The Taken Girls. G.D. Sanders

in the job but I want out. Your transfer to Canterbury was my ticket. The Force is not good for relationships. Many marriages don’t survive. Mine’s one. Ellen, my wife, resented the time I spent at work. A year after our youngest went to university she asked for a divorce. I hadn’t noticed anything, but she’d been seeing someone for months. I can’t wait to get away.’

      ‘I’m sorry.’

      ‘Aye, it’s a bit late for me to be starting over. Maidstone’s more of a desk job. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone new in the office.’

      ‘What about your children?’

      ‘They’ve moved out. We haven’t told them yet. I’m sure I’ll continue to see them.’

      Saunders finished his drink and stood up.

      ‘That’s enough melancholy for one night.’

      Ed left her drink unfinished and went with him to the street.

      Watching her colleague walk towards Westgate Towers, Ed’s thoughts turned to the missing girl. When on a case, the victim barely left her head and some memories remained long after the case was closed. To break her train of thought, Ed turned back into the hotel. Her immediate priority was to get settled in Canterbury. She needed somewhere to live and tomorrow she’d make a start with the viewings. Before that she had something else in mind.

      Walking through the hotel lobby, Ed went to retrieve her unfinished drink. When standing to accompany Saunders to the street, she’d recognized somebody sitting at the bar. Drink in hand, she slipped onto the adjacent barstool.

      ‘Do you mind if I take one of your cheese straws? Gino seems to have forgotten mine.’

      Verity Shaw turned with her habitual half-smile and nudged the bowl towards Ed.

      ‘I was hoping you’d come back to finish your vodka tonic.’

      And I was hoping you’d still be here, thought Ed. She took a cheese straw but remained silent.

      With a look of candour, Verity caught her eye. ‘I lied last time we met.’ She paused, holding Ed’s gaze. ‘Sometimes I come here for a nightcap. Will you join me?’

      ‘I’m not sure I should have another vodka.’

      ‘Me neither,’ said Verity whose drink looked identical to Ed’s. ‘Let’s celebrate your new job with something less alcoholic. Two glasses of champagne and then we’ll call it a night?’

      ‘Sounds good to me.’

      Ed made to signal the barman but Verity stayed her hand.

      ‘My treat.’

      Ed allowed herself to be treated and the events of the day receded. They talked easily and it crossed Ed’s mind that she’d never had a female friend before, someone with whom she could relax. The two glasses of champagne became two glasses each before they called it a night.

      Standing on the pavement outside the hotel, Verity said, ‘Now you’ve settled in, give me a call should you fancy a break from the Station. We could meet at Deakin’s for a coffee.’

      ‘Thanks, I’d like that.’

      The half-smile returned to Verity’s face. Ed raised a hand in farewell and watched her new friend walk into the night.