Richard gave her what he thought was a reassuring smile, yet as he looked down into Camille's face, he saw her expression of incredulity turn to exasperation bordering on anger! He started rapidly processing what had just happened:

Bombshell from Commissioner Patterson - CHECK

Nifty bit of negotiation skills from yours-truly - CHECK

Gentlemanly act even if it meant covering up these sublime silky-skinned shoulders and OH MY GOD the line of that dre… - CHECK

Told her the news… He was distracted by an irritated huff from Camille. He looked at her again – yep that was definitely a Poole-icide type look if ever he had seen one!

In his mind he said (soothingly, he hoped) "It's all good – what's wrong, aren't you happy?" What actually came out of his mouth was a less reassuring, and exasperated "what?"

"You're leaving! AGAIN! Why did you even bother coming back? Why did you take me out to dinner those times, why did you EVER give me a reason to think you wanted to stay, to be here, to be here with me?"

Richard physically had to shake himself – he wanted to replay his checklist again but knew he'd obviously missed something out… why on EARTH would she think he was not coming back?!

CHECK, CHECK… CHECK… ohhhhh

Told her the news… ohhhh wait I didn't actually SAY what happened….

"For heaven's sake – it's not like I'm going for ever – just for the Forensic Science course. It's just it's six months, back in Cambridge. I don't understand why you're so angry – I told Patterson I wanted to stay"

She took a deep breath – of course he'd missed that bit out… now how could she save face, because now his face was full of confusion – oh god now he thought she didn't want him!

They'd gone on a couple of dates since his return, once his luggage had made a re-appearance, and he brought more stuff with him. He was always so very gentlemanly but she felt they had made a little ground in terms of getting closer. He'd managed a couple of chaste kisses at the end of the evening AND no tie and jacket on one occasion.

She tempered her tone a little. "If you'd actually SAID that, then perhaps I wouldn't have been so…"

"French?!" He really couldn't help himself sometimes!

"No… surely you can see that the reason I get so annoyed is because…"

She was interrupted by the over-enthusiastic clanging of a gong signifying the Commissioner's speech. She looked back at him "We still need to talk ok?" He nodded mutely. "Maybe walk me home after the speech?"

They headed back inside and stood a little way in from the balcony doors as Commissioner Patterson took the stage.

Camille wasn't really listening to anything that the Commissioner said, but was trying to process what had just happened. So…

Commissioner dropped a bombshell – CHECK

Richard wanted to stay and told him so? OK – well – CHECK I think.

He gave me his jacket, and when his hand touched my shoulder I SOOO wanted him to... sorry where was I… CHECK

He's going, but he's coming back. I think.

She suddenly caught what the Commissioner was saying.

"And I am pleased to announce a personnel change for the better. Our Met Officer DI Richard Poole has been selected to head up a new iniative by the Met for better Commonwealth policing, and after a brief 6-month training sabbatical at his alma mater of Cambridge, he will be returning as DCI Poole of the newly created Saint Marie Commonwealth Division in partnership between the Met.

He will be reporting to me directly and will be making his transfer permanent, with secondment to the Met to keep those channels open. We will of course have a new Met-based DI joining us in the interim who will take up Poole's role and will work with him when he returns."

There was applause and Richard shifted uncomfortably at all the attention and the cheering coming from Dwayne and Fidel, when he felt Camille's hand softly slide into his. Still wearing his jacket it went unnoticed but he knew that he'd made the right decision.

He squeezed her hand gently and she looked at him. "Is everything OK now?" he asked nervously.

"Yes – and you are walking me home straight after this," she murmured in reply. "Right… and your, um… mother?"

"Oh she'll be going back to her place – I meant to my apartment – I can pick up my stuff from hers at any time."

"Right… " adding mentally to his checklist – does she want me to stay?

"By the way, if you're wondering if I expect you to be less gentlemanly this evening… the answer is very much yes."

CHECK.