Yes, I was, and I could see it would be just the beginning for him. He just had to have faith in himself that he could do it. “I think it would be good for you. I believe it will bring you a sense of purpose and direction. I think you have lost that after what’s happened. Am I right?” I already knew the answer to that question, but wanted to approach it as gently as possible. I didn’t know whether he would get angry with me by prying into his private life. Somehow though, I didn’t think so.
“It seems you can read people well. Are you a witch or something?” We both laughed at his joke, which helped ease the tension a little. The conversation had turned serious rather quickly. I just wanted him to know he could do it. I knew this would be the start of his happily ever after.
“Nah,” I said, shaking my head with a smile. “I think I just have a good sense of people. That’s all. I just know that if you put your mind to it, you will be sitting here this time next year and I will be calling you Detective Hamish.”
Hamish looked off and smiled. “Detective Hamish… I like that.” He paused a moment, then looked back at me. “There is an opportunity coming up for a promotion. In two weeks’ time, I will have done my two years.” I could practically see his eyes dancing like an excited child.
“Well, there you go then. There’s no time like the present.” Or his future.
He smiled, but he looked doubtful again. “Do you really think I should?”
Deciding to nip it in the bud, I thought of something that might help him get through the tough times ahead. “I know you should. When you sit down for that exam, just close your eyes and repeat the same two words over and over again. You’ll be fine.”
“And what two words would that be?”
“Detective Hamish, of course!”
A flurry of giggles erupted from us and we both sighed. “I’m glad I came around to see you,” he finally said.
“I’m glad you did, too. I’ll be seeing you at work soon, no doubt.” And it couldn’t come soon enough. I didn’t like sitting at home all day, brooding about Stephen.
“When are you due back?”
“Not for another week. I must say that I’m going a little stir crazy.”
“Well, it’s better that than you getting even sicker. Then you’ll have to take even more time off.”
I regarded him with a smile. “I guess so.”
I watched him a few moments as he looked around the room. He was beginning to look more and more tired again.
“You should go home and get some rest. Maybe you can visit again once all your guns are blazing, shall we say.” Joking with him, I put my fingers up in a shooting motion.
He laughed. “It’s good you can joke about guns after everything.”
“Ah, well, if you don’t try to laugh, what else have you got?” It was pointless sitting around feeling depressed about the past. I had the future to look forward to—and I hoped and prayed the future involved Stephen.
“No wiser words were spoken by a truer lady such as yourself.” Sighing heavily, Hamish rose from his seat. “I’ll be off then. Thank you for the tea, Cassie—and the advice.” He took a card out of his pocket. “Here’s my number. If you fancy a coffee one day next week, just give me a shout.”
Patting his arm, I smiled at him. “Will do. Good night, Hamish. Have a good sleep.”
Closing his eyes, he put his head back. “I think I’ll sleep for England.”
With a small chuckle, we walked to the door. When I opened it, Simeon was standing there about to knock. He spied me and smiled, but then saw Hamish.
“Hamish,” he said with a stern look.
“Hi, Stephen. I just popped around to see how Cassie was doing. I’m leaving now.”
Simeon nodded. “Okay. See you around.”
Hamish took that as his cue to leave and walked down the stairs.
“That was a bit rude, wasn’t it?”
Simeon smiled and leaned against the frame of the door. “Well, if I were Stephen, I don’t think he would be very happy with any gentleman calling on his girl. I’m just playing my part.”
“Hmm,” I said with a frown. “A little too well, it seems.”
Turning, I walked back into the flat, leaving the door wide open. Simeon obviously saw that as his invitation.
“Oh, come on, Cassie,” I heard him shout as he came in and shut the door.
Before I could answer, he had me in his arms, smiling down at my lips. “Don’t you think Stephen would be jealous?”
He took my breath away. Even though I knew it wasn’t Stephen, it still didn’t stop the butterflies in my belly. He just looked so much like him.