What Now?

PC Beth Green had only just arrived at work when Sergeant Wright called her into the office. Beth sighed. She'd only just arrived, so what could she have possibly done wrong? She'd only been at Sun Hill a few months and was still finding her feet. Being a police officer was harder than she first thought-and she was still only a probationer! But it was still quite exhilarating. She thrived on the thrill of the chase and that feeling you get when you arrest someone. She had had many jobs before this; just shop work, but this was honestly the best job she could ever have. As for the future, she wanted to stay in Sun Hill as long as possible. She didn't even care if she just stayed a police constable. She'd done undercover work with CID before which she found quite exciting, but that was more because of who it was with more so than the job itself, but she wasn't sure if that was something she'd like to aim for.

All these thoughts and more buzzed in her mind. She couldn't possibly think what she'd done. Even when she'd made a few mistakes in her first week she hadn't formally been called to the Serge's office-not even about letting a murderer take a gun. She was now starting to panic, but she needed have. As soon as she entered the room and saw DI Manson before her, her heart rate quicken. What was so bad that he was involved? But as soon as he turned a smiled at her, she calmed. If he was smiling then it was all ok, plus his smile seemed to have a strange effect on Beth, but she couldn't quite explain it. After all it was DI Manson.

'Beth, we've got a job for you.'

'Ok sir. What is it?'

'Well I'll explain later in briefing, but you'll need to go undercover so it's a plain clothes job.' He informed her.

'Ok. Sure.'

'Well we're having a briefing in 10 minutes, so please be there in plain clothes.'

'Yes Sir.' He watched as she left the room. Despite her age and lack of experience he had to admit that she had guts. She had no idea what she had just signed herself up for, but she'd already agreed. He liked that in a person. Someone who was committed and wasn't afraid of doing their job. He had seen that when that maniac had held acid to her face. Instead of staying out of it she tackled him and arrested him, all while he stood by helpless. She could have been badly scarred, but she hadn't thought of that. This time though, he'd protect her. He'd make sure of it.

10 minutes later they were all in the briefing room where Neil ran through the operation. Him and Stuart had been investigating a lap dancing club where it looked as if class A drugs were being dealt. Not only that but the owner Gianni De Flaire appeared to be smuggling them in from abroad, and was using the girls to deal the drugs and to get extra money and customers. Basically he'd get them hooked on the drugs and then get them to latch onto rich men and they'd get drugs and he'd get profit. Even though it was extremely dangerous, Beth was to work as a barmaid in the club. She wasn't to get involved in the lap dancing or the drugs but to get some inside information, while Mickey would be a regular customer and a potential dealer if he was needed to act as one. Neil himself would monitor the operation and would be outside the club the nights Beth was on shift. He didn't need to be, he just wanted to make sure she was OK. He couldn't be directly involved due to fear of recognition, but if he just sat in a car from a distance Beth could just say he was an older brother or even a boyfriend. It was all finalised and despite the dangers Beth was still all for it. At the end of the day it was her job. Neil smiled to himself, she really had got courage. He just hoped she'd be alright on the job. As if reading his mind she stopped and spoke to him as she walked past.

'I'm sure I'll be OK.'

'Yeah. Sure you will be.' He didn't sound to convinced.

'I just have to act desperate for money, quiet and blend into the background. I think I can do that, without thinking about my poor hamster.' She said it so innocently and natural that Neil couldn't help but laugh.

'What?' She asked indignantly.

'I'm sorry. It's just you are so innocent. The saddest thing in your life is your hamster getting eaten.'

'I loved that hamster. My Auntie Kate bought it for my 7th Birthday and it wasn't that old when it died.'

'See what I mean. Hasn't anything sadder happened?'

'No.' Beth shook her head. 'And I don't want it to. I cried for weeks after Hammy died.' He smiled again.

'OK. Well it's a good thing to have such a happy life, unlike mine.'

'Why what happened?' She titled her head on one side and looked at him inquisitively. He felt himself sinking into her beautiful eyes, but he suddenly remembered himself.

'Nothing that concerns you.' He answered suddenly going back to DI Manson, rather than Neil, the man who had just been speaking to her. He saw the hurt look on her face and mellowed slightly. 'We've got work to do, you've got to be at the club in half an hour.'

'Shouldn't you be getting ready then?' She asked.

'Well, I need a lift and seeing as you're supposed to be my boyfriend, I thought you'd give me one. And well you can't pretend to be my boyfriend dressed like that.' She looked him up and down pointedly.

'What's wrong with this?' He asked holding his arms out.

'It's too formal. I'm supposed to be a down and out and you're dressed like that. That reminds me, need to slightly change my outfit. If we go now we can stop by at mine, get me some clothes and you can change into one of my Dad's shirt or something.' He smiled to himself again as she took his wrist and dragged him out the door. It was good to see she was taking this serious.