So glad people seem to be enjoying this one. Without further ado …

.

xxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 11

"So. Am I going to need a bigger notepad, then?"

Sam raised an eyebrow at Gene, a smile hovering round his lips, his pen poised. Gene crossed his arms, a cigarette dangling from his long fingers, and gave him a hard stare.

"If I'd slept with every woman who's thrown herself at me since the missus left I'd deserve a medal fer stamina, but contrary ter popular opinion I do 'ave some standards."

Sam nodded, smirking.

"'Course you do, Guv. Shall we begin?"

Gene's eyes narrowed.

"You're enjoyin' this, aren't yer?"

"Oh yeah."

Sam tapped the page impatiently and Gene took a long drag from his cigarette, blowing the smoke out slowly.

"Sally."

"Sally who?"

Gene shrugged, pursing his lips.

"Dunno. She's a barmaid at the Coach and Horses. Funnily enough, we never got round ter surnames."

Sam rolled his eyes.

"How long did it last?"

"A few weeks, off and on. Mainly on …"

Gene grinned wickedly, but Sam ignored him.

"Any reason she'd be doing this? Did it end badly?"

Gene shook his head.

"Nope. It was just the mutual scratchin' of an itch fer both of us. We had some laughs, it was nice while it lasted, but she met some other bloke and got engaged not long after. I still drop in for a pint now and then, make sure he's treatin' her right."

And there it was, Sam thought, the enigma that was the Guv. Not averse to taking what was on offer if it suited both parties, but ever the gentleman.

"Unlikely to be her, then. Next?"

Gene pondered for a couple of seconds.

"Wendy."

Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Don't tell me. Not a lot of talking involved?"

Gene shrugged nonchalantly.

"She's a croupier at one of the casinos. I bought her a drink a couple of times, turned on the old Gene Genie charm, and when I 'ad a big win one night she offered ter help me spend it. What can I say, Sammy boy, yer've either got it or yer haven't."

He smirked, sitting back in his chair.

"And how long did this deep and meaningful relationship last, then?"

"Till her 'usband came home early …"

Sam's eyebrows shot up.

"She was married?"

Gene pouted.

"Unfortunately she didn't bother ter tell me until we were sharin' a post-coital fag and we heard the front door slam. Turns out he's a long distance lorry driver, wasn't supposed to be back until the morning. Luckily, he only 'ad one thing on his mind, so I made me escape while they were going at it 'ammer and tongs in the next room."

Sam chuckled, he couldn't help it.

"Jesus, Guv. Have you seen her since?"

"She came here to apologise, wanted ter carry on seein' me while he was away drivin'. Can't say I wasn't tempted, she looks like a young Diana Dors, but I don't mess around with married women."

Sam wasn't surprised, he knew that Gene had higher moral standards than most people gave him credit for.

"Was she upset you turned her down?"

He shook his head.

"Actually, she told me she admired me principles. And promised she'd be back after she'd kicked him out."

"What?"

Gene grinned.

"She was jokin'. At least I think she was."

"Hmmm. Let's hope so. I presume there's more?"

The grin widened as Gene sat back in his chair with his hands behind his head. He was going to enjoy this one.

"Lily Cooper."

He pronounced it with some relish, and Sam's head shot up.

"DC Cooper? The classy one on secondment from the Met? You didn't."

Gene's eyes took on a wicked glint.

"Certainly did. Right potty mouth on her that one, posh bird or not."

"You're having me on, Guv. She was way out of your league."

Sam narrowed his eyes and Gene shrugged.

"Posh birds like a bit of rough, 'adn't yer heard? Drove her back to her hotel, she invited me up to her room ter 'discuss the case', and … well, let's just say I'm too much of a gentleman ter kiss an' tell but a good time was 'ad by all."

Sam crossed his arms, still shaking his head in disbelief.

"I thought I was picking up some vibes between the two of you, but I assumed she was just winding you up."

Gene smirked.

"She was, the naughty mare. All the bloody time. Just so she could spend every night … ahem … helpin' me unwind…"

Sam held a hand up to stop him.

"OK, I believe you. Bet you've heard nothing since she went back, though."

Gene sniffed.

"Actually, I've seen her a couple of times, if yer must know. Need ter tell her that I'm off the market now, though."

Sam raised an eyebrow.

"If Lily was you batting above your averages, Alex is you knocking the ball out of the ground for six. Several times in a row."

A genuine smile spread over his DCI's face.

"Don't I bloody know it. I'm still pinchin' meself ter be honest …"

xxxxxxxxx

"So. Not likely to be Lily then, seeing as she knows nothing about Alex moving in with you, as far as we know. Although she might have ways and means if she was determined enough to keep tabs on you."

The two men were standing at the bar of the Railway Arms while Alex and Annie chatted away happily at a nearby table. Gene shook his head.

"I can't see it. There was never any talk about the future, too busy enjoyin' the present, if yer catch me drift."

Sam smirked.

"Seems you're not big on talking generally, Guv."

Gene gave him an old-fashioned look.

"Sometimes actions speak louder than words, Tyler, specially in the bedroom. Bet I could teach you a thing or three."

The younger man snorted dismissively but before he could retort, Gene lowered his voice and continued.

"Anyway, me and Alex talk. At least when we're not …" He paused. "It's good, yer know?"

Sam patted Gene on the shoulder in a gesture of understanding. This was a side of the Guv he hadn't really seen before.

"Yeah, I do know, actually. Have you met the wife?"

It was Gene's turn to smirk as they both glanced round at the women in question, still deep in conversation.

"Talkin' about battin' above yer averages, yer a lucky bugger too, Sammy boy."

Sam grinned broadly.

"That I am, Guv."

xxxxxxxxxx

Annie took a sip of her drink and smirked to herself, watching Alex as her gaze lingered on Gene, drinking him in hungrily. Alex already had the look of the well-smitten, it was all she could do to concentrate on the conversation, and Annie decided it was time to tease her a bit. She nudged the other woman's arm gently, and Alex's head snapped round.

"Sorry? What did you say?"

Annie chuckled.

"Nothing. Not that you would have heard me anyway, you were a bit … distracted."

Alex looked suitably guilty.

"Oh dear. Is it that obvious?"

"Uh huh. So, you and the Guv. Spill the beans, I'm all ears said the elephant."

Annie grinned wickedly and a blush crept up Alex's neck.

"He's … not like anybody I've ever met before. At first I thought he was a complete Neanderthal, but there's a different man underneath. Kind, thoughtful, decent. He's complicated, I'm still figuring him out, but I think I knew I could trust him almost from the start."

Annie nodded.

"I know what you mean. We all respect him and look up to him, and he's been a good friend to Sam and me."

Alex smiled.

"From what he's said you two have been there for him too, especially after his wife walked out. He must have been a lot lonelier than he'd ever admit."

Annie nodded sadly.

"It hit him hard. I didn't really know her, but she must need her head examining in my opinion."

Alex raised her eyebrows questioningly and Annie grinned.

"Well he isn't a man that would ever be short of female attention for long, is he? Even Doris in the canteen fancies him, and she's heading for retirement."

Alex smirked, looking across at Gene again. He glanced round, flashing her a sexy smile, and her stomach flipped.

"There is something about him, isn't there? He's so Alpha male, he almost seems to fill a room just with the force of his personality."

Annie grinned, her eyes twinkling.

"The famous Manc Lion on the prowl is definitely a sight to behold. You do know he once boasted to Sam that his prowess in the bedroom was legendary …"

She left the sentence hanging in the air and Alex's mouth dropped open, the blush creeping back again.

"Annie Tyler, I'm surprised at you, I really am. As if I'd ever kiss and tell."

Looking suitably demure, she leaned in to whisper in Annie's ear.

"I will say one thing, though. He's honest to a fault, that man."

Both women dissolved in a fit of giggles and Alex knew they were destined to be firm friends from then on.

xxxxxxxxxx

Sam glanced over at them with a smile before turning his attention back to his superior officer.

"The ladies seem to be getting on famously, hope they're not talking about us."

Gene didn't seem to have noticed as he sighed heavily, a morose expression settling over his handsome features. He shouted up a couple of whiskeys from Nelson and Sam waited patiently as he fiddled with his glass, recognising the signs. The Guv was building up to something.

"There's one more name to go on that list, Sam."

"Oh?"

Gene took a good swig, feeling the burn at the back of his throat.

"Kylie Ross …"

.

xxxxxxxxxx

Just to prove I do me research, apparently the first female DC in the Met was appointed in 1973 so Annie was most definitely a trail blazer, bless her!