‘Your phone,’ Copeland said. She reached into her pocket and removed Ramouter’s phone. ‘I found it under the table in the pub.’
‘Thank you so much. I didn’t even realise,’ Ramouter said, taking his phone.
‘It’s been ringing a lot,’ Copeland said as Ramouter swiped the screen. Missed calls from Michelle, messages from the WhatsApp group that he was in with his brothers and cousins. He rang Michelle back but was immediately answered with her voicemail greeting. He pondered why his wife’s phone was off when Copeland coughed.
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ said Ramouter. ‘Come in and thanks for doing this, especially as it’s so out of your way.’
‘Not a problem. I’m never in that much of a hurry to get back to Kentish Town,’ she said as she followed Ramouter back into the kitchen. ‘What are you making?’
‘Lasagne,’ Ramouter replied ‘It’s the one thing I can cook that makes Michelle think she married a gourmet chef even though we both know the sauce came from a jar.’
‘Lucky woman,’ said Copeland as she leaned against the counter. ‘My ex could burn water and the last time I tried to make a lasagne, well, it’s best not to talk about that disaster.’
Ramouter smiled politely as he took the garlic bread out of the fridge. He could hear Henley’s words repeating in his head, warning him to be careful with Copeland. He still wasn’t sure if Henley was just being overprotective of him or simply didn’t like the fact that Copeland hadn’t been afraid to challenge her in front of the team. He didn’t say anything as he caught Copeland taking off her coat as though she intended on staying for dinner.
‘I know we had a nice time in the pub earlier but, I’m not sure how to bring this up,’ Copeland said. She picked up a jar of mixed herbs and turned it over in her hands before placing it back on the counter.
‘Bring what up?’ Ramouter asked.
‘I was just wondering if Henley was being nice to me because I spoke to the guvnor about how she was treating me.’
Ramouter’s eyes widened with the realisation that Stanford’s guess that Copeland had complained about Henley was true. ‘Why would you do that?’ he asked.
‘Would you have let someone talk to you the way she did?’ Copeland asked. ‘It was embarrassing. She couldn’t make it any clearer that she didn’t want me in the team.’
‘I don’t think that’s true at all. Henley’s always grateful when we get any kind of extra support.’
‘She has a funny way of showing it. She said some things to me outside that made me think she was the reason my previous applications to join the SCU were refused. You know what the force is like, always spreading stupid rumours.’
‘I haven’t heard anything about you,’ Ramouter said quickly as his ears picked up the sound of activity at his front door.
Copeland moved and blocked Ramouter’s way. ‘You don’t have to spare my feelings,’ she said. ‘I know what people have said about me. A couple of appearances before the misconduct panel and your name becomes mud. People are allowed to make mistakes, but people seem very reluctant to move on. Why do you think I’ve been stuck at Detective Constable level for so long.’
‘You think you’ve been blocked from promotion because of what—’
‘I know I have,’ Copeland said urgently. ‘The only person who hasn’t prejudged me is the guvnor and you, but Henley—’
‘Look, I didn’t know about the misconduct panel and I’m sure that whatever happened, well, you’ve learned from it.’
‘You’re very kind,’ Copeland said, taking hold of Ramouter’s arm. ‘It’s a good thing I met you when I did.’
Ramouter could feel Michelle staring at him before he even heard her.
‘Daddy,’ Ethan shouted. He dropped his rucksack onto the floor and ran towards Ramouter.
‘Have you grown in a week?’ Ramouter said. He picked up Ethan who squealed with laughter and kissed him. ‘How is my boy?’
‘Good. Who are you?’ Ethan asked with all the innocence and audacity of a five-year-old as he looked down at Copeland.
‘I’m Xania,’ said Copeland. ‘I work with your dad.’
‘My daddy goes to work with Auntie Anjelica,’ said Ethan stubbornly. Ramouter lowered Ethan to the ground, and he ran off to retrieve the remote control from the sofa.
‘Auntie Anjelica?’ Copeland said. She adjusted her coat in her arms. ‘I didn’t realise you were so close.’
‘Aye, Ethan loves hanging out with his Auntie Anjelica,’Michelle said, joining Ramouter’s side. ‘Is something burning?’ she said to Ramouter as she kissed him on the lips.
‘Oh crap,’ Ramouter said. ‘The lasagne.’
