Chapter Text
Monday started slowly but everyone soon slipped into work mode Cormoran was watching a Mayfair house as the nanny was suspected of entertaining her boyfriend while supposedly looking after the two children, food, wine and other drinks were depleted. Sam would take over in the afternoon.
Robin checked the Friday booking at The Tottenham before settling down at her desk to complete the never ending paperwork the owners of the Off License had decided to take action against the manager so Robin was preparing the file for the Police. She went out to make copies of their pictures.
“Are you bringing anyone on Friday?” Pat asked not missing a beat as she typed a long report.
“Yes I am coming with someone” Robin watched the photocopier. Her back to Pat.
“Oh that's nice ?” Pat kept typing, then watched Robin return to her desk.
After a very busy start to the week which included Robin and Strike visiting Ilsa and the baby on separate days Thursday arrived as a bright clear day. Strike had noted the afternoon down as interviewing a possible client at their office and Robin had the whole day off after covering two of Sam’s night surveillance shifts with Jay as he had been at home with flu. She spent Thursday morning catching up with sleep at her flat before getting ready.
She couldn't help remembering the circus that had been her wedding to Matthew. She now knew he had orchestrated the whole event remembering his preening like a peacock and fussing over every detail using a large amount of her parents' money to cater for all his friends and workmates attending including his mistress Sarah.
She dressed carefully in the simple but stunning pale apricot cocktail dress of chiffon with a full flowing knee length skirt. The A line scoop neck bodice emphasised her waist and back with crossed straps. She had added a glittery belt to the waistband then luxuriated in her high heels with glitter straps, no restrictions on height for Cormoran. She wore her Opal necklace which had enough blue to cover that requirement, carried a beaded clutch which had been her grandmothers and a cashmere stole Ilsa had loaned her weeks ago when she was cold at their last Curry night. Giving one last twirl in front of the mirror she nodded her satisfaction and headed downstairs to meet the Taxi Cab.
By 2.30 Strike was standing to one side of the entrance of the Registry Office watching the steady stream of people entering, trying to guess what they were there for to keep his brain occupied. He wouldn't allow his mind to consider nerves but the constant craving for a cigarette and a pint had him so on edge he started his breathing exercises. He was now watching the Taxis crawling along the road. At 2.40 she was there. He felt his breath catch as he watched her climb the stairs, an absolute vision the colour of her dress somehow emphasising the glow of her hair the front gathered on top of her head with a glittery clip the rest flowing onto her shoulders like spun gold. Swallowing hard to overcome a suddenly dry mouth he stepped forward taking her hand and kissed her cheek.
“Fancy meeting you here Mr. Nancarrow-Strike'' Robin couldn't help but grin. How handsome he looked in his perfectly fitted charcoal grey suit, white shirt emphasising his dark features, his black hair looked trimmed with some attempt made at control. That wouldn't last long if she had her way she thought. She linked fingers as they walked inside.
They were led into an office where they were introduced to the two members of staff who would act as witnesses. The beautiful Indian woman dressed in a stunning red sari handed a small posy of two white roses to Robin then slipped a white rosebud into Cormorans lapel. The man shook their hands. They were called into the inner office for the ceremony.
Shortly after the ceremony they were signing the documents wearing their gold wedding rings inspired by Robins engagement ring they posed for photos insisting their witnesses posed with them. Another member of staff took photos with both their phones as well.
Hand in hand they walked down the stairs. The whole ceremony had been happy and cheerful, the Celebrant had a ready smile.
A Taxi pulled in and Cormorant passed him a note, the driver grinned and was soon negotiating the London traffic with expert ease.
“Where” Robin started but was stopped by Cormorants mouth closing over hers in a decadent kiss, she slid her fingers into his hair freeing most of his curls .
“I spent ages trying to calm that down” he muttered against her lips before drawing back to assess her reaction.
“I know “ She giggled “I can't resist though” then she gasped as the Taxi drew into the Savoy Hotel entrance.
Her door was opened and she was handed out by the doorman, Cormoran joined her after paying the taxi driver who wished them well. They were ushered past a queue of people into the Thames Foyer where they were shown to their table. The champagne was popped immediately by their waiter and they toasted each other.
Robin looked around the room, its glass roof giving a lovely filtered light. The piano playing in the background. It was very special. They enjoyed the beautiful food including perfect sandwiches, scones with Cornish clotted cream, and an array of cakes. They finished their champagne and drank coffee, before leaving walking into the evening glow. Cormoran took her stole and draped it over her shoulders as they walked along the River.
“Happy?” he asked
“I am so happy I want to tell everyone in London” Robin hugged his arm to her before reaching up to kiss his cheek. He stopped, turned her to him and kissed her with no inhibition until they were breathless.
“I was hoping we could drive to Cornwall on Saturday to see Ted. Lucy and the boys are there as it would be Ted and Joan's Wedding Anniversary, I didn't realise our wedding date was the day before theirs until Lucy told me she was driving down tomorrow”
“Sounds like a good idea but the cottage will be full’ Robin walked with her arm through his.
“I’ve booked a holiday cottage just down the hill from Teds.I had to say the name twice for the woman taking the booking so I guess Davey will be forewarned.of Nancarrows arriving.”
The cold breeze got up along the River so they walked back, hailing a taxi to take them to Chinatown where they had a great meal before returning to Denmark Street.
Friday morning Robin woke up alone but she could hear Cormoran in the kitchen she put her dressing gown on and padded out to him.
“Hello sleepyhead” A fully dressed Cormoran flicked the kettle on before coming around the island to gather her in his arms, sliding his hands around her body under the fleece before capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. .
“Why didn't you wake me?” Robin leant into him as his hands roved up and down her back.
“To be honest if I had we would still be in bed and Pat would be wondering where I am. I have a new case interview in 30 minutes.”
Robin glanced at the wall clock and groaned, it was nearly nine o’clock. She perched on a stool and watched her husband make her a mug of tea which he put in front of her.
“Make sure you have something to eat before you come down” Cormoran kissed her again before gathering his phone and keys and heading out the door.
Robin wandered to the big window overlooking the already bustling city as she sipped her tea. She couldn't stop smiling knowing she would never forget her first night as Cormorans wife. He had expertly pleasured and made love to her so many times between snatching a few hours sleep that she had lost count, remembering the time she woke him something she would never had done to Matthew as he believed only the man should instigate sex, but Cormoran had responded to her for another delightful interlude. She stretched her back to ease some aching muscles, turning to put two pieces of bread in the toaster. After eating avocado on toast she made her way to the shower turning it on full enjoying the heated blast.
She dressed in her teal jumper over skinny jeans brushing her hair into a clip on her neck then shook her head brushing it out onto her shoulders after seeing the first style showed a tell tale mark from Cormorans lovemaking. She was in the office most of the morning having two cases to prepare for Pat to invoice then planned shopping at lunchtime to stock up for the trip to Cornwall tomorrow.
Robin went out to take her files to Pat who said yes to a cup of tea. Robin took the mugs back to Pat who stopped typing to accept a biscuit with the mug. They started chatting about the party tonight until Pat suddenly put her mug down and reached for Robin's left hand. Robin watched as Pat examined the twisted gold band before looking up.
“When?” Pat started.
“Yesterday” Robin blushed and laughed as she was enveloped in Pat's hug.
“ And you at work today.”
“We have the party tonight and then we go away for the weekend” Robin filled in.
“Congratulations I am so happy for you, I will leave it for the other detectives to discover for themselves” Pat finished her tea and started typing again then stopped.
“You knew about everyone trying to get you together with Strike?”
“Yes it's nothing new, friends have been trying since my divorce”
“I didn't know that, a bit before my time. So your marriage will put a stop to all the speculation. Robin nodded then before she could speak Pat continued.
“ Do you think it will make any difference to how you and Strike get on? You do make a good partnership team”
Robin swallowed what she was going to say when she realised Pat had not considered that it was Strike she had married. Her phone buzzed a call from Cormoran and she held up the phone and retreated to her desk where she filled him in on the latest news.
“Interesting. Does that mean they will all be looking for someone new? Cormoran sounded amused.
“I suppose so I think we have been too good at stopping speculation and my making up a boyfriend hasn’t helped.”
“ This conspiracy did make me realise I had to tell you how I felt and not be afraid of your response. Our mantra of best friends,mates and partners was strong enough to build a business against all odds, why not a personal partnership.”
“Sounds good to me and I got the man I love. Hurry up and get back to the Office” His deep chuckle sent shivers down her spine in anticipation.
Robin took the Land Rover to the supermarket so she could leave the groceries in the boot to later transfer to the BMW and only took the perishables up to the flat, happy to use the lift from the garage up to the loft flat avoiding the Office. She had just stacked the fridge when Cormoran arrived.
Robin heard her phone and tried to move Cormorans arm from her waist; she managed to wriggle free before he tightened his hold.
“Let it ring, come back here,'' Cormoran muttered, opening his eyes when his arm fell on the empty bed beside him.
Robin giggled as she wove her way through various items of clothing discarded in a trail from the kitchen to bedroom. Finding her phone at last she shook her head in disbelief before calling Barclay back.
“Who was that?” Cormoran was sitting on the side of the bed grinning as he watched Robin gathering clothes as she came back to the bedroom.
“Barclay he's going home to bring his wife so will file his report on Monday” Robin ducked aside as Cormoran lunged to catch her she threw his clothes at him grabbed her underwear and retreated to the second shower room.
“Coward,” he shouted after her.
Robin dressed in her new dress and sat at the dressing table to finish her makeup she wore her hair down and picked up her opal necklace, Cormoran came behind her smiled in the mirror and fastened it around her neck They walked down to The Tottenham hand in hand they could hear the music from the room as they walked through the bar.
It was the eagle eyed Michelle who noticed her ring and alerted the other ladies. After Robin refused to name her new husband declaring that in a room of detectives she shouldn't need to , there was hilarity when all the men present found themselves accosted for left hand inspection. Robin watched the hilarious scene trying to hide her grin.
Cormoran was outside having a smoke he walked back into the room to be faced by a line of advancing ladies who looked decidedly intent, their menfolk now verbally encouraging them.
He looked to Robin for some sign but she was laughing too hard to be much help. So he gave in to the inspection of his hand and then suffered the hugs, delighted shouts and outcries of congratulations, he managed to reach Robin who grasped his hand only to be pulled into his arms and kissed to much cheering..
Champagne appeared and the already happy mood became jovial, spreading into the bar area outside the room.
Cornered by Michelle, Vanessa, April and Pat, Robin passed her phone around with the pictures taken at the Ceremony shaking her head as Pat downloaded them.
Pleading an early drive to Cornwall Cormoran and Robin left for the flat. For once the noise they left behind dulled the sound of the traffic. Reaching the flat, Robin sent Ilsa the wedding photos and waited. It was barely a minute before the phone rang. Robin was nearly deafened by Ilsas scream with Nick shouting congratulations in the background, they put the phone on speaker and spent the next 15 minutes talking them through the last days. Promising to come for a meal next Friday they made coffee and Robin readied the cool bag for the trip, she was taking supplies with her so they could go straight to the rental cottage.
The drive to Cornwall was going smoothly until they were behind a long line of slowly moving traffic taking turns to overtake two caravans on the two lane country road.Robin was taking her turn driving and Cormoran fed her a Twix bar and tea while they waited to get to the front of the queue. Once clear they drove into St Mawes and found the Cottage
The front door led to a hall with a bedroom on each side then a shower room. The door at the end of the hall opened into one large room the width of the building having kitchen, dining and lounge with an open fireplace but all attention was taken by the windows with views over the bay and beach. Upstairs two bedrooms had been turned into one with ensuite overlooking those hypnotising views. Robin unpacked the food she had brought and they ate bacon and egg sandwiches before getting ready to walk up to Teds cottage.
Ted welcomed them with literally open arms. Lucy came downstairs from supervising her sons showers and squealed with excitement, full of questions about their sudden visit. When Lucy stopped to breathe Cormoran held his hand up clearly showing his ring to be nearly knocked over by double assault hugs from both Ted and Lucy then Robin was treated to the same.
The noise alerted the three boys who stood on the stairs in amazement staring at the four adults hugging and crying. They all went into the lounge where the log fire warmed the room. Cormoran opened the whiskey he had brought for Ted, Robin and Lucy prepared hot chocolate for the boys and tea for themselves.
Robin sat watching the interaction between Ted and Cormoran as they drank their whiskey, she could easily see Ted in Cormoran even some of their mannerisms were the same.
Lucy started chivvying her boys to bed and said goodnight as well as she was staying with the boys.
Ted, Cormoran and Robin set off towards the pub; there were still a lot of tourists sitting outside as they went inside. There was an enormous shout of “DIDDY” and Cormoran was thumped on the back by a short dark man.
“What the hell are you doing down here Diddy” He shook Ted's hand then stopped and looked at Robin who smiled, Cormoran reached for her hand guiding her to his side.
“Davey Polesworth, meet my wife Robin Nancarrow-Strike”.
Cormoran could not remember any time that Davey was struck speechless but he was now. He took Robins hand she held out his eyes darting from her face to Cormorans
“Mazankov and Krupov, Davey” Cormoran grinned at his friends expression.
They were interrupted by Ted calling them to the bar where he had bought a round of drinks, they picked them up and sat at a table.
“Congratulations to you both” Dave found his voice lifting his glass to them.
Cormoran told the wedding story again and Robin passed her phone over, then sent the pictures to Dave so he could show his wife. It wasn’t long before locals heard the news and either shouted congratulations or came and shook hands.
Much later Robin and Cormoran lay together in the big upstairs bedroom. Robin was watching the moonlight on the water. She was completely naked stretched over Cormorans body, her head on his chest, his steady heartbeat a live lullaby under her ear, her arm laying around his waist, one leg hooked over his thigh. His arm around her heavier now as he relaxed, drifting deeper into sleep. She had never slept naked like she did now with no inhibitions, no threat of snide remarks about her body shape. She could feel her eyes closing and with a contented sigh fell asleep.
FINIS