I watched the sun sparkle on the sea, I watched as my children now two, frolicked in the sand.

I love my husband with all my heart but a small part of it still belongs with John who left to join the Flying Squad in Scotland.

Peter doesn’t understand my job; he doesn’t understand why I can’t always pick the children up from nursery.

Peter loves the children like his own even though they aren’t.

Connor is the spitting image of his father while April is more like me.

I sighed as I remembered I had to go into work this afternoon, Peters parents were having the children until he could pick them up at six.

“April, Connor!” I called getting up to get them. I laughed as they both came running towards me arms waving

“Come on little ones, time to go and see Grandma and Grandad” I scooped both of them up into my arms and took them to the car, I strapped them in and took them to Peters parents

“Hey April, hey Connor, hi Claire” Maggie said cheerfully

“Heya Maggie, how are you this morning?” I asked concerned, Maggie hadn’t been well yesterday but had still insisted on taking the kids.

“Not much better to be honest Claire, have you got time for a quick chat?”

“Of course Maggie” I always had time for a chat, as I’m very fond of Maggie and James.

We went into the house and I deposited the children in the lounge with James, while Maggie and me went through to the kitchen.

“It’s coming back Claire”

“Are you sure? Have you been retested?” Three years ago Maggie had tested positive for Breast Cancer and since then has been cleared, be re-diagnosed and been cleared again

“I haven’t been to the doctors yet as I don’t want to worry James. I feel exactly the same sickness as I did when it came back last time” Maggie paused to collect herself “It’s going to kill me I know it is, I’m getting too old to fight it”

“Don’t say that Maggie please”

“I’m hoping it can be cured because if I die who’s going to look after April and Connor?”

“I’ll have to give up work because I sure as hell don’t think Peter would”

You can’t give up work Claire it would kill you to give up the job you adore. You two are drifting apart, I can tell. Honestly, did you ever love Peter?”

“I did and I still do but…” I trailed off not quite knowing how to say I still loved John

“You’re still in love with another guy?”

I nodded sadly

“Let me guess he’s the father of April and Connor”

“Yeah, he left before I found out I was pregnant” I suddenly caught sight of the clock- it read 12.15. I was meant to be in work at twelve

“Oh crap, sorry Maggie I have to go, I’m late for work”

I left the house, leapt into my car and drove as fast as I possibly could from one side of Canley to the other.

I rushed into the office to find the whole of CID gathered in a Briefing.

“Nice of you to join us Claire” The DCI said acidly

“Sorry Guv’ got caught in traffic”

“Never mind, Kerry fill her in”

I looked at Kerry quizzically

“Surprise obbo tonight”

“Oh no! I guess I’m in on it? What time?” I sighed thinking of Peter and the kids

“Yep, you’re in on it, we all are. 6.30 onwards basically until we get our man”

“Great!” I sighed again, resigning myself to the fact that Peter would resent me even more.

“This is our man, crack dealer Jonathon Edwards, and his associates, Richard Madehouse, Paul Diamond and Peter Vassell” Kerry showed me a series of photos then handed me my own set

“Jonathon Edwards…” I said slowly trying to recall where I know the name from “John and I dealt with him about three years ago, nasty man”

“Yes he is, and I want you to stay clear of him tonight seen as how he got you last time” Meadows interrupted

“Guv’ so where am I to be tonight?”

“I want you at one end of the bar on your own and Kerry will be at the other”

“Right, thanks Guv’”

Kerry wandered off and the DCI sat down

“Are you alright Claire? You’re awfully pale”

“I’m fine, just about tired that’s all Guv’”

“Are you sure? I do worry about you, you know”

“I’m fine I really am, I’m just pondering on whether Peter is having an affair like I think he is”

“ I hate to tell you this Claire but your instincts are normally right”

“You just made my day Guv’” I smiled and patted Jack’s hand