Stifling her giggles at Richard's apparent coyness and wanting to get dressed in private while Camille waited on the veranda, she took herself off to give him a little privacy, as she contemplated the last 24 hours.

She wasn't naïve enough to think it would all be plain sailing from here – they would have to face her mother, their colleagues, the Commissioner – she cringed a little at the call. She knew she could brazen it out, but was really not sure how Richard would cope.

Suddenly she felt a little cold in the morning sunshine. She had wanted this, wanted him so much, she had forgotten that it would be huge steps for him and now she was wondering if she was maybe pushing him too hard. God above, had she forced him into it?

"Ok – ready."

He was standing there in his suit but no jacket, no tie and he was giving her that crooked little smile of his and a half shrug? She smiled.

"OK we need to be … ummm"

"Business-like? Yes I agree… Come on, we had better go."

He wanted to give her a kiss but he knew where that would lead.

But in the Defender he suddenly grew pensive, and she noticed his brow crinkling. As they pulled up by the bike, she paused before opening the car door.

"Are you worried about what they will say?"

"Yes. A bit."

"Look – they may tease and give us knowing looks, but Richard – deep down they will be pleased for us, pleased that we are happy."

He nodded but still looked pensive. God this not kissing him lark was proving to be difficult.

She forced herself to open up the door and as they made their way up the hill, they both focussed on the task ahead. As they approached the two officers she could sense Richard bracing himself for the teasing, but… nothing.

"Ah Sir," said Fidel as he looked up from taking photos. The victim is Elsa Maisey – local girl, looks as though she was brought up here alive, but was beaten and dumped here. Oh and sir? Dwayne is a friend of the family – he's taking this pretty hard."

He and Camille looked a little further to where Dwayne was looking around the scene. As if she could sense what he was thinking, Camille nodded at Richard and moved off towards Dwayne.

Richard bent to examine the victim for himself – the beating had been brutal – he felt a little shaken himself and he didn't even know her. He looked up to see Camille patting Dwayne's arm.

Dwayne shook his head and tried to keep his voice steady.

"She was just a baby – I knew her mum you know – we all ran as a pack, back in the day…"

"Any ideas yet who or why?"

"None – but I want to be the one to tell her mother – I owe her that much."

Camille nodded. "I'll come with you"

They headed back to the station once the preliminary processing had been done.

"I'll go with Dwayne to see the family," said Camille. Richard looked up and nodded, before clearing his throat – his team looking up expectantly.

"Um I just wanted to let you all know that even though I am moving to a new role, obviously I am still very much around, and umm as such, I have made some decisions about life here…"

Camille was just looking at him curiously, not sure where this was going, Fidel was looking at him patiently and Dwayne was still a little distracted.

"So – umm well, I suppose it was pretty obvious that I was walking Sergeant Bord… I mean Camille home and, well… "

By now Camille was regarding him half with amusement and half with real concern about what he might blurt out, Fidel was a little amused, and it was Dwayne who spoke first.

"Chief – it's all good – you guys will be great together and I know you're gonna be happy."

Fidel chipped in: "It's great – really but Sir – what do we call you when you are the new DCI of a different department?"

Richard smiled… "Thanks team… oh not that you're my team member" he addressed Camille – she sauntered over and punched him lightly on the arm, as she grabbed the Defender keys to deliver the bad news with Dwayne.

Fidel carried on with the paperwork, but stopped suddenly – "Sir… have you… spoken to Catherine since last night?"

"Ummm no no not yet"

"Right …"

Richard looked up sharply. "You think it might be a problem?"

Fidel smiled "You walk home her only child, who she's been desperate to marry off in the pursuit of grandchildren … no no I think it will be great!"

Richard sighed.

Catherine was busy putting out the lunchtime menus as she caught Selwyn Patterson sauntering by.

"Selwyn – thank you again for inviting us again, now tell me – have you seen my daughter today?"

"Ah – yes I had to pull her in to work a case – but I am sure ALL the team will call by soon…"

"What aren't you telling me?"

At this point Celine Patterson breezed over – "Come on now Catherine – you saw Camille get her man" she smiled looking over to her old friend. "Don't make my Selwyn break any vows of confidentiality" she laughed.

Selwyn considered one of his oldest friends – he saw Camille very much like his daughter, in fact Celine was her godmother. But his discussions about Richard's reasons for staying were between him and the Inspector he had grown to respect.

He just winked at her – "I think there will be bumps in the road, but all in all, your girl will be happy."

Catherine looked fondly at her two oldest friends. They had supported her when Marlon had first left her, she stood by her decision to move to St Lucia with him to make a go of a marriage they knew caused her nothing but pain and they took her in when she and her little girl came back home to settle.

"Ok Ok," she said, throwing her hands in the air, as if in defeat. "But don't expect me not to make his life…. Interesting," she smirked – oh she could hardly wait until they came in now.