It was just coming up to seven, and Laura was pottering in her kitchen. The doors out to her garden were thrown open, and the soft evening sunlight was streaming into the room. For the first time in days, weeks maybe, she felt completely and utterly relaxed. She had finished her shopping quickly, and had even managed to fit in a quick run before showering and starting the dinner preparations. Summer had lasted longer this year, and the leaves were only just starting to turn golden. She loved this change of the seasons, when the evenings took on warm glow, and the mist would hang over the fields in the morning, and she felt entirely at peace with the world.

As she adjusted the oven to the correct temperature, and set the timer, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the display, she smiled,

"Robbie?"

"The very same…"

"Everything ok?"

He smiled to himself, amused how she always asked him that. How could he be anything but ok?

"Absolutely perfect. Just wanted to say hello"

He heard her smile against the phone, the soft intake of breath,

"Any progress?"

"Yes and no. There's definitely more to this than meets the eye. Innocent thinks I'm shooting in the dark, but I'm certain there's something that connects Mr Strickley with the doctor. I know it's a pain to rush it through, but I'm sure you'll find something…"

"It's not a pain, Robbie, it's my job"

"I know, but I know you're busy"

"I'm always busy"

"Haha, I know the feeling… So what are your plans for this evening?"

She balanced the phone under her chin and opened the oven door slightly,

"I'm cooking dinner"

"What are you cooking?"

"Not something that you'd be interested in, I fear"

"Try me"

"Salmon fillet, minted peas and new potatoes"

"Hmm…sounds like posh fish and chips, to me. And there you are, always telling me off for eating junk…"

"Did you eat yet?"

"No, I'll grab something when I get home. I went shopping yesterday so plenty to choose from"

"I'd invite you to join me, but I'm expecting company…in fact, he'll be here in a couple of minutes"

"Really?"

"Hey, don't sound so surprised, I do have friends, you know…"

"I'm not surprised…I'm just curious…and a bit jealous. Is he as good-looking as me?"

"He's 83…I'll let you work that one out for yourself."

"Hmm….competition. Now I'm concerned. You do seem to have an eye for the older gent…"

"Indeed….then it's just as well that this one is not only old enough to be my father…but actually is my father"

He smiled to himself, shaking off the usual feeling of concern he got when Laura mentioned a date. He didn't need to worry any more.

"How is he? I remember you saying he had an operation last year…"

"So you were listening?"

"I always listen to you, Laura."

"He's fine. Just a bit lonely since Mum died. I don't see him as often as I should really, but he likes to be independent."

"Is he still living in Banbury?"

"Yes, manages everything on his own still…as often as not it's me heading over to his for dinner…he's a far better cook than me!"

"Ah, gettaway, I can't believe that…"

"You've never tasted my cooking, Robbie"

There was a slight pause, as both of them realised the obvious route the conversation was taking.

"No, but I'd like to sometime…"

He heard a beeper going off somewhere in Laura's kitchen,

"How about next week sometime? I'm away until Monday, but after that I'm free. When are you on shift?"

"On this weekend, then off until Wednesday. You?"

"Well, I'm on call from Monday afternoon, but at the risk of tempting fate, evening calls rarely happen"

He was suddenly nervous, wondering exactly what it was he was asking, "So Monday night would work for you?"

"Yes. But I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?"

He grinned, relaxing back into their playful banter,

"If you're a good girl and find me a nice bit of murderous intent…"

Lewis was sat in his office the next morning, contemplating how lucky he was to have met two such amazing women. He very rarely did self-congratulation, but gazing at the picture of Val on his shelf, and thinking about Laura, he gave silent thanks for his good fortune. They were so entirely different, and perfect in their own ways. Val would've liked Laura - she did like Laura. That helped somehow, made it easier to move on. He'd never truly felt guilty about loving Laura, but he had struggled with the guilt of carrying on. Of living without Val…living when she could not. But time had passed, as it always did, and as he felt the years of his own life slip past him he'd realised that he didn't need to wait any more. He was alive.

He glanced at the clock, and shaking himself from his reverie he began to prepare himself for the morning's interviews. As he stepped out of his office, he almost collided with Laura. Instinct very nearly took over, his hand automatically seeking her hip, but he managed to stop himself reaching out to her.

"I'm not going to make you a happy man"

He smiled, noting the mischievous twinkle in her eye...oh the many responses he could give to that...

"I'm always happy, my face is misleading"

As she reeled off the various details, in full flow, his eyes lingered on her face. She was so beautiful when she talked. So animated, so...

"I don't like to pester you, but if you could just..."

"Hurry it up? Don't push it."

He grinned, enjoying their easy banter which now held an added frisson. He could remember the feel of her lips on his, her warm breath against his ear. But he was late, and he needed to get to the interview room.

As he turned the corner, he realised the corridor was empty and he was alone. He quickly found her number and dialled. She answered on the second ring,

"Don't say anything, I have to conduct an interview in one minute: but I just wanted to say, you have already made me a very happy man, and I promise to buy you dinner - a proper dinner - very soon."

He hung up before she could say anything, and strode into the interview room, confident and relaxed.