Chapter 12

Robbie was struggling and not altogether sure how he was going to manage this. He really didn't want to call Laura. This had been meant as a surprise for her. Leaning against his car, he was surprised when his mobile rang.

Pulling the device from his pocket, he was surprised to see it was James. "Inspector Hathaway, surely we don't have a case again this soon."

"No, I was calling to see if you might still be free for that pint."

Robbie smiled to himself, "I might be persuaded but I need some help first."

"There's a bit too much glee in your voice. Somehow I feel as if I should say no."

"Come on boy wonder. Where's your sense of adventure?"

James laughed, "So this is about adventure and not just a need for a strong back?"

"No, if I needed a strong back, I wouldn't be calling you. I would have called Maddox and a handful of PCs."

James stared at his phone, rising to the bait, "Are you suggesting I am weak?"

"Well you are looking a bit scrawny these days."

"I'm not scrawny, I'm wiry. Where are you?"

Robbie suppressed the laugh and gave James the address.

James stared at the canoe. This was what Robbie needed help with. He'd quickly figured out how they could transport it but no sense letting Robbie know.

"I'll help you on one condition."

"I've already offered to buy you a pint."

James shook his head, "That was on offer before this favor. I have another condition."

Robbie eyed him suspiciously, "Alright, what's your condition."

Nodding towards the river, "Let's have a go in it."

"Dressed like this. Aren't you worried about your suit?"

James shook his head, "Not at all, it's not like you built it."

"Easy on there. I could have built it. But someone had to come save your bacon."

Laughing, James leaned over, "Come on, give us a hand."

Robbie lifted the opposite end and they carried it to the river, lowering it into the water. They carefully stepped in and James pushed them away from the dock.

They rowed in silence. James felt himself relaxing as the familiar rhythm of being on the river took hold. He'd meant to talk to Robbie over a drink but this might be better. "I thought you'd given up on the canoe."

Robbie had noted the relaxed set to James' shoulders and was pleased to have provided something that helped the boy relax. "Nah, I'd never give up. I just found alternate means of production."

"You paid someone to make it, didn't you?"

"Why not, I'm earning again."

James paused, unsure how to address the next topic. Snarky humor had always suited him best, no need to change that. "Yeah, I wanted to talk with you about that actually."

Robbie smiled to himself knowing they had come to the heart of the matter, "Oh yeah."

Keeping his voice even, James continued rowing, "Well it's been horrific working with you, obviously."

"Obviously."

"But I've been thinking. If it gets you out of the house in your old age then I could possibly put up with you for a while longer."

Smiling to himself, Robbie knew the lad was going to be OK. There was still something brewing under the surface but he might be past the worse of it, "Aww, that's good of you James. That's really good of you."

They rowed along in silence. James was the first to break the silence, "I take from your display with Dr. Hobson earlier that things are better, she's forgiven you."

"Yes, we worked through our issues."

"I might have contributed to them."

Robbie stopped rowing, "How do you think you did that?"

"I suspected you hadn't told her. I taunted her with it." James paused, "I was intentionally cruel to someone I care very deeply for."

"Why James?"

"Because…there's really not any good reason. It's simple I was wrong and I'm sorry."

Dipping his oar back into the water, he resumed rowing, "I'm not sure I'm the one you ought to say that to."

James nodded, "I've already said my apologies to Laura and been forgiven. But I felt I needed to say it to you too."

"Has Laura forgiven you?"

He laughed, "She has. She even sent me out to have a drink with you as punishment. Although I suspect if she finds out I helped with this canoe there might be more penance due."

"Well I'll be sure to tell her." Robbie watched James' shoulders shake with laughter, "You ready for our drink."

Dipping his oar to turn the boat, James laughed easily, "Absolutely parched."

Laura let herself into the house, keys in one hand, takeaway in the other. She dropped her keys in the bowl on the table by the door and headed to the kitchen.

Something on the patio caught her eye. Pausing she looked out to see a shiny, red canoe resting on her potting table. Anger flared in her, Robbie had said he'd gotten rid of it. Quickening her step she made it to the kitchen planning to drop the food and hunt down Robbie Lewis.

Robbie was standing in the kitchen, his back to her. She placed the takeaway bag on the counter and moved to grab his arm. He turned and she saw he was on the phone. Angrily she pointed to the patio.

He smiled at her, "Pet, I'm going to have to let you go. I fear I might be in for a scolding. Give Jack my love."

"What is that thing doing on my patio?"

He pulled her to him, kissing her forehead, "First, I am pretty sure it's our patio." He felt her tense in his arms and tightened his grip, "Second, it's only in temporary residence. Hathaway is finding me a place to store it since we are going to share custody."

She looked up at him under hooded eyelids, "So it won't be there forever?"

"A week, tops. I told you I had a plan."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

He leaned down, kissing her gently, "If it is here for longer than a week you can mete out any punishment you see fit."

She smiled, "You might like that too much." Pushing up she kissed him, deeper than his kiss. "How does Hathaway know about it?"

"He helped me pick it up and bring it to the house."

Her anger stirred again, "He did, did he?"

"Yeah, you just missed him. It's heavier than it looks. He happened to call me for a drink and I told him only if he helped me with something first. We even took a tool along the river in it."

She pushed back, appraising his dry suit, "And you didn't get all wet?"

Pulling her back to him, he laughed. "Oh ye of little faith."

"Robbie Lewis that canoe was a pile of rubbish not four days ago. Do you blame me for doubting?"

"You're right my love. Will it make you feel better to know I paid someone to put the canoe together?"

"It will make it more likely that you'll get me into the canoe."

His laughter filled the room, "Do you think perhaps I could get you into it at the weekend? A picnic lunch, a bottle of wine. I know a nice secluded place we could canoe to."

"As long as I don't have to do any of the rowing, you have a deal."

There might not be an update tomorrow. I have to watch the next episode and I have plans for the evening.