Coastal Reunion | Death in Paradise

Coastal Reunion

DI Humphrey Goodman stood outside the small local police station in Shipton Abbott, taking in the fresh sea air and the sound of waves crashing against the nearby shore, which was only a short walk away from the station. He couldn't believe he was back in England, living with his now fiancé.

He was eager to embark on this new opportunity, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. He knew that adjusting to a new work environment would be a significant challenge, and the thought of being a "fish out of water" was a constant nagging in his mind. Much of what he was used to when he was in Saint Marie, five years ago.

But all of those worries vanished as soon as he walked into the station. His new boss greeted him warmly and introduced him to his new team. Humphrey couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging as he shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the friendly faces around him.

Just as he was getting settled in, his boss had one more surprise for him. "I know it's your first day, Humphrey," the boss said, "So I've arranged for another DI to accompany you on your first case. That way you can ease into things a bit easier."

Humphrey's heart sank. He didn't want to be treated like a novice, and he was confident in his ability to handle the job independently. But before he could object, his boss turned to the door and gestured for someone to enter. And to Humphrey's utter shock and delight, in walked an old friend.

"Jack bloody Mooney!" Humphrey exclaimed, as the wave of nostalgia washed over them. They shook hands, but he couldn't help but pull Jack into a hug. "I can't believe it!"

"It's been too long, Humphrey!" Jack replied with a familiar grin.

As they set to work on their first case together, Humphrey couldn't help but feel grateful for Jack's presence. It was like a piece of Saint Marie had followed him all the way to rural Shipton Abbott.

x

After a long day of solving crime, the two detectives retreated to a local pub to catch up and reminisce about their lives beyond paradise.

While they were sitting at the bar, Jack noticed Humphrey staring out aimlessly at the boats bobbing in the port, taking a sip of his pint and smiling to himself.

"You look like a man in love." Jack said, knowing the signs all too well.

Humphrey shook himself out of his daze and faced Jack. "I'm engaged." He said as his smile widened across his face.

"My god! That's wonderful!" Jack expressed, with a glass in the air and waving it about in celebration. "Martha?"

Humphrey nodded graciously. "We're planning on getting married next year. I actually have you to thank for that, Jack."

Jack raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Thank me?"

"Our case together in London; you encouraged me to go to her, and tell her how I felt."

"The surveillance, right? Life's too short to waste time on what-ifs." Jack says softly. "But don't let me take all the credit, now. I'm sure you did most of the work."

Humphrey smiled warmly. "This is Martha's hometown," He said while looking around at the wooden walls of the pub. "We moved here about a week ago."

"Ah, moving. Never been fond of that, how's it been going for you?"

"Oh, you know, the usual; boxes flown everywhere, no mattress on the bed, no Wi-Fi. But, I love it, it's a new chapter in my life and this is the messy representation of it."

"Sounds about right." Jack reminisced, paired with a sip of his wine.

"You should come over sometime and meet Martha. But maybe when it's a bit more of a... uh, home." Humphrey chuckled. "Martha wants to open her own restaurant, that would probably be done before the house at this rate."

Jack returned the chuckle. "I'll be right over and even lend a hand, if you'd like."

"Good!" Said Humphrey, a little too eagerly. "We need all the help we can get."

The two men sat in comfortable silence and glanced over at the Devonshire coast, out the large windows.

After a moment of contemplation, Humphrey broke the quietude. "You don't get this in London."

"Yeah, but I can think of another place you might." Jack snickers, unable to resist the reference.

"You're right about that." Humphrey smiles, swirling the last bit of his drink in his glass. "Do you miss it?"

"What? Waking up to heat stroke, sand everywhere and a pet lizard doing his business all over my notes? Of course, I do." Jack says with a smirk "And you?"

"I miss it. The island, the people, the cases. But in the end, I know this is the right decision for me. And who knows, maybe one day we'll come back to Saint Marie. I recently had a dream we had the wedding there.'

"I don't think I've heard of anything more perfect in my life, having a wedding in the place is all began."

"You're invited, of course. Bring your daughter too." Humphrey said with intention. "How is she?"

"Siobhan's doing wonders for herself," Jack beamed. "She finished uni a few years ago and has a lovely job. I'm so proud of her."

"I'm not surprised." Humphrey smiled. "Do you live together?"

"Yes. Just me and her, but she's entered the gruelling process of finding somewhere to live."

Humphrey winced at the thought and remembered how difficult it was for him and Martha to move. "I meant to ask, did you ever meet anyone in the Caribbean?"

"I suppose there was a sort of holiday romance," Jack says coyly. "But it didn't really work out. But it's okay," He says with his hands out. "I'm happy with how I am right now, I can focus on being with my daughter."

Humphrey nods, understanding. He raised his glass. "To new beginnings."

"To new beginnings." Jack repeated while clinking the drinks.

x

Humphrey returned home, content with his day, and opened the door to a variety of home-cooked smells. Martha had started making dinner, Shepard's pie, a personal favourite of Humphrey's.

"Darling!" He shouted as he sauntered in. "You'll never guess who I just saw!"