Imogen grabbed her things and left the station. She took a few deep breaths before starting the car to go and see Adrian. He was hard work at the moment. Resistant to everything. She was sure he was still upset over what she had said. Maybe the DCI was right and they needed a break from each other when he got back to work. There was so much at stake now; it would be hard to choose which aspect of their relationship she would find it hardest to be without. He was her partner, her lover and her best friend – so much to go wrong, so much to lose.

She parked the car and rang the doorbell. Adrian answered the door and smiled when he saw her. He was looking better. He walked back into the lounge and lay on the sofa. Imogen could smell food.

‘Did you cook?’ she said, surprised.

‘Yeah; nothing special, though. Just a prawn curry. Thought you might be hungry.’

‘You mean you didn’t want my cooking again?’

‘Pot Noodles are not classed as cooking. Besides, I thought it was only fair. You’ve been an excellent nurse.’

Imogen sighed and walked into the kitchen. It was clean and the food was cooked and ready on the stove. She had been really concerned about Adrian, more than she had let on even to herself. He just hadn’t been himself. The relief she felt was noticeable. Adrian seemed almost happy to see her.

She was starving and the food smelled so good. She made up two bowls and took them into the lounge. She put Adrian’s on the dining table and sat down. He was engrossed in the TV. She was a little bothered by his lack of interest in what she was doing. These days, he never asked how work was, never asked about the case or how she was. At least he had cooked, though.

‘The DCI wants us to work with other people. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea for us to partner anymore,’ Imogen said.

‘What do you think?’ Adrian looked up at her affectionately, a little surprised at the revelation.

It occurred to her in that moment that he hadn’t looked at her affectionately since they’d had their argument at the Corrigan house. He had been so distant. She knew he was ill, but she couldn’t help thinking he was still upset with her. She felt a lump in her throat. She wasn’t sure why that made her emotional; maybe because he had always looked at her with care and affection and she hadn’t noticed until it wasn’t there anymore.

‘I think she’s wrong,’ Imogen said. ‘I think the argument we had was nothing to do with us. We would have fallen out about it regardless of our relationship.’