‘There had been an investigation by Internal Affairs. I don’t know the details but there was some sort of cover-up. Rumours were rife that someone, i.e. your mother, hadn’t followed correct procedures and, although the word corrupt was never used, there were implications that something was bad in CID.’ Rob spoke quickly and in hushed tones.

‘My mother was corrupt!’ Steph managed to bring her voice down to an astonished whisper.

‘Not your mother, but something in CID was wrong. It was a general consensus of opinion that your mother was the scapegoat.’

Steph glanced towards the door again. ‘Of all the things Mum is, I can’t honestly believe she was corrupt.’

‘Nor could anyone else. And that’s why she wasn’t made an example of.’

‘Bloody hell,’ muttered Steph. ‘And you’ve no idea what it was all about?’

Rob Lacey shook his head. ‘I’d moved to a different station by then.’

‘Didn’t you ask anyway? Didn’t you even ask her?’

‘She would never speak about it. I did try.’ Rob looked apologetically at Steph.

The door opened and Wendy came through with her jacket over her arm. ‘What are you two looking so guilty about?’ she asked, although there was humour in her voice.

Rob gave a laugh. ‘We were just debating the best pubs around here for a bite to eat. I’m starving.’

‘So am I,’ said Steph, thankful for Rob’s deflection.

The King’s Arms, Kendalton,
Monday 13 May, 1.45 p.m.

Lunch was a pleasant affair and, although Steph found her mind wandering back to Rob’s revelation that her mother had been forced to resign, she did actually enjoy herself. Wendy seemed much more relaxed than Steph had anticipated. Maybe it was because someone else was with them, or was it the someone else that was making her relaxed? As Wendy laughed at something Rob said, Steph noticed a lightness in her mother’s features.

Rob drove them back to Wendy’s house later that afternoon.

‘That was nice,’ said Steph, after they’d said their goodbyes and Rob had driven off.

‘It was indeed,’ said Wendy as they went inside. ‘And before you say anything, no, there is nothing going on between myself and Rob. We are just good friends.’

Steph let out a laugh. ‘I wasn’t going to say a word.’

‘Oh, yes, you were, I can read you like a book.’ Her mother actually smiled at her.