Detective Constable Jenny Lord - Life gets complicated in Broadchurch

Chapter 5 - Find where the pills are made?

Alec blinked and then blinked again. He tried to turn over, to push away that feeling he'd almost forgotten, water coming over his head, filling his nose, taking his breath. Half awake a groan escaped as he shifted. "Bloody hell," he muttered. Why is my back hurting, why is my bed so uncomfortable. "Jenny?" came out as a groan as he turned over and hit the floor.. "Bloody Hell!" He pushed up, grabbed the edge of the sofa and hauled his skinny frame upright and turned at footsteps in his hallway.

"Alec? I heard a thump, are you alright?"

His face grew hot, the tips of ears burned as he glanced down at the sofa and then back at her. It didn't make sense... "I am fine but –" he glanced down and then up again. "Why was I on the couch? Did we have an argument that I don't remember?"

She smiled and stepped up to him, bent his head down and kissed it. "No, my darling, you fell asleep on me. You looked so adorable and peaceful, I covered you and went to bed."

"Ugh, we were supposed to cuddle, sorry. I was finishing the letter and my eyes felt so heavy, then nothing. My letter, what did I do with it?"

She crooked her finger for him to follow her into the kitchen, there on the table was the letter. "I read it last night, Alec, that letter is so wonderful it made me cry."

"So you liked it, no edits necessary from you."

"I would not change a word, but you had better shower and change. I will make breakfast and I love you."

He lifted her face up, bent his head down and gave her a passionate kiss. "I love you too, but we need a new couch. My back is killing me, hope the shower helps."

Jenny grinned, "if it doesn't," she teased," we have time for a massage."

******

Walking up the stairs to the squad room and feeling every one of his 47 years, Hardy dry-swallowed two aspirins. I wonder if there is a heating pad here in the station,I could use it on my back? God, Hardy, you really are getting old. You have a young, beautiful, vivacious girlfriend: A job you love and a case that needs breaking, and you moan about a sore back.

"Sir"

"Yes White, what is it?"

"DI Miller, Martin, and SOCO Young are at the Green. A young woman was found unconscious this morning by some kids playing. Ellie thinks this might be related to our case?"

"Where is the woman now?"

"She was taken to Casualty, I've not had an update on her condition yet."

"Well, I'll just have to go find out. Lord don't get comfortable, we need to see this woman.'

Halfway to the exit, he stopped, took an envelope out of his pocket. "McDonald, as promised, you can read it if you want."

Will took the letter and began to read, "Cor Blimey, I didn't know the boss had it in him. Jim, Delia, come read the recommendation letter the boss wrote for my adoption of Amanda."

Jim White slapped Will on the back, "Congratulations Will. With that letter, you are a shoe-in to adopt."

Delia agreed and hugged Will, "I wonder what has got into the boss. Lately, he has been, not sure if this is the right word, but humane. He listened to one of my ideas and even praised me and now this. I really feel like we are a team now. Maybe the rumors are true, he has a new girlfriend?"

Will snickered, 'Maybe he is finally getting laid, which is why he is in such a good mood."

Jim looked at the two of them and choose his words carefully. "I don't know if he is dating again but that is his personal business. I do know he was greatly affected by the station bombing and Bob's death. We have always been a team, but after the bombing, Hardy realized he didn't know us. He choose to rectify that mistake by going over our files and talking to us. I have always respected him for his detective skills, but now I respect him as a man, as a supervisor, and a friend. A man who sees his short-comings and decides to fix them is someone I want to call a friend."