Bad Advice

by S M Mala

  ‘It’s just a job,’ he lied, glancing at the pavement.

  ‘You’re a high flyer in the force. What do you do? What do you specialise in?’

  ‘I told you, serious crime,’ he said, glancing as she frowned. ‘Violence, murders, gangs, thing like that. You should know what that means.’

  ‘Do you like your job?’

  ‘I love it,’ came his honest reply. ‘It’s interesting and different. Usually not all days are the same and it’s really hard work. You have to use your power of deduction as well as keep on track with the mind of how a killer works.’ Scottie started to laugh. ‘That’s the glamorous explanation but the basic thing is that you need to solve it before someone else gets hurt.

  Ruby put her arm around his waist. He grabbed her shoulders, hugging her tightly.

  ‘Talk to me some more,’ she said quietly. ‘Why did you become a policeman? Is that from watching too much telly?’

  ‘Not at all. I have a degree in sport science and wanted to-.’

  She started to laugh out loudly.

  ‘What’s so funny about that?’ he said, affronted by her reaction.

  ‘You wanted to become a P.E teacher? With your body that doesn’t surprise me.’

  ‘There are more opportunities than that,’ Scottie replied then laughed. ‘I’d have liked to work with a woman’s football team. Something happened and I changed my mind, around the time I met my ex-wife. It was pretty shit to be honest.’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘My uncle was killed, murdered by a gang who broke in to steal money from the builder’s merchants business. It was all pretty horrendous. He was younger than my dad and left a wife and daughter, my cousin Jessica, who was only four at the time. They battered him to death.’ Scottie was getting upset. Ruby squeezed him tightly. ‘It could have been my dad because he was supposed to be working that day, but mum wanted him to do something for Nana Gwen. It changed everything.’

  ‘I’m so sorry to hear that,’ she said quietly. ‘Don’t tell me anything else. I can see it still upsets you.’

  ‘The police were amazing and really supportive. That’s when I thought I’d like to learn more and joined the force, simple.’

  ‘Oh god, don’t make me fall any more in love with you, please,’ she said. He stopped and turned to look down at her, his heart beating rapidly on hearing her words. ‘How much more perfect could you be?’

  ‘This is the real thing, me and you, isn’t it?’

  ‘It’s the real deal PC Scott, it really is for me.’

  Twenty nine

  The lovemaking was intense and she was overcome. Scottie was generous with how he wanted to please her. She yearned to do something back as he kissed every inch of her body.

  Pushing him gently away, she kissed his face, neck, arms and chest. Her lips glided down his exquisite stomach. She licked and nibbled his inner thighs then took him between her lips which filled her mouth.

  All she wanted to do was make him happy.

  It’s as if her perfect man had been delivered to her and she was going to make sure he never had good reason to leave. Deep down, she thanked her lucky stars she’d been given the chance to love and be loved again.

  It was all she ever wanted, a second chance at being happy.

  Again she licked and sucked watching him watch her.

  ‘I love you,’ he groaned. ‘Ruby, I love you.’

  ‘I love you,’ she said and reached over for a condom, putting one on, then moved her hips to take him all in.

  Slowly, she worked up and down his shaft, loving the feeling then leaned forwards to grab his hands, holding them down either side. His hips were working with hers. She looked into his eyes then kissed him, their tongues touching.

  She was blown away by how she was feeling.

  Scottie then sat up and gently held her hands behind her back, sucking on her nipples as she arched her spine.

  He moved faster then let out a massive moan, burying his head between her breasts, his breath making her skin tingle.

  Ruby realised this was what it felt like to be really in love with someone.

  To be deeply in love with Scottie.

  Thirty

  ‘We’re being silly,’ laughed Ruby while they walked down the road towards the birthday bash. ‘All this love and sex is good but the idea was to go out and socialise.’

  ‘But I want you all to myself,’ he whispered in her ear, hugging her tightly. ‘Just you and me.’

  ‘Do I look okay?’ she asked. He thought it was sweet she wanted to make a good impression in her pretty red dress. ‘You’re not lying to me?’

  ‘You look amazing, you really do,’ he said honestly.

  ‘I’ve still not said a word to Diane about us. Do you think you should say something?’

  ‘Let’s get the kids together first and then we’ll take it from there.’

  ‘I’m doing a barbeque if the weather stays nice and now it’s the beginning of summer holidays I-.’

  Scottie just kissed her, pushing his tongue through her lips until he felt her sigh.

  ‘Whatever you do will be wonderful,’ he said, wrapping his arms around her. ‘These people are my friends and I hope you like them.’

  He dragged her into a heaving bar, making sure he didn’t lose her hand, walking through the throngs of people. Knowing Sebastian was probably holding court somewhere, he placed Ruby on the patio outside.

  ‘I’m going to get some drinks. Don’t move or speak to strangers,’ he said, walking off then returning to kiss her. ‘I love you.’

  ‘And I love you too.’

  Eventually he returned, still unable to see Sebastian. She was still there, standing where he left her. Scottie pushed a glass into her hand.

  ‘It’s rammed,’ she laughed, taking a sip as he stroked her hair. ‘What shall we do? Mingle?’

  ‘I have a good idea,’ he said and leaned down so they could kiss.

  He was oblivious to all the noise and outside world as they felt alone.

  Then someone pulled him by the shoulders and he was extracted from her lips.

  ‘Where’ve you been?’ shouted Sebastian, looking pissed and deliriously happy. ‘You should have been here ages ago and who are you munching on?’

  Scottie shook his head at his friend, stepping to the side to introduce her.

  ‘Ruby!’ shouted Sebastian. ‘Is that you?’

  ‘Sebastian!’ she replied and Scottie stood rooted to the spot when he realised they knew each other. ‘Oh my god!’

  Instantly his best friend scooped her in his arms and swung her around then put her down.

  ‘Ruby, it’s you!’ Sebastian said, still smiling then glanced at Scottie and back at her. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Well I’m with-.’

  ‘This is the woman I was telling you about,’ whispered Scottie, hoping Sebastian wouldn’t open his big mouth and drop him in it.

  ‘No!’ he said and Scottie noticed the look of surprise. ‘Ruby and you?’

  ‘Still subtle as ever,’ she laughed. ‘Yes it’s me and I’m divorced so there’s nothing underhand going on here.’

  ‘Fuck!’ Sebastian said putting a hand over his mouth.

  ‘This is my best friend who usually has impeccable manners,’ hissed Scottie, wondering what Sebastian was doing.

  ‘This is the barrister?’ Ruby hollered with laughter. ‘It’s a small world or what?’

  Scottie looked at Sebastian who grimaced.

  ‘You don’t approve of me?’ she tentatively asked. ‘We used to get on.’

  ‘I spent a year trying to get her into bed,’ his friend said. Scottie stepped back in surprise. ‘She didn’t succumb but went off with bigger fish.’

  Ruby scowled while Sebastian shook his head.

  ‘You’ll be pleased to know that big tuna turned into a cheating old trout,’ she sighed.

  ‘Good old Hugh,’ Sebastian replied. ‘You and I need to have words, young lady.’


  ‘Oh god, it’s so good to see you,’ she said, flinging her arms around him.

  Scottie noticed Sebastian was holding tightly onto her and kissed her cheek before letting go. There was obviously a lot of fond history between them.

  ‘How do you two know each other?’ Scottie asked, feeling a little jealous.

  ‘Explain to him and I’ll see you later,’ Sebastian said, flashing Scottie a quizzical glance. ‘Don’t you dare go sneaking off!’

  Scottie took her outside, finding a small space at the end of a bench.

  The meeting had left him speechless and surprised.

  ‘You know my best friend?’ Scottie asked, seeing Ruby look happy and nodded. ‘How?’

  ‘When I was a baby reporter, I used to go to the courts to find stories and Seb was there. All new and shiny but, at the time, he wasn’t interested in the work just the women. Of course, I had to be nice to get some leads but not that nice. We sort of hung out with each other and became friends. Then I met Hugh and he met Gemma-.’

  ‘His wife.’

  ‘That’s right!’ laughed out Ruby. ‘Over the years we bumped into each other. The last time was about five years ago when he was handling a case. We had a mutual interest. How long have you known him?’

  ‘About as long as I’ve been a policeman, seventeen years. We became close over the past ten,’ he said, feeling this coincidence was a good omen. ‘And you never fell for his charm?’

  ‘Sebastian Hartley? No! I always thought he was drop dead gorgeous but not my type,’ she whispered, kissing him gently on the lips. ‘Not like you.’

  ‘And that was the correct answer.’

  Thirty one

  Having him put his card discreetly in her hand and demanding she met him for lunch, Ruby waited for Sebastian in an old haunt they used to go to, a few days later. She knew his chambers wasn’t far away and did think it was an odd thing when he asked to keep it secret from Scottie.

  Sebastian walked in, dead on time, looking something out of a magazine. He was immaculately kitted out in a designer suit as he smiled.

  ‘Are you growing your hair? Is that allowed?’ she asked, standing up to kiss him.

  ‘Ruby, you’re in so much fucking trouble with me, do you know that?’ he said with half a smile. ‘Only you could disappear for years to turn up on the arm of my best friend.’

  ‘Oh god!’ she said, putting her face in her hands. ‘I knew you wanted to bollock me.’

  ‘Five bloody years and you couldn’t be arsed to keep in contact, changing your number and all that shit. And that husband of yours. What happened? One minute you’re the perfect couple and the next I hear, second hand, you kicked him out. And how do I know this? Because other people told me! You couldn’t be bothered to keep in contact because you were sulking.’ Sebastian had gone bright right from his venting. ‘And I wanted to know if you were okay.’

  ‘I wasn’t,’ she said, seeing he was trying to calm down.

  ‘And Gemma said you still look beautiful and asked me am I sure I didn’t sleep with you. I swore on my four year old the twins’ life I hadn’t,’ he smirked, leaning closer. ‘So you dumped Hugh Yates, did you? Smarmy bastard!’

  ‘That’s the father of my child, as well you know,’ she said, trying not to laugh. ‘You’ve got twins?’

  ‘Girls,’ he grinned. ‘Couldn’t have dealt with sons, wouldn’t have liked the competition.’

  ‘Some things don’t change,’ Ruby chuckled then they both instantly embraced. ‘I’m sorry but it was getting out of hand. I went underground, that’s all.’

  She kissed him gently on the cheek.

  ‘Revenge should neither be served cold or at all,’ he said quietly, his face etched with concern. ‘And I told you not to do it, didn’t I? But I blame that husband of yours.’

  ‘He didn’t let me get my own way on all of it. I got sole blame for most of what he wrote. What I wanted to print was completed vetoed and years later, I knew why. Anyway, that’s in the past and things have changed and I’ve moved on.’

  ‘And Scottie? What’s that about? Jesus, when he told me he had met someone who worked at the Samaritans and wrote for a problem page, you were the last person in the world I’d have thought of. He might have even mentioned your name but I didn’t put two and two together. I need some wine.’ He gestured to the waiter. Ruby noticed he was looking at her from the corner of his eye. ‘You know he’s a policeman?’

  ‘He told me a few weeks into the relationship,’ she quietly replied.

  ‘Oh god,’ he groaned, sinking into his chair. ‘You’re not in love with him, are you?’

  Ruby realised he didn’t look disgusted but more fearful.

  ‘Yes I am. Aren’t you happy for him?’

  Sebastian put his head in his hands, shaking it from side to side then glanced at her.

  ‘Does he know everything about you?’ he quietly asked. ‘Including the expose?’

  ‘Why’s it so important? That was the past and it shouldn’t affect anything.’

  ‘What do you know about him?’

  ‘He’s a policeman who loves his job and is a Commander. Whatever that really means in modern day police, beats me. He works on special crimes and is a hot shot. What else is there to know?’

  ‘You must have really fallen for him badly if you haven’t dug deeper than that.’

  Ruby looked at Sebastian, who ushered a waiter over, ordering a bottle of wine then let out a massive sigh.

  ‘Do you think I’m going to do something bad? I’m not a journalist anymore. There’s nothing that-.’

  ‘Helen Trott,’ Sebastian said quietly.

  Ruby was horrified to hear her name.

  ‘She always comes up smelling of roses,’ she replied, getting instantly upset.

  ‘You have to tell Scottie how you know her. It’s really important because-.’

  ‘She did well out of it, didn’t she? Got off the hook and bagged the Commissioner’s job. That woman has a way of wriggling out of everything and-.’ Ruby didn’t want to say anymore as Sebastian stared.

  ‘I love Jonathan Scott with all my heart. He’s more to me than a friend. He’s like a brother. I’m going to have to tell him about you, you know that don’t you?’

  ‘What’s there to say?’

  Ruby noticed the waiter walk to the table and pour out the wine for Sebastian to taste, serving them then swanning away.

  ‘When’s the last time you saw Trott?’ he asked.

  She took her glass, knocked it against his, and took a massive swig.

  ‘I don’t want to talk about her. Tell me why I should tell Scottie anything? It’s really not relevant.’

  ‘Oh Ruby, don’t you know?’

  ‘Know what?’

  ‘Listen to me. Tell him everything about the investigation and what happened, even the background story. It’s very important that he’s aware what his new woman tried to do to the Metropolitan Police and the connection.’

  ‘I didn’t try and do anything. I was one of many who found out and made it come to light,’ she stubbornly replied. ‘And you know what? He’ll respect me for it.’

  ‘You have a week to sort it all out,’ Sebastian warned. ‘Don’t ask me questions as I know what you’re like. Just have faith in me if you want to keep Scottie sweet or just keep him, full stop.’

  Thirty two

  Happy that Sebastian and Ruby knew it each other, he wanted to know more about her.

  They had a wonderful weekend and when he left her home on Sunday morning, he couldn’t remember ever feeling that euphoric.

  He searched on the internet for her name, this time finding it.

  Scottie started to laugh at what she actually reported on all those years ago and noticed a picture of her picking up an award some twenty years back.

  She looked about sixteen.

  ‘Bless’ he mumbled, while scouring the pages then stopped when he realised she was linked to Hugh Yates, an editor on a national ne
wspaper.

  Scottie recalled the name then clicked it was her ex-husband.

  Within a few moments he realised Ruby had changed her names to ‘Yates’ and then discovered she worked on the same paper.

  The more he clicked into the links, it started to lead him to articles from over five years ago and then he stopped and pushed his chair away from his desk.

  He was horrified.

  Ruby was on the team of reporters who managed to get senior police officers prosecuted for corruption, including the ex-Commissioner.

  His mind went fuzzy for a moment.

  ‘What are you looking at Scottie?’ he heard someone say behind him. ‘Jesus, why are you reading that?’

  Dave was drinking a can of coke and looking at his screen.

  ‘It was something I was…’

  He didn’t know what to say.

  ‘Remember when it all kicked off? Everyone was under suspicion just because those fucking journalists were trying to stitch us up. Our name was mud and if it wasn’t for Commissioner Trott turning it around, we would have been left high and dry,’ his friend said. ‘They tried to tear her to pieces but she fought back. Didn’t your mate work on the defence team?’

  ‘Sebastian,’ he mumbled, knowing his best friend knew about Ruby. ‘He certainly did.’

  Sitting in Sebastian’s living room on Monday evening, while Gemma put the twins to bed, he could see his friend was agitated.

  ‘There’s nothing wrong with Ruby. She’s a perfectly lovely woman and it was her husband who was driving the investigation,’ Sebastian replied, shaking his head. ‘Did she tell you?’

  ‘I’ve not spoken to her today. She rang but I wanted to talk to you first.’

  His friend let out a sigh, looking at the door.

  ‘Do you want a drink?’ Gemma asked, her long blonde hair reflecting the light. ‘Beer, wine or something stronger? I think he’s still drunk from the weekend.’ She flicked a glance at her husband. ‘And he went out for lunch to boot. Do you do any work, darling?’

  ‘Not much,’ Sebastian replied and Scottie noticed Gemma looked a little concerned.

  ‘Come and help me,’ she said. Scottie got up and followed her into the kitchen. ‘He’s been miles away today. Think it’s turning forty that’s done it to him.’