It was dark by the time Kay parked her car on the gravel driveway outside of her house and switched off the engine.
She sat for a moment, listening as the engine cooled and waiting for some of the adrenalin to ease out of her system from the afternoon’s activities.
Finally, she climbed out, noticing that the wind had died down. In its place, a subtle warmth clung to the night sky as she peered up at the emerging stars.
A hint of spring was in the air at last.
Collating the detritus that had accumulated in the footwell and side pockets of the car during the investigation, she threw the rubbish in the wheelie bin beside the garage door and pulled her house keys from her pocket.
Opening her front door and walking into the hallway, the first thing she noticed was the lack of dog toys spread across the carpet and stairs. Kicking off her shoes, Adam’s whistling from the kitchen carrying along the hallway, Kay smiled at the sense of normality easing back into her life.
For the moment, at least.
Washing her hands at the sink in the downstairs bathroom, she heard Adam call out.
‘That you, Kay?’
‘Yes.’ She closed the door and wandered into the kitchen. ‘Did Scott pick up Oscar?’
‘You missed him by half an hour – he said his owner had got back earlier than expected.’ He looked up from the backpack on the worktop, then smiled. ‘Now that’s the face of a woman who needs a drink.’
‘Oh, thanks very much.’ She grinned and kissed him before pointing at the last of the tablets lying beside his mobile phone. ‘Do you fancy walking along to the pub? We haven’t been out for a while, and we could have a soft drink given you’re not allowed alcohol while you’re taking those.’
‘I could do with a change of scenery, that’s for sure. Those are the last tablets, anyway.’
Kay raised an eyebrow at the array of folders and books on the worktop. ‘Back to work tomorrow, then?’
‘Just a paperwork day, don’t worry.’ He gave her a rueful look. ‘From what Scott was saying earlier, they’ve got it all under control so unless any emergencies come in, it’ll be an easy first shift back.’
‘You sound a bit disappointed.’
‘I think I’m just realising how good a team I’ve got there. I mean, I couldn’t have got through the past two weeks without them. Scott’s really stepped up in his role, and as for Stephanie…’
‘We need to work out how to clone her.’
He laughed. ‘Exactly.’
‘Well, that bodes well for our holiday plans at least, especially if you’re going to hang onto Claire as well.’ Kay wandered over to the sink and filled a glass with water, handing it to him. ‘I’ll go and get changed while you’re taking those, and then we’ll head out.’
She hurried upstairs, pulling at shirt buttons as she crossed the landing towards their bedroom and shoved her work clothes into the laundry basket next to the en suite.
After pulling on a favourite pair of worn jeans and a thick sweater, Kay tied her hair back and paused as her gaze fell upon the photograph of her and Adam she kept on her bedside table.
It had been taken several years ago when she was still a detective constable and he was establishing the veterinary practice.
She smiled, realising how young they looked, and that ten years had passed since the photo was taken.
Probably about time I put a new one in that frame, she thought.
She picked it up and smoothed a thin line of dust from the glass, then grimaced. ‘And I need a housework day tomorrow.’
‘Are you ready?’
She put the photograph back and made her way downstairs to where Adam was waiting in the hallway, his padded jacket already on while he pushed his feet into a worn pair of walking boots.
‘Anyone would think you haven’t been to the pub for two weeks,’ she said.
‘They’ll wonder what happened to me. I’m surprised they haven’t sent out a search party yet.’
Kay shook her head, then sat on the stairs to pull on her boots. ‘At least Laura’s on call this weekend. We can relax, and perhaps––’
A subtle hiss reached her ears and she froze, the boot halfway on her foot.
She looked up at Adam, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
He was wearing a sheepish expression.
‘You’ve been blaming the dog all this time,’ she blurted. ‘It’s been you!’
He held up his hands in feigned innocence.
‘Honestly, I can’t help it. It’s the medication I’ve been on.’
THE END