by L M Krier
‘Here you go, gents, enjoy your meal. Just shout if you need anything else.’
Ted poured his partner’s wine then raised his own glass in a toast.
‘Thank you. You’ve made me very happy. And I promise you’ll never regret it.’
It was a week of behaving nothing like a policeman. It was a week when Ted felt happier than he could ever remember being in his life before. Their guest house accommodation was charming, the Dutch couple who ran it warm and welcoming.
After the first weekend, even Ted had stopped checking his mobile phone every few minutes. He could never completely forget about work, but he was managing to push it to the back of his mind. Trev had banned him from bringing his laptop so he couldn’t keep an eye on the local news for his patch. Sneaky looks at his mobile phone were too obvious. Trev had his laptop. He’d wanted to show Annie and Aldwyth the local newspaper coverage of him teaching English at the refugee and immigrant centre. The pictures looked so much better on the laptop than on his phone. He was photogenic, so the photographer had included him in all the shots, with his name in the captions. He’d brought a paper copy for Annie and promised to send her one of Ted when he went for his commendation.
‘They’d better not put my picture in the paper,’ Ted muttered at the mere idea.
They took Annie and Aldwyth out a few times, to places Ted’s mother remembered visiting from her childhood - Carreg Cennen Castle, Pembrey Beach. But mostly, they spent time alone together, walking in the Brecon Beacons, even finding a riding centre which took just the two of them out for a two-hour ride over Llanllwni Mountain. Ted was given a sedate and impeccably mannered Welsh cob, as smooth as an armchair, which even hopped him successfully over a small fallen tree, his first ever jump. Trev and their escort roared ahead on their hunters, sailing over a flight of point-to-point hurdles on their way, which Ted and Missy carefully skirted by mutual consent.
The low-key wedding was perfect. Annie was in tears and even Trev’s younger sister Siobhan, the epitome of cool sophistication most of the time, had to borrow Henry’s neatly pressed handkerchief from his top pocket to wipe her eyes.
‘So, husband, remember your promise. As soon as we get back home tomorrow, we go back to being partners and none of this is ever mentioned again,’ Trev told Ted as they lay in bed together on their wedding night, the last night of their holiday. Trev had joked about them breaking with tradition to have the honeymoon before the ceremony.
‘That’s absolutely fine. I promised you, this changes nothing. Only on paper, and that makes me feel better. If ever anything happens to me, I know you’ll be taken care of now. You’re entitled to my police pension and I wanted to make sure you could get it. And now you can. So thank you.’
‘Just don’t go doing anything daft and dangerous involving firearms. I’d much rather have you than your pension. This has been a fabulous week. Thank you. Now, why don’t we make the most of our last night of no possibility of being interrupted by your phone?’
‘And finally, a Chief Constable’s special award for bravery goes to DCI Darling, from Stockport. DCI Darling went in alone against an armed and dangerous suspect who was holding a young girl hostage at knife-point. He negotiated the girl’s release, thereby probably saving her life, and successfully disarmed and arrested her assailant. The Chief has warned me to gloss over how he did it, as it wasn’t exactly by the book.’
There was general laughter from those attending the Chief Constable’s reception. Most of them had heard what had happened at the arrest of Bacha. Nothing like that stayed a secret for long in the force. Trev frowned at Ted and said quietly, ‘You can tell me all about it later on. The real version.’
‘DCI Darling, where are you hiding? We all know you hate publicity, but come up and get your award,’ the Chief Constable ordered, peering down from the raised stage of the hotel reception room where the event was being held.
Reluctantly, Ted moved forward and went up the three steps to join him.
‘About bloody time, Ted,’ the Chief said quietly. ‘We’ve been trying to get you to accept an award for ages. I was beginning to think we’d never succeed’
He was speaking through his teeth as he smiled at the cameras, shaking Ted’s hand and passing him his award, a framed certificate and a piece of engraved Perspex on a wooden plinth. Unless Trev got to them first, both were going into the furthest dark corner of the loft as soon as he got home. He did his best to smile, as instructed, then escaped with relief as soon as he decently could.
His ordeal wasn’t over yet, though. Trev was enthusing over the award, saying the trophy was going on display as soon as they got home and that Ted should put the certificate up in his office. A press photographer came over to them, all insincere smiles.
‘Inspector Darling? I’m doing some photos for the local papers. You’re from Stockport, right? Can I get one of you with the awards? And is this your Significant Other? Perhaps he could be in the shot as well?’
‘I’d prefer not to. It makes my job easier if people don’t know I’m police when they see me and I like to keep my private life private.’
‘It’ll be on the GMP website, Mr Darling. Anyone can see it there.’
‘Oh, come on, Ted, you know I love having my photo taken. What harm can it do?’ Trev said persuasively. ‘Just think how proud your mum will be.’
‘That’s perfect, close together like that. Perhaps you could hold an award each? That’s lovely. Could you smile a bit, Mr Darling? Look as if you’re pleased with it. Perfect, great, keep smiling. Thank you. Can I just take your name? Are you his husband, partner, boyfriend? What do you like to be called?’
‘I’m Trevor Armstrong. I’m his ...’ he hesitated slightly, then went on, ‘his partner.’
‘Why are you sulking?’ Trev asked, as they headed home in the car after the reception.
‘I’m not sulking. I just don’t like fuss, you know that.’
‘Why didn’t you want me to be in the photo? You’re not ashamed to be seen with me, surely?’
‘Don’t be daft,’ Ted put one hand on Trev’s arm and gave it a clumsy, apologetic pat. ‘I just worry that with some of the types I have to deal with, being seen with me in public could make you a target for abuse.’
‘I love it that you’re so protective of me. But you know I can take care of myself.’
It was a laughing, happy group of people who came out of the building at the end of their English lesson with Trev. He was at the centre of them, clearly enjoying himself immensely. With his love of languages and natural flair for learning them, he had already picked up a few words of greeting and farewell in Polish, Romanian, Arabic and a few others. They paused outside the building to chat a bit more before going on their separate ways, already looking forward to their next meeting.
None of them paid any attention to the man standing on the pavement directly opposite them, watching intently, his eyes locked on Trev. There was a chilly breeze and he drew his broad, rugby-player’s shoulders up to his thick neck for protection against it. He was wearing an old fleece jacket, his hands pushed deep into pockets made shapeless by repetition of the gesture. A faint feminine fragrance still clung tentatively to the fabric.
THE END
About the Author
L M Krier is the pen name of former journalist (court reporter) and freelance copywriter, Lesley Tither, who also writes travel memoirs under the name Tottie Limejuice. Lesley also worked as a case tracker for the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Ted Darling series of crime novels comprises: The First Time Ever, Baby's Got Blue Eyes, Two Little Boys, When I'm Old and Grey, Shut Up and Drive, Only the Lonely, Wild Thing, Walk on By, Preacher Man.
All books in the series are available in Kindle and paperback format and are also available to read free with Kindle Unlimited.
Contact Details
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Discover the DI Ted Darling series
If you’ve enjoyed meeting Ted Darling, you may like to discover the other books in the series:
The First Time Ever
Baby’s Got Blue Eyes
Two Little Boys
When I’m Old and Grey
Shut Up and Drive
Only the Lonely
Wild Thing
Walk on By
Preacher Man