Ashes to mars

Chats with the wife

By the mid-afternoon, Alex had had more than enough of playing secretary.

The happy four had gone off to deal with some mugging case and the rest of C.I.D hadn't returned since lunch.

She'd been left typing up everyone else's reports, most of whom she outranked and all of whom couldn't spell for shit. Especially Chris.
God, she didn't envy Shaz. She sighed, wondering what her younger friend would be doing in 1975. She supposed Shaz would still be at school. Maybe one day she'd head down to London, find out for herself.

No windows, no light or even a vent for the cigarette smoke; it just clung to the air like the stations own personal fog machine.

She knew it wasn't anything like Fenchurch and with Sam firmly established as the DI, Alex couldn't think of her purpose here, how she fits in.

The excitement of this morning was wearing off, fast.

She was starting to feel very alone, she glanced around the empty room hearing nothing but her types or her occasional hum or the every now and then crackle of the near by radio, which followed dialogue, all of which seemed way more exciting than this hell. Even the one when one of the officers had sat on it and it was just mumbles of the latest game and the fact they changed the menu at some local restaurant.

She though Gene and Ray intentional used it. Just about stupid things.

'Message to Guv Sargent Ray Carling reporting for duty how are you today sir.

'Very well Carling and yourself.

'Very good sir. Glad they don't have plods working on this job hey.'

'Indeed indeed'

Then you could here Sam yelling in the background that they're being insensitive and taking it too far. They scoffed and carried on. Talking about any Birds, hot women on telly, the fact women are only good at a few things.

They started again and Alex threw it across the room. It smashed by the Guvs door.

Then it continued the tick and the type and the occasional hum.

Alex jumped at the loud obnoxious ring of the telephone, but quickly picked it up, glad of any distraction.

"C.I.D, Detective Inspector Drake speaking." Alex went into her phone voice, regretting it thinking it might be Gene taughting her again

"Can I speak with DCI Hunt?"

It was a woman's voice, but not a familiar one. "I'm afraid he's out at the moment, can I take a message? As I'm afraid I don't know when they'll be back" Alex asked, going to grab a pen, her notebook in front of her.

"Oh is Sam there? Or Ray?"

Obviously the woman was familiar with C.I.D. "No, they're also with DCI Hunt."

"Oh for god sake! I've had enough of this! It's his bloody mam -!" Alex frowned at the woman's frustrated tone and her deep sigh.

"Could you remind my husband when he gets back that his mother needs taking to her hospital appointment for three this afternoon. Gene knows I can't do it, because my car broke this morning."

Alex had a flash back to that dream of Gene and the boys singing up town girl.
But then Alex swallowed nervously. My husband. So this was Mrs. Hunt.

"I would say of course, but the chances are your husband won't be back for three." She licked her lips, looking at the mountain of reports she had yet to get through and her curiosity getting the better of her. "Why don't you give me the address? Id be happy to help"

She could imagine the confusion on the other woman's face.
She doubted anyone had ever helped out other than the four boys

"...I couldn't ask you to do that; I'm sure you've far better things to do."

"Not today, I don't." Alex assured her, pulling another ruined sheet out of the typewriter. "Honestly, it would be a pleasure."