Robbie and Laura are both flushed, probably a combination of the alcohol and the closeness and warmth of the packed pub. Jean's own cheeks feel rather warm. Her friends' faces are alight with happiness and Jean is happy for them, she really is. She ignores the empty feeling in her chest; it's a long time since she had anything close to that feeling. She loves her husband, he's a good man, but it's been a long time since they shared any real interests, he has his garden, and his fishing, and Jean goes to concerts mostly alone nowadays, and she's loathe to admit it, but it gets lonely.
"We're off," Laura smiles, and Jean starts, and forces herself to smile as she stands up to give Laura a hug. She holds out her hand to Robbie and his hand closes around hers and then he's leaning in, so she hugs him too.
"Thanks for this," Robbie says, gesturing vaguely around. Some of their colleagues were still here, celebrating but the official party's over. Lewis' retirement has been duly celebrated, the speeches and the toasts over with, and congratulations given, and Lewis is clearly done for the evening.
Jean doesn't blame him. He's not really comfortable with all the attention. "Don't be a stranger," she smiles, more genuinely now.
"Course not," Robbie says, like it's obvious, and then he's taking Laura's hand and Laura waves back at her as they make their way out of the pub.
Jean watches the door shut behind them and then sits down again stares at the remains of her drink, trying to decide whether to get another, or just go home. She doesn't really feel like going over to chat with any of the officers still here, it'll only end up being shop talk and Jean prefers to leave work at work, when she can manage it.
"We're off," Laura smiles, and Jean starts, and forces herself to smile as she stands up to give Laura a hug. She holds out her hand to Robbie and his hand closes around hers and then he's leaning in, so she hugs him too.
"Thanks for this," Robbie says, gesturing vaguely around. Some of their colleagues were still here, celebrating but the official party's over. Lewis' retirement has been duly celebrated, the speeches and the toasts over with, and congratulations given, and Lewis is clearly done for the evening.
Jean doesn't blame him. He's not really comfortable with all the attention. "Don't be a stranger," she smiles, more genuinely now.
"Course not," Robbie says, like it's obvious, and then he's taking Laura's hand and Laura waves back at her as they make their way out of the pub.
Jean watches the door shut behind them and then sits down again stares at the remains of her drink, trying to decide whether to get another, or just go home. She doesn't really feel like going over to chat with any of the officers still here, it'll only end up being shop talk and Jean prefers to leave work at work, when she can manage it.
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