‘I haven’t got either of those.’
‘Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to assume … of course, your partner. What do they think?’
For a moment John was confused. She looked embarrassed, as a flush of red crept its way up her neck. Suddenly it dawned on him what she had meant. He laughed out loud. She looked at him, a look somewhere between bewilderment and embarrassment. He reined his laughter in. ‘I don’t have a partner either. For the record, I’m SAS.’
‘SAS? I thought you were in the police. Wait, are we having two different conversations? I’m so confused.’
‘Straight and single.’ He grinned at her.
Tina threw her head back, covering her face with her hands. ‘Oh, my God! I’m making such a fool of myself.’ She took her hands down and laughed. Her eyes sparkled like fairy lights. For a moment the tension and unease had been eradicated. It was good to see her relax.
‘And something else, for the record,’ said John. ‘I’m divorced after a very brief marriage.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I’m not. We were young. And, if I’m honest, I put my job first.’
‘You don’t sound like you have any regrets.’
‘No. It was a mutual agreement to separate. We didn’t have any children, so it was pretty painless.’
They chatted some more, both aware that it was a distraction from real life: time out from the unsettling events of the last few hours. Besides, it was nice getting to know her through his own eyes and not through the lens of his camera or police files. The conversation poignantly avoided Pavel and Sasha. They talked of only superficial things; films they liked, tastes in music, favourite food. Safe topics, but ones John found they had a lot in common with. It was enjoyable getting to know her this way. Not a trial, like it sometimes was when he was undercover or fishing for information. This felt, somehow, real and genuine. He was glad she hadn’t pushed him any further about Sasha’s role in the investigation. He wasn’t in a position to divulge any information to her and that would, he guessed, irritate her. He needed to keep her on-side so she trusted him and, in turn, would feel able to confide in him. He also needed to play the long game, but he was aware that time wasn’t his friend. Any time now Brogan could take him off surveillance if he didn’t get any results. The impatience in his personal desire to get to know Tina better was also hot on his heels.
Tina got up and put the cups in the dishwasher. ‘I was wondering if I could ask you a question? Well, it’s more of a favour.’ She turned to look at him and twiddled the heart- shaped pendant on her necklace.
‘Fire away.’
‘It’s a bit awkward, so feel free to say no.’
‘Okay, but I need to know what you want to ask,’ he said, tacking a smile onto the end, which hid the apprehension he was feeling.
‘I’m supposed to be attending a fortieth birthday party on Friday evening. My boss’s wife. I have said I would go, but what with everything I was going to make an excuse.’
‘You shouldn’t let the events take over your whole life,’ said John. ‘Don’t stop doing things, otherwise you’ll become a prisoner in your own home.’
‘I know. That’s the thing that is bothering me the most. I hate the thought that it has the potential to control me like this.’ She continued to run the pendant back and forth along the chain.
‘So where do I fit into all this?’ said John, although he had an inkling what was coming next. The thought warmed him.
‘Would you consider coming with me as my plus one? Not in a boyfriend capacity,’ she added hastily, her cheeks once again tinged with a blush of pink. ‘Just as a friend. I figured you would be sitting outside anyway, you know, following me, so you might as well come in and socialise a bit. That’s if you want to. I mean – you don’t have to, not if you would rather not. I don’t want to get you into trouble, or anything …’
John couldn’t help smiling. She was gabbling and the pink flush had turned a deeper rose colour. He held up his hand to put her out of her misery.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Yes, I’ll come as your plus one.’ The relief on her face was clear. Again, a warmth swept through him.
‘Oh, thank you. I do appreciate it,’ said Tina. She grinned at him. ‘I promise we won’t have to stay very long and I won’t leave you to fend for yourself.’
‘So, you’ll be protecting me?’ The thought amused him.
‘Most certainly! Jessica will probably be there. She’s my boss’s sister. She’s works in the café sometimes when we are short-staffed. She’s, how shall we say, a rather desperate man-eater. Jessica is to men what heat-seeking missiles are to tanks.’