The dangers of Smoking
Part II
The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?
Epilogue Part I – The trial.
The past month, James reflected as he walked through Oxford, had been almost perfect. No rushing about, no having to be here or needing to go there. No one to claim his time except someone he wanted to spend his time with anyway. Almost perfect. Not quite, not until the next few days were over with.
Returning to Oxford hadn't filled him with dread, as he thought it might. He was worried, justifiably so, about the trial, and what that would bring. He was concerned at his reception from people that he'd just walked away from. The members of his band, work colleagues, friends. But he was only truly worried about three people, and what their reception would be. Three people who had shown him not only support and guidance, but also friendship, and well...a love of sorts.
Being the person he was, he wasn't going to wait until the first morning of the trial to find out, everyone would have enough to worry about without him turning up out of the blue again. No, he intended to make his apologies in private, give his explanations calmly and then accept the outcome.
But first, he had something else to sort out, something important.
He'd left Evie in her almost bare flat, he'd helped her pack and store a lot of things at her parents and to give away what she didn't foresee needing. Her flat was already under offer from a local company that bought properties and rented them out to students, she'd accepted their first offer and the sale was all but done already. He had already visited the estate agent with instructions to drop the price and just sell his own, he needed the money, the sooner the better. With their joint funds from the sale of both flats, they'd be able to put an offer in on what had become known as simply 'The house'.
In the end they hadn't strayed from the tiny village, it was a warm and friendly place and unlike most small villages, they hadn't been ostracised by locals for staying more than a couple of days. James remembered the first time he realised that Evie had fallen in love with 'The House' as much as he had.
"What?" she'd asked as he looked at her, walking past the old and derelict house down to the mooring for the canal boat.
James had smiled and looked at the house, only he didn't see doors hanging off, large areas of roof devoid of tiles completely and broken, filthy windows. He saw a future, a lot of hard work and probably a lot of money, but a future.
"I like this house" he'd ventured.
Evie's eyes had flicked over it, her expression revealing nothing as yet "I can imagine it being a lovely family home once upon a time" she'd sighed quietly, but the slight hope as she hovered over the words 'family home' weren't lost on him "Such a shame that it's been abandoned"
"It's quite big inside" he'd warmed to his theme slightly, an idea he'd had for a long time, even before Evie had found him, resurfacing "Four bedrooms and a massive bathroom. The kitchen's still got one of those big farmhouse sinks and an aga"
Evie's lips had twitched "Trespassing?" she'd teased.
James had raised his eyebrows "Me? Never" but his grin had been returned by her own "Wanna see?"
"Yeah" she'd laughed and followed him in, and that it would seem, was that.
James turned from the main shopping area into a side street, he knew exactly which shop he wanted, and exactly what he wanted in that shop. He just hoped they still had it.
Pushing the door open he paused, an achingly familiar form greeted him in profile and he swallowed hard. The figure didn't turn, engrossed in the array placed before him by the eager shop keeper, swallowing again, James stepped forward and cleared his throat, making both men look at him.
Robert Lewis didn't have the sharp senses he'd once had, but he recognised the shadow of the tall figure looming over him, and a rush of many emotions threatened to burst out, right there and then in the quaint antique jewellery shop. Instead of allowing them forth, he blinked a couple of times before he spoke.
"How the hell do you always manage to creep out of nowhere man?" he demanded of James.
Of all the greetings that James had imagined, this wasn't one he'd considered.
"Your hearing aid battery must be flat again sir" he dead panned back.
Lewis gave him a sour look "Pardon?" he asked, a sarcastic twist to his lips.
James smirked before his eyes searched the tray of rings being presented to him by the now confused shop keeper. His eyes stopped at the one he wanted, the one he'd scarcely been able to get off his mind since the day he'd brought it here.
"Which one are you thinking about?" James asked quietly, fighting the childish urge to cross his fingers.
"That's the rub" Lewis sighed back "I don't know"
"Nothing caught your eye?" James pressed, leaning over the tray "Nothing stand out?"
Lewis gave him a knowing look "Something obviously has for you" he said with a half smile "Go on, get it then. I'm just looking really..."
"I wouldn't want to steal your thunder, sir" James replied, his words leant themselves to taunting, but the sentiment underneath was genuine.
Lewis looked at him "Which one?"
James carefully picked up an understated gold band with intricate detail, and he thought, the flash of an inscription inside.
"Ah, a wise choice" the shop keeper nodded "Lovely ring. An asset to any lovely ladies hand I'm sure. This ring has a romantic story behind it..."
"I know" James cut him short, and fielded Lewis' look of surprised "Just a box" he added, drawing his wallet out pointedly.
"As you wish" the man retreated to box the ring, obviously offended that his sales patter hadn't been allowed to stretch it's legs. Returning he turned his gaze to Robbie, weighing him up.
"We have many other rings sir, many with a romantic story attached..."
"Nah" Robbie shrugged "Just looking, get the man his change"
"I paid by card" James smirked at him, placing the small bag and his wallet back in his pocket.
Lewis rolled his eyes "You owe me a pint" he announced "Actually several"
James bowed his head in mock reverence, with a smile and extended his hand to allow Robbie to go first.
…...
Robbie took a long draught of his drink and looked at James.
"Special is it?" he asked "That ring?"
"It belonged to Stan Hooks wife" James told him "Barbara stole it when she killed him, it went into evidence and then when I got in touch with the cousin, she asked me to forward it to that jewellers"
"You have a thing about Captain Hook don't you?" Lewis asked softly.
"Yeah" James shrugged, self conscious "Just made me realise that we could all fall on hard times, or go there voluntarily. I admire him"
"And the ring? For Evie?"
James smiled again and took a drink nodding as he set the glass down again "Just have to pluck up the courage to follow it through. Though I need to do it sooner or later, it would appear we're buying a house"
"In Oxford?" if Lewis were surprised by James' revelations, he didn't show it.
"On the border" James returned, and then gave his companion a calculating look "So.." he started "Were you ah, looking for something in particular?"
Though he knew exactly what James meant, he played the game "As in?" he replied.
James sighed with mock exasperation "Were you looking for a ring, for the good Doctor?"
"Oh that" Lewis shrugged "She already has one, I was looking for something special, you know, it's her birthday, a big one. But I didn't tell you that"
"Woah" James' eyes opened wide with shock "She already has one?!"
"Yeah, she's becoming Dr Lewis in about 10 days time" Lewis said smugly "I'd have sent an invitation, but Innocent was quite shady about your address"
James opened and closed his mouth several times before answering.
"Congratulations" he finally managed, having mentally tried and discounted several other phrases.
"Thank you" Robbie nodded "Now you're back, can I er...go back on me thoughts of having Hooper as a best man then?"
James coughed a couple of times, turning a delicate shade of red from his neck to hairline.
"I er...ha" he said eventually.
"You're not going to make this easy are you?" Lewis huffed "The proposal is supposed to be the hard bit James, not asking for a best man"
James coughed again, grinning.
"You bloody awkward sod" Robbie muttered before fixing James with a glare "James Hathaway, would you do the me the honour of being my best man at my upcoming nuptials to Laura?"
"Be delighted" James grinned again, clinking his glass to Robbie's.
…...
Evie took the hand offered to her as she walked down the steps of the courthouse.
"You OK?" James asked, concern on his face.
"Yeah" she gave a smile, a flat and tired smile "You?"
He shrugged "We don't have to go you know" he offered "To this dinner"
"You make it sound like some sort of ordeal" Evie laughed "It'll be nice, you haven't really seen anyone you used to...well anyone except for in court have you?"
"Not really" James shrugged "You look tired"
"I am tired" Evie admitted, a little more defeated than she intended "But it's over now, it's done"
James put an arm around her shoulders "I'm proud of you" he said quietly.
She gave him a grateful smile "Thank you"
"At least he's got a guilty verdict, and sentencing won't be light" James continued "Judge said that life plus is the least he can expect..."
"I know James" Evie said lightly "I was there..."
He stopped and looked at her as if he didn't understand what she said at first before he spoke.
"Of course you were" he conceded with a frown before starting to walk again "Are you sure you don't just want to go back to the boat?" he asked again "Relax..."
"Relax?!" she snorted, an edge to her voice "With you fussing about like an old woman? James, I'm fine, I want to go out"
"Old woman" he nodded, but a grin etched the lines of his face "Thank you"
Evie dug him in the ribs lightly and laughed, a sound he was glad to hear.
"Will you lighten up when you get some alcohol inside you?" she teased lightly.
James relaxed, laughing quietly "I might" he agreed "Or I might go down the road if many a man before me with woman troubles and the demon drink...become maudlin...sad...ponder my existence..."
"Woman troubles?!" Evie challenged, laughing as he kissed her.
"Yes" he regarded her with amusement "You see I have this girlfriend and this ring I want to give her...so she's no longer my girlfriend and becomes my fiancé, and I don't quite know how to do that"
Evie smiled, the huge lovely and from the heart smile that James loved knowing he could put on her face.
"Well, I'd suggest giving the girlfriend the ring along with the words 'Will you marry me?'. She's smart, she'll work it out" Evie replied in a not so steady voice.
…...
Jean Innocent tapped her spoon on her glass and stood up, instantly commanding the table's attention.
"Ladies and Gents... thank you" she started as the rabble of voices died down "Firstly I want to thank everyone involved in the case that has been tried today with a great result. You all worked diligently to secure the conviction of someone that needed to be off our streets, and we have achieved that once more" she paused as there were a few 'here-here's' from the assembled and a spattering of applause and then she smiled, wickedly "And that's where I leave the shop talk...Rumours have reached my ears that I'm going to be needing a new hat...or two"
Laura gripped Robbie's hand and smiled, as he smiled at her. Both turning to look at James squirming uncomfortably in his seat as Jean continued.
"Our very own Inspector Lewis has finally asked our very own Dr Hobson for her hand in marriage..." Jean continued as applause and cat calls threatened to drown her out "And judging by the smile on her face and the rock on her hand she's said yes...congratulations Robbie and Laura" she held her glass aloft to a chorus of congratulations as a beetroot coloured Lewis beamed, and then winked at a smug looking James.
"Furthermore..." Jean continued "The prodigal son has returned" All eyes turned to James, who went a delicate shade of red and looked engrossed in the table cloth.
"Not to my station more is the pity" Jean sighed dramatically "But as we never got the chance to say goodbye and wish you well James, I'm going to do it now...The police are losing a fine officer, and I am losing a fine sergeant and now not one but two Inspectors...do you realise the headaches you've caused me by ditching just before Lewis retires?!" she asked pointedly but with a smile as James met her eyes with a small smile of his own "So, thank you for your service James, and for all the hard and clever work, the smart arse comments...and the walking wikipedia moments. I for one will have to start looking things up on google again without you around. And don't look so smug..." she paused and raised her glass before laughing "I know...it's the unfortunate shape of your face*...good luck James, in whatever you decide to do. And good luck to you Evie, you are going to need it marrying him"
The table exploded with laughter and surprised twitterings at the announcements that not only was Hathaway no longer a member of the police force – oh there were rumours after he vanished but Innocent and Lewis had been rather tight lipped about it – but that he intended to get married, and to a woman no less.
Evie looked at the ring she now had on her finger and met James' eyes, seeing her own feeling reflected. He was right, she thought, the ring was perfect, and having read the diary of Stan, and how he and Mary had come together, fallen in love and lived their lives entwined, it told Evie without any doubt how James felt about her. The inscription inside the ring simply read 'Forever', they were her sentiments exactly.
The laughter and chatter built up again with congratulations being offered to both James and Lewis, and questions about what they intended to do with their futures.
James felt uncomfortable, thrust into the centre of attention, and it showed, but an exchanged tight smile with his old boss, his one time superior and his all time friend revealed that despite his bravado, Lewis felt the same. James held his glass up and across the table and without breaking his conversation, Lewis touched the rim of his glass to James' and winked at him, James smiled and retreated his hand, tilting his head to listen to Evie being grilled about their future by Laura. Deciding she was holding her own he retreated to the bar – this was going to be a long night.
…...
*This was originally an exchange between Innocent and Hathaway in the episode Expiation, season 1 episode 3 (thanks google!) where she is giving Lewis and Hathaway a roasting for misdemeanour's, she tells Hathaway to 'Stop looking so smug' to which he replies 'I'm not smug Ma'am, it's the unfortunate shape of my face'. Great line well delivered.
Sorry sorry sorry for the delay – final chapter is in the works now and being edited so it shouldn't be too long but I warn you I have totally given in to my 'fluffy' leanings here – it may end up rather sweet and sickly!
Thanks as ever to everyone following, reading and reviewing...Much appreciated!