Kate lifted out the vase and put the roses to her nose and inhaled deeply. ‘They’re beautiful. I think I might leave them here, though. They brighten the dreary walls, don’t you think?’
‘They’ll help block out the smell of Patel’s latest coffee bean mash-up too.’
‘Did Val say how Daisy is doing?’
‘The hospital want to keep her in for observation,’ Laura confirmed, ‘certainly until she’s at a more stable weight. Apparently she’d lost nearly a stone since she disappeared. She hasn’t been able to say much about her experience in that hut, but SSD believe he was drugging the water he was bringing her each day so she’d remain compliant, and wouldn’t make a noise to attract anyone to her location. It’s amazing that she didn’t freeze to death out there. She’s lucky to be alive, and owes you her life, ma’am.’
‘Owes us, Laura. The whole team contributed to finding her. Remember that.’
Laura smiled. ‘I will. I’m going to go and fix a drink. Do you want anything?’
Kate shook her head, as she heard her guest approaching. ‘I have an errand to run, but I’ll check in with you later. Don’t work too hard: that’s an order.’
Kate waited until Laura had left the room, before gathering her own coat and meeting Quinlan in the corridor. ‘Are you ready to do this?’
‘Are you kidding? I’ve never been so scared my entire feckin’ life, ma’am.’
‘It’ll be okay. The supe knows I’m coming over to see him, but he doesn’t know what for. It’s better that we meet away from the office and prying ears.’
‘What if he fires me on the spot?’
Kate had never seen Quinlan looking so terrified. ‘He can’t dismiss you. He’ll be upset, angry too, I expect, but he’ll respect you more for coming clean, before he finds out what’s happened. Try not to worry. I’ll be with you the entire time, and I’ll make sure things don’t get out of hand.’
‘I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and for Tara. She told me you’d let her crash at your flat a couple of nights. It should have been me offering her support. If I wasn’t such a coward…’
‘Hey, look at me. Parenthood comes as a shock to all of us, even those who have been trying for a baby for years. Believe me, it takes some getting used to. What counts is what you do from here. Whatever decision you and Tara reach, you need to be grown-up about it.’ Kate rubbed his shoulder. ‘Now, come on, are you ready to get the shit kicked out of you?’
He forced a smile of gratitude, and led the way down to the car park.
* * *