I live in the great north of England (Liverpool to be exact), so I figure I'd better translate a few words I've used in this chapter. Munter= not very attractive person. Sarnie= slang word for sandwich. Carry on Series= a series of old films with loads of slapstick comedy and innuendo.

Chapter 14.

So, my work day was spent smiling at the world. John '2 families' tried changing my shifts. I smiled after telling him no. The gnome screamed at me probably because I was breathing in the wrong direction. I smiled, and muttered maybe she should have a shag to get over the obvious tension she was carrying around. I met the hottie Pete allegedly set me up with. I smiled and then ran, Jesus she was a munter. Alright, she wasn't a munter ,but I had been on a date with Emily, and trust me, no one could ever come close to how beautiful she really was.

I'd sent Emily a text over my first coffee of the morning. Nothing special, just a "Hey you, just repeating myself from last night and saying I had a great time. It'd be great to do something again. N XX"

I whistled cheerfully as I made my way back from the hospital coffee shop with bacon sandwiches for Pete and I (John could go fuck himself, he needed all his cash for his two families anyway.) I even found it within myself to smile at the drug dealing scumbag known as Jimmy when I walked past him. He shouted out he'd catch me later, yeah right.

You ever seen a Disney film? Course you have. Well, you know those sickeningly annoying scenes where the lead character usually sings about how wonderful the world was and all the animals would join in and whistle in tune with her? That was me. I felt a laugh bubble up in me and quickly stomped it the fuck down. No no no. Big hard copper on nasty scary undercover mission. Switch on Naomi for fucks sake. Scowl firmly in place I threw Pete's sarnie at him as I strolled into our office and sat down next to the cup of coffee I presumed he'd made for me. True to form, the phone was ringing off the hook. Fuck them, it was probably that witch ringing to complain I'd smiled too much or something.

Mobile in hand, I texted Tony to check how the plans for the operation were proceeding and shoved my phone back in my pants pocket before getting back to the serious business of demolishing my breakfast.

I was nearly through my shift when I got a reply.

"Sunday afternoon. Me, you and some quality time together? Got a session with Jan that finishes at 2pm, I can pop up to yours when I've finished? E XX"

I'd just finished reading the text when my phone buzzed again.

"P.S. I had a great time too. You're great company you know. You made me feel safe, which is sappy and probably way too early to say I know. E XX"

Yup, life was good and worth being smiley for.

I gave Tony a ring on my way home to be told that all the surveillance gear was ready and he would drop round at mine tomorrow before the night out to put my wire on and check that both he and JJ could hear me ok. Things were moving quicker now and I was glad. I wanted this shit assignment out of the way so I could get on with my life away from that shit hospital. It was like Carry on Matron in there. I had some holiday time due and once this was over I intended to spend as much of it with Emily as I possibly could.

I threw my running clothes on and went outside to burn off some of my excess energy. 5 miles later I was showered and looking through the fridge for food when my phone went. I picked it up and answered it, head still in the fridge, eyeballing the ham in there and deliberating a sandwich. I heard a small snuffle after my loud greeting.

I looked at the caller ID. Emily?

"Em's? You ok? That you?" The snuffle got a little louder, and then I heard a little voice. I shut the fridge and leant against the cupboards waiting for her to talk to me

"Hi Naoms, I'm sorry to ring you and be pathetic down the phone. Didn't know who else to ring" I heard her sigh. "I've ended up with Kay moving in here because the wanker turned up at dad's. She's been a fucking bitch, taking it all out on me. Then she rang my mum and she was just awful to me. Telling me that all I needed was a real man to sort me out." She paused and sniffled again, and I could feel my anger rising at the thought of this lovely creature being hurt by her mother's non acceptance of her. "And you're probably wondering what you've got yourself into after one and a half dates aren't you?"

I chuckled quietly. "Nah, I know what I've got myself in to. A lovely date on Sunday I hope." I tried to cheer her up as she told me about her day and how it had started off great and she'd come home knackered to find her sister in her flat making a mess after taking the spare key from her dad's.

I started moving around my kitchen as an impulsive idea went through my head. I made and packed some ham sandwiches and a flask of coffee and added some bananas, crisps and a couple of bars of chocolate into a bag.

Finishing my conversation with a still sad sounding Emily, I ran down to my car and found myself outside the block of flats that contained 27 St Michaels without thinking about it. Parked up, I grabbed my phone and texted Emily.

"Grab a coat and keys, put your shoes on and come to the front door."

I got out and leaned against my car, waiting for her to either ring me, text me or turn up. I wondered which one she'd do.

I got my answer 5 minutes later when I saw a flash of red hair lean out of the front door. She turned and looked at me and promptly burst into tears. Ah shit, had I done the wrong thing? Yet another answer came quickly as she ran across to me. I opened my arms and she fell into me. Deep sobs tearing through her small frame. I wrapped her up in my embrace, gently rocking her to give her some comfort. She was mumbling to me "Can't believe you came" over and over. I just held on and let her get the tears out of her system, gently dropping a kiss onto her head every so often and cradling her as if she was the most precious and fragile thing in the world. Which to me, she was. Fucking families. I'd fucking kill hers if they did this to her again.

She calmed down and looked up at me. Big brown eyes red rimmed from crying, bottom lip still quivering from crying, she'd never looked more beautiful. "Prince Charming at your service". I winked and kissed the tip of her nose.

She ran a hand down my cheek and smiled. "Yeah. You certainly are." She softly kissed me. "I am so glad I rang you and so glad you came. God, I needed this, I needed your hug Naoms".

I opened the car door and bundled her in. I drove her to a favourite spot of mine where I came to think sometimes. It was early evening and the sun was just setting over the river Mersey. It was a glorious sight. We ended up lying on the bonnet of my car after eating the food I'd made, watching the sun go down and drinking milky coffee. Emily was snuggled into my left side with her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her forehead. She'd told me all about the mother and the phone call and had got the last of her upset out of her system. I'd been mentioned apparently, and her mother wasn't amused she was seeing another woman. Tough fucking shit. I was going nowhere. We'd been lying here since in pleasant silence watching the red sky slowly darken and the stars coming out.

She'd thanked me for turning up out of the blue and dragging her out of her flat and the 'sister situation' as it had been named.

I felt lips on my neck and looked down to see Emily with her eyes shut and her lips pursed up at me. I laughed and took the hint, gently kissing her. It wasn't about sex this kiss, it was me trying to reassure her. That's what she needed, a shoulder to cry on and someone to feel safe around. And fuck me if that wasn't my occupation.

Score another point for the rufty tufty copper.