Brighton Beckons
Chapter 1
Kate Wilding and DS Charlie Nelson crunched along the snow-ladened driveway towards Kate's car. Glancing back to the front door, they heard John and Sarah Barnaby say goodbye and Merry Christmas. John was still wearing that ugly reindeer jumper which somehow managed to look fantastic on him.
Earlier, Kate had taken a picture of him.
"There," she declared gleefully. "Another happy snap to add to the family album."
John didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he reached over to a nearby side table and tossed a small folder over to her. Upon opening it, Kate couldn't help but smile. Most of the pictures featured Ben Jones in various states of disarray.
Charlie glanced over her shoulder and commented,
"It looks like my predecessor was totally committed to the cause for justice, sir."
John took a gulp of his red wine and mused,
"Yes, Nelson he certainly was. However, I still think he would have made a great nun."
Both Sarah and Kate shot him an exasperated stare.
"Really, John." Sarah scolded. "I just hope he is having an ok Christmas in Brighton."
"I'm sure he is," John replied. "My old buddies said they would make him feel welcome."
Charlie watched the exchange between the older couple and reasoned that they were sincerely trying to convince each other that Ben would indeed be having an ok time. Then he glanced over at Kate and saw a flicker of sadness wash across her countenance as she stroked an image of Ben with her fingers. So, she really did have a thing for Ben after all!
Since he had become her lodger, Charlie had only heard Kate refer to Ben indirectly. However, he could sense that Kate had been stewing on her feelings for the older detective for some time.
Hearing Sarah call his name, Charlie snapped out of his reverie and replied,
"I'm sorry, Sarah; what was the question?"
"It's ok, Charlie." Sarah returned, "I was just asking whether you would mind helping John dish up our dinner?"
"Sure thing," Charlie replied with a smile as he followed John into the kitchen.
Sarah turned her attention to Kate who was still engrossed in the photo album. She gently took Kate's arm and guided her over to the couch.
"Come on, Kate." Sarah coaxed, "Let's sit down for a bit while the boys get dinner ready."
Kate agreed and swept down onto the couch beside her obviously pregnant friend. Sarah saw her gazing at her swollen abdomen before giving her stomach an instinctive rub. Turning to Kate she explained,
"I never thought I would get the privilege of being a mum. John and I have been trying for several years with no luck. It just feels so surreal."
"It's amazing," Kate replied. "You guys will make great parents."
Sarah smiled and observed that Kate was still clutching the photo album.
"I guess that's one way to keep your man close."
Kate inhaled sharply as reality quickly dawned on her as to what Sarah had just said. The wine was definitely racing to her head tonight.
"I miss him so much, Sarah." she stated. "I just wished this whole relationship business would be so much easier to navigate. I mean, I've spent my life dealing in science and facts which have a linear trajectory, leading to a logical conclusion."
"The worthwhile things in this life are always complicated," Sarah replied. "That's why they are worth fighting for."
Kate nodded and asked, "How did you know that John was the man for you?"
Sarah smiled and her mind led her back to the exact moment in time when she knew for sure.
"Oh Kate, it was no drumroll moment, rather a series of little things which lay the foundation for a lasting relationship. Such as being up front and honest with each other. It certainly wasn't easy as I'm sure you can imagine what with John being on call and having to drop everything for the next case. Then there was me, being wrapped up in my ambitious drive to be the best teacher I could be. We had to make time for each other, make allowances for work commitments, but at the end of the day, we had to be real and vulnerable. We still do."
Kate listened quietly and mulled over all that Sarah had said.
"Yes, you are so right. Having this time without Ben being around has made me realise how much I want our friendship to develop into something more, something lasting. He was very edgy in those weeks leading up to his departure and was so determined to seize the opportunity in Brighton. Nothing was going to stand in his way."
"Yes, he was certainly very restless," Sarah agreed. "Ambitious drive is a good thing but one day Ben will realise that it will never supersede his yearning for human companionship and love."
"I hope he realises that soon," Kate returned as Sarah pulled her in close for an embrace.
"For both your sakes, I hope so too."
"Dinners ready, Girls!" John bellowed from the kitchen.
….
Later that night Sarah and John discovered that the Christmas card addressed to their dog, Sykes, was in fact from Ben. In it, he acknowledged John's invaluable input in helping develop his skills as a detective. Sarah took a photo of the letter and sent it off to Kate. (She was sure Ben wouldn't mind.)
Across town, Kate heard her phone ping as she stirred some hot cocoa on the stove. Reaching across to open the message she smiled as she read Ben's words.
"Benjamin Barnaby, indeed!" she snorted.
As she poured out the cocoa into mugs for herself and Charlie, her lodger trudge into the kitchen and asked,
"What's so funny, Kate?"
Kate passed him her phone and showed him the message. Charlie smirked and gazed back at Kate who was deep in thought.
"Kate, you need to go to Brighton as soon as possible." Charlie declared. "You need to know; Ben needs to know. It's almost the New Year, a time for new beginnings. You'll never get a better chance than now."
"Kate sighed, "Yes Charlie, I know."
Before she dozed off for the night Kate sent off a text to Ben. Rolling over she uttered sleepily,
"I love you, Benjamin Jones!"
4