Early the next morning Jean Innocent sat at her desk looking at a badge, not her police badge. It was her award from the National Health Service Blood and Transport Authority for achieving 50 blood donations. Jean had the least compatible of the scarce blood types and supplies were always low. She never wanted someone to be in need.

Her child had inherited her rare blood type.

Jean unlocked a drawer in her desk and took out a folder containing photos and newspaper clippings. She fingered each one before putting them back. Last night Laura said that even if things might not work out, it didn't mean you shouldn't take a risk. Laura gave very good advice. Now all she had to do was follow it.

In the office he shared with James, Robbie hung up the phone after speaking with someone from the Human Resources Department. A place had been found for him in today's seminar 'Keys to a Successful Retirement'. Topics included Financial Planning, Tax Considerations, Life Changes, Finding your Passion, and Staying Connected. He turned to James and said, "You'll be rid of me for the day. I have to go to a class and learn how to retire."

"What's to know? You just stop coming to work is all." James was relieved his boss would be gone for the rest of the day. He wanted to be alone.

"The course description says you should retire to something, not from something." James did not want to hear about his plans for domestic life with Laura and family time with his kids and grandson.

Jean Innocent stopped in the doorway of their office. "James, as you are on your own today and there isn't much going on, why don't you find a class that still has openings. HR likes to have bodies in the seats." Although her tone sounded friendly enough, James could tell that this was an order, not a suggestion.

"Yes ma'am." James wasn't too keen on attending a class. Innocent left and he checked the HR website. The class on 'Technology and Modern Policing' was full. He wouldn't have minded going to that one knowing Gurdip was going to be there. All of the other classes were full, save one,

Anger Management

Topics to be covered included How Distorted Thinking Leads to Anger, How Anger Affects the Brain, and How to Recognize and Evaluate Triggers. James was not happy. Innocent sent him a message asking if he had signed up for a class. He clicked Register Here on the HR website and sent an affirmative reply back to Innocent.

On his way out the door, Robbie asked him, "Find something?"

"More like it found me."

Robbie left, looking forward to planning his retirement and hoping that James would be suitably entertained for the day.

James entered the seminar room after having smoked several cigarettes and took a seat in the back. The front rows were empty. Angry people did not sit in the front.

He listened as the presenter opened with "Your past will only hurt you if you let it." How do you stop it?

At least this class did not require audience participation, or have group activities. That would come in the follow up session next week. He would make sure he had a dentist appointment scheduled on that day.

James tried to ignore most of the lecture highlights including Constructive and Destructive Anger, Conditions for the Healthy Venting of Anger, and Avoiding the Issues Behind your Anger.

Avoiding, yes he did that. And much as he had mixed feelings about Laura, he knew it wasn't fair to express all of his anger towards her.

He had to admit that the next topic, The Difference Between Guilt and Shame, was enlightening.

And then came the heart of the matter, Blaming the Wrong Target.

Then there was a preview of the interactive seminar next week, Developing a Healthy Relationship with your Partner. Laura wasn't his partner. Part of his problem was defining who she was.

The presenter had some advice. "In order to have open communication you need to listen, be honest, and respect others." Respecting others is what got him and likely her in trouble in the first place.

Parting words: "Be mindful of your slings and arrows." Bloody Shakespeare

James was in a foul mood when he got home. One Anger Management seminar does not wipe away a lifetime of pain.

His doorbell rang. James opened the door to find Gurdip Sohal, the Oxford Police Department resident computer expert, standing there with a bag from Oxford's newest organic deli with an assortment of sandwiches and more importantly a second bag with several bottles of cold beer. Chief Superintendent Innocent had supplied the sandwiches and beer and sent Gurdip to visit James. Gurdip never explained his presence and James was so glad for some diversion he didn't ask.

After two games of chess (they each won one) and consuming all of the food and the beer, Gurdip left and James was in a better mood.

Laura's phone buzzed indicating a new text message.

"I'm sorry about leaving you in the park."

"You need time. I understand."

"Can we try again?"

"Yes, of course."

"Chess or ice cream?"

"James I have another idea for us."

"Let's hear it. Call me."

Laura was happy to call to discuss her plan. "I was just invited to play in a bridge tournament tomorrow night. One of the teams had to drop out at the last minute. My usual partner is unavailable. Would you like to go with me?"

"Bridge?"

"Yes, I'm sure you must know more about it than I do."

"I know the fundamentals of the game. I've never actually played." I never had a partner.

"I'll pick you up at 6:30 tomorrow then?"

"Yes, you can explain your bidding system to me on the way over."

The bridge partnering was a success. Although they did not win, Laura advanced further in the tournament than she ever had before. More importantly she and James had worked as a team, respecting each other, forgiving each other's mistakes, helping offset each other's weaknesses and allowing a bit of their underlying affection for each other to surface.

They made plans to meet for lunch the next day when Robbie planned to meet with some of his colleagues from the old days with Morse and Strange. There weren't very many of them left on the job.

Laura dropped James off at his flat. Even though they made progress at the bridge table he wasn't ready to invite her in yet. Just before getting out of the car, he turned to her.

"Did you blame yourself?" She knew what he meant and didn't have to think about her answer.

"Even though it wasn't rational, I did." She paused and then added. "Sometimes I still do." She couldn't say more than that for fear of losing control.

Their eyes met. "Same here." James quickly exited the car and made it inside his flat before the nausea hit.

Laura had the same sensation on her drive home. There was a text message waiting on her mobile when she got out of the car.

"Sorry, for going there."

"It's okay." I go there all the time. Someday we need to go there together.

I'm not ready yet.

I wish I could stitch us both up and let us heal.