If any of you are Yankees fans, sorry...

The teams were introduced to the crowd by the same overly exuberant announcer. Tommy leant over to Barbara. "They all sound like boxers. Manny Baby Face Assassin whatever his name was."

"Well, his face did look young on the screen."

"He's one of our best hitters," Jane said. She could apparently hear their conversation. Tommy tried to shake off his annoyance as Jane distracted Barbara with a commentary on all of the players as they were introduced. It was decidedly biased, but amusing. He began to relax. The couple were not going to whisk Barbara away from him.

He contemplated his possessiveness throughout the first innings. The first three Yankee batters were struck out quickly. When the O's batted, Barbara was excited to see her favourite assassin reach first base, but he was stranded as the next two batters were caught in the outfield and a third struck out.

"This is fun," Barbara said as they watched the second Yankees innings unfold. Two big hits looked like they would result in runs. The batter hared around to first base, then second, only to be caught deep in the outfield by a flying catch right on the fence pads.

"Woo hoo! Go AJ!" Jane called.

As the organ signalled the innings changeover, the camera scanned the crowd. It settled on a young couple in Yankees shirts who gave an embarrassed wave.

"Kiss Cam!" Jane said excitedly. "Is that big over here too?"

"No," Tommy replied, trying to hide his horror. "It's definitely not an English tradition."

"Kiss, kiss, kiss," the annoying announcer called to stir up the crowd. As the camera zoomed in closer on the couple, they bowed to pressure and shared a quick kiss. The crowd clapped and cheered. The screen faded and the players returned to the field.

Tommy looked at Barbara. She had turned slightly red. He wondered if she was thinking the same as him. "Poor people. They might not even be together," he said.

"Yeah, that would be awkward." Barbara's face darkened. "They certainly throw fast. I can't even see the ball. I have no idea how they hit it."

Tommy understood why she was keen to change the subject. Even as an established couple, it would be unbearably embarrassing to have your kiss broadcast on the screen.

"It reminds me of Twenty20 cricket where it's all about quick runs and big hits. I can see the appeal."

"Really?" Barbara turned to him and frowned. "I thought you'd hate all this."

"Is that why you asked me?" He barely hid his amusement at her logic.

"No! I... enjoy..." She left the next word hanging, but her face darkened again.

He smiled. "Yes, me too."

Another innings passed without either side scoring. As Barbara bought a bag of caramel peanuts, the kiss cam scanned the crowd again, settling on an older couple. They obliged with a hammy smooch that drew a lewd roar from the crowd.

"Want to share my nuts?" she asked as she squeezed past him back to her seat. "They're warm."

With her hips close to his face, an inappropriate thought flashed through his mind. Tommy grinned at her. "Yes, warm nuts are much better than cold ones."

Barbara half-raised an eyebrow. "Hmm," she replied noncommittally.

For the next two innings, he and Barbara relaxed and enjoyed the game. It seemed natural to be with her. The slight tension that always seemed to be between them was both eased and heightened. Barbara teased him again about his choice of team when a tall player called Crush hit a home run for the Os pushing two people on the bases ahead of him. The very next batter, AJ, the strong African-American with an infectious smile who had caught the ball on the fence earlier, sent a shot sailing over the wall. On the mound, the Yankees pitcher threw his glove to the ground and ranted in a mini hissy-fit.

"Woo hoo! Go Os!" Paul and Jane leapt to their feet, clapping cheering and hugging each other. Jane jumped around with her thumbs in the air, then sat and leant across Barbara to give Tommy a big thumbs up. "Still on the Yankees?"

"I'm open-minded."

"Since when?" Barbara asked, giving him a nudge in his ribs.

He narrowed his eyes. "You'll keep" He turned to Jane. "I'm starting to see why you like the Os. They seem to be more laid back."

"Oh, they're great. Wonderful boys. We love them." She put her thumbs up again.

Tommy smiled. "I can tell."

"Put those thumbs away," Paul said taking his wife's hands in his own. "You should see her social media posts. Thumbs everywhere."

"Don't exaggerate, hon. I'm not that bad." She turned back to her husband and marked down the stats in their programme.

Paul rolled his eyes at Tommy who nodded knowingly. Yes, they could embarrass and annoy you, but you would never trade them. He gave Barbara one of his special smiles.

She lowered one eye and looked at him with suspicion. "What?"

"They're right into it," Tommy said to deflect her attention from guessing his thoughts.

"They're sweet. And if it were a six to win The Ashes, you'd be like that too."

"No, I'd clap politely with the restraint of a gentleman." Barbara looked at him in disbelief. He could not maintain his straight face."I was joking."

"Restraint is not a word I associate with you, Tommy Lynley."

His cheeks ached as he grinned at her. He loved the way she said Tommy. "I have my moments."

"Yeah, at times you can be a real pain, Sir."

It was said softly, with affection. "Tommy. I liked it much more when you call me Tommy."

"But..."

The sound of the organ and the announcer killed her sentence. She lowered her eyes and held out the box of peanuts.

Although the Yankees hit one home run, they still trailed 5-1 at the end of the eighth innings. Tommy's thoughts turned to after the game. "Have you thought about where you would like to have dinner?"

Barbara shook her head. "No. Anywhere's fine."

Jane squealed. The two detectives turned to see her pointing her thumb at the big screen. Tommy looked across and groaned. His worst nightmare had come true. He and Barbara were on Kiss Cam with a colossal red heart around them. He waved his hand to say no. Even from that distance, he could see Barbara had turned crimson.

He turned to her. "Sorry."

She gave the camera a little wave and a shrug. "Not your fault."

The chant of 'kiss, kiss, kiss' went around the ground. Then the announcer added to their misery. "Come on. Don't be shy. Who wouldn't want to kiss a debonair man who comes to the baseball in his jacket?" The crowd laughed, and Tommy felt his face burn. "And why wouldn't you want to kiss the lovely lady with such emerald eyes?"

"Oh, God no," she mumbled, "can this get any worse?"

"Just a quick kiss and they go away," Jane said, clearly trying to help. "If not, they'll hound you until you do."

They looked at her, almost pleading for her to save them. "We're not... lovers," he explained.

"Just friends," Barbara added. "No benefits."

The screen seemed to get larger as the camera zoomed in on their faces. Tommy's ears throbbed with the chants of the crowd baying for blood. His blood. Barbara's blood.

Barbara put her hand on his jacket. "Just a peck on the cheek. I can't stand this."

Tommy nodded. They moved their heads towards each other. At the last minute, they both twisted. Instead of innocent cheek pecks, their lips crashed together. The crowd cheered. They jumped apart in shock. A collective 'boo' echoed around the ground.

Tommy did not care about what anyone thought but Barbara. Even their clumsy public kiss had felt oddly wonderful. "Sorry."

"Mmm."

It sounded like more than agreement or forgiveness. Without conscious thought, Tommy moved his face back to hers. Barbara's lips met his with a soft caress. They both moaned. Every nerve along his front was tingling. They paused, their mouths millimetres from each other. Barbara's hand was on his shoulder. Their lips entwined again, and both of them opened their mouths to allow darting tongues to explore.

Amid cheers, the camera moved away and focused on another couple, but neither Tommy or Barbara had any idea until Jane shook them on the shoulder. "The ninth is about to start. You'll miss the game."

Tommy sat back in his seat. He looked at Barbara. She looked shocked yet relieved; happy yet scared. He knew he was grinning stupidly.

"Oh, wow!"

"Hmm, indeed. That was..." He was interrupted by the loud barking on his phone. He frowned. "It's Mother."

"It might be important." Just then, Barbara's phone buzzed.

"Hello, Mother," Tommy answered.

"Is there something you should tell me?"

"Sorry?"

"About you and Barbara. I just saw you on the national news. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Er... I..." He doubted his mother would believe that was the first time they had kissed. "It's very new," he said, hoping she would not press further.

"I'm happy for you both. Barbara has always kept you on track. Why don't you come down next weekend?"

"I'll ask Barbara."

His mother laughed softly. "Yes, she has you on a string. That's so funny. While you're here, ask her something else too. Call me during the week."

Tommy stared at his phone. He turned to Barbara who was staring at hers. She looked up. "That was Winston. It was on the news. He saw it, and I have a message from Stuart I am not game to listen to."

"Mother saw it too."

"What are we going to do?" Barbara bit her bottom lip. Tommy had to close his eyes, or he would kiss her again. Her eyes went wide, and she swore. "What about Hillier? No believes it was an accident. He'll separate us!"

"We'll work it out." Tommy put his arm around her. She froze, then nestled against him.

"WOO HOO!"

They turned to the Americans who were jumping up and down in their seats. "We won." Jane smiled when Tommy frowned. "The Yankees struck out. We are ahead, so we don't have to bat again."

Tommy turned to Barbara. "You picked the winner."

"I hope you don't think you picked a loser."

He laughed. "Not at all." He leant close and gave her a quick kiss before turning back to Jane and Paul. "It was lovely meeting you. Would you like to have dinner with us?"

"Thank for the offer, hon, but I think you two have a few things to sort out."

Paul grinned at Tommy. "Maybe hit a home run of you own. Ow!" He rubbed the spot where Jane had elbowed him. "What was that for?"

"Tommy is a gentleman."

They all stood to shuffle out of the stadium with the crowd. At the entrance, they said their farewells. Tommy and Barbara stood awkwardly, neither daring to look at the other.

"They were nice," she said.

"Yes. Lovely couple."

There was another awkward pause. Tommy felt he had to say something. "We should have dinner."

"I'm too worried to eat."

"About Hillier?"

"Amongst others. What will people think?"

"We can explain."

"No, we can't. Can you even explain it to yourself?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I can't." Tommy tried to take her hand, but she waved it so he could not capture it.

"Barbara, I love you." He had not intended to say it like that. He had never meant to tell her at all, but there was no way to hide it after that kiss.

"Well, you picked a fine time to tell me."

Barbara stormed off towards the Tube station.