The Morning After
Ted yawned, glad that he had decided to pull an all night shift but knowing his back would regret it later that day. He knew Pat would berate him, not only for that but for his match-making attempts with Gerry and Sandra. He stretched back, wondering what was happening in Australia and whether or not either of his friends were plotting to kill him on their return to the UK. He looked up as Dan walked into the office.
"Thought you were taking your Hollie to her appointment?"
"I did."
"Then you were going to sleep." Ted yawned again. Dan raised an eyebrow.
"Av you been home?"
"Recently? No. Pat is gonna forget what I look like at this rate. And my Kelly is coming 'ome for a few days next week. Maybe I'll get some time back then?" He knew he wasn't getting any younger - his joints creaking confirmed it. Dan rolled his eyes before heading to the kettle.
"You need coffee, a shower and a kip in that order."
"When did you turn into mum?" Steve asked as he walked in. "Sasha is on the telly."
"Ok," Dan turned the television on. "Where's Jack and Brian?"
"If they have any sense." Steve yawned. "Asleep. You know Jack has a bad heart. Last thing we need is 'im aving another coronary."
The three men fell silent as they watched the press conference begin on the local news. Strickland and Sasha were sat flanked by other senior officers as the journalists began talking about the case of two young women brutally murdered at such a young age. Dan folded his arms, thinking about the parents, as Steve and Ted listened intently, hoping that the press conference would help them all find out what had really happened.
xxxxxxxxxx
Gerry woke, for a moment unsure of his surroundings. He knew he was warm and comfortable but that was about it. Until he realised he wasn't in his own bed and he wasn't alone. Suddenly he realised he was sharing a bed with his boss, his best friend who he also happened to be in love with. He sighed, realising she was still asleep. Her leg wound together with his, her arm across his middle.
"Sandra?" He mumbled. She remained silent. In that moment he allowed himself to pretend they were like any other couple. That she was the same as any other woman he had slept with. But he knew he was lying. Yes, she was younger than him. He was an old man, a grandfather and in his own admission a terrible husband three times over. He had no idea what she saw in him as a friend never mind as anything more intimate. Yet, here they were. He sighed as she moved slightly.
"Time?" She mumbled.
"A little after 7 am." Gerry looked at the watch on his left wrist as Sandra groaned. "You ok?"
"Yeah. We need to move."
"Yeah."
"I don't want to."
"We don't have to rush. Donovan isn't expecting us at the station until midday. We don't have to move just yet."
Sandra smiled slightly before looking up at him. She was as anxious as he was, suddenly aware that she was on the verge of probably losing her best friend. Gerry wasn't like other men she had been in relationships with. She knew he was useless at them. Then there was the age gap. His three ex wives and various daughters. He was a gambler and a commitment phobic. She sighed, aware that she wasn't his usual type either. She closed her eyes, wondering what he would possibly see in her. She was disfigured from surgery and childhood accidents, bossy, ambitious, a ball breaker with little time for relationships, never had children and focused solely on her vocation. She blinked back a tear wondering how they would ever move on from the previous night.
"We're not at the prison until three." Gerry stared at the top of her head as he spoke.
"Yeah."
"So?"
"I'll grab a shower and call home. Check on Sandra and the boys."
"I think they will be managing without us." Gerry smiled. "Sandra? Guv?"
"Don't call me Guv. Or Guvnor. Not in bed." She finally looked him in the eye. Gerry frowned, surprised to see the emotion there.
"What's wrong?"
"Us. Nothing. Everything."
"Us? Last night. I don't regret it. Not for a second. Do you?" He felt his heart pound as she swallowed hard.
"No. But."
"But what?"
"Changes everything now. You, me, UCOS."
"You're still my Guv. In work. You and me are old enough and thick skinned enough not to let this spoil work. UCOS is doing great. Don't look for ways to put the mockers on this." He brushed a strand of blonde hair away from her face. She nodded.
"Ok." She paused. "If we do this. If we are together can we not tell the boys yet? I'd just like time to adjust. And I could do without Brian having a panic attack and Jack wanting to defend my honour."
Gerry smirked, knowing she was right. "Ok, I can manage that. No shenanigans at work."
"Good." She smiled as he seemed to focus on her lips. He moved impossibly closer to her- about to kiss her just as the phone rang.
xxxxxxxx
A/N Please review
