Liz’s phone buzzed, a text message coming through. There were times when she was on call-out for Scenes of Crime, and could disappear at any moment.

‘Excuse me, I must take this. Besides, I’ve got to go to the loo, anyway.’

‘No problem. See you in a minute,’ said Cooper.

He smiled at his sister, taking a drink of his beer. But Claire looked at him steadily, waiting until Liz was out of earshot.

‘I don’t want to interfere, Ben . . .’

‘It never stopped you in the past, Sis.’

‘I’m sorry, but . . . I really don’t think she’s right for you.’

‘We’re only going out, you know. We’re not about to walk up the aisle tomorrow.’

‘I know that,’ said Claire. ‘But I know you, too. I don’t want you to make a big mistake.’

Cooper leaned back in his chair, and rubbed a hand across his face. Why did everyone always want to tell him what to do? He wasn’t a teenager any more, for goodness’ sake. He hadn’t been for a long time.

‘So what’s the problem, Claire? Is it because Liz is in the job? She’s a civilian, you know, not a police officer.’

‘What difference does that make?’

‘They have an easier life,’ said Cooper. ‘But don’t tell Liz I said that.’

‘She gets called away, just the same way that you do. The job comes first, doesn’t it? It came first for Dad, and it comes first for you. Another one like that, and –’

‘We’re all doomed?’

Claire sighed. ‘It wouldn’t work, Ben. What happened to that teacher you went out with for a while?’

‘Helen? She just sort of disappeared.’

‘Well, I thought she was all right. But this Liz Petty – well, she spends her life looking at crime scenes, picking up bloodstains and hairs, and goodness knows what. Besides . . .’

‘What? There’s more?’

‘I think she’s too possessive. I’m worried you’ll get led into something you’ll regret.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Ben, you’re the sort of man a certain type of woman could get obsessed with. Like a doctor – you know, someone dependable, reassuring. Someone who actually wants to help you. There are women who would do anything to believe they had a relationship with a man like that. GPs know it well. It’s called dependency syndrome.’

‘She’d have to be an obsessive kind of woman.’

‘Yes.’

Cooper put his drink down. ‘Claire, I appreciate that you’re concerned for me, but it is my life, you know.’

Claire sighed. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Sure?’

‘I think you’re missing Mum and Dad a lot more than you let on, Ben. And they do say that you’re often looking for – Well, let’s change the subject.’

He stared at her, puzzled by what she could mean. But before he could ask her, he saw Liz was making her way back through the crowds from the ladies. And then the moment had passed.