Waking up in Al’s arms, in his bed, and discovering that Andy’s idea of sex was a world away from the reality of actually making love with the right person, made Sarah feel very happy.  Even the ache in her face when she smiled didn’t dampen her spirits.  She burrowed into Al’s neck in the hope that he might wake up, and confirm that something very special had happened between them during the night. 

It worked.

“Are we okay Sarah?” he whispered as he pulled her close against his chest.

“We are more than okay; in fact, apart from a bit of a cut on my face, I am happier now than I have been for years,” she said, between kisses.   “My face doesn’t even hurt as much as it did yesterday.  You must have healing powers.  I’m not going to shout too loudly about that though, in case someone tries to steal you away from me.”

“Having seen you overpower the dreaded Marta last night; my money is on you every time,” said Al. “Just tell me?  Is this the real thing for you, because it is for me, and I need to know?”

 “I have fallen for you Al, well and truly,” she said revelling in the warmth of his skin against hers.  “It’s a totally new sensation for me so I’m sorry if I’ve taken time to catch up with you. I love Jude and her family; they’re my past and my present, and what kept me going through all the years of stagnation with Andy. Millie was a huge part of my past before I ever met Andy, so finding her again is wonderful.  More than anything though, I can actually see a future with you, if that’s what you want too.  Of course, if the Coroner blames Oliver for this poor man’s death, we’ll all be made redundant when they close the show down.”

“Not me,” he said with a grin.  “I’m actually employed by the company who runs security for the Quays.  You get placed with a certain production company, and stay there unless they lose the contract, or you want to go elsewhere. I don’t make much money, but I could keep you in chocolate Shreddies and pizza. If that was what you wanted?”

“That is the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I didn’t mean to presume or anything…”

“You didn’t presume.  I have to think about what might happen in the future as well.  Millie is due back at the end of the week, and I have a sneaky feeling that she may have Tom’s father with her.  That could mean one of two things; he might want to relocate to this country, in which case she won’t want me playing gooseberry in the flat.  The other possibility is that she will have fallen in love with India all over again, and want to go back there permanently.  Either way I could end up being homeless again. Do you want a lodger?”

“No, if you come to live here, it would be as my partner.  There’s another thing that’s worrying me though.  I had the snip after my second son was born. You said Andy had the snip because he thought you were too irresponsible to remember to take the Pill?  Did you never want children of your own?”

“I wasn’t actually being irresponsible.  I pretended. It was his choice, but I never wanted children with Andy.  He had too many obsessions, and the social worker in me felt that it would be unkind to bring a child into that kind of environment.  His sister Abigail was a total nightmare, and she was adopted. All those years of social work, and I’d dealt with some heart-breaking cases of child neglect and abuse. I love Jude and Dan’s children, and the time I spent at with Maggie and her family was great, but I’m too old for babies now.  I’ve accepted that fact.”

“My ex-wife decided that having our two boys was enough, and she didn’t want to go through any operations.”

“That solves the problem then.”

“You don’t mind?”

“Al, it’s you I want.  Not a baby making machine, although we could always pretend, I suppose.  Scrub that.  When we make love, it ought to be because we want to be close to each.  Just a personal thing; something between the two of us.”

The irritating buzz of Al’s mobile spoilt what could have been another particularly significant moment, and Al had to break away in order to pick the phone. He listened rather than spoke, apart from the odd ‘Okay’, and ‘Bye’.

“What time is it?” Sarah asked as he put the phone down.

“Just after eight.  Are you hungry?”

“I ought to take some more painkillers and that has to be done with food.  Who was that on your phone?”

“My own boss confirming that he’s spoken with Jenny, and I can take some time off under the circumstances. I had some holiday owing anyway. Chocolate Shreddies, Madam?”

“And coffee.  Am I allowed to drink coffee?”

“I don’t see why not.  Do you want to have breakfast up here or downstairs?”

“Downstairs please.  Do you know where my nightshirt went?”

“I’ll find it, once I’ve found my boxers. They may well have ended up in the same place.”

“Can we risk another hug before you get up?”

“I think that might be an excellent idea – provided you don’t mind waiting a bit longer for your breakfast?”

“I can wait,” she said, smiling at the very thought.