Leaving Mitch pacing around the cruiser like an angry bull, Chandler went back in to deal with the original complaint. Eventually, he persuaded the owner of the house and Teri that it was only going to be a talking-to and the sooner she agreed to it, the sooner she could get back to celebrating. He warned her about underage drinking and keeping herself protected – to which Teri replied that if anyone tried anything they would get a shot glass to the face. Shocked by her brutal honesty, he warned her against that response. She retorted by asking if she should mail them a letter asking them politely to piss off instead. Instantly he could see that there was no correct answer with her and possibly never would be. She was a force of nature and by the end of their talk she had somehow got him to agree to come back after his shift finished in an hour.

Chandler left it at that, warning the owner of the house to drag all the revellers in from the garden to keep the noise contained. And also to keep an eye on his younger visitors, warning him that he would be back to check.

In the end his shift ran a few hours late, Mitch still fuming about the girl at the party who showed such disrespect towards him and the badge. Chandler nodded and told his colleague to get a good night’s sleep. Driving home, he detoured past the party house. The front garden was empty aside from the chirp of crickets . . . until the front door opened and a man stripped down to his boxers tumbled out the door, the thud of the music seemingly forcing him out.

Chandler went inside, still in uniform. Once again people parted for him.

‘Where’s your dog of a partner?’

Chandler turned. There she was. Teri. Still fully alert even after all the partying, her elfin frame somehow able to process all the alcohol.

‘He’s at home,’ said Chandler.

Teri seemed impressed, maybe even relieved that Chandler had ditched him. ‘He was a drag.’

‘He’s just serious.’

‘A serious pain in the arse.’

Chandler didn’t disagree. Already he knew better than to disagree with her.

‘So, are you on duty?’ she asked.

‘No, strictly off now.’

‘Good,’ said Teri, shoving a beer into his hand. ‘Take off the badge though.’

The rest of the night passed around them, drinking and chatting until four or five in the morning, Chandler quickly feeling the effects of the uncounted bottles.