. Eventually Laura claimed fatigue and they began to get ready to leave. Laura embraced Lucy tightly, promising to sort a visit soon, and then kissing the children and Martin goodnight before she and Robbie made their way back to the cottage, hand in hand. "It's a lovely night," Robbie mused and Laura shivered slightly. Robbie slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, rubbing her arm to warm her up. "Should have brought a jacket," he mused and Laura chuckled. "Mmm, well, at least I've got you to warm me up," she replied and he smirked. "Well, yes, we'll have to see about that," he replied.