Eventually, she sniffed and pulled back. Wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her white shirt, she apologised, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all emotional on you.”
“I’m pleased that you did.” Sujin stopped and then continued, “I mean, I’m glad you feel able to open up to me. There are so many stresses and triggers with this job, and often too few outlets to deal with them. Look, I know we both have a lot of work, but it’s not going anywhere. Do you fancy grabbing an early bite to eat? I think we’re both shattered, and I’ll be better tackling all this in the morning after a good night’s sleep.”
Pulling on a fresh pair of gloves, he opened the evidence bag containing Daisy’s phone and manoeuvred it round so the charging point was facing the open end. He connected it to a lead.
Keya used the time to pull herself together. Her little house was welcoming, but it was also empty. And it was too lovely an evening to be stuck inside.
“How about The Swan Hotel at Bibury?” Sujin suggested. “We can choose something from the bar menu and sit out beside the River Coln before it gets too busy.”
Keya felt guilty at the mention of the River Coln. She hadn’t checked in once with Millie at her cafe, but … “That would be lovely. When do you want to leave?”
“Half an hour?” Sujin suggested.
Back in the team room, Keya found Constable Sparrow and Ryan examining Daisy’s laptop and tablet.
“Sergeant,” she heard Inspector Evans call through his open office door.
Keya sighed and walked across the room and entered the inspector’s office.
He leaned back in his chair and rested his hands behind his head. The sweat stains on his cream shirt were evident, but at least he’d removed his brown suit jacket.
“What progress have you made this afternoon?” he asked.
Keya told him about the visit she and Constable Sparrow had made to the crime scene, their encounter with Dora, and the interview with Daisy’s mother.
“We also went to Mill House and collected Daisy’s laptop, tablet, and phone. Constable Jenkins is working on them now, with Constable Sparrow, even though I told him to go home. I took Daisy’s phone down to Sujin, as it needs charging, and I thought he’d be able to get more from it.”
“Good call. And now I think you should take your own advice and go home. Start tomorrow with a clear head and a fresh pair of eyes.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Keya left the team room with a lighter step, she called, “Goodnight,” to Ryan and Constable Sparrow.
Forty-five minutes later, Keya placed a glass of iced mint tea on a wooden table under a timber-framed gazebo beside the River Coln. Colourful baskets of red and yellow flowers were hanging from the timbers which supported the gazebo’s slate roof.
She had crossed a wooden footbridge from The Swan Hotel’s main gardens to reach this little island of tranquillity. But she wasn’t the only one. Several women were laughing as they enjoyed cocktails at a table on the other side of a low stone wall, beside a large pampas grass.
Sitting down, Keya closed her eyes and tried to ignore them, concentrating instead on the sound of the stream. It was like fresh, clear music.
She wished she’d had a floaty summer dress to change into rather than her tight-fitting cotton trousers.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Sujin said.
Keya opened her eyes and watched as he manoeuvred a wooden chair around until it was next to hers, facing the river.
“This is a favourite spot of mine,” Sujin confessed. “And it helps that the food is great. They also have an outdoor hot tub, which I’m occasionally allowed to use when the hotel is quiet. As I told you, we all need to unwind, and this is one place I’ve found to do that.”
Keya watched as a duck glided past on the water, followed by five ducklings. She picked up her glass and sipped the iced tea. Delicious, with a hint of lime, and the tartness of apple to cut through the sweetness of honey. And overall, the refreshing taste and scent of mint.
“When did you last have a holiday?” Sujin asked.
Keya blinked. A holiday. “I’ve no idea,” she replied. With her police work, and opening and running the cafe, it wasn’t something she’d even considered.
“I believe everyone needs to take a break,” Sujin said. “It enables the mind to relax and start making connections it doesn’t usually have a chance to do. That’s also why I like walking. I do some of my best work when I’m wandering through a wood or across a field full of sheep.”
Keya considered his comment. He was right, of course. It was just that … “It’s not only the time. I don’t really want to go away by myself. I’m not sure what I would do.”
“What about your friends? Maybe Dotty?” Sujin suggested.
“She’s been away for the last year. And now she’s studying and setting up her antique business. I’m not sure she’ll have the time.”
“You don’t have to go abroad. There are some wonderful places in the UK to visit. How about Wales, or Scotland, or the Lake District?”
Keya had been to Cardiff, and The Forest of Dean was almost in Wales.
“Don’t worry about it now. It’s only a suggestion,” Sujin said. “And I brought some menus with me.” He handed one to Keya.
Most of the dishes were meat-based, although there was a vegetarian pithivier, which was a posh name for a pie. But that was too heavy for a summer night.
“Found anything you fancy?” asked Sujin.
“Um.” She looked down at the starters. Mushrooms on toast. Hardly adventurous. Ah, yes, that would do. “Yes, the creamy mushroom tagliatelle with pine nuts, fresh rocket, and parmesan.”
Sujin left to order their food inside the hotel, and Keya sat back and sipped her iced tea. She did like the idea of a holiday and wondered if Dotty might have any time off from her course in the summer?
And Sujin was right. They didn’t need to go abroad. A weekend or a few days away would be enough. Probably not Scotland, as it’s a long way for a weekend, but North Wales or the Lake District were certainly options.
