DS Jessica Daniel series: Locked In/Vigilante/The Woman in Black - Books 1-3 by Kerry Wilkinson Page A

in.
    ‘And as for getting married . . .’ Caroline added.
    They were already finishing each other’s sentences and, despite the public sentiment being a bit too much for her, Jessica was pleased that her friend seemed happy. She could just do with
a lot less of that happiness happening in front of her.
    When the giggling had died down and Jessica had poured another glass of wine for each of them, Caroline said to her boyfriend: ‘Did I tell you Jessica works for the police?’
    ‘Yes. What is that, local?’ he asked.
    ‘Not too far.’
    The conversation fizzled out as Caroline yelped due to Randall tickling her. Jessica went back to half-watching the television. Whatever game show it was they had on seemed to be lasting a
ridiculous length of time, the contestants definitely not getting any cleverer.
    ‘Are you single?’ Randall asked Jessica during an advert break.
    ‘Yep.’
    ‘I’ve got some mates – I could hook you up with someone.’
    ‘I’m all right, thanks.’
    ‘Come on, it’d be fun the four of us going out.’
    Jessica didn’t feel comfortable with the conversation. ‘Nah, I’m okay. I’m busy at work.’
    ‘Well, if you change your mind . . .’
    ‘. . . You’ll be the first person I call.’
    Jessica thought she had enough on her plate without complicating things with dates or boyfriends.
    A short while after, Randall stood and asked if he could get a glass of water.
    ‘Lightweight, are we?’ Jessica asked playfully, considering he’d had three cans of lager.
    ‘I’ve got a bit of a headache coming on.’
    ‘There are painkillers in the drawer under the sink if you want some?’ Jessica said but Caroline cut in. ‘Oh, he’s allergic to aspirin and things like that.’
    Caroline stood up, pushing her boyfriend back to the sofa. ‘I’ll go, you explain.’
    Caroline left the room and Jessica said: ‘Sounds nasty?’
    Randall made a face as if to indicate ‘sort of’. ‘I’ve kind of got used to it. You live with the headaches and so on. Some people have it really bad, their throats swell
up and within a few minutes they can’t breathe. With me it takes an hour or so.’
    Caroline returned and gave her boyfriend a glass of water, which he drank a few mouthfuls from, then put the glass on the coffee table.
    ‘So what actually happens?’ Jessica asked.
    ‘It’s not happened in years because I just stay away from most medicines. Back then, my ears would start to ring slightly, then I’d come out in a rash on my arms. It’s
only after an hour or so when the inside of my throat begins to swell. That could stop you breathing and kill you in theory.’
    Caroline spoke then. ‘He had to tell me because if he ever had anything by accident, if I noticed a rash on his arms or anything, I would have to call an ambulance. That’s a telltale
sign.’
    Jessica just nodded but she was glad it wasn’t her. ‘Must be hard getting over hangovers,’ she joked.
    Randall got up, saying he had to go to the toilet. He left the room and, as soon as they had heard the bathroom door close, Caroline wasted no time.
    ‘What do you reckon?’
    ‘He seems nice. You seem good together.’
    Caroline grinned. ‘It helps that he’s hot too.’
    Jessica grinned back. ‘He’s not too bad. Bit young for you.’
    ‘Young? I’m only thirty. He’s twenty-three, you cheeky mare.’
    ‘That’s toyboy territory. Mrs Robinson and all that.’
    ‘It is
not
.’
    Both women were now laughing with each other. ‘You should take him up on the offer of going out with his mate. It would be fun with the four of us and take your mind off the job, too. You
deserve a night away from it all.’
    ‘Nah.’
    ‘Go on . . .’
    ‘Well, maybe. Not now though, I’m busy. Maybe in a few weeks when things have quietened down?’
    Having a fun evening in with her friend was beginning to take Jessica’s mind off the fact that things were not going well at work.
    ‘I’m glad you like him,’ Caroline