Chapter 10
…
The café was fairly quiet which Gill had been thankful for, the last thing she needed, if it happened was a scene in front of the great British public.
"Well…aren't you gonna say anything kid?"
"Sorry mum, bit of a shock you know."
"Yeah I know…sorry."
"Does dad know?"
"Your dad, what do you think?"
"No then."
"I'm not worried about your dad, or anyone else for that matter. I just want to know how you feel about it. Your opinion matters to me more than anyone Sammy and if you're not okay with this then I need to let Rachel know."
"Seriously, you'd give her up if I wasn't happy about it. That's just stupid; I don't want you being miserable just because I might not be okay with it."
"So what are you telling me kid?"
"I'm saying I'm shocked…but if she makes you happy then, I won't stand in your way." He smiled.
"You mean that?"
"Yeah, I want you to be happy mum."
Gill got up from her seat and came around to hug her son, Sammy making a face as she did so, looking around to see if anyone was watching them.
"Give over mum."
"You're the best son a mother could ask for."
Gill and Sammy grabbed their jackets, getting ready to leave when Janet's name came up on Gill's phone.
"Oh hang on kid, that's Janet. Yes cock, what can I do for you, problems at the office? What, he did what….is she alright. Okay cock, I'll drop by on my way back. See you soon."
"Everything alright mum?"
"Mmmm, yeah nothing to worry about. I just need to stop off and see Julie."
"Is she alright, the baby okay?"
"Don't worry about your aunt Julie; she'll be just fine kid. I'll call you later okay."
"Bye mum."
…
Gill pulled up outside Julie's syndicate and made her way inside, walking along the corridors. Looking up, she saw Julie's DS heading in her direction, a smile on his face when he saw her.
"DCI Murray, we didn't expect to see you today…how are you?"
"DS Clarke, fine thank you."
"Are you here on business?"
"No…I just need a quick word with DSI Dodson."
"Nothing wrong I hope."
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with, if you'll excuse me."
Gill walked past Aaron and made her way to Julie's office to see the older woman with her head down, reading a report on her desk. Gill smiled as she watched her friend, Julie singing quietly so as not to be heard as she ran a hand over her bump.
"Now there's a sight for sore eyes." Gill smiled.
Julie jumped and looked up to see her best friend standing in her doorway, smiling at her.
"Gill, what are you doing here?"
"Janet called me."
"Oh…I see."
Gill sighed before moving further in to the room and closing the door behind.
"Is what she told me true, DS Clarke kissed you?"
"I feel stupid now, it was over in seconds."
"That isn't the point slap, he knows your situation and still he did it. What are you gonna do?"
"I've organized a transfer for him; I did it as soon as I got back after talking to Janet."
"You told him yet."
Julie shook her head as Gill leaned against the desk beside her friend.
"You want me to stay?"
"Would you, I'm not comfortable being on my own with him."
"Anything you need I'm here, get him down here."
…
Julie put a call out for Aaron to come to her office, 10 minutes later he knocked on her door and she signaled for him to come in. He was about to say something when he spotted Gill sitting on the couch by the door.
"Oh, DCI Murray…I thought you'd left."
"Well you thought wrong, take a seat."
Gill got up and came to stand beside Julie, giving her the support she needed.
"What's going on Guv?"
"There's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to say it…you're being transferred to Syndicate 6, effective immediately. They have an opening for a DS and they need someone as soon as so…."
"Hang on; you're getting rid of me…just like that. You can't do that."
"Actually DS Clarke, I think you'll find she can. Unless you'd like it to come out that you made a pass at your senior office without her consent."
"Oh come on, it was a little kiss nothing more."
"I don't think you understand DS Clarke, you had no right. You are well aware of DSI Dodson's current situation, the baby…DC Lumb and yet you still felt it was alright to kiss her like that. Now DSI Dodson could take it further, file a complaint and I would of course back it up or…you can do the decent thing and walk away quietly, your police record clear…it's up to you."
"Aaron if I gave any inclination that I was attracted to you then I'm sorry, I wasn't aware of it. Kevin and the baby are all I care about now, anything between you and I would never and could never happen."
Aaron sat, hands clasped as he felt the cold stare from Gill on him.
"When do I start, at Syndicate 6 ma'am?"
"Tomorrow, you can use the time left today to clear you desk." Gill said.
"Fine."
Aaron got up and walked to the door, turning back to look at Julie.
"It's been a pleasure to work with you ma'am, even if it was for a short time. Good luck with the baby."
"Thank you DS Clarke, good luck at Syndicate 6."
With that Aaron walked away, Gill closing the door behind him and turning back to see relief wash over Julie's face.
"You okay slap?"
"I feel like a great weight has been lifted, Gill thanks for being here with me."
"Don't be daft; what are best friends for huh."
"Well, thanks anyway. I really don't know what I'd…oooohhh."
Julie's hand came up to cover her bump as she made a small nosie.
"Slap, you alright…here sit down."
Gill got Julie sitting before kneeling in front of her.
"Do you want me to call Kevin, you feel okay?"
"I'm fine." She smiled. "The baby's kicking, here feel."
Julie grabbed her friends hand and placed it beside her own, Gill smiling up at Julie when she felt the strong kick under her hand.
"Wow, god I miss those days."
"What…pregnancy?"
"Yeah, well not all of it, but moments like this I do."
"Do you wish you'd had more after Sammy?"
"I do but looking back now, if I had and Dave left…I don't think I'd have coped. I just managed with Sammy, anyway it's in the past now. It's your turn."
"Gill, would you do me a favour?"
"Anything slap, what do you need?"
"Be godmother to this one." She smiled, running her bump.
"Yeah, I'd love too."
…
To Be Continued…