Page 80 of Traitors Gate

‘That would explain—’

‘Explain what, Inspector?’

‘Why you’re so beautiful.’

‘And to think the Irish are universally known for their love of literature, subtle wit and persuasive charm. The nation that produced Yeats, Wilde and James Joyce,’ she paused, ‘not to mention Ross Hogan?’

Ross was rescued by Lucio returning with their first course.

‘It can’t have been easy for you,’ said Ross as he stared athis endive salad. ‘I mean, when you first went to school, as a—’ immediately wondering if he could dig a deeper hole for himself.

‘And it wasn’t helped by young men assuming I’d be available after a first date. When they discovered I wasn’t, they’d spread rumours I was a lesbian, which suited me at the time while I was trying to get a place at university.’

‘Just like Josephine.’

‘Who must have been very successful in her chosen career to have …’ Ross remained silent. Her turn to be embarrassed. ‘Oh hell,’ said Alice, ‘I haven’t been on a first date for so long, I’ve forgotten how to—’

‘My problem,’ said Ross, ‘is that I haven’t been on a second date since Josephine died.’

‘Don’t worry, I won’t be surprised if—’

Ross took her hand. ‘Shall we start again, Alice?’

She smiled and nodded. ‘Did you always want to be a policeman?’

‘Yes. I couldn’t wait to leave school and join the Met. Did you always want to teach?’

‘Yes, although most of my contemporaries at the LSE joined the Socialist Workers Party and burnt effigies of Margaret Thatcher.’

‘A great Prime Minister,’ said Ross.

‘Well, to be fair, most of them ended up in the City, got married, had two children, and I’m pretty sure now vote Conservative.’

‘And you?’

‘I’ve never kissed a Conservative,’ admitted Alice.

Ross leant across the table and kissed her gently on the lips. ‘Help, do we have anything in common?’ he asked as he broke away.

‘Jojo,’ said Alice. ‘I confess the little minx is one of my favourites, and it’s clear she also has you wound round her little finger.’

‘Do you have any children?’ Ross asked, regretting his words even before he’d finished the sentence.

‘Twenty-eight,’ she replied, ‘and they all give me up and move on a year later to be replaced by another equally demanding bunch who want to play football for England or become an air hostess or a vet.’

‘Which category does Jojo fall into, as I can’t see her playing football for England?’

‘Her favourite subject is art, which she has a natural aptitude for.’

‘Thanks to Beth, her surrogate mother.’

‘Not to mention your friend, William.’

‘Who might well end up sitting behind the commissioner’s desk in the not-too-distant future, while I’m more likely to be back on the beat.’

‘Not if Commander Hawksby has anything to do with it.’

‘How can you possibly know that?’

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