Welcome to my final blog-post of 2024!
It’s a bit of silliness for a change. My writing of late has taken me to some very dark places, so this little (non-canonical) vignette has provided some much-needed levity.
Underlying the fun is recognition and gratitude to my colleagues and the wider Blue Light Family who will be working over Christmas and New Year. My parents were nurses, so our Christmases sometimes looked different to those of my friends. As a police officer, my Christmases have often been a little disjointed too. This year, I’m fortunate enough to be off for the duration. I will be sparing more than just a thought to those working over the period and wishing everyone safe shifts.
Finally, I wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Words cannot express the gratitude for your support this year. I can’t wait to bring you the sequel to ‘Care & Control’.
Best Wishes to you all
Roshan
Christmas in the City – A Tale of Cops, Coffee and a Naughty Santa Claus
The green glow of the petrol station sign shone in the distance like a festive beacon. PC Louis Mortimer aimed the unmarked police car in its direction.
It was 4am on Christmas Day. Most of the Christmas Eve hubbub in the city had died down now. Uniform had been busy with the usual strife, but so far nothing that necessitated the deployment of himself and his colleague DC Sabina Hussein. Tonight, they were Night DCs for the entire city. Any response to serious crime and high-risk missing people would be co-ordinated by them. No pressure, he grimaced.
In time-honoured tradition, he and his old patrol team were gathering at the petrol station for coffee and the exchange of Secret Santa gifts.
Louis drew the car up in the parking bay just off the forecourt, joining two marked cars. His old tutor, Luke Porter, was leaning against one car accompanied by PC Sharlene Davey. They had already ordered coffees for everyone.
Leaning against the other car by himself was PC Damien Haley. Louis caught his shy smile.
As Louis and Sabina got out of their car, they turned at the sound of a beige Mini-Cooper approaching them. It parked up next to their car and Aliyah Adam jumped out. “Sorry I’m late!”
“You’re right on time,” Luke reassured her. As self-appointed master of ceremonies, he started passing around the drinks.
Louis sipped his Americano as he leaned up against Damien’s car. The hot coffee was very welcome on this cold, crisp night. He enjoyed this particular tradition. For people like Luke and Sharlene, who had to leave their family behind on Christmas Eve to work, he supposed it was nice for them to do something festive. For people like him, where family was a tricky subject at the best of times, the little ritual gave him a sense of belonging. This year, they had extended an invitation to Aliyah, who was covering the Social Services’ Emergency Duty Team.
“Well, here we are then,” Sharlene sighed wearily, “Another Christmas Day upon on.”
“No suicides,” reported Sabina, sipping her hazelnut latte.
“No homicides,” Louis chimed in. He smiled as Damien put an arm round him.
“No missing children as of 3am,” said Aliyah.
“Nothing short of a miracle.” Luke sighed.
“Let’s not jinx ourselves, eh?” Damien murmured gravely. “Still three hours left yet.”
“Damo makes a good, if not depressing, point,” nodded Luke. “Best unload my sack before it all goes to shit.”
To collective groans, Luke reached into his car and produced a red cloth bag with white fur trim around the opening. “First up, Sharlene.”
He handed Sharlene her gift, which she duly tore into. She whistled as she held up a pair of black gloves, a bottle of Ghost Pepper hot sauce and a set of mini-rums.
Aliyah’s present was drawn next. She grinned as she held up a ‘World’s Best Social Worker’ mug but then squealed with excitement when she spotted the ‘Wicked’ musical tickets inside it.
Sabina was equally excited to discover her gift was a pamper-session at a local spa. The jelly beans were icing on the cake.
Luke handed the sack to Sharlene as he unwrapped his present: a set of craft beers and a farting Santa gnome. “What the actual….”
As the others cackled, Louis leaned into Damien and whispered, “It doesn’t take a detective to see you’re responsible for that.”
Damien grinned laconically and sipped his coffee. He handed Louis the cup so he could take hold of his present as Luke passed it over. He unwrapped a bottle of Laphroaig whisky and a garish tartan Santa hat. He whispered in quiet horror, “Jesus Christ.”
“Get it on, Damo!” cried Sabina.
Damien reluctantly pulled the hat on amidst the group’s cheers, rolling his eyes.
“You’ve never looked more festive,” grinned Louis as he handed back Damien’s drink along with his own to unwrap his present: a toasty-looking brown scarf, some treats for Gonzo and a hideous pair of black boxers covered in squirrels nibbling on acorns. He glared over at Sabina, who smiled innocently. “These are an outrage to public decency!”
“You’ll just have to wear them in private,” shrugged Damien, adjusting his hat.
Louis bumped against him playfully before retrieving his cup.
“Here’s to peace on Earth and goodwill to all mankind. Well, for the next three hours anyway.” Luke raised his paper cup. “Merry Christmas, gang!”
They toasted together, everyone in hearty spirits, grateful for a safe shift.