The sun was beginning to set as Laura pulled up at the kerb outside her house. She lifted up the handbrake and eased out of gear, turning the engine off and sighed loudly. Truth be told, she was exhausted, but there was only one thing that would burn off the nervous tension that had been building during the long drive. Knowing any delay in her decision would end with her curling up on the sofa with a packet of chocolate biscuits though, she quickly emptied the car and went straight upstairs to change. Within five minutes, she had her trainers laced and her fluorescent jacket on, and she was out the door again.
It was starting to drizzle softly as she broke into a comfortable run, consciously lengthening her stride, stretching out her calves, the tension across her shoulders beginning to dissipate. She didn't plan to go too far, just a quick 5k to get some fresh air into her lungs, some clarity into her mind. She ran without music, at night it was safer, and fell quickly into a steady rhythm. It felt good to move, to feel her breath starting to catch. Her hangover had started to ease now, but the coffee had left an irritating buzz that could only be soothed by exertion. As she ran her mind calmed too, the emotions settling. He had surprised her earlier, offering to stay, but she felt strangely comfortable with the idea. She wouldn't push him too much, in any respect. He would no doubt be exhausted too and talking late into the night wouldn't help. As she crossed the river she picked up the pace a little, wanting to push herself just a bit more, starting to contemplate the warm soothing shower when she got home.
Back at the station, Lewis was working on his briefing sheets for the interviews due the following day. It was something he usually delegated to Hathaway, but with Gray only just finding his feet he had decided to take over and show him how to prepare them.
"And so the important thing is to keep the various lines of questioning clear, so that you can move between them if the interview goes in a different direction…I use numbers…"
"And then you can draw lines between them if things get connected?"
"Exactly…though to be honest, when I'm leading the questions, I let Hathaway scribble away…"
Gray smiled, nodding,
"Yes, sir"
They worked in silence for a few minutes, until Gray yawned loudly and apologised.
"It's alright, lad, we'll be finishing soon…might actually get some time to ourselves this evening!"
Gray took a sip of his Coke and smiled,
"Is your wife back tonight, sir?"
Lewis looked at him quickly, utterly confused. Gray set his can back on the desk, and began to mumble an awkward apology for intruding. The penny dropped and Lewis tried to make light of it,
"Laura isn't my wife, Gray…honestly, what are you like?"
"I'm sorry sir…I just assumed"
"Well, don't just assume"
He was curter than he intended, and he set his pen down, looking at the sergeant, wondering what to say,
"I'm sorry…it's just all a bit new"
Gray smiled warmly, trying to ease over the awkwardness,
"I'm sorry, I just assumed you'd been together for years…sorry sir"
Lewis smiled back, but the serious look never really left his eyes,
"It's ok…I suppose in a way we have. Looks like we'll make a detective of you yet…"
By 8, Lewis had nearly finished the interview prep, and had written up his notes from his earlier interviews with the mortuary staff. It was definitely all coming together now, and apart from the difficult task of talking to Liam about his father, which he'd finally done this afternoon, the case was taking a very satisfactory turn. For once, no loose ends, and they stood an excellent chance of getting a conviction.
He was immersed in the final set of notes when a head appeared in the doorway,
"You are going to head home this evening, aren't you Lewis?"
"Aww…never knew you cared, ma'am"
"I mean it Robbie, you're actually looking grey around the edges"
"I'll make sure I get a decent night's sleep"
She nodded, point made, and biting her lip slightly decided to go for it,
"Assuming all goes easily tomorrow, I'll shout you a drink in the White Horse after work…you can bring Hathaway too, if you like"
His face lit up and he grinned broadly,
"You're on"
"…oh, and Hobson, she can come too"
He'd already turned back to his notes, but he nodded, his expression entirely neutral,
"Sounds like a plan"
She eyed him suspiciously…no, definitely not biting. Hmm…bugger.
After an hour of running - far more than she'd really intended - Laura arrived back at her front door. The drizzle had gradually increased, and by the time she arrived home, it was a persistent rain, and she was soaked through. She was utterly exhausted, but happy. There was nothing quite like a long run in the rain to give you that warm, contented feeling the second you step inside. Easing off her trainers and heading immediately upstairs, she stripped off quickly and jumped straight in the shower. The hot spray warmed her chilled skin, and she shivered slightly. Quarter past seven. There would be time for dinner, maybe some work, then it would be nine. She massaged some shower oil into her shoulders, the lavender and ginger scent immediately soothing the aches. Should I make him dinner? She thought not…he would eat in the canteen, or on the hoof. And there were plenty of biscuits in the jar if he was really desperate.
She rinsed the conditioner off her hair and turned off the shower. Normally she'd just throw on some pyjamas, wrap a towel round her head, put on her slippers, but this evening she hesitated. It seemed like an important choice. She didn't want to wear anything too skimpy…for one, it was far too cold to sit around in lingerie all evening…and she really didn't want to make a fool of herself. But getting back into everyday clothes just felt wrong after a shower. And anyway, she'd have to change at some point…she was certainly not sleeping in her clothes again, even if Robbie did turn out to be a total gentleman. She smiled wryly, remembering the last time they had shared a bed. No, it didn't seem that likely that he would be prudish. So, pyjamas it was. With a nice warm wrap and some thick socks. She decided, for this evening at least, to forgo the fluffy rabbit slippers that Ellen had bought her for Christmas last year. He could enjoy that spectacle another night.
Padding round the bedroom she fussed with things. Straightening the books on her bedside table, plumping up the pillows, finding another blanket to drape. Get a grip, Hobson. She smiled to herself, pleasantly surprised that the nervous tension she'd felt all weekend was melting away and that the only feeling she now felt acutely was an exquisite anticipation. She decided against makeup, and simply ran the towel over her hair a few times. Not for the first time, she congratulated herself on a hairstyle that not only took no effort, but was positively improved with a windswept look.
Lewis finally left his desk at nine fifteen and headed straight home. Monty was yowling loudly as he slid the key into the lock, and proceeded to thread himself in and out of his legs as he walked to the kitchen,
"Sorry mate, I know…I know…"
He flicked on the light and grabbing the bowl, went in search of a tin. As was his habit, Monty immediately jumped up on the counter and head-butted Robbie's arm as he spooned the meat into the dish,
"Easy tiger…give me a sec"
Once the bowl was on the floor, Monty dived in, as always, face first. He wasn't fussy…curry, pasta, kebab…he'd eat anything. But he would also occasionally partake of some Whiskers if it was on offer. Shaking his head at the sounds coming from the bowl, Robbie headed into his bedroom to quickly pack a bag.
As he reemerged, Monty was still chomping, and for a moment he felt ever so slightly guilty. The end of a case always meant that he was out all hours, and for the most part the cat was oblivious. He was always out during the night, and had more than enough company with the family next door, if he really wanted it. But still…Sunday night was normally their night in. For god's sake, man, it's a bloody cat.
"Right, mate, I'm off out again…and I'm going to ask Laura to feed you tomorrow morning."
Monty took a breather from inhaling his dinner and padded over for a quick stroke,
"You be on your best behaviour, though…I'm rather hoping that she might be sharing with us soon, so you be nice"
Monty burped loudly, and Robbie smiled,
"Thattaboy…"
A/N Many thanks for all the lovely reviews and suggestions - much appreciated! Do please let me know what you think if you have a moment ;o)