Joy caused Harriet to beam from ear to ear. "The team must be thrilled," she said.
"You're a member of the team," he said, for a moment his expression darkened. "I know it wasn't exactly the outcome we wanted."
Harriet felt the joy she'd felt a moment ago slowly reduce. For too many families, Christmas would forever be a dark time.
"But we need to focus on the wins," Drew said. "Too often it doesn't feel like enough, but with AJ and Tim recovering I'm going to try to focus on the positives."
Harriet nodded, a smile still lingering on her lips. "I just can't believe you went back to your apartment yourself," she said.
"Well, I didn't really have a choice," Drew said. "That's the other bit of good news."
Harriet quirked an eyebrow in his direction. "So much good news in one night, I won't know how to contain myself." Her smile softened her words.
"I had to start emptying the place because I've found a new place to live."
"What?"
"I've found a house, on the outskirts of Whitby. The rent is maybe a little more than I was hoping for, but I can swing it. The beach is just a short walk from the place and..." He trailed off. "You're not pleased?"
"Of course I am," Harriet said, plastering a smile onto her face. "I just wasn't expecting it so soon, is all. You hadn't mentioned that you'd found somewhere suitable."
He shrugged and stepped over the box into the living room. "It was time," he said. "I couldn't keep living here, taking advantage of your kindness. And with that in mind!" He pulled a bottle of wine from the bag with a flourish. "I thought we could have a little celebration."
Despite the edge of sadness that threatened to settle over her, Harriet couldn't help but return Drew's grin. It hadn't dawned on her until then just how much she had enjoyed having him around. He wasn't always there. They both worked odd hours, but it was still nice in the evenings when she got in from the university and he was there on the couch. Soon it would be back to how it had been before, with nothing to greet her but the darkness of her house and her own loneliness for company.
"I'll get the glasses," she said. Pushing onto her feet, she busied herself with grabbing two wineglasses from the kitchen; anything to get her mind off the sad turn her thoughts had taken.
She watched as Drew poured them two generous glasses and then took the one he offered her.
"I'm going to miss you, you know."
His smile was wide, causing the dimple in his cheek to appear. It was a rare occurrence, but Harriet had learned to savour the times when it did, and this was no exception.
"You'll be only too happy to have your quiet time back," he said. "Without me blundering in and out of here at all hours." Drew lifted his glass to meet hers, so that they clinked as they connected. "To new beginnings," he said.
"New beginnings," Harriet echoed. "And friendship," Harriet said with a smile as she took a sip of the wine. She had never liked change and if she was honest, she'd have much preferred if some things could have stayed the same.
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Harriet and DI Haskell return in the next book in the series.
Hidden in Blood
Also by Bilinda P. Sheehan
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