Costa Crew 3: Make or Break

Epilogue - Our Story

"It's been a year since Amelia Murphy died. And things have been picking up, that's for sure. I mean, nobody's tried to kill me since then, so that's definitely good. But there's a feeling that I can never shake. The feeling that someone's after me, or that something's going to happen to one of my friends. I think deep down, I have a hard time believing it's over."

"And what has life been like since you returned to Glasgow?"

"Good. Eventually. Things were hard at first. My parents and I ended up talking for a bit - about Curt. There were a lot of tears and then we ended up reminiscing about the good old days. Back when we were kids and would go on loads of family days out together. They were good times. And life without him just isn't the same."

"What about your job?"

"I got a transfer as planned. I'm now working in Computer Forensics with the Glasgow police. It's good work. Haven't dealt with anything as big as Operation Godfather."

"And I know you've been in contact with some of your old school friends. And you're now in a relationship with an old classmate, but she decided not to come with you on this particular visit."

"That's right. Chloe wasn't able to get time off work, and she thought it would be best if I had this time alone with the Costa Crew given what happened last year. But I bumped into her when I came back to Glasgow and we kept in touch because we got on pretty well in high school and my closest friends are in London. We spent some time hanging out, catching up and fast forward to now she's my girlfriend."

"So you've got a good job, good friends, a girlfriend…your life is starting to take some form of normality."

Becky sighed. "I guess so. But I can never shake the feeling that something's off."

Dr Thomas looked up from her notepad. "You miss the familiarity," she said. "You want things to go back to the way they were. But your life has changed permanently, for better or for worse."

"Curt's gone," Becky nodded. "And there's nothing I can do to bring him back."

"Curt is gone but you're still here," Dr Thomas stated. "And you've been living your life, which isn't easy so you deserve more credit than you've been giving yourself. There may be times where you find yourself missing him, yes. Because grief doesn't just go away. It's always with you. All we can do is learn to live with that grief and carry on living. By living the life you want to live you're honouring Curt's memory."

"I just don't know what to do with myself sometimes," Becky confessed.

Dr Thomas nodded. "You've been stuck in one mindset for so long, rushing from one thing to another like your life depends on it. It can be hard to adjust to a more calm lifestyle, even if that life brings you more comfort."

Becky nodded, staring down at her hands. "I'm glad you dropped in, Miss Hidgens," Dr Thomas continued. "That's all we've got time for today, but feel free to come by again before you return to Glasgow."

Becky smiled. "Thank you, Doctor," she said as she got to her feet and left the counselor's office. As she took the lift down to the ground floor, two familiar figures stood in conversation outside the elevator.

Alex Anderson grinned at her. "Becky, good to see you," they exclaimed. "How's Glasgow?"

Becky smiled. "Pretty good," she said. "I miss everyone here though."

"Agent- sorry, Miss Hidgens," John Goodman said, nodding. "A pleasure as always."

Becky smiled at the two as she passed them and left MI5 headquarters, heading for her old apartment.

She'd still kept in touch with everyone, as promised. Despite not being around she made sure she received any and all updates.

Lisa and Maya were still happily married in Australia, Maya having started her own diner next to the train station. Apparently business was booming, and Becky would make sure to go there in her next visit to Australia.

Hannah, Bruce and Clark had stayed coworkers in the animation industry. They were now working together on an animated movie about a group of friends going through the struggles of being a nerd in high school. A chance to relive the old glory days.

Ted had stayed with the same detective squad as DI, reporting to now DCI Greg Daniels. Their team consisted of faces old and new, with many of the old faces commenting that in a strange way, they missed Raymond Drake's sarcastic comments. Ted and Greg also agreed that every year on Drake's birthday they would take a moment to remember him and everything he did for the police force.

Charlotte, now a Chief Inspector, had been transferred to the Murder Investigation Task Force, recommended for the position by Chief Constable Fleming herself. She was also very busy at home, with Linda in her final year of school and now applying to university, and Matthew preparing for high school.

Paul, now a Detective Chief Superintendent, still ran Anti Corruption Unit 9, focused on tracking down any remaining corrupt officers. Assisting him were Inspector Erica Miller and Detective Constable Ben Davis, who was soon to sit the Sergeant's exam. Paul and Hannah still lived together, and maintained the fact that Becky would be more than welcome to move back in whenever she wanted.

"Becky Hidgens," Paul said as he opened the door, his face splitting into a huge grin. "Come on in."

Becky hugged Paul and entered the living room, where Charlotte, Hannah and Ted were waiting. "Wow, strange being here and not living here," she laughed as she hugged everyone.

"Soooooo how's Chloe?" asked Charlotte, winking.

Becky smiled. "She's great and says hi to you all. And Charlotte, I've been told to tell you not to plan any weddings."

"You said you had something to show us?" Paul asked as Charlotte feigned sadness. Becky nodded, taking out her laptop.

"This started as an assignment from Dr Thomas, but I ended up getting really invested and kind of made a story out of it. Something of a crime novella or whatever the word count classes it as."

Becky opened up the word document and turned her laptop round to show the others, who all smiled when they saw the heading on the document and then the subheading that followed.

COSTA CREW - ONE MORE SHOT

BY BECKY HIDGENS