Archive of Our Own

“HE DID WHAT?!”

Goodfellow winced, holding the telephone receiver away from his ear. “He suspended me from duty, as of today. Pending a formal disciplinary enquiry.”

There was a growl from the other end of the line, and when Mallory spoke again, his voice was dangerously low, clipped in a way Goodfellow knew meant he was seething with anger. “Well, in that case, Chief Inspector Sullivan can thank his lucky stars that I’m up to my neck in a case here in Scotland”, he spat. “Or it’d be his murder that needed investigating, and the big cheeses in Gloucester would have to hope you were willing to take on the job!”

“I don’t think I’d need to investigate far.” Goodfellow was smiling now, despite himself. “But thank you, Gerry. I appreciate the thought.”

“The ruddy cheek of the man”, Mallory grumbled. “Any fool knows you’re Kembleford’s best copper. You should be the one running the place, not him. And don’t think I’ve forgotten the way he let you down there, too! If it wasn’t for him, you’d be an inspector now, and you’d have four more days off a year for us to spend together. Four!”

Goodfellow grimaced at that. It was true, but even so, he still felt a bit guilty. He’d always considered Sullivan a friend, after all, even if Sullivan didn’t currently seem to agree. “He’s been mostly alright up till now”, he said, trying to be fair. “Not always easy to work with, mind, but you weren’t exactly a ray of sunshine there, either, and I managed.”

“I never threatened your job!” Mallory snapped. “And besides, that was different. I only behaved that way because I was trying to hide the fact that I–” He broke off, remembering they were on the phone and the danger that carried. “Well, anyway”, he continued darkly. “That had better not be why he’s doing it.”

Goodfellow smiled wryly. “I wouldn’t worry about that, Gerry”, he said. “Not when he’s about to marry Mrs Devine. I’m sure he’s just worked up about the wedding. You know how stressful those can be. And between you and me, it sounds like his father’s been putting some kind of pressure on him, too.”

“Oh well, that makes it all alright then!” Mallory’s voice dripped sarcasm down the phone. “Chief Inspector Sullivan of the chiselled jaw is finally getting married, so of course he’d get in a tizzy and ruin your career!”

He was right, of course. Whatever stress Sullivan was under, and however bad his mood, this could end Goodfellow’s career. He didn’t know what he’d do if he couldn’t be a police officer anymore. He’d been in the job for most of his working life, apart from a break during the war, and it would be a struggle to start a whole new line of work at his age.

“You’ll get through it.” Mallory’s voice, firm and reassuring, cut through the gloomy fog of his thoughts. “The disciplinary board would have to be as mad as Sullivan to sack you. And whatever happens, I’ll find a way to visit you soon.”

Goodfellow felt a wave of relief flow through him, washing away at least a little of his gloom. “Thank you, Gerry”, he said. “That means a lot.”

“I mean it.” Mallory’s voice quietened to a soft gruffness that made warmth bloom in the sergeant’s chest. “As soon as I’ve got this case solved and the paperwork dealt with, I’ll put in for some time off. Valerie’s been nagging me about us having a trip to Kembleford anyway, and I’m not leaving you to cope with Edgar ruddy Sullivan without me.”

Goodfellow could’ve kissed him. Could have, and fully intended to, whenever the promised visit took place. “It feels like ages”, he said, the pain of separation creeping into his voice. “I’ve missed you.”

He heard Mallory swallow hard. Then, “I’ve missed you too, Dan.” The inspector’s voice was husky with emotion. “It’s been ruddy months, hasn’t it?”

“Three months and two days.” Goodfellow had been counting, and he knew he wasn’t the only one.

Mallory swore. “It feels more like three years since we last–” He stopped abruptly and cleared his throat. “Well, you know.”

Goodfellow did know, only too well. “It’ll all be here waiting for you when you visit”, he promised. “I’m just as keen as you are for us to see each other again.”

There was a pause, and the sergeant smiled to himself, picturing Mallory’s face at the other end of the line. Long distance was hell at times, relying on phone calls and letters to bridge the hundreds of miles that lay between them. With monochrome photographs their only glimpse of each other, their voices distorted by the telephone line, and always, always, the ache of missing each other’s touch. At least he and Violet had each other, as did the Mallorys, but still, the pain of separation remained. But if that was the price they had to pay, he’d do it gladly, just for those moments when they could be together. When the two of them were finally in each other’s arms, and all was right with the world again.

“The next chance I can get.” Mallory’s voice was quiet, for Goodfellow’s ears only despite the distance. “Valerie and the kids and I will be on the train south before you know it, so you’d better make sure the house is ready for us to stay in.”

“You know you’ll always be welcome here.” Goodfellow did his best to fill the words with everything he would never be able to say on the phone. “We’ll be looking forward to it. All of us.”

“Good. And you can tell Chief Inspector Sullivan–” Mallory stopped abruptly, hesitating. “Actually, you’d better not tell him that, if you want to keep your job. But don’t worry, I’ll tell him myself the next time I see him.”

Goodfellow, who could do without that drama in his life, mentally vowed to keep the inspector well away from Sullivan. Thankfully, that shouldn’t be difficult. He never had any trouble keeping Mallory distracted.

“As long as you come and see me first”, he said. “I’ll be at a loose end until I get the results of the disciplinary enquiry, anyway, and I need to see you more than he does.”

“Oh, you can count on that.” He could hear Mallory’s grin down the phone. “I’m not going to waste my time with Chief Inspector High and Mighty until I’ve had my fill of you first.”

Goodfellow chuckled. “I’ll look forward to it, Gerry.” He smiled to himself, feeling some of the weight lift from his shoulders. He still didn’t know how he was going to cope with the suspension, but whatever happened, he and Violet wouldn’t have to face the uncertainty of the future alone.

“Perhaps I should let Valerie have a go at him”, Mallory mused, in the dreamy tone of someone revelling in a pleasant mental image. “I wouldn’t mind seeing her stick the carving knife into someone else for a change. That man doesn’t know what he’s letting himself in for, getting married.”

“I heard that, Gerry”, Valerie’s clipped voice cut in at the other end of the line. “Just for that, you can go and do the washing up.”

“I’m sorry, dear”, Mallory’s voice mumbled. Then, more clearly, he added: “I was just telling Goodfellow we’d like a word with Chief Inspector Sullivan. He’s suspended Dan pending a disciplinary enquiry, just for doing his job. And William Fitzgibbon would be facing the gallows if he’d had his way.”

“He’s done what?” Valerie asked indignantly. “Has he lost his mind? I hope you’ve told Daniel we will be visiting him and Violet as soon as possible for moral support.” Her tone made it clear she’d accept no argument on the matter.

Fortunately, Mallory had no intention of arguing this time. “Of course I have”, he said gruffly. “Just as soon as I can get time off.”

“Good. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like a word with Daniel myself, while you go and make a start on that washing up. You can call him back later and save his phone bill. The poor man’s still on a sergeant’s salary thanks to Sullivan.”

Goodfellow grinned to himself as Mallory sighed and mumbled a quick, “Speak to you soon, Dan.” Then the inspector handed the receiver to his wife, his grumbles fading into the distance as he moved away.

“Anyone would think he was the most put-upon man in Scotland”, Valerie said to Goodfellow, her voice tinged with fond exasperation. Then, more sympathetically, “Daniel, dear, if you need someone to write a very sternly worded letter to Chief Inspector Sullivan, or anyone else about all of this, you just let me know. I have a great deal of experience in these matters.”

“I will, thank you”, Goodfellow told her. He wasn’t sure if her experience was in writing letters of complaint or dealing with headstrong inspectors, but either way, the thought of her facing down Sullivan made him smile.

“Is that Valerie’s voice I can hear?” a hopeful voice asked beside him, and he turned to find Violet standing there.

Goodfellow covered the receiver with his hand. “It is. Would you like a word with her, love?”

“I’d love one, if you’ve finished talking to Gerry. We’ve got so much to catch up on!”

“Of course.” Goodfellow uncovered the receiver. “I’d best hand you over, now, Valerie. Violet wants you.”

“The feeling is most definitely mutual.” For the first time, there was a smile in Valerie’s voice. “Thank you, Daniel.”

Goodfellow handed the phone to Violet, who took it with a grateful grin. “Hello, Valerie, love”, she said. Then, after a pause, “I know! I couldn’t believe it either when Daniel told me. And that’s not all! You just wait till you hear everything that’s happened over the past few days. Although really, it all started at the sewing circle AGM...”

Goodfellow smiled to himself and left them to it, heading to the kitchen to put the kettle on. Violet was clearly settling in for a long chat, and he knew she’d appreciate a cup of tea while she caught Mrs Mallory up on all the news from Kembleford.

As for him, the fear of the disciplinary enquiry still loomed large on the horizon, and he didn’t know how he’d handle the awkwardness of seeing Sullivan around while on suspension. But at least now, he had something to look forward to. The prospect of spending time with the Mallorys always made life seem brighter, and he knew that whatever the future might hold, the four of them would handle it together.