My first ever attempt at a fiction.

Characters belong to Sally Wainwright who has generously allowed us to use them as vessels for our creativity.

I am not English, please forgive any inaccuracies in tone, spelling, northern diction and idiosyncrasies.

Monday Morning

The continuous pressure felt by Gill as head of syndicate 9 of Manchester's Metropolitan Police MIT could be unrelenting. Over the years and, specially since her divorce, she had grown accustomed that work preceded most aspects of her life excluding her son Sammy, her love for him and his well being, was, and always would be her priority.

Gill reflected on this; her birthday was approaching, once again she had not taken the time to bring the needs of her personal life to the forefront. Therefore she had made no plans regarding the celebration of her day. In years past, there had always been Julie Dodson, who could be counted on to turn up with a bottle, an offer of friendship, company.

Julie, her friend and confidant of so many years. As of late, there hasn't been the opportunity to see each other or spend time in their respective homes.

Gill had become so accustomed to have her presence, strength and unwavering support in her corner that it took her some time to notice the quiet shift Julie had made in their dynamic.

Just as Gill's mind wanders over her decades long friendship with Julie (HER Julie as she's viewed her but never admitted) and, what she's meant in her life, they were notified of a new case and her laser like focus shifted immediately to her team and solving this new murder.

Tuesday

Janet approached her boss' office, gently knocking on her door...

"Gill, Rachel and I have decided to take you out for your birthday Saturday evening"

"Are you asking or informing me Janet?" Replied Gill

"As your friend, I am informing you. As much as we respect your commitment to work. Lately it seems like that's ALL you ever do" "We are going out for a bit of fun, be ready for early evening come Saturday"

Gill harrumphs, "when you put it that way, have I choice?"

"Oh come on Gill, it will be worth it. Rachel and I will take care of all the planning"

As she is deep down very moved by the offer and care of her junior officers, Gill mutters a soft "Thank you Janet"

Wednesday

Gill has been a copper for over 25 years, during her career she worked hard to ascend the ladder to her current rank of DCI. She's loved not only her job but the fact that her position made her responsible for putting criminals behind bars.

As such, very little of the lack of humanity people showed each other shocked or affected her. As a matter of survival, she learned to the best of her ability many years ago, to leave work behind when finished for the day. Then there are cases like this one. The heartbreak in the surviving spouse of their latest victim had touched and unsettled her in ways she couldn't quite comprehend.

It's not as if it was her first lesbian murder case. She had witnessed long ago as a young detective the depth of pain experienced by same sex partners upon losing their loved one. The hurt was no less searing and crippling than that experienced by the straight surviving spouses of her victims. It had made her accepting and supporting of lesbian lifestyles and, relationships, even before Julie came into her life.

This victim seemed to be an apparent matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Out for an afternoon in Prestwich Forest Park, her partner reported her missing when she never came home. She was found days later, badly beaten and strangled over 3 miles away in Swinton.

The case fell to Gill and her team.

Rachel and Janet had handled the family notification, with Janet being assigned as FLO.

For this one, Gill needed Janet's sensitivity and compassion. The widow was wracked by the guilt of her wife having gone off to the park alone, due to her canceling on her at the last minute to go into work.

They were a mature couple. Contemporaries of her and Julie, who finally came together 3 yrs. ago after a 30 year friendship.

Their love, so deep and abiding that Laura (the surviving spouse) felt unable to carry on in the absence of her spouse. Yet, she felt immense gratitude that they were given these last few years together. This was evident to all even in the midst of her grief.

Late Wednesday Night

For Gill, the parallels in the life journeys of Laura and her late spouse to her own life, could not be ignored.

She sat on the settee, glass of wine in her hand, pondering the restlessness that had suddenly taken residence in her being, these unfamiliar feelings in her heart and mind all swirling around Julie... Her Julie.

It was now, during these lonely late night hours, that Gill felt the weight of missing her. Realised that she had not made time for her friend in months, taking refuge in the hurt she felt at Julie's unexplained absence and distance.

Acknowledging (if she were to be honest with herself), that over the years, she had taken for granted that she would always be there, be patient, love her, wait for her, while she Gill found a way through the maelstrom of fear and confusion that her undealt with feelings for Julie elicited.

Yes, the background lifestory of the couple in this new case shook her to the core.

Thursday

Rachel suddenly leans across from their respective desks and asks Janet

"Now that you've roped me into this, what exactly are we doing for Godzilla's birthday?"

Janet looks at her with reprimand in her eyes for the name calling

"Rach, after all this time, how can you still refer to our boss that way?"

Rachel has the decency to look contrite

"You are right Janet, the boss has earned the right for me to no longer call her Godzilla behind her back"

"Don't change the subject, what have you planned for her birthday celebration?"

Janet is not sure, her original plan had been a night out having drinks in the pub, something simple, just a way to spend time away from the office and darkness of daily murder. She has noticed as the days with this new case wore on that Gill seemed subdued.

It was clear to Janet having known Gill for so long and, the friendship they shared. That something about this victim had rattled her unflinching boss.

Janet noticed during the team briefing of the notification experience and, subsequent conversations with the widow establishing the victim's background and history. That Gill had noticeably paled and momentarily lost her composure. She regained her footing, resuming her duties as SIO, yet there was a strange undercurrent in the way she is zealously working the case. Something is off and Janet couldn't figure out what it was.

On a sudden whim, Janet wonders if she should include Julie in the upcoming festivities. Her and Gill's friendship was stronger, deeper and longer than Janet's and Gill's.

Meanwhile in Gill's office

Lost in deep thought and, a little worse for wear after last night's wine induced personal admissions. Gill sits wondering how to bridge the gap that suddenly feels as wide as the river Thames with Julie. They had never been shy or held anything back from each other, Gill felt that Julie was the one person who knew and understood her completely. Before she realizes what she doing she picks up the phone and calls her.

"Hiya slap"

"Well, hello stranger" Julie responds.

Once more Gill notices a reserve in Julie, for some reason that Gill can't fathom, Julie has built a barrier in their interactions...

"I've missed you, we are both so consumed by work that it's been some time since we've gotten together away from work"

"Hummmmmm" replies Julie, "is that so Gill? I haven't noticed"

Gill feels the intended slight and decides to not bite.

"No worries slap, I have an offer that you will not be able to pass up.

Janet and Rachel are taking me out for a bit of a do to celebrate my birthday on Saturday evening. I expect you to be there you mad cow"

There is a pregnant pause on Julie's end before Gill hears her sigh, "Sorry love, I am not free on Saturday evening"

Gill feels as if she's been slapped

"What do you mean Julie? I haven't heard of any big cases being handled at Duke Street that would require their illustrious Superintendent's attention. It's my birthday, you have to come"

The thought that Julie would say no to her, never crossed Gill's mind.

Julie takes a deep breath and releases it. This is one of the things that no longer works for her. When did she allow this level of Gill taking her for granted? When did it become acceptable for Gill to call her and extend an invitation with two days notice fully expecting Julie to be available? Even if said invitation in this case is for Gill's birthday celebration. Julie no longer tried to answer these questions to herself. She simply decided to do things different.

"Sorry love, I really can't make it. How about one night next week you and I celebrate a belated birthday?"

The crush of disappointment Gill felt was so large it made her physically ill.

"It's OK slap, I understand. Yes, we can get together next week, gotta get back to work now slap, ta-ta"

Gill hung up before giving Julie an opportunity to respond. It was a long time before she was able to move from her seat.

Friday

As Janet and Rachel were walking up the stairs to their offices they were passed by Mitch who felt the need to warn them:

"The boss is on a tear today. She just bollocked Pete for not answering her CCTV questions about our murder case fast enough" "Best be on your best behaviour, specially you Rachel" he said as he practically ran down the stairs on his way to follow a lead in their current investigation.

"Oh, go on Mitch" Rachel replied "how bad can she be today?"

As they continued up the stairs, they looked at each other in silent acknowledgement that Gill has indeed been even more prickly over the last few days. It seemed that this birthday celebration needed to be special in order to lift her from this strange mood.

"No need to worry Rachel, by lunch I will have a suitable plan for tomorrow" said Janet.

After giving much thought to Gills presently unexplained state of mind, Janet decided to do something different than a night at the pub.

They would go to the early show at The Comedy Store for a bit of laughter and gaiety, then have dinner at 63 Degrees Manchester.

Having made the pertinent reservations she got up from her desk and approached Gill's office.

Saturday

Gill took her time getting ready for the evening's festivities. No matter how she felt, she was appreciative of the effort Janet and Rachel were making on her behalf.

A comedy club, was this Janet's way of hinting at something? She is aware that her team has spent the last two days (since her conversation with Julie) working and walking carefully around her.

Gill's disappointment at Julie's not being able to make it tonight, still cut deep. She couldn't remember a birthday since her divorce not spent together.

Of all of her birthday times with Julie, the two most memorable were: her first year alone, when she came round and cooked a gourmet meal for her and Sammy. And, the year Julie took her out to a pub. As the night wore on, Gill started to feel sorry for herself, upon noticing this, Julie worked her considerable charms on her, making sure that by the end of the night, Gill felt like the most special and loved woman in Manchester.

Sighing, she finished getting ready. Julie or no Julie, tonight would be fun.

oOo

As they were waiting to be seated for dinner, Janet looked at Gill, the comedy club had been a good choice.

The comedian happened to be female and very funny, Rachel, herself and specially Gill, were able to let go, have some wine and much laughter. Janet could see Gill visibly relax and the restless cloud that had been hovering over her begin to abate.

Janet remembered something and leaned over to Gill.

"Gill, I wanted to surprise you by including Julie in our festivities. She declined the invite stating that she had plans" I must admit to being surprised by this as she has been your main birthday buddy these last few years"

At this, Rachel chimed in and said, "yeah boss, I really would've expected Dodson to be here with us if invited"

If Janet and Rachel had been paying attention to Gill when saying this, they would have noticed her reaction to Janet's news.

Gill on the other hand would rather not be reminded that Julie chose to be someplace else tonight. She had not mentioned to Janet her impromptu call to Julie and apparently, neither had Julie.

"She must be busy Janet, we made plans for next week, when she called this morning to wish me a happy birthday"

Gill said not looking at either one of them. She did not mentioned or want to dwell on the stilted conversation she and Julie had that morning. In any case, she promised herself to not brood about her and, have a fun night out on the town.

The hostess came over and lead them to their table.

Janet had done well in her choice of restaurant. Elegant and understated, the kind of place that would work for a quiet evening of fine dining with friends or a romantic date. They were seated at a good table, their server came over with the menus, wine list and discussion of the specials.

Gill focused on the menu as she considered the options, Janet would choose the wine so that was her focus.

Rachel, having quickly decided what she wanted for dinner, used her time to look around the restaurant and was suddenly gobsmacked. Unable to hold her impulse in and, unaware of the effect her words would have, she suddenly said:

"Well now we know why Dodson was not available tonight. She is here on what looks like a hot date"

Gill felt poleaxed by the news. Julie being out on a date was not anything she ever considered as a possibility.

She very discreetly looked to the direction Rachel had indicated and saw Julie sitting close and intimately looking, clearly on a date with a stunning brunette.

Just as she was looking away, Julie glanced her way and their eyes met.

oOo

As suggested by someone not familiar with the show Scott & Bailey

MIT: Major Incident Team

DCI: Detective Chief Inspector

FLO: Family Liaison Officer

SIO: Senior Investigative Officer

CCTV: Closed Circuit Television

Comments are welcome.