Seven
‘You were right about these cocktails, Lucy,’ I said, enjoying both the view from the balcony of the sailing club, and the delicious drinks that kept on coming in a seemingly never-ending stream. ‘And the view is sensational, you’re right about that too.’
‘It’s such a pity Elliot couldn’t make it,’ Lucy said. ‘He did ask for a rain check though so we’ll arrange something for another night, okay?’
‘No need,’ I said. ‘I think, although I can’t be certain, that I may have met the man of my dreams today.’
Lucy sat up so abruptly she spilt her drink, but she shook the bright green liquid off her hand, and brushed it from her floral sundress, while she bombarded me with questions.
‘When? Who is he? Why are you only telling me this now? We’ve been here for over forty minutes. Where did you meet him? Does he know Sam?’
The drinks were strong and I’d had a few so I was finding it a little difficult to concentrate. Plus, I’d shared that bottle of white wine with Lucy at lunch and I’d opened the bottle of red that was in the welcome pack, while I was getting ready for this evening. I did that partly because I was nervous for some reason, and partly because … well, because I liked a glass of wine while I was taking a bubble bath, and a glass while I was getting dressed, and well, just because I liked wine.
‘Erm. This afternoon. No idea who he is. I’m telling you now because I didn’t want to mention it in front of Sam but now he’s gone to the loo, I can tell you. Has it only been forty minutes? It feels like much longer. I met him in the doorway of Fairlight Bakes. And… what was the final question?’
‘Does he know Sam?’
‘Right. Don’t know. All I do know is that he’s an electrician. And he drinks tea. And he’s handsome, and fit, and has a laugh like an angel. And a smile to match. And, oh, the downside is he wears flip flops.’
‘What’s wrong with flip flops?’
‘They’re not very manly, are they? And as an electrician, he should be wearing safety boots. He wouldn’t get his toes trodden on in those.’
‘You’re a little drunk, aren’t you?’
‘I’m not that little,’ I joked. ‘I’m an inch and a half taller than you.’
‘Okay, you’re just drunk.’
‘This is true. I blame you. And Sam. And the sea air.’
‘So anyone and anything but you, then?’
‘Absolutely. Plus, I have lots of things to think about. And it’s all very confusing.’
‘Like what? What can I do to help? Other than cut off your supply of cocktails this evening.’
‘Don’t you dare. I need to relax. Life is stressful, you know. I miss my best friend. My job is stressful. Do I even want to do it anymore? Can I do it after I got stabbed? I haven’t arrested anyone since and I might not–’
‘Wait! What? Did you just say you were stabbed? Are you serious? When did this happen, Erin? And why the hell didn’t you tell me about it?’
The realisation of what I’d said seemed to sober me up a bit. I hadn’t meant to simply blurt it out.
‘Erm. Yes. I was stabbed. But it wasn’t that serious, Lucy, and it was only a flesh wound. I was declared fit to work a couple of days later. I didn’t tell you about it because I knew you’d worry. Although it’s why I decided to take some time off. It … it was a bit of a wake-up call, I think. And it’s made me wonder if I want to spend my life arresting people who more often than not are back out on the streets again within the blink of an eye. There’s a lot wrong with our justice system you know. Playing whack-a-mole would get better results. Erm. You’re right. I am a bit drunk. Anyway, everything is fine. I’m fit and well and the sun is shining. What more could a girl ask for? Ooh wait. My glass is empty. Another cocktail, please?’
‘No. We need to talk about this, Erin. I knew something was going on with you. I told Sam today that I had a feeling you were keeping something from me. We’re best friends, Erin. If you can’t tell me you were injured at work, and it’s made you have doubts, quite rightly in my opinion, then who can you tell?’
‘Erm. I had to tell my supervisor so that he could record the details on the Force reporting system, and complete a RIDDOR form and–’
‘Erin! This is serious. We need to talk about this.’
‘Is everything okay?’ Sam asked, having returned from the loo with more drinks. Not from the loo, of course; he’d stopped at the bar for the drinks.
‘Everything is fine now,’ I said reaching for one of the cocktails.
‘Erin’s just casually mentioned that she was stabbed.’
‘Stabbed?’ He moved the tray of drinks away and placed them on the table. ‘What do you mean, stabbed? Here? Today?’
Lucy frowned at him. ‘No, of course not here. On duty in Kingston upon Thames. When was it, exactly, Erin?’
I waved my arm in the air. ‘A couple of weeks or so ago. Look. Here’s the scar. You can hardly see it.’ I pulled up the hem of my blouse and pushed down the waistband of my skirt so that they could both see the small line on my right side. ‘You can hardly see it. You see. So there’s nothing to worry about.’
Seeing the small scar made Lucy less worried. I think she was expecting to see a large, red wound or something. But it was Sam who seemed concerned now.
‘You were lucky this time, Erin. Do you really want to risk this happening again? Is your job worth that?’
‘Someone has to do it,’ I said. ‘But I don’t know. I think if I felt I was truly making a difference, then yes. It would be worth it. But the police get such a bad deal and all the politics and everything have taken a lot of the shine off the job for me. I wanted to climb the career ladder when I joined up. Now all I want to do is get through the day and go home. I’ve taken this time off to think about my future.’
‘If there’s anything we can do to help, we’re here,’ Sam said. ‘You know that, don’t you?’
‘I do.’ I smiled at him and I squeezed Lucy’s hand. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Lucy. But I needed time to think. And I still do. Can we put this conversation to one side for now and pretend it didn’t happen? We’ll talk about it during these two weeks, I promise.’
‘Fine,’ she said, looking anything but happy about it. ‘But promise me you won’t keep secrets from me in future.’
‘Cross my heart,’ I said. ‘Now. May I have one more cocktail, please, and then I’ll drink lots of water.’
‘Okay. But I’m coming back to Far Cottage with you after dinner and I’m staying the night. Don’t argue. It’s happening. Take it or leave it.’
I thought Sam might try to dissuade her. Instead he nodded in agreement.
‘I think that’s a good idea. You two have some serious catching up to do.’
I thought dinner would be a sombre affair after all that, but it wasn’t.
In addition to the meal I had, being one of the best Chicken Tikka Masalas I’d ever tasted, the staff at the restaurant were friendly and their smiles were far more genuine than those of the staff at Freddie’s Fish and Chips.
Lucy, Sam, and I had a really good evening, and as I drank nothing but water with my meal, I had sobered up considerably by the time we left the restaurant.
We even got to witness the remnants of what must have been a glorious sunset. The sky was awash with streaks of purple, red, pink, and gold, and the cobalt sea shimmered in the dying glow of the sun, which was little more than a sliver on the West of the horizon as we strolled along the promenade.
Sam had booked a taxi and insisted on coming with us to ensure we got back safely. He even walked us to the door of Far Cottage, just in case, so I said that he should join us.
‘Not in a weird threesome or anything,’ I said, laughing, ‘so don’t get any ideas. But I feel as if we’re good friends too, now, Sam and let’s face it. Lucy’s probably told you all my secrets anyway.’
‘I have,’ she said. ‘That’s true.’
‘Don’t you need some girl time?’
‘Ooh,’ I said. ‘Get you. Not only handsome and kind but also thoughtful and considerate. Okay, Lucy. You can keep him.’
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I thought I might.’
‘It’s your choice,’ I told him. ‘You can either come in with us, spend half the night talking, most of which will be Lucy lecturing me, and then spend the rest of the night in bed with your girlfriend. Or you can go home alone in the taxi.’
‘I know which one I’d prefer,’ Lucy said.
‘Well,’ he replied, running a hand through his hair. ‘When you put it like that there really isn’t an option, is there? Bye, Lucy. See you tomorrow. No! I was joking. If you genuinely don’t mind me joining you, I’d love to be part of this conversation. I can give you a man’s point of view. Which you’re free to ignore, obviously. But honestly, if you’d rather it was just the two of you, I won’t be offended.’
Lucy and I exchanged glances. ‘We want you to stay.’
‘Partly,’ Lucy added, linking her arm through his, ‘because although you showed me how to work that space-age coffee machine in the kitchen, when I stayed here, I’m not sure I remember. And I know for a fact that Erin won’t have a clue.’
‘Hey!’ I said. ‘Detective here. But you’re right. Coffee machines and I have never been the best of friends. That settles it, Sam. You’re staying.’