Once Jazz had stoked the fire, she sat in front of it, as Miles settled himself on the sofa.

‘Alistair, me inviting you here today was not only so you could boost my ego, and admire my interior design skills, but also to put an idea to you,’ she began.

‘If you want me to pose nude for one of your life sketches, then forget it,’ he grinned. ‘Other than that, fire away.’

‘Well, I’ve been asked to set up a Special Ops branch here in East Anglia. I’m currently in the process of recruiting a team. And I’d like to know if you’re interested in coming to join me as my second in command.’

Miles looked at her, speechless. Finally, he said, ‘Sorry, Ma’am, I don’t know what to say. I really don’t.’

‘Well, you could say you’ll seriously consider it.’ Jazz could not help but be disappointed at his reaction. ‘We’ve worked together for five years very successfully. You’d be going up a scale in terms of pay, you’d have all your removal costs paid for, but I don’t know how you might feel about leaving the Yard for a much more provincial scenario.’

Miles sighed and studied his hands. ‘It’s not the Yard I’d miss, Jazz, it’s Issy. Damn!’ Miles hit the arm of the sofa in frustration. ‘A couple of months ago I’d have jumped at a new challenge, but now . . .’ He shook his head. ‘I just don’t know.’

‘I understand,’ Jazz nodded. ‘Why don’t you have a chat with Issy and see what she says?’

‘She’ll say she doesn’t “do” the country. You know what she’s like. Which means I’d have to commute. Look, let me think about it, will you?’

‘Of course. I want you, Alistair. Not in the biblical sense,’ Jazz smiled, ‘but I think we could head up a great team between us.’

‘Thanks, Jazz. The feeling’s mutual. And I like the idea of creating a department from scratch – no bad eggs already there to deal with—’

‘I won’t ask Patrick to apply then.’

‘I’d suggest not.’ Miles laughed. ‘But there is one young woman DS who’s been on secondment with us who’s really impressed me. I think you’d like her too . . .’

‘Give me her name,’ Jazz said eagerly. ‘Norton said I can’t poach anyone from the department, but if she’s on secondment, it doesn’t count. And the more girls, the merrier. We can share lipsticks and swap gossip over the length of your lots’ batons.’

Miles chuckled. ‘Ma’am, it’s so good to see your old sense of humour is coming back.’

Jazz frowned. ‘Did you think it had gone?’

‘You weren’t your usual relaxed self, Jazz, no. Actually, when I think about it, not for a long time before you left,’ he said honestly.

Jazz agreed with a sigh. ‘You’re right. But I’m feeling much more like me now.’

‘I’m glad. I’d hate to think of that prat undermining you.’

‘Rest assured, he hasn’t.’