Page 219

Chapter 133

Poecrept up the stairs with two mugs of coffee. He had woken earlier than usual so had let Edgar out for a run while Doyle slept. He nudged open the bedroom door with his hip. She was already sitting up. Her phone was in her hand and he heard the ‘whoosh’ as she sent a text.

He raised his eyebrows.

‘Just informing Tilly she doesn’t have to worry about erectile dysfunction,’ she said.

Poe’s jaw dropped.

‘Relax, Poe,’ she laughed. ‘I was letting my director know I’m out of prison and I’m doing OK.’

‘And are you?’

‘Am I what?’

‘Doing OK?’

She reached across the bed to take one of the mugs. The duvet slipped from her shoulder. She made no attempt to cover herself.

‘I think you know the answer to that,’ she said, taking a sip of coffee and wincing at the heat. She patted the bed beside her. ‘Get in. We have things to talk about.’

‘We do?’

‘We do. But we’ll finish our drinks first.’

‘They’re very hot.’

‘They are, aren’t they? Probably be twenty minutes before they’re cool enough to drink. Whatever can we do to fill the time?’

This time it was Poe’s turn to grin.

There was no awkwardness afterwards. No stumbling. It felt right and Poe thought that might be because it was right. Maybe Doylehad had this planned for a while, maybe she hadn’t. Poe didn’t care. He recognised he’d wanted it for a long time.

‘You said we had things to talk about,’ he said.

‘We do.’ She drained her mug and put it on the bedside table. ‘I want to know what your plan is?’

‘My plan?’

‘Yes, Poe. Your plan.’

‘Er … I’m not sure. I didn’t want to be presumptuous, but I thought it might be nice to wander into the village for some breakfast. Stretch our legs a bit.’

‘I’m not talking about us, you silly man,’ she laughed. ‘I want to know what you plan to do about Frederick Beck. You’re proactive, Poe, not reactive. You won’t sit around waiting.’

‘Maybe I’ve never had anyone to wait with before.’

The nape of her neck flushed. She smiled. ‘Still,’ she said. ‘I think we need to let Poe be Poe.’

‘You’ve given this some thought?’

‘Of course.’

‘And?’

She reached out and stroked his chin. Gently turned his face so they were looking at each other. ‘How quickly can you grow a beard?’ she asked.