Free Consequences by R. C. Bridgestock

desk and after closing the door she sat down opposite him.
    ‘Dawn?’
    ‘I need to tell you something...in confidence.’ She looked down at the floor, holding her cup with one hand and stroking it with the other.
    ‘Are you okay?’
    She looked up, tears in her eyes. ’I’m pregnant.’
    Dylan breathed a sigh of relief, ‘Dawn, for goodness sake that’s wonderful news. I bet you and Ralph are over the moon,’ he said smiling.
    ‘Well yeah...but no one thought to warn me about how bad morning sickness is,’ she said
    Dylan chuckled.
    ‘It’s not funny. I’m told it can last for sixteen weeks. Sixteen...bloody...weeks.’
    Dylan couldn’t contain his laughter; it lifted him but he realised how much he’d miss her.
    ‘You may laugh but I’ve tried everything from standing on my head to the BRATT diet.’
    Dylan’s eyebrows rose as he sniggered. ‘The what?’
    ‘Bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast, tea, and cabbage, ginger nuts and crackers, but nothing seems to be working. Oh, I wasn’t going to tell anyone. I don’t want it to change the job I’m doing, but as you can see, I’m wrecked.’ she said, splaying her arms.
    Dylan looked thoughtful his face full of concern. ‘Well now you have told me there’s no turning back, you do realise don’t you? My hands are tied; your role has got to change. I’m sorry but I can’t have you doing anything that would jeopardize yours or the baby’s health...you do understand?’
    ‘I know, but Jack,’ she pleaded.
    ‘No buts, Dawn. I know you’ll hate me for it but I can’t have it on my conscience. If anything happened . . .’ Dawn’s chin dropped to her chest sulkily and he tried to lighten the mood.
    ‘So how many weeks are you then?’
    ‘Thirteen, I think.’
    ‘So, it could go on for another two weeks? When do you go for the scan? Or have you had one?’ His interest was genuine and excitement rose in his voice.
    ‘I’m booked in at the antenatal clinic next week, so I should know more when I’ve been. Even so, I’d rather people didn’t know just yet, if that’s okay with you.’
    ‘Well, let’s just think about that one, Dawn. I’ve got an office full of detectives; a building full of police officers...you’re throwing up in the morning. Don’t you think they might just guess at some point? You can’t carry on doing what you’ve been doing either...so it might just be easier if you told them.’
    Dawn frowned.
    ‘Look, I might have a solution that’ll be right up your street,’ he said smiling.
    Dawn scowled. ‘I’m all ears.’
    ‘What about Acting DI in charge of Child Protection?’
    She lifted her head and stared at him, disbelieving.
    ‘This must be serendipity. Believe it or not I’ve just had a call from Harriet, and she’s off on maternity leave in a week, which would give you chance to shadow her before you take over. Deal?’ he said grinning, obviously thrilled with himself.
    ‘That would be fantastic.’ Her face beamed. I was dreading you putting me in the control room.’
    ‘Well, at least this way you’ll still be operationally involved but you won’t, and I repeat you won’t - be involved in any arrests or enquiries where you could pick up something nasty or get injured. Right?’
    ‘Yes sir.’ Dawn nodded, still wide-eyed with surprise.
    ‘You’ve got to look after number one and two now. Child Protection is busy, and it’s good lateral development for when you go for the DI boards in the future. Or are you going to shock us all and become a full-time mum?’ Dylan said.
    ‘Heavens, no. We haven’t thought that far ahead. I’m just concentrating on getting through one day at a time at the moment.’ Dawn felt in her pocket, and produced, not only a beautiful embroidered hankie to dab her mouth with but a half - eaten packet of arrowroot biscuits. She took the one off the top, blew it and offered one to Dylan from the pack.
    ‘Are you sure this is not just a good excuse for eating biscuits