Chapter Text
“Are we having the Office Secret Santa this year?” Pat asked at the end of the first staff meeting in December.
Robin glanced towards Strike who had suddenly found something very interesting in the paperwork.
“Of course we are, we will need to finalise the date for our party as well I suggest before Dev leaves for his trip to his parents.” Robin stood up
“Pat, are you OK to help me sort it out?”
“Of course, you only needed to ask. We’ve already had a chat and suggest the present’s value goes up to fifteen pounds. Inflation has hit Secret Santa this year.
I’ll organise the draw for tomorrow”
“Sounds to me like you are all overpaid.” grumbled Strike on his way towards the office to laughter and shouts of “Grinch”.
“You do like to wind everyone up.” Robin sat at her computer.
“I’m not winding people up, just stating facts.”
“Do you include me in the overpaid as well? She asked
“Oh definitely, if you include your private bonus from your business partner.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
Robin nearly choked on her tea. “Two dates Mr. Strike?”
“With the significant third coming up.”
“Really. There may not be a third, you haven’t asked yet and my calendar is getting full.” Robin grinned at his frowning face.
“Are you going to Masham this year? Strike leaned back in his chair spinning his pen around his finger.
“Yes, but with a difference. I’ve hired a motorhome for a couple of weeks so I won’t add to the bedroom shortage and can have some space but can be there to help out.”
“Well planned as usual Ellacott.’
“Are you going to Lucy’s?
“Not if I can avoid it. I plan to drop off gifts on my way somewhere.’
“Somewhere?”
“Somewhere, anywhere, but not Lucy's.”
“You can always come to Masham with me, the Motorhome sleeps two.” Robin offered without thinking then hoped she wasn’t overstepping their newly re-instated best friend's status.
They’d been on two very enjoyable dates. She felt relaxed in his company. Talking with no pressure on her to get engaged, married or lengthy discussions about freezing her eggs that she was realizing was all she and Ryan had done.
“What about your mother, she seems firmly on the Murphy team.”
“Not after I spoke with her last weekend, she was very shocked and then cried a lot and wanted to come to London when I told her about ectopic pregnancy.
That’s why I felt obliged to go up for Christmas, but I plan to have New Year somewhere else. I haven’t decided that yet.”
“Don’t let me upset your plans.’’
“How would you coming with me, upset my plans? To be honest I’d rather you came so I can make sure you get a proper break from work. I can see you on your own in the Office not able to resist doing more on a case and before you know it you’re out on surveillance. “
Strike shrugged his shoulders looking uncomfortable.
“I thought so.” Robin said, she leaned forward covering his hand with hers on the desk.
“I want you to come Cormoran. You know how I can have panic attacks when I get stressed and meeting my family is going to be stressful.”
“In that case I’ll come with you for medicinal reasons and as long as this motorhome is stocked with proper snacks.”
“I would never travel without snacks."
“Proper snacks include biscuits and toffees.” Strike declared.
“Nuts and fruit too.” Robin laughed at his eye roll.
The Office was decorated by Pat’s daughters and grandchildren during an afterhours burst of energy and laughter.
Next morning Strike needed to duck under paper chains and tinsel to get into his office.
Robin arrived to see Pat holding decorations up with a broom while Dev and Andy took up the slack fixing them higher.
“Did they fall?” she asked as she hung up her coat. The combination of both men muttering obvious swearwords in their own native tongues and Pat’s explanation made her walk quickly into the partners office.
“I didn’t say a word.” Strike held his hands up in surrender.
“I know, Pat told me, it seemed to worry her more than if you had torn them down,”
“I can’t win with that woman,” he muttered.