Chapter Text
A week had passed since she had last seen the detective, and she found herself puzzled by the keen sense of longing she felt. Staying focused on work became nearly impossible. She kept checking her phone repeatedly, eagerly awaiting a message from a specific blonde, even though Lisa hadn't given her any sign that she would reach out. Glancing at her phone once more, she realised it was time to take a break.
She got up from her chair, grabbed her bag, and informed Sarah she was stepping out and she was in charge. As much as she disliked acknowledging it, Sarah efficiently managed the factory and the team respected Sarah’s leadership. With the factory in capable hands, Carla could focus on repairing her relationship with Roy. Although the older man claimed everything was fine between them, Carla sensed that their friendship was still far from being restored to its usual state.
She knew she needed to make amends and hoped Roy would allow her to do so. Carla exited the factory, crossed the road to the café, pushed open the door and headed inside. Seeing her usual table taken, she quickly chose the nearest available one, set down her bag, and then went to the counter.
“Good morning Nina, my usual please. Where’s Roy?”
“Good morning, Carla. I will bring that over shortly.” she began before the door to the flat suddenly swung open.
Roy stepped out, with DS Swain close behind. Carla quickly glanced at Detective Swain, noticing the change in her usual attire, giving the impression this was a personal visit rather than a professional one. Her casual jeans and simple jumper contrasted sharply with the usual tailored suit trousers and blouses Carla had grown accustomed to seeing her in. Swain’s hair was loosely tied back, and there was a softness in her expression that Carla hadn’t noticed before.
“Now are you sure you’re, okay?” Swain asked, her voice gentle yet firm.
“Detective I assure you I am fine, and I appreciate you coming here to check on me on your day off but I’m sure there are much more important things you could be doing today.
"Roy, what am I missing? Why did the Detective come to see you on her day off?"
“It’s nothing, I just had some trouble with some of the local youths yesterday and DS Swain happened to drive by and shooed them away.”
“It doesn’t sound like nothing. Why didn’t you tell me?"
Roy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t want to worry you, it’s just a few kids causing trouble. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Carla shook her head, her eyes softening. “Roy, you don’t have to do everything on your own. We’re a team. If something’s bothering you, I want to know.”
Carla knew Roy no longer saw them as a team; she was usually the first person he would contact if he had trouble, and now she felt like an outsider.
Carla tried to hide her disappointment. "I'm glad you're okay. I better leave before Sarah takes over underworld," she joked.
"What about breakfast?" Nina inquired.
"I'll grab it to go, if that's alright with you, Nina."
Nina packed up Carla's breakfast and handed it to her.
"Thank you. I'll catch up with you later Roy and DS Swain, Thanks for stopping by to check on him." “Bye Carla.”
Carla exited the café and rested against the wall, fully aware that fixing things with Roy would be challenging, but she hadn't anticipated just how tough it would be. As she was about to return to the factory, a gentle hand touched her shoulder. When she turned around, she was met with the Detective standing in front of her.
"Are you alright?" the Detective inquired.
“Why wouldn’t I be?" she retorted.
"Alright, I can see you're not up for a conversation, so just forget I asked. Have a good day Mrs Connor."
Lisa began walking away, heading towards her car.
"Lisa, wait," Carla called out.
Turning back, Lisa walked towards Carla. "I believe that's the first time you've called me Lisa," she teased.
"Oh, sorry about that," Carla apologized.
"Don't apologize. Lisa sounds much nicer than Detective when you say it," Lisa replied.
Carla blushed as Lisa began to speak. "What I mean is, I'm off duty today, so technically I'm not a detective; I'm just plain old Lisa."
"I don't think you're ever just plain old Lisa. You weren't on duty yesterday when you helped Roy, so in my eyes, you're a detective all the time," Carla replied.
"How did you know I wasn't on duty yesterday?" she questioned.
Carla was at a loss for words; she never intended for Lisa to find out she was asking about her. Quickly, she thought of something to say.
"I ran into PC Tinker, and I asked if you were available to schedule Betsy's work experience, but he mentioned that she wasn't feeling well, so you were home with her."
"Oh, so she had a 'stomach bug'," Lisa said, emphasizing the term with air quotes.
"Ah, pretending to be sick to skip school, the creative excuses kids come up with," she mused, shaking her head.
"Yes, it was just a revision class, but she still had to attend, especially if she's serious about fashion college. She's incredibly talented, and I wish she could see it," she sighed.
"If you're free tomorrow at lunch, drop by the factory to discuss possible work experience dates if she's still keen?"
"I'll make sure to be there! After Becky's passing, Betsy hasn't been herself but the thought of working at the factory has brightened her up a bit. Hopefully, she won't be too much of a challenge for you."
"I'm confident I can hold my own against Mini Swain," Carla said.
"Don't let Betsy catch you saying that," Lisa joked.
"I should head off now, I have a few errands to run before taking Betsy and her friends into town. That kid has a more active social life than I do," she chuckled.
"I'll see you tomorrow, and Lisa, thanks once more for helping Roy yesterday."
"It was the least I could do since I was the one who caused him all this trouble by arresting him” she sighed.
Carla noticed that Lisa needed reassurance. She took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "You need to stop blaming yourself for this. You were simply doing your job, even though you were mistaken. All the evidence pointed towards him, so it's understandable why you would have suspected him."
Lisa held Carla's hand tightly, and Carla hesitated to let go, but eventually released it with an awkward smile.
"I should go; the girls can only tolerate Sarah in short bursts," Carla explained.
"See you tomorrow," Lisa responded. With a quick wave, Carla hurried across the street, promising to meet up the next day.
Once inside the factory, she made a beeline for her office, closed the door, and leaned against it, feeling her heart racing. Her thoughts were jumbled, and though unsure of her emotions, she knew it was not the time to dwell on them