Talk?

Gill glared at the road as Ronnie drove them back to his house. He knew there was a fair chance he wasn't going to get a word on edgeways once the Manchurian copper started.

"I'm sorry. You should have been told. For my sake as well as Nat." Ronnie drove through the midday traffic as Gill raised an eyebrow. "How's things with you? That lot of yours behaving themselves?"

"Course they're not. Don't be daft. They've not got Godzilla breathing down their necks. It's ok, I know my nickname. Rachel is too big for her boots as usual. Andy is seriously getting on my wick. Janet is like you."

"Eh?" Ronnie thought of the blonde detective he had met a few times over the years.

"Trying to look after everyone and not taking care of herself. Mate, you look knackered." Gill appraised him out of the corner of her eye. "I know you've a massive case on at the minute as well as all this."

"Honestly? I know the lads will solve the case. Sam Casey is settling in to being a good DI. Matt and the others are great coppers and Angie is there to keep them focused. They don't need me."

Gillian nodded. "Planing on retirement?"

"I'm 57." He shrugged. "Gonna appen one day. Either that or I drop dead on the job."

"That's nearly happened." Gill looked away. "Natalie does love you. That's not what is stopping her saying yes. Her ex wasn't the best bloke in the world."

Ronnie parked the car outside his house; aware that everyone should be at school, work or uni. He undid his seatbelt in silence.

"Ron."

"Cuppa? Lads will be back soon. I swear they practically live ere these days. Like I've got six kids, not three." He smiled slightly. Gill knew he loved the chaos of a full house. Having his girls live with him meant the world.

"Coffee. God yes!" She got out the car. "They love you too. You know that? Natalie's boys. You'll not replace their dad." She held a hand up. "For starters you're a half decent bloke. But they wouldn't hang around here or refer to your Lucy as their kid sister if they didn't." Ronnie smiled; knowing she was referring to Daniel being overprotective of the twelve year old. He nodded; ushering Gill into the house as the rain began to pour.

Xxxxxx

Kate looked at the case file as Jake walked into the office.

"I'm going over to MIU later." He placed a coffee on the desk in front of her. Kate nodded without looking up. "Sam says their suspect is innocent of the first murder. He's confessed to killing his son."

"It's beyond belief. How a parent could hurt a child. I'll never understand it." She looked up as Jake sat down. She closed her eyes for a second as he looked away; she knew his childhood had been far from ideal. How his parents had behaved had been cruel. She knew hers weren't much better but they had survived - and escaped. She felt guilty that Liam hadn't.

"Just because a person reproduces doesn't mean they are a parent." Jake sighed. Kate nodded.

"I know."

"Sorry." He gave her a half smile as she held his gaze. "Drink your coffee."

"Henry called in. Asked for you. Something about the Reynolds case."

Jake groaned, "Oh joy. "

Kate touched his hand. "Go and get it over with. It's probably nothing much. And then we can go over to see Sam and the others." He squeezed her hand before agreeing. Keeping Henry sweet was in everyone's best interests.

Xxxxxxx