by Wendy Hudson
“Hey you, look at me. What’s up? And why have you been avoiding me?”
“I haven’t. I’ve just been busy at work preparing for a big conference. And nothing’s up, as such. It’s just, well, I got a bit of a surprise earlier.”
“Okay, good or bad?” Stella was still examining the plush leather coat curiously, as if something wasn’t right.
“Good, in fact, very good.” She glanced in the direction of the living room, not sure how to do this, and very aware of Alex listening in. “Okay, I was going to tell you about this at dinner tonight, but there’s been a slight change of plan so I’m just going to tell you now and hope you understand why I kept it from you.”
Stella nodded distractedly, trying to shrug into the jacket but it was much too short. “Lori, this can’t possibly fit you. Whose jacket is this?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Stella, will you put that down and listen, please. I didn’t tell you to begin with because I wasn’t really sure what I was thinking and, to be honest, I was a little freaked out, and I didn’t want you to freak out. I just needed some advice without any judgement and you’re my best friend and I know you wouldn’t judge really but—”
Stella held up a hand, she was confused and Lori was babbling. “Lori. Whose jacket is this?”
At the sound of a gentle cough, Stella spun around to the doorway.
“Hi.” Alex stepped toward Stella extending her hand. “I’m, Alex, and that’s my jacket.”
Lori watched Stella’s eyes widen as she looked back and forth between them. It took a lot to shock her best friend and a little bit of her didn’t want to hide the involuntary giggle she felt bubbling. This was going either one of two ways and she hoped she wasn’t wrong in her earlier pep talk. Until she’d opened the door to Alex, she hadn’t realised just how important she’d become in her life and knew tonight was another step in acknowledging that fact. She willed Stella to stop staring and break the silence.
Looking down at Alex’s hand, Stella visibly shook herself before reaching out to take it. “Hi, I’m Stella. And I think I’ll have that wine now.”
Chapter 32
As she finished her dessert, Lori glanced back and forth between Alex and Stella, a happy smile playing on her lips. It had been a different story earlier in the evening when, after quickly downing half her glass of wine, Stella had set about grilling them both as only a detective could.
“So I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you didn’t purposefully lie to me about the fact your Alex is a woman?”
Lori had been coy. “Of course I didn’t. I’d planned on telling you straightaway but then you assumed and I just ran with it.” They’d stared each other out until Stella had nodded, seemingly satisfied the lie wasn’t intentional.
Alex cleared her throat. “Listen I can go. I turned up unannounced and I don’t want to get in the way of this.”
When she’d made to head for her coat, Stella had caught her by the arm. “Oh no you don’t, young lady. I have some questions I need answering. Sit.”
Lori had tried not to smile at the worried look on Alex’s face as she took a stool at the kitchen island but Stella caught it.
“I don’t know what you’re smiling at. Take a seat, Hunter.”
She’d felt like a kid in the headmaster’s office, swinging her legs and looking anywhere but at Stella.
“So, Alex, you’re a woman.”
“Aye.” Alex had glanced Lori’s way in disbelief.
Lori gave her a slight shake of her head and pleaded with her eyes for her to go with it.
“And you’re Scottish?”
“Yes, your honour.” She tried to hide the smile but failed and Stella was having none of it.
“Oh, so you’re a joker? I think given your position right now we should save the smart mouth and just answer the questions. Agreed?”
Alex had nodded, again sliding a sideways glance towards Lori.
“Lori tells me you live on a farm but work computer stuff, in particular for the police?”
“That is correct.” Alex kept a straight face this time.
“Is it also correct you keep chickens and goats and an enthusiastic dog named Frank?”
“Aye, that is also correct.”
Lori watched as Stella did her finger steeple thing, pressing the tips together and tapping them against her lips in thought. Lori knew that’s when she was getting serious.
“And you’re single?”
“Yes.”
“Are you a lesbian?”
“Yes.”
“And you like my best friend Lori here?”
“Yes. Well, I mean we’re friends, isn’t that right, Lori?” She winked Lori’s way.
“Don’t look at her. You’re talking to me. And don’t give me that ‘friends’ crap. I see right through the pair of you.”
Stella was stern, but Lori caught the twitch of her upper lip. She felt herself relax. Stella was just playing with Alex, and Lori was interested to see what else she could get out of her.
“What about family? Tell me about the Ryan Clan.”
Lori noisily coughed, thinking of Beth. Stella glanced her way but didn’t get the hint to move on. She continued. “Well? Do they live with you? Nearby?”
Alex seemed to shift uncomfortably. She sat on her hands and cleared her throat a few times before answering. “My friends are my family.”
Stella raised an eyebrow in Lori’s direction and she could only shrug in response. Apart from admitting that Beth had died, their talk about Rachel in the bothy, and some college stories from her friends, that’s as far as she’d gotten with Alex’s past. Something she was just realising.
But she could see Alex was uncomfortable and Stella had had her fun. She intervened before Stella could take it any further. “Stella, c’mon. Let’s go to dinner and chat like normal people.”
“What? I’m just getting to know your new friend here. This is how I chat.”
“Yes, but how you chat and how normal humans chat are very different things. We haven’t all got four years as a detective on our resume.”
Stella threw up her hands. “Fine. Spoil my fun.” She turned to Alex. “Seriously though, Alex, I’m sorry, I’m just playing. You’ll get used to me.”
Alex smiled, grabbing her glass and taking a gulp before speaking. “It’s okay, Stella. Lori, don’t worry. I’m used to answering this question and Stella wasn’t to know.” Alex rubbed her palms down her thighs and took a deep breath. “My parents and my younger sister died. So it’s just me left.”
Lori spun towards her as Stella’s arms dropped to her sides. Alex didn’t look at either of them, instead she continued rubbing her palms across her thighs, chewing the inside of her lip.
“Alex, I’m so sorry.” Lori slid a hand across her back, getting her attention. “Stella, you’re an ass, you always go too far.”
At Lori’s words, Alex reassured them again. “Lori, it’s okay. Don’t be mad with her. It was an honest question that’s normally simple and anyway, I should have told you that already, especially after you told me about your mum.”
Stella looked genuinely upset with herself. “No, Alex, I’m so sorry. I was just playing with you. It’s my thing, you know, the whole interrogation bit. Here.” Stella topped up her glass of wine and handed it to her. “Get this down you.”
Alex did as instructed with the wine. She didn’t want to get into the rest of the story so knocked back the rest of it and stood, nodding in Lori’s direction. “I’m starving. You going to take a girl to dinner or what?”
That had put an end to the questioning. Lori was happy Alex hadn’t held the cop routine against Stella but it nagged in her mind that, despite Lori confiding about her own mum passing, Alex hadn’t admitted the same at the bothy. She had clearly wanted to avoid further questioning from Stella on the details and Lori continued to wonder what had happened.
Now, three hours later, Lori looked between th
e two of them as they laughed like old friends. She had shaken off the unease after Stella’s questioning and focused on the happy feelings seeing Alex hitting it off so well with her best friend.
She knew she wasn’t off the hook that easy and Stella would begin the real grilling once she got Lori alone, but the evening would go some ways to making that easier on her.
Their waiter appeared, cleared the table, and offered coffee.
“I have a better idea,” Stella declared. “How about we head down the street to a little cocktail place I know? Get our coffee with a shot of vodka?”
Lori raised her eyebrows. “Espresso martini? I know only one other person who would finish dinner with one of those.”
“Really? Who?” Stella asked.
Lori visibly deflated. “My poor excuse for a brother. Do you know he hasn’t called in nearly three months?”
“Seriously?” Alex’s voice was incredulous. “How do you have a sister and not call her in three months?”
Lori could understand why Alex might not understand the situation, given she had lost her sister. “I guess that’s how it works with us, with his travelling and work. Although this is the longest I can ever remember.” She felt Alex place a comforting hand on her knee under the table and give it a gentle squeeze.
Stella was having none of her excuses for him. “I’ll kick his arse for you the next time I see him. He’s a degenerate, so let’s not waste any time wondering.”
Stella seemed antsy and ready to move on. Lori was surprised given one of her favourite pastimes was cussing her brother and dad and letting Lori know she was too easy on them.
As she made to voice this, Stella continued, “So let’s speak no more about him and go get us one of those yummy cocktails.”
Lori stood, shaking off the disappointment in her brother. “What are we waiting for, let’s do it. I will not let someone who isn’t even here ruin our night.”
Alex followed suit, helping Lori into her jacket. Lori smiled at the sweet gesture and the tension left her as Alex bowed slightly, stepping to the side with a giggle and a wink in Stella’s direction. “After you, ladies.”
* * *
Two cocktails in and Alex realised she’d gotten off easy with Stella’s earlier questioning who was now relentless and sailing close to dangerous waters again.
“So what happens to make a young, pretty thing like you hide away in the country on a farm?”
Alex bought some time taking a sip of the French martini they’d now moved on to. “I’m not hiding. I grew up there and its home.”
“So it’s your family farm? It must be hard being there without them?”
She saw Lori give Stella an unsubtle jab in the ribs. “I thought we were through with Alex’s interrogation?”
Stella raised her hands innocently. “What? I thought we were friends now. Friends ask these kinds of questions, especially after a few drinks.”
Alex appreciated the smile Stella gave her, she was up to mischief that’s all, but Alex knew she couldn’t avoid the questions much longer. They couldn’t possibly be imagining anything close to the real story. When others had pried in the past, they’d assumed some tragic car accident, or a run of unfortunate illnesses. Alex was skilled in letting people believe what they wanted. The truth was too hard to tell, and the pity she saw, too hard to take.
“I think it would be harder to leave. That’s where all my memories are. Good or bad, it’s the last link to my family so I’d never give it up.”
Stella stared her out for a few seconds, her left eye squinting in a moment of what Alex imagined was suspicion. “Something tells me you’ve avoided this line of questioning before and become quite good at it. If you’re not giving anything else away, at least confirm I’m right about that.”
Alex laughed then. “Yes ma’am.”
Lori laughed with her. “Well played, Alex. I think you just eluded the great Detective Roberts.”
“Hmm…” Stella eyed her again. “For now, I guess, but only because I like you. You should know I don’t give up that easy though.”
Alex was an open book about most things but realised quickly that Stella was definitely a pro. However, she wasn’t about to discuss things that not even Lori knew about yet.
She decided offense was the best form of defence, and asked a question she knew would buy some time to catch her breath.
“I just realised you two never told me how you met? Have you been friends for long?”
“Oh, let’s see, how long is it now, Lori? Eight years?”
“Yes, you know fine well it is.” She glared at Stella.
“Hey, what’s that look for?”
“You bloody well know what for. Please don’t tell the story!”
“Oh yes. I love it when there’s a story,” Alex exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Please tell it, Stella. I’ll be your new best friend if she disowns you.”
Lori groaned and gestured to the barman for another round. “Whisky all round please. Doubles.”
Stella chuckled. “It’s not that embarrassing.”
Alex feigned impatience. “C’mon, get on with it.”
“Okay,” Stella said, getting comfy. “Well, I know my very English accent betrays me but my dad is actually Scottish and I went to university in Edinburgh.”
The barman put the whisky down, and they all clinked and took a warming sip.
“After university, I joined the force in Scotland and on my first night shift I get called out to a flat after a complaint of loud music.”
“It wasn’t loud,” Lori protested, but was quickly shushed by Stella.
“Well, maybe it was more your singing that got the complaint. Are you going to keep interrupting?”
Lori pouted into her whisky. “Fine, carry on.”
Stella nodded. “So, we arrived at this flat and the music actually isn’t that loud and we find there are only a dozen or so people in the house having a Eurovision Song Contest party.”
“A what?”
“A Eurovision party. Basically this one here,” she said, gesturing to Lori, “was there to watch The Eurovision Song Contest with a bunch of friends and when we got ‘nil poi’ it turned into some kind of Karaoke party. We found them all in a rather silly state, drinking who knows what out of pineapples.”
“That’s amazing. I can’t believe I’ve never thought of having a Eurovision party!”
Lori laughed. “See? I told you it was a thing.”
Stella waved her off. “Yeah, well, whatever. You still looked ridiculous in your costume and, no matter what was in that pineapple, it was no excuse for cracking onto me.”
“Wait, what?” Alex inhaled her sip of whisky. Wide eyed, she let the coughing subside. “You, Lori Hunter, tried it on with a police officer at a Eurovision party?”
Lori looked strangely pleased with herself. “I’m glad in my old age I still have the ability to shock. Yes, I did. My friend who was desperate for a girlfriend thought she was cute but was too shy, so I thought I’d show her how it’s done.”
Stella laughed. “She failed miserably.”
Alex held her stomach. “I can’t even imagine it. Although what would you have done if she’d said yes?”
“I’d probably have locked myself and a pineapple in the bathroom until she was gone.”
They all cracked up then. Alex wiped away a tear and caught her breath. “So if you turned her down, how did you end up friends?” She looked between them.
“Ah, well, I left thinking I just had a funny story to tell, but then on the Monday, I got assigned to patrol around the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, right down to the Scottish Parliament building. Anyway, I see this woman rooted to the spot, and she’s frantically looking around, bashing at her phone, clearly panicked.”
Alex laughed. “Lori panicked? I can’t ever imagine that.” She smirked at Lori’s blush, knowing she was referring to her state before Stella’s arrival.
“Believe it. She saw me coming in m
y uniform and went beetroot red. I asked if she needed help and she rather haughtily told me she was fine and was just having a problem with her phone.”
“Haughtily? Is that your polite way of telling me she acted like a stuck-up bitch?”
“Exactly. I like this girl, Lori. She’s definitely got your number.”
“Hey, that’s enough of the bashing. Just tell the bloody story.”
“Okay, okay. So I’m about to walk away and leave the posh princess to it, when it suddenly clicks and I realise who she is. I turn around to make a joke about pineapples, but she had obviously remembered who I was too and, in her haste to get away, she kind of lost her balance and started falling. I caught her but, as she fell, her foot comes out of her shoe and I find out the problem…”
“Oh no…” Realisation dawned on Alex. “Did a little thing like a stiletto stuck between cobbles bring down Lori Hunter?”
The look on Lori’s face said it all, and they couldn’t help but laugh again at her expense. Eventually, Lori joined in. “I have to say it was a terrible day until Stella promised me a large glass of wine and company for the evening as consolation for missing my flight back to London.”
“Wait, you missed a flight? How long were you stood there?”
“Almost an hour. I’d been heading for a taxi to collect my bags from the hotel.”
This started a renewed round of giggles at the absurdity of the situation.
“Couldn’t you just leave the shoe?”
“Are you kidding?” Lori was incredulous. “Those shoes cost more than my flight.”
Once the laughter had died down again, they ordered one more for the road. Stella regaled Alex with party stories from when Lori visited and on the beat in Edinburgh, before she decided to transfer back to London for the detective fast track.
Alex noticed her dismissing a couple of calls on her phone before eventually sighing at the fourth attempt and heading outside to take it, mouthing, “Work.”
She glanced at Lori who watched Stella through the bar window, her conversation seemed animated and angry, and Lori seemed suspicious.
“Isn’t she off tonight or does she get called in a lot?”
She watched Lori peer thoughtfully at Stella. “She doesn’t normally drink if she’s on call and that’s her personal phone, not her work one. I wonder what’s going on.”