Can't Wait

Interview

Nikki walked into the courtyard next to the hospital, turning her face to the autumn sun, she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She heard a pair of high heels walking at pace behind her across the flagstones and turned around. "Amy!" She smiled.

"So?! How did it go?!" Amy pulled Nikki into a tight embrace and then pulled away, her hands on her shoulders, studying her face for clues.

Nikki smiled, "Umm, it went well, I think! I was nervous going in, but as soon as I started talking I found a rhythm. They seemed genuinely lovely and really interested in my work so far."

Amy let go of Nikki's shoulders and put a hand on her hip, "Of course they bloody are! Getting someone like you to work here will be a major coup for the board! God, your reputation alone would be a huge pull for other talent too... Have they said when you'll hear back from them? What are the next steps?!" Amy asked excitedly.

"I should hear back soon, tomorrow even!" Nikki smiled.

"Oh wow, well, you know you've smashed it then! Did you talk about the ongoing... uh, 'thing' at work?" Amy asked cautiously.

"Yes, kind of. I explained that I was subject to an ongoing investigation, but that it was premature and has no basis. They don't seem concerned, as I explained that it hasn't impacted the results of an actual case." Nikki was relieved that she had been honest with them and was still a very viable candidate.

"Well that's got to be a massive relief hasn't it?" Amy smiled reassuringly, "So, where are you going now? Back home to get ready for the meal tonight?" Amy asked as they walked towards Nikki's car.

"No, I need to go to the bank. I had to pay for the service of my car, but I need to move some money around because I'm thinking of putting a deposit down for a holiday before I start my new job, whichever job it might be... Jack and I had been talking about bucket lists and things, it's made me think I need to start ticking some of it off. So I'm doing the bank, then a travel agents, and some other errands. But then, yes, back home to get ready. Please, please, ring my house phone and leave a message later if you manage to find my phone? Honestly, I feel like I've lost a limb!" Nikki exclaimed.

"Course I will! If I find it, I'll drop it off at yours or at The Lyell, if that's cool? It's a bit nearer to mine than your house. How exciting about a holiday! Where would you go?!" Amy enquired.

"Well, I've always wanted to go to Iceland, so maybe there? Or Norway? Maybe both... would you want to come? Would be fun to go as a pair!" Nikki asked excitedly.

"Oh my god! Yes!" Amy responded happily, but then frowned, "Eugh... I've used most of my leave though, and it doesn't renew until the new year... I need to save a couple of days for over Christmas... keep me in mind for a weekend away or something though! That would be fun, a city break or something!" Amy smiled.

"I will do, Barcelona, or Rome... let's talk it soon! And thanks for going to the bar to look for my phone. I'll do the 'find my phone' app thing if it works and ring you... oh in fact, give me your mobile and landline number! Everything is saved on that phone! I don't know yours by heart." Nikki smiled at Amy as she reached her car and pulled out a pen and paper.

"Cool. Here you go..." Amy scribbled down the number and hugged Nikki goodbye. "Let me know how you get on tonight, and tomorrow... don't let the bastards grind you down!"

Nikki smiled sadly, "Honestly, they haven't been horrible about any of it... I understand why they have to take action. I just wish I'd had more time to try and come up with a defence. Anyway, what will be, will be... I'm trying to look forward and plan a positive future."

"And how are you feeling about seeing Matt again?" Amy asked cautiously.

Nikki frowned, considering her answer, "To be honest, I feel conflicted. He's been good, I guess... referring me for this new role, he didn't have to... I think he feels guilty about sucking me into all this drama with his case... and I know he's likely to be innocent, mainly because I know I am, and I can't think how either of our DNA is present... But seeing him socially, about this UN role, with the potential new employer feels weird frankly! Why does he need to be there? I'm wanting a clean slate, a fresh start... I don't really want my ex about..." Nikki sighed, "Does that make me awful?" She asked nervously.

"Not at all Nikki. Who would want to see their ex ever again?!" Amy laughed, "It is weird... but I guess they are his contacts aren't they... Just put up with it for as long as you need to, and then once you've got the job you can put some distance between you both."

"Yeah... I guess. Anyway... I should go, see you soon. And thanks for last night, I really needed it!" Nikki smiled as Amy blew her a kiss. She climbed into the drivers seat and set off in her car, waving at Amy as she pulled onto the road.

**********************************************

"Pick up, pick up, pick up!" Jack repeated, frustrated that Nikki wasn't answering. He had tried three times so far. Her phone clicked into her voicemail again, so this time he left a message, "Nikki, can you call me the moment you get this message please!" He hung up and sighed.

Simone frowned and looked at him, "Jack... what is going on? Who is the woman you're talking about? How do you recognise her? Why do you need to suddenly get hold of Nikki?"

Jack looked at her from his chair. He knew he couldn't tell Simone any details of what was going on, but she was clearly suspicious. "I need to give Nikki an urgent update, but she isn't answering. The woman... argh... it's complicated... Can you try ringing Nikki? From your phone? Please?"

"If she didn't answer for you, what makes you think she will answer to me?!" Simone asked almost laughing, then the penny dropped, "Ahhhh... you two! I knew it!" She wagged a finger at him. "How have you messed that up already Jack!? You're not speaking? What did you do?!" She asked shocked that she had uncovered their fling as well as some kind of drama between the pair. "You said you were just mates!"

Jack dropped his head down, knowing there was no way to get out of this now. "Please don't say anything Simone, to Alex and Adam... Nikki would kill me if people found out. And... it's not exactly a 'thing' now anyway..." he sighed.

"Is it to do with this case?" Simone enquired, curious as to why Jack and Nikki had issues between them.

"I really don't want to go into it Simone... can you try and call her? Just... see if she picks up with you?" Jack asked quietly, knowing any further conversation would bring Simone too close to knowing what was going on.

"Sure, sure... two ticks" Simone pulled out her phone from her back pocket and tapped the screen.

Jack could hear the muffled dialling and then Nikki's answerphone kicking in from where he was sat. He ran his hands through his hair and sat back against the chair. "Ah, never mind, thanks for trying."

Simone smiled kindly at Jack, "Look... hang in there... she'll ring you back... she's probably just busy. In the mean time, maybe send her a message? And get some more info on this other evidence. I'd want to know about the location, the acetone and stuff, yeah?"

Jack nodded and watched as Simone walked out the office. He responded to Matt to ask about the location of the alleged assault, and whether he would have had nail polish remover in his residence. Getting an out of office reply from Matt's email account for the remainder of the week, Jack sighed and decided he'd need to get more information another way.

He picked up his phone and went to message Nikki. He could see the last message about his father still hadn't been read. Maybe Nikki was busy, he thought, but a nagging feeling made him think she was purposely avoiding him. He typed out another message, hoping she would read them soon,

"URGENT - Nikki - please ring me back when you get this. It's not about the message I sent you last night. I'm sorry if that bothered you.
Matt sent me a picture of Liz Burrell for the investigation. I recognise her, she has brunette hair in this picture, so it must be an old one, but she is your friend from Pilates; Beth. Can you call me back ASAP x"