A Good Death

by Chris Collett

  ‘I know who you are.’ The sleepiness evaporated. ‘This is a surprise.’

  He noted the absence of a positive qualifier.

  ‘I said I’d let you know about Jamie,’ Mariner said lamely.

  ‘At ten fifteen on a random Saturday night?’

  ‘Yeah, sorry. I shouldn’t have—’

  ‘No, it’s fine.’ She seemed amused. ‘What was the outcome?’

  Mariner told her.

  ‘That’s good news,’ she said. ‘It sounds busy where you are.’

  ‘I’m with work colleagues,’ said Mariner. ‘We’re celebrating the end of a case, well, a couple of cases, but it’s beginning to get a bit tiresome.’

  ‘Probably beats watching box sets of Homeland for the third time around. Do you want to stop off here on your way home?’

  ‘Yes.’

  She came to the door wearing a sweater and checked pull-ons. Mariner wondered what she was wearing underneath. She made coffee and they sat in the lounge. But now he was here it felt awkward and suddenly Mariner realised that this wasn’t fair on Eleanor and it wasn’t fair on Suzy. They both deserved better. He said as much to Eleanor, and she didn’t put up much resistance, so Mariner kissed her goodbye and headed for home.