Page 95 of The Sunken Truth

Tears pricked the back of Lily’s eyes. “It’s good that he tried, at least. Maybe he has some paternal instincts after all.”

“I think it was more about keeping me out of his life. Also, I found out he’s only here so his wife thinks he’s making an effort with me.”

“Sorry,” she said. “Is there anything else you can do to stay here?”

“The sergeant was going to make some more enquiries, but it seems unlikely anything will come of it.”

“Okay,” she mumbled, not sure what else there was to say.

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t mind. You can come here? Or I can come to your place.”

Again, he hesitated. “I didn’t mean now. I meant in general. With us…”

Heat rose up her throat and she shook her head as a wave of anger rushed through her. “What do you mean, what do I want to do? We already said we’d figure out a way to be together. If you only said that because you thought you’d end up sticking around…”

“Woah!” He sounded entirely amused as he cut heroff mid rant. “I haven’t changed my mind about anything. I meant what I said about a long-distance relationship.”

“What are you asking me then?”

“I only wanted to check if it’s okay for you. I told you what I wanted, but didn’t give you a chance to say how you feel. And now you know I’m going to be gone in a few weeks maybe you’ll feel differently… I’d understand if you did.”

“We’ll make it work somehow,” she said, relaxing back again. “We can visit each other, like you said, and we can video call all the time.”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe one day Sergeant Proctor will retire and you can have his job.”

He laughed loudly.

“I’m serious,” she said. “How old is he? Surely he can’t be too far from retirement.”

“I don’t know how old he is.” His voice turned serious. “I love the fact that the only obstacle you see to me being sergeant is that the position is already filled.”

“You could be sergeant one day, couldn’t you?”

“Theoretically, yes. At least if my dad wasn’t determined to hinder my career. But even if he wasn’t set on thwarting me, I can’t imagine it. I enjoy being a PC. I reckon that’s what I’m supposed to do…” He let out a frustrated groan.

“What?”

“I just realised my dad told me I’d never be more than a PC, even before he made it clear he’d stand in my way. He just thought I’d never be good enough. Maybe that’s why I never imagined anything else.”

“You could totally be sergeant.”

“I don’t know. I really do enjoy being a PC. I’m not sure I aspire to a higher rank.”

“If you enjoy it, then great – stay a PC. But don’t let him hold you back.”

“We’ll see. Anyway, when I’m back in London my shift patterns should be pretty good for me coming to visit you. I’ll be working four on and four off, so I’ll be able to come and bother you for a few days at a time. I was also thinking…” He trailed off, leaving Lily in suspense.

“What?”

“Nothing, never mind.”

“Tell me,” she insisted.

“It was only a thought, but in the winter, when the ice cream shop is quiet…”