Chapter 3

Laura drove away, fighting the tears welling in her eyes. How could she have been so foolish? All of this time she'd simply thought it was bad timing. She'd been so certain they would one day find the right moment and everything would fall into place.

When he'd asked her to have a drink, she'd fervently hoped it might be the moment. He'd been jealous of Franco which suggested he cared. But when he'd run away, forgotten somewhere he needed to be, it had been to see another woman.

Who was the woman? Someone he'd met while on attachment. He'd never mentioned her; never said he'd been involved with someone. Even after she told him about Franco and the engagement. The only reason not to tell would have been if it was casual, that she could understand.

But this, going away, spending weeks together. That would suggest this wasn't a casual fling but something more serious, more permanent.

All this time, she'd pictured him as the lonely widower, trying to find his balance. And all of this time he'd had another woman, a younger woman. It hadn't been his grief and bad timing keeping them apart, it had been something, someone, else altogether.

Now they were going away together. Clearly he had no intention of telling her. When would his call have come? Would he have called when he returned and just expected to pick up where they left off? Perhaps he thought he could have his cake and eat it too.

Her for the day to day in Oxford and the other woman for vacations in exotic destinations. Perhaps the woman was the real reason behind his retirement. Less about his grandchild and being close to family and more about being free to go away on holiday with his younger woman.

By the time she arrived at the mortuary, she was livid. Robbie Lewis had played her for a fool. The best part, he had no idea she knew. That woman wouldn't know who she was, he'd probably never told her about their relationship. He wouldn't know what hit him when he returned.

She rounded the corner to her office, surprised to see James standing outside her door. "Do you need something sergeant?"

He smiled, "Just delivering a message."

Looking up at him, anger rolling off her waves. "Well, what is it?"

"Inspector Lewis asked me to tell you he was taking a couple of weeks off."

Raising her eyebrows, "Really?"

James dropped his head, "No, he didn't. I just thought it would be better if he did."

"And why did you feel the need to lie for him, James? That's not normally your style."

"Because I suspected he hadn't told you. And I knew it would hurt you."

"So you're lying to protect my feelings?"

"Not my finest moment, I should have known you would see through me."

She reached out, squeezed his arm, "I appreciate the effort James. But, as luck would have it, I knew about the Inspector's vacation."

Relief rolled across James' features, "He told you."

"I knew."

James paused for a moment, "Look I might be out of line but would you want to have drinks one evening while he's gone?"

"Are you asking because you enjoy my company or because you think I am that pitiful?"

He laughed, her unexpected humor always surprised him. "I can see why you would ask that. But, while you might not believe it, Dr. Hobson, I do actually enjoy your company. You make me laugh and there aren't many people who do."

"Thursday night, first round is on me."

"I look forward to it, Dr. Hobson."