Chapter Text
“…And anyway, I’m not retired, I’m consulting.” An indignant Jane Tennison calls out from her perch at the head of a large, scrubbed oak table. Dressed in striped linen pyjamas, she is gesticulating animatedly with a half-slice of toast. Her reading glasses are perched precariously atop her head, holding her silvery blonde hair away from her eyes, and a half-finished crossword lays on the table before her. There is fresh coffee bubbling away on the Aga behind her, filling the kitchen with a warm, rich aroma.
Eve Granger drops her bag on the other end of the table; she’s running late, already. Her hair is a little dishevelled and her blouse not fully buttoned. She runs a hand over her hair to smooth it whilst looking carefully around the kitchen.
“And what are you consulting on today, darling?” She gestures towards the crossword.
“The Times.”
“The Times.” Eve nods, smiles affectionately as Jane frowns at her, still waving the toast around. “I’m waiting for calls,” she explains.
“Of course you are,” Eve agrees, spying the very thing she’s been searching for. She leans across the table and carefully pulls a manilla folder out from under Jane’s folded newspaper. She catches Jane’s sigh and looks up. Jane is smiling as she takes in the view down Eve’s unbuttoned blouse. Biting into the toast, Jane’s eyes sparkle with mischief.
“Enough of that.” Eve commands, “Save that thought for later. I’m late.”
“Gov,” Jane confirms with a nod, ostensibly returning her focus to her crossword, but very much enjoying the flush to Eve’s cheeks as she does so.
Jane took retirement on her doctor’s advice. It wasn’t a heart attack. It was…an event. It was a huge bloody wake up call is what it was. The force she joined was changing, and her body, unyielding from the years of smoking and late night drinking – all night drinking – refused to carry her through. She felt betrayed. She felt put out to bloody pasture. But then there was Eve. Eve who sat down wearily beside Jane at her retirement party, slide her a glass of single malt, raised her own glass and said “Fuck ‘em. Fuck ‘em all.” Eve who was brilliant, and funny, and a little bit fragile. Eve who was beautiful and intense and sexy as hell. Who Jane had casually flirted with – something she hadn’t done for years – and asked her to go home with her. Eve who said yes.
And now she watches Eve slide into the driver’s seat of her car on their driveway, throw her bag onto the passenger seat, and she drive away. As Jane watches her go she laughs at herself: “Tennison, you’re ridiculous,” because even the way Eve handled a car was intoxicating.