Читать книгу Perfect Dead: A gripping crime thriller that will keep you hooked - Jackie Baldwin - Страница 14

Mhairi walked from Loreburn Street to The Caven’s Arms, where she was due to meet Ian. As she entered the pub, the warmth hit her after the cold outside. Ian waved from a table at the back, and she made her way over to him. He greeted her with a kiss, as she shrugged off her coat. There was a glass of white wine already waiting for her. She picked it up and took a large swallow.

‘God, I needed that,’ she said.

‘Bad day?’ he asked, eyes crinkling in concern. ‘I caught Border News. Kind of weird to turn on the telly and see your girlfriend looking all kickass,’ he grinned.

‘That Sophie Richardson is a monster,’ Mhairi said. ‘Underneath that baby pink exterior beats the heart of a pirate.’

Ian laughed.

‘I mean it!’ she said.

‘I know. That’s what’s so funny.’

‘I hate bloody journalists.’

Ian looked taken aback by her vehemence.

‘What have they ever done to you?’

‘Shortly before you moved down here, I was involved in a couple of high-profile cases. Despite us all busting our chops to catch those responsible, the press turned public opinion against us and made our job ten times harder.’

‘That must have been tough,’ he said.

‘So tough, my boss nearly had a nervous breakdown.’

‘Frank Farrell?’

‘I didn’t say that,’ she said, glaring at him. ‘Anyway, when I saw Sophie Richardson today, it brought it all back to me.’

Ian squeezed her hand.

‘It must have been tough seeing that poor bloke this morning.’

‘It goes with the job. I reckon traffic has it worse than we do. The things they have to deal with …’

‘I can’t imagine ever being in such a bad place that I’d consider killing myself,’ said Ian.

‘If he did,’ muttered Mhairi.

‘But, I thought …?’

‘Leave it, Ian. I don’t want to talk about work.’

‘Then let’s not. Hurry up and decide what you’re having. I’m starving!’

He was entertaining company, with a wicked sense of humour, and the rest of the evening flew by. A few short months ago, she would have felt the need to get steaming on a date. With Ian, she could simply relax and be herself.

You’re getting in too deep, a little voice whispered in her ear. He’ll let you get close and then abandon you. Everyone does.