‘No, it’s fine. I’ve spent hours staring at CCTV footage since I came back from the press conference. It’s good to be out.’
‘How’s it going? But before you answer, what are you drinking? First round is on me.’
‘Thanks. A pint of Guinness.’
‘Do you want anything to eat?’ Copeland asked, picking up the menu.
‘Oh, I’m not really—’
‘Oh, bollocks. You probably have to get home to your—’ she asked hesitantly.
‘Wife,’ Ramouter said. ‘She’s actually away with my son. It’s half term and she took him up to Bradford. They’ll be back on Friday.’
‘She won’t mind you being out with another woman?’
Ramouter felt as though a vice had gripped his stomach as it dawned on him that Copeland’s invitation for after work drinks may not be innocent.
‘Oh my god! Your face,’ Copeland laughed. She reached out and touched Ramouter’s arm. ‘I’m so sorry. This is what happens when you grow up with a football team’s worth of brothers. I have extremely poor taste in jokes, and I don’t know how to read the room.’
‘It’s fine,’ Ramouter relaxed. ‘It’s been a long day and, if I’m honest, it’s probably just a bit of guilt. The only women I’ve gone to drinks with are Henley, DC Eastwood and Joanna.’
‘Doesn’t your wife like you being out with people she doesn’t know?’
‘No. Michelle – that’s my wife’s – she’s …’
‘Can she be a bit clingy? My ex-husband was like that.’
‘Clingy? No. It’s not like that. She’s—’
Ramouter picked up the menu. Not feeling comfortable with talking about his wife’s condition with this woman he’d just met.
‘Sorry. I did it again. Not reading the room,’ Copeland said sincerely. ‘I need to be better with words. Let me get your drink.’
‘Are you going to tell me why you were at the SCU this morning?’ Ramouter asked when she returned, keen to keep conversation away from his family.
Copeland ran her finger along the stem of her wine glass and smiled. ‘I thought I would take the initiative and ask your guvnor in person if I could transfer to the SCU. This case – the Ashcrofts – it’s got under my skin. Do you know what I mean?’
‘You’re invested,’ Ramouter nodded.
‘Exactly. I’m not saying I want to take it back, but I want to be a part of it.’
‘What did he say. Pellacia?’
‘He wasn’t exactly jumping up and down with enthusiasm about me joining the team.’
Ramouter laughed sardonically. ‘You’ll find that jumping up and down is not in his nature.’
‘Yeah, I gathered that, and I don’t think I helped my case by turning up out of the blue this morning.’
‘I think he’ll respect you for it. He and the boss, Henley, I mean. They value people who don’t necessarily wait for things to happen.’
‘Sounds as though they’re a package deal,’ said Copeland. She stretched her leg and brushed against Ramouter’s calf. ‘Do you think I should have a word with Henley?’
‘I don’t think that would be a good idea. She values independence but I don’t think she’d like to be ambushed.’
‘Ah, that makes sense,’ Copeland said as she bit her lip. ‘I thought she was a bit off with me at the hospital on Saturday.’
‘Not off, just surprised, maybe.’
