Chapter 22

Robbie's secret revealed.

They settled into the cushions with the boxes between them. Laura couldn't help but think that the memories contained in those boxes might be a wall they couldn't scale, "Tell me a secret Robbie."

He smiled at her, mesmerized as always at his good fortune. He'd suspected she would ask him to reveal his secrets. He wasn't sure how much of a secret it was but if it would put her at ease he would tell her every detail of his life.

"I hope I didn't oversell it. It's less of a secret and more of a story."

She looked down at her cup smiling to herself. She'd known that Robbie didn't really have secrets but just hearing his voice, knowing that he was here was enough to settle her nerves, "Tell me."

He nodded, "Do you remember when you first moved here? I think it was about four or five months after you started, there was a birthday party at the White Horse."

Laura thought for a moment, casting her mind back to those early days, "Vaguely, I'll be honest I was in a haze for most of that first year."

"Well there was a birthday party and it was quite a blow-out. You were there and you were on a date with DCI Johnson."

She groaned looking down at her hands, "That makes the picture somewhat clearer."

Robbie watched her. He hadn't meant to make her feel bad. Reaching over the boxes he lightly touched her shoulder, "Laura." She looked at him, "I didn't say his name to make you feel bad. It was just as a frame of reference."

She nodded, "I understand. That was just an unhappy time in my life, he was a by-product."

Robbie laughed causing Laura to stare at him. He reached up to touch her cheek softly, "I wasn't laughing at you. Your comment echoes my secret."

"I don't understand."

Pointing at the boxes between them, "It's a long story Laura, do you mind if I move these and pull you closer to me?"

Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. Robbie carefully moved the boxes then opened his arms. Laura moved closer and nestled into his body. His heart stopped as he felt her sigh into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and inhaled deeply. He felt safer now that she was letting him hold her. He luxuriated in the physical closeness before pressing a gentle kiss to her head.

"Once upon a time there was a beautiful young doctor who moved to a magical city called Oxford…"

Laura looked up at him, "I thought you were telling me a secret?"

He kissed her nose, "It's my secret and I will tell it my way. Tuck in and listen." She closed her eyes and nestled even closer to him, "Now where was I?"

With a voice so small he barely heard her, "Once upon a time there was a doctor who moved to a magical city called Oxford."

"I believe I said a beautiful doctor and yes she moved to that magical city and went to work with the police. Now most people would wonder why this delightful creature would choose to do such ugly work. The grumpy Inspector she met on one of her first days once asked his handsome sergeant just that question. The handsome sergeant didn't have an answer and quickly let it drop. He let it drop because the beautiful doctor scared him."

Laura looked up at him. As her lips opened to question him he pressed his finger to them, "Shh. It's my story." She rested her chin on his chest and he continued, "Anyway, the handsome sergeant was always polite to the beautiful doctor but he kept his distance. Because, you see, the handsome sergeant was happily married and he was afraid the beautiful doctor might disrupt his happiness."

Robbie felt, more than heard Laura's intake of breath. He met her eyes and could see the question in them, "One day the handsome sergeant received an invitation to a party. He knew the beautiful doctor would be there as well but he couldn't ignore the invitation and his equally beautiful wife wanted to attend. So, there he was, stuck between two very beautiful rocks."

Robbie watched the tears trace down her face and let the memory take him away as he told her the story.

"Val, do we really have to go to this party?"

Val looked at him from the mirror as she fastened her earring, "Robbie Lewis, we've already said we are going and I have been looking forward to a night out for ages."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly against him, "I'm not saying we won't go out but we could go somewhere nicer. You look lovely and I would be happy to show you off."

Turning in his arms she kissed him lightly, "And you can show me off, to your friends. Or are you ashamed of me?"

She walked away not letting him see the teasing smile on her face, "That's not what I meant." She turned to him and the moment he saw her smile he knew she was teasing him, "Come on love, you don't really want to spend your evening with a bunch of drunken coppers, do you?"

"Well I did marry a copper, drunken or otherwise, so a good detective might deduce I happen to like them."

He rolled his eyes knowing he'd lost the battle, "Fine, I know when to concede defeat."

She pulled him to her kissing him until they were both breathless, "If you're a good boy I promise more when we get home."

"You really don't play fair."

She laughed as she slipped out of his arms, "Probably not but had you started your argument with a kiss like that you might have won." She grabbed her things and headed to the door, "Come on, sooner started, sooner finished."

The party was about an hour old when Laura arrived with her date DCI Johnson. He watched them wondering what she was doing with him. He felt Val nudge his side, "Who's that with Johnson?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "New pathologist, she just moved here a few months ago."

"Well he made short work of it. I wonder what she sees in him."

Pulling her closer to him he kissed her temple, "I have no idea. Do you think we've stayed long enough?"

"Robbie we've barely been here an hour."

He growled in her ear, "It's felt like forever since I know what's waiting for me when I get home."

Val looked back at him with an innocent expression, "Is there a football match on the telly?"

"Funny."

"I thought so. I'm running to the ladies. Why don't you get me a fresh drink?"

He nodded as he watched her walk away. He looked at the bar and saw Johnson and Laura were stood waiting for their order. He would wait until they had cleared off before making his way. If Val made it back before he would simply say he didn't want to lose their table.

A sudden movement at the bar drew his attention. Laura had pushed back from Johnson and she looked angry, very angry. He'd never seen that particular emotion on her beautiful face. As frightening as it was, it sent a chill through him, she was somehow more beautiful when angry. Whatever she was saying to him was said so quietly that no one around them seemed aware. If he hadn't been watching her he might not have seen it either.

He watched Johnson reach for her again, a flash of anger on his face. Laura took a single step back then walked away. He tracked her progress deeper into the pub. He was torn between hoping she would see him and stop and praying she would walk past him unnoticed. His prayer was answered and she walked right past.

He was so distracted he didn't notice Johnson move the chair beside him and sit until it was too late, "Robert good to see you out and about. Where's that beautiful wife of yours or are you here stag?"

His whole body tensed, "She's in the ladies room." He knew better than to let Martin Johnson see him upset, "If you don't mind holding the table, I need to get her a fresh drink."

Johnson drained his drink in one go then started in on Laura's, "Why don't you get me a fresh round and one for the lovely Laura Hobson while you're at it."

Robbie managed not to roll his eyes, "Happy to."

He rushed to the bar pushing in front of two people. He was desperate to get back to the table before Val returned. Juggling the four drinks he made his way back to be met with not only Val at the table but also Laura. Worse, Val and Laura seemed to be engaged in conversation and both were studiously ignoring Johnson. He shook his head, next time he would just kiss Val, get out of this hell.

Returning to the table he handed the drinks to everyone. As he settled with his arm around Val he nodded to Laura, "Good to see you here Dr. Hobson. I didn't know you were coming."

"I thought it would be a good idea. I'm the new girl it's good to meet everyone in a social way."

Val smiled at her, "I imagine it must be hard. In your job, with all of these blokes about. Do they give you a dreadful time?"

With a quick eye to Johnson she frowned, "Only a few, most are more like Sergeant Lewis, polite."

Val smiled back at Robbie curious about the expression on his face, "Well if he's ever not polite, do let me know. I'll be happy to set him to rights."

Laura's eyes twinkled as she smiled first at Robbie and then more widely at Val, "I might just take you up on that."

Robbie looked back and forth between them unsure if this was a nightmare or a fantasy. Anxious to steer the conversation elsewhere he asked a question, "Didn't I hear you went to school here Dr. Hobson?"

She nodded, "Yes, that's correct in a not too distant past."

Val smiled, "So is this just a new job for you or were you somewhere else?"

Robbie saw something that he couldn't name cross Laura's face at Val's question. She smiled but this smile didn't go all the way to her eyes. It was the first time he was consciously aware of her different smiles, "No, I was in London for quite a few years."

"London that must have been exciting? What brought you back to Oxford?"

Laura took a sip of her drink, "Just wanted a change of scenery, I like a quieter lifestyle."

"Well Oxford is definitely quieter but there are still plenty of things to do."

Johnson leaned in putting his hand on Laura's leg, "Our little Laura gets up to all sorts of things. She's a regular bad girl." Robbie, Val and Laura all stared at him. Laura covered her mouth to hide the gasp. He drained his glass then looked at them, "I'm off for another anyone else want one?"

He was gone before any of them could answer. Laura jumped when she felt Val's light touch on her arm. She looked back at Val who smiled kindly, "Laura, if you want, Robbie and I could take you home?"

She shook her head, "No, it's OK we came in separate cars. I'll just wait until he gets back then head out."

Val thought of all of the evenings out ruined by Robbie being called to a scene, "I've a better idea. Why don't you sneak out while he's at the bar? When he gets back we'll tell him you were called to a scene."

Relief flooded Laura's face, "Thank you. I don't know if I will ever be able to repay the favor."

Val looked back at Robbie smiling, "Keep an eye out for Robbie and we'll call it even. He has a tendency to get into trouble."

Laura smiled at him noticing his embarrassed countenance, "I'm happy to do that." She stood and took a few steps before turning back, "Thanks, it means the world to me."

They watched her leave. Robbie wrapped his arm around Val's shoulder and kissed her head, "That was a very kind thing to do."

"It served two purposes." He looked at her quizzically, "It will piss Johnson off no end."

Robbie laughed knowing the truth in that statement, "And the other purpose?"

Val stood and took his hand pulling him to her, "There is an old saying about keeping your enemies close."

He looked down at her, "And Laura Hobson is your enemy?"

"Only if you ever do anything foolish like act on the feelings you have for her."

Robbie spluttered not believing what she'd just said. He was trying to collect his thoughts when Johnson returned to the table, "Where's Laura, in the ladies again?"

Val squeezed Robbie's hand, "She was called out to a scene. She asked us to tell you she would see you tomorrow."

"Well I guess that leaves the three of us to drink together."

Val pulled on Robbie, "Alas, we have other plans. Always a pleasure to see you though." They were halfway out the door before Johnson realized they were gone.

Once outside the pub Robbie pulled on Val's hand stopping her, "Val, what did you mean earlier?"

She turned to him raising one eyebrow, "Robbie, after all these years, do you really think I don't know when you are attracted to someone?"

"It's not like it's happened all that often."

She shrugged smugly and pulled him to walk again, "I know, that's what makes it much easier. I don't mind you finding other women attractive, I know you would never act on it."

"If you know then why all of that with Laura."

"To make sure she never tries. It's much harder to make a move on another woman's husband when she has done you a kindness."

The walked in silence for a bit, "Have you ever been attracted to another man?"

She smiled to herself, "Once upon a time I found DCI Johnson quite handsome." The look he gave her made her laugh, "Don't worry, it didn't last much past actually meeting him."

"I would never…"

She stopped and turned to him. Softly she traced the contours of his face, "I know that Robbie. That's what makes what I am about to ask you easier." She waited for him to nod before continuing, "I want you to make friends with her."

"What?"

"She's broken Robbie, she's needs a friend. One who will protect her, cherish her."

"And you think I need to be that friend."

"I do. I think she needs to see that not all men are like Martin Johnson. That some men are treasures."

"And knowing that I am attracted to her, you are comfortable with me showing her that I'm a treasure."

The smile she gave him as she pulled him closer stirred something low in him. The kiss she followed with made the one from earlier in the evening seem tame. As she broke the kiss she whispered in his ear, "Absolutely because I plan on keeping you very satisfied at home." He laughed to himself as he followed her to the car. That night, he was very satisfied indeed.

Laura kissed his chest as he paused in the story, "I remember that. Except I remember watching you watch Val. That look of love was transfixing."

"Do you also remember the next day I asked you to have a cup of coffee?"

"And you asked me what a nice girl like me was doing with a job like this? It was the first time I had genuinely laughed in months. I knew in that moment we were going to be good friends."

"Me too, Laura, me too."

She shook her head, "I never knew you were attracted to me."

"With everything that happened in that next year, I pushed it aside pretty quickly."

"Is it what took so long?"

"So long what?"

She rolled her eyes, "To make your move."

He laughed, "Yes, every time I thought about you there was some residual guilt. It felt like I really was cheating on Val."

"I'm sorry Robbie."

"No need love, we got there in the end. It's exactly as it was meant to be."

"I love you Robbie Lewis."

"I love you Laura."