Within the Shadows by J.D MCG (book recommendations .TXT) 📗

was the one good thing he had going in his life. When things became difficult at work, he knew he always had Ruby to come home to. They continued their night watching whatever rubbish was on the TV before heading to bed. How did I ever become so lucky, finding the girl of my dreams? he thought as he followed her to bed.

Chapter 26

Jacob stirred and opened his eyes. The bright light from the alarm clock shone 6.20 am in his face. He lay still, watching Ally as she slept perfectly, not wanting the moment to end. It was close to 6.30 am by the time Jacob decided to move. He gently got up, trying not to wake her as she lay fast asleep. He jumped straight into the bathroom, showered, washed and brushed his teeth before sneaking into the kitchen to make her breakfast. He threw some bacon on the frying pan and watched it sizzle while he poured her a fresh cup of coffee.

By 7.20 am, he opened the bedroom door holding a tray with a full English breakfast, orange juice and a mug of coffee.

'What did I do to deserve this?' she asked, smiling at him.

'Just being you,' he smiled.

The pair of them heard Kate and Belle's bedroom door open and they freaked out slightly, knowing the girls probably knew Ally had stayed the night.

'Oh my God. They're going to know,' she panicked.

'It's okay. I'll try and get them out before we have to leave.'

Jacob left the bedroom, closing the door behind him, to see Belle and Kate standing in front of him. He jumped slightly from fright, not realising how close they were.

'Why's it smell like bacon out here?' Belle enquired.

'I made myself breakfast,' he lied.

'Jacob, in the whole time I've lived here, you've never once made breakfast,' she laughed.

'She's got a point,' Kate butted in.

'Well aren't you two the little detectives this morning?' he laughed nervously before strutting into the kitchen.

They both followed him, giving each other a strange glare like something was wrong.

'What's going on, Jacob?' Kate asked.

'What do you mean? There's nothing going on,' he continued to lie.

'She's here, isn't she?' Belle raised an eyebrow and smiled cheekily.

'Who do you mean?' he avoided eye contact.

'Ally? She stayed the night, didn't she? You dirty dog,' Belle continued to joke, making both her and Kate giggle.

'Maybe,' he admitted.

'It's fine by us. We quite like her,' Kate said with confidence.

Jacob smiled before ushering them off. 'Don't you two have to get ready for work?'

The pair huffed at him, knowing he wanted them gone so she could sneak out. Jacob walked back into the bedroom to see Ally buttoning up her blouse. She'd picked at the breakfast, but her nerves stopped her from eating.

'I'm going to be doing the walk of shame if I turn up at the station like this,' she said.

'I had a really good time last night,' Jacob announced.

'Well of course you did,' she joked and winked at him. 'Jokes aside, I did too.' She kissed him on the lips.

'Shall we drop by yours first, so you can change?' Jacob asked.

'If you don't mind? I don't really want people to gossip.'

They both sneaked out of the apartment and raced to Ally's place, before their eventful day at work.

'Have you thought any more about that job yet?' he asked nervously.

'I don't think I'm gonna take it. I've got everything I need right here,' she grinned.

Brian was first in the dark, unlit office. He flicked through some of the paperwork on his desk while he waited for the others to arrive. Next in was DCI Barnes, who had a slight skip in his step, smiling profusely.

'Morning, sir,' Brian greeted him.

'Good morning, Brian,' Barnes replied before whistling into his office.

What's going on with him? he wondered. Barnes is acting unusually peculiar this morning. Sarah arrived next in the same sort of manner and plonked herself at her desk, not realising she was being watched.

'You're rather chirpy this morning,' Brian said, glaring at her with a confused appearance.

'Am I not allowed to be happy?' she frowned, making Brian slump back into his work.

Another half an hour passed before Jacob and Ally entered, giggling like school children. Brian's thoughts wandered from his work as did Sarah's. Everyone noticed the strange behaviour from DI Miller and DS Wright. Brian finally clicked about why everyone was so happy.

'I know what's going on?' he shouted. 'Barnes whistling, Sarah smiling and you two giggling. You all got some last night,' he roared with laughter.

Ally and Jacob stopped giggling, worried they'd been found out.

'Sit down, you moron,' Sarah shouted, knowing he was probably right.

Barnes was leaning on the door frame of his office, watching everyone. 'If that's the only case you've solved in the last six months, DC Edwards, then God help us all,' he joked, making everyone in the office roar with laughter.

Brian sat down with embarrassment, lowering his head back into his work.

'Has anyone seen Ethan this morning?' Jacob asked, noticing he wasn't perched at his desk like usual.

'No. Usually, he's the first one here,' Sarah answered.

Seconds later, Ethan strolled in, not noticing people were staring at him. He removed his arms from his coat, placed it over the back of his chair and sat down.

'DC Robinson, is everything alright?' Barnes asked him.

Ethan glanced up. 'Yeah, why? What's wrong?'

'Well, usually you're the first one here,' Jacob answered.

'Sorry to be off schedule,' he laughed slightly. 'Got stuff going on.'

'If there's anything we can help with, let us know. We're all family here,' said Barnes.

'Thank you, sir,' he replied before returning to his screen.

'DS Wright, DI Miller, can I see you in my office?' Barnes asked politely. They