Chapter Text
Ryan Connor had brought pastries from Roy’s Rolls and left them on the kitchen table.
“Coffee’s in the pot,” he said when his aunt, Carla, hurried down the stairs.
“Oh, you’re a star,” she said. “I am so late.”
She left out the part where she had been awake in plenty of time but got distracted by her fiancée, DS Lisa Swain, in a towel. Time had slipped away from them, as had the towel.
“I’ve got a meeting at nine.”
She poured out two coffees into travel mugs, one for her and one for Lisa.
“Betsy are you coming with me or coming later?” she yelled up the stairs.
Carla had purchased the Platt House from Weatherfield stalwart, Gail Rodwell at the end of 2024. Now, a year later, Carla had made her mark on the place. Lisa and her daughter, Betsy had moved in six months ago, with Lisa selling her own house and buying into Carla’s mortgage. Carla had never been so committed to anyone in her life. She had also never felt so loved by or so safe with another person. Lisa had changed her life and definitely for the better.
“I’ll follow on!” Betsy called back. “I’m not ready!”
“Well, don’t be late!”
“Says you! I didn’t think you were going to get out of your bedroom this morning! Honestly, I’m going to need therapy sharing a wall with you two!”
Carla coloured. Ryan smirked and sipped his coffee.
“Don’t open your mouth,” Carla said quickly.
“Bet that’s not what you say to Lisa,” he grinned.
She threw pastry at him. He caught it, laughing, and took a bite. She shook her head, finishing her coffee off with milk and adding sugar for Lisa, just as the DS jogged down the stairs.
“Really?” she said. “A necessary conversation for the entire house first thing on a Monday morning?”
Carla enjoyed the flush in her cheeks.
“It wasn’t me!” she protested. “It was her!”
“A very adult response!” Lisa laughed, shaking her head. “Honestly!”
Carla handed her a pastry and her coffee, knowing she was running even later.
“Have a good day, okay? See you lunch time?”
“Yeah, I’ll bring you something over,” Lisa promised.
They kissed each other goodbye. Lisa grabbed her light blue coat and headed out, yelling goodbye to Ryan and Betsy. Bobby was yet to surface.
Arriving at the station, Lisa headed to the staff meeting that had been scheduled last thing on Friday. She arrived just on time and slipped in at the back.
“Morning, everyone. Nice of you to join us, DS Swain. Hope you all had a good weekend. If you weren’t working, of course,” DI Costello greeting them.
Lisa sipped her coffee, cringing at being singled out. She had had a lovely weekend. Once upon a time, she would have been working by choice. These days, she made the most of her time off. This weekend, she, Carla and Betsy had been to the cinema and indulged in some retail therapy. And then of course, this morning, she and Carla had woken up very well indeed.
“I’ve called this meeting to welcome a new DI to the team,” Costello droned on. “She’s come from out of area, although she did actually work in this neck of the woods once upon a time, many years ago. Welcome, DI Hannah Matthews.”
Lisa looked up sharply. She nearly dropped her coffee.
“Are you alright?” PC Craig Tinker asked, leaning on the desk next to her.
“Yeah, fine,” Lisa said tightly.
She was not alright. Her eyes were locked on the new DI. And the DI’s eyes were locked on hers.
“Hi,” Hannah said brightly, not breaking eye contact with Lisa. “I’m so excited to be working with you all, getting to know you. I’ve heard so much about everyone.”
Next time... freezing Hannah out, Lisa turns to Carla for advice...