47A/N: To the followers of this story, I am terribly sorry for the long delay with my story. Life took over again and I can't say much more than that. Thank you to those of you who have reviewed and asked if I am able to complete it because I really appreciate it and your interest too. We're coming to the end soon but there's a few things left to get through first.
"This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last".
- Oscar Wilde
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
"Righto! Let's go yeah? I'm meeting the girls in twenty minutes down the road so I'd better get a wriggle on". DS Ronnie Brooks leads the way out of the CPS Records section towards the lift. Being a copper for more than twenty years, Ronnie doesn't miss the way his younger partner's eyes flit to the opposite wall displaying which floors the different sections of CPS are located. Including the division a certain crown prosecutor works in.
"I'm gonna catch the tube mate", Ronnie says as the two men wait for the lift.
DS Matthew Devlin frowns in confusion.
"If you want to see if Alesha needs a ride home or something..?" Ronnie finishes his sentence slowly. Letting the realisation sink in for him.
Oh! Ohhhh. Er…
Matt shrugs in what he hopes is an extremely casual way. And hopes that Ronnie can't spot his elevated heart rate.
"Yeah. Um. I might do that actually. Just…I'll give her a call.."
Following him into the lift Ronnie can see he looks a bit flustered as he sends her a text telling her to meet them downstairs in five.
Silence and muzak. Then.
"So..I think I might ask her out properly you know?" Matt's comment is a bit quick. Like he is wanting some advice on something. Which happens next to never.
Now it's Ronnie's turn to play it cool with his raised eyebrow. But he knows exactly what Matt is referring to.
"Alesha. I think I might be ready to ask her to have a drink or dinner. Or…I dunno. Go watch a game or something. Do you think…? I mean.." his voice trails off as the doors ping open and he walks out quickly.
Ronnie can see Matt's super nervous. Which is not a usual trait for the younger man and he decides to cut him some slack.
"Matt let me put it this way. You should do what you want to do".
Matt Devlin grins slightly. His nervousness slightly abated.
"That's it Ron?"
Ron smiles and shrugs.
"You know what to do mate".
They both turn as they watch JCP Alesha Philips getting out of the other lift and walking towards the entrance. As usual she's weighted down by books and bags.
Ronnie smiles at his partner.
"Good luck Son".
Alesha Philips had been packing up her things for the day and dreaming about a Thai massage and tiramisu ice cream. Or a glass or two of Merlot. Or maybe all of the above. It had been one of those days. The Clark case was not going well and she could feel a pounding in her temple. Now would not be a good time to catch the pesky office cold that's been going around.
She is supposed to meet Devlin and Brooks somewhere here but can't see them. Cursing the heavy doors and her loaded arms, she struggles for half a second before she feels someone removing her orange lap top bag and files from her arms. Turning to her side, she spots DS Matthew Devlin grinning at her and DS Ronnie Brooks holding the doors open for the two of them to pass through.
"Alright Alesha?" Ronnie greets her as she nods and smiles gratefully following Matt who's carrying her things and already leading the way to their car.
Ronnie waves to them both and then walks off towards the lights.
"He's going to the cinema with his girls so he doesn't need a lift. Your carriage awaits Madam". He is standing by the passenger's side sweeping his hand theatrically towards the now open door. Alesha grins and moves towards the car.
"So you're really blowing me off to watch an old Gunners match? Really Devlin? Really?" Alesha teases him as he puts the files on her kitchen counter top.
He shrugs and grins sheepishly.
"Sorry 'Leash. I can't bail on the boys now can I?"
She laughs and shakes her head.
"All good Matt. We can catch up on Saturday. At the game".
Devlin fiddles with his keys. Alesha is already walking around barefoot in her little kitchen gathering her work stuff when she notices him still standing around.
"Matty?..You okay?"
He turns to look at her again. Swallowing hard and ignoring that feeling of butterflies or baby dragons. Whichever.
Out of the fire.
"Um..I was wondering. You know that night market event in S_ Park next Friday?"
She nods as she moves past him with her laptop to sit on the sofa.
"Definitely. It was the one I was saying I'd like to check out remember? It's got cool garden exhibitions from famous book characters that light up. There's also these cool pop up concerts and other things".
"Yep. That one. Well…I was thinking..If you were keen. Would you like to go? To see it with me? Like..out with me? We can see the exhibitions and then maybe get some dinner along the park somewhere?"
Alesha stops and puts the laptop down. She looks up at Matt. He hasn't moved. She gets up and walks over to where he is standing near her door.
"I mean..If you want to. It's no big deal. We can invite Jess and –"
She shakes her head and touches his arm slightly. The contact is enough to make the words die in his throat. She is smiling up at him now.
"I'd love to go with you. Just us".
Matt lets out the breath he didn't realise he'd been sucking in for a while and grins back at her.
"Okay then! I'll call you later. So I'm gonna go watch football and drink some beer with manly men and..Okay. I just called men manly didn't I? Not that men aren't manly but it's an individual thing and…I'm not sure why I keep repeating those two words together because that is just weird. Yeah so I'm going to leave now".
Alesha stifles her giggle behind her hand as she watches him stammering and then giving her a funny salute and a smile, he opens the door and leaves.
She sits back down on the sofa but she can't seem to relax. Forget work now! Heart beating just a little faster than before, she reaches for her phone.
Jess: You'd better be calling me to tell me you've just had the best sex of your life given that it's Thursday night!
Alesha: Hahaha. Um no. Sorry to disappoint you. I'm about to get some work in but-
Jessie: (Fake sobbing) Oh the horror…And shock!
Alesha: Shut up for a minute. I'm trying to tell you something. Well it may be something. Or nothing. I thought it might be but then again I-
Jess: How about you just tell me and I will determine what 'it' is!
Alesha: Well…I think Matt and I might finally be ready to-
Jess: (Loud gasp) OMG! Are you guys finally ready to have sexy times?! Woo!
Alesha: (Pause) No. And..Jess for God's sake stop saying 'sexy times'! You're not 14!
Jessie: Soz. So? Please tell me he finally grew a pair and kissed the hell out of you.
Alesha: Well no. But..I think we're going to go out properly. He just asked me now. Like for a first date! Well, at least I think that's what was happening and I-
Jess: (Fakes snoring) Zzzzzz!
Alesha: Very funny Jess!
Jess: No but seriously. It's WONDERFUL news! FINALLY! Thank you God, Queen Bey, the Fates and Madonna the Great!
Alesha: Okay, now you've lost me
Jess: 'Leash?! This is awesome! And darling, if you thought it was a date and it sounded like it was a date thing and not just a 'look at the two of us trying to continue to fool no one but ourselves that we are not together' moment then yes! It. Is. A. Date!
Alesha: Okay. I am trying not to freak out though.
Jess: Well don't! Enjoy this moment! The best is yet to come girl. I've gotta go shut up the shop now but tomorrow we are meeting for a drink and I want ALL the details of how this went down!
Alesha: Okay. Take care. Love you!
Jess: Bye love!
Hanging up the phone, Alesha lies on her back with a huge smile on her face.
She isn't sure what the future held but she was happy that maybe things could move forward for her and Matt.
"BRRRRIIINNNNNNGGG!"
The phone ringing jolts her from her sappy daydream and she reaches over to answer it.
Alesha: Hi James. What's u-
James: Alesha? I know it's late but can I come over to see you now? I need to talk to you about something?
Alesha: Can you not discuss it with me over the phone? Or can it not wait until tomorrow? I just got back and –
James: (Pause) No. I'd rather we discuss it now, face to face. Are you free?
Alesha: Okay fine. Sure. See you soon
A/N: Thank you for sticking around and reading this update. Yes, it's kinda cliffie but there is a follow up which will be up in the next day or two. Cheers!
