‘Take a seat.’
‘I’d like to explain, about the other night.’
Dani shook her head. ‘You don’t need to. I’ve made some mistakes in my own private life, some of which you’ve bailed me out of. I can hardly start pointing the finger at others.’ The DCI sighed heavily. ‘However, I can’t bear to see you scupper your future with Carol and Amy. Please think carefully about whatever it is you’re doing.’
Andy nodded, the colour draining from his cheeks. This was worse than the bollocking he’d been expecting. ‘I don’t know if I feel the same about Carol any longer.’ The words came out as a hoarse whisper.
Calder saw a flash of anger pass across Dani’s dark eyes. ‘That’s the sex talking. But once the initial lust has blown itself out between you and this woman, what’s left? I’ve been there, Andy. I know what I’m talking about. This case has brought back the memory of what happened to your uncle and it’s messing with your head. Stop seeing her. I’m begging you, as a good friend.’
Andy avoided her gaze. ‘I know you mean well, boss, but I’m not sure I can promise you that.’
Dani felt a wave of sadness wash over her. ‘Fine. Then we’ll say no more about it.’
Chapter 18
T he meal went more smoothly than Andy thought it would. Mae had prepared a full roast dinner with all the trimmings, even though it was a really warm day. Gavin even had to open the French doors, so that the light breeze could cool them as they sat around the table.
Andy was pleased to have a chance to see John again. The lad was tall and lean with a thin, handsome face. Calder would have liked his cousin to resemble Donny a bit more. The similarities were definitely there, around the eyes mostly, but Andy had to concede that John was more like Mae’s side of the family.
‘How are you finding college?’ Carol asked politely, whilst she dished up a miniature plateful for Amy.
‘I’m really enjoying it, thanks,’ John replied. ‘I wasn’t sure at first if I’d made the right decision, but now I’m really glad I chose to stay in Glasgow.’
‘That’s because you’ve met Shiona,’ Lizzie put in. She leant down to address the wee girl next to her. ‘She’s John’s girlfriend.’
Amy began to giggle.
Luckily, the young man took his sister’s joshing in good humour. ‘Shiona would have loved to have come along today but she’s up near Loch Lomond with her parents this week.’
‘I’m sure we’ll meet her again,’ Carol said.
Gavin’s attitude had softened considerably since Andy’s last visit. The presence of Carol and Amy seemed to make him much more comfortable. The men lapsed into a good-natured discussion about the prospects for St Columba Football Club in the forthcoming premiership season.
Andy noticed that Mae remained quiet throughout lunch. When they’d finished eating, he stood up to help their hostess clear the plates from the table. Gavin led the guests out the back. He’d just had a summer house constructed that he wanted to show Carol. Andy could see, from the kitchen window, his daughter running madly across the huge lawn. Andy felt the pang of guilt he often experienced when in other people’s large houses that they didn’t have a garden of their own for her to play in.
When she knew the others were out of earshot, Mae turned towards Andy. ‘I don’t want to hurt Gavin.’
‘I’m not sure why the hell you married the guy. He’s clearly not in your league.’ Andy placed the cutlery in
‘I’d like to explain, about the other night.’
Dani shook her head. ‘You don’t need to. I’ve made some mistakes in my own private life, some of which you’ve bailed me out of. I can hardly start pointing the finger at others.’ The DCI sighed heavily. ‘However, I can’t bear to see you scupper your future with Carol and Amy. Please think carefully about whatever it is you’re doing.’
Andy nodded, the colour draining from his cheeks. This was worse than the bollocking he’d been expecting. ‘I don’t know if I feel the same about Carol any longer.’ The words came out as a hoarse whisper.
Calder saw a flash of anger pass across Dani’s dark eyes. ‘That’s the sex talking. But once the initial lust has blown itself out between you and this woman, what’s left? I’ve been there, Andy. I know what I’m talking about. This case has brought back the memory of what happened to your uncle and it’s messing with your head. Stop seeing her. I’m begging you, as a good friend.’
Andy avoided her gaze. ‘I know you mean well, boss, but I’m not sure I can promise you that.’
Dani felt a wave of sadness wash over her. ‘Fine. Then we’ll say no more about it.’
Chapter 18
T he meal went more smoothly than Andy thought it would. Mae had prepared a full roast dinner with all the trimmings, even though it was a really warm day. Gavin even had to open the French doors, so that the light breeze could cool them as they sat around the table.
Andy was pleased to have a chance to see John again. The lad was tall and lean with a thin, handsome face. Calder would have liked his cousin to resemble Donny a bit more. The similarities were definitely there, around the eyes mostly, but Andy had to concede that John was more like Mae’s side of the family.
‘How are you finding college?’ Carol asked politely, whilst she dished up a miniature plateful for Amy.
‘I’m really enjoying it, thanks,’ John replied. ‘I wasn’t sure at first if I’d made the right decision, but now I’m really glad I chose to stay in Glasgow.’
‘That’s because you’ve met Shiona,’ Lizzie put in. She leant down to address the wee girl next to her. ‘She’s John’s girlfriend.’
Amy began to giggle.
Luckily, the young man took his sister’s joshing in good humour. ‘Shiona would have loved to have come along today but she’s up near Loch Lomond with her parents this week.’
‘I’m sure we’ll meet her again,’ Carol said.
Gavin’s attitude had softened considerably since Andy’s last visit. The presence of Carol and Amy seemed to make him much more comfortable. The men lapsed into a good-natured discussion about the prospects for St Columba Football Club in the forthcoming premiership season.
Andy noticed that Mae remained quiet throughout lunch. When they’d finished eating, he stood up to help their hostess clear the plates from the table. Gavin led the guests out the back. He’d just had a summer house constructed that he wanted to show Carol. Andy could see, from the kitchen window, his daughter running madly across the huge lawn. Andy felt the pang of guilt he often experienced when in other people’s large houses that they didn’t have a garden of their own for her to play in.
When she knew the others were out of earshot, Mae turned towards Andy. ‘I don’t want to hurt Gavin.’
‘I’m not sure why the hell you married the guy. He’s clearly not in your league.’ Andy placed the cutlery in
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