The last client I had on friday had unwittingly sent me chasing around after an old school friend. A very close friend in fact. Unethichal? I hear you.
I didn't recognise her by name, we lost touch when I left school and she went to uni. Apparently she married. I would like to say happily but I hasten to add that her husband had come to us in order to disprove the 'gut feeling' he has that she is cheating on him.
I took the information I needed, filled out the forms I had to and waited till saturday. Her weekly shopping trip, this was a time he thought that she might find to liase with her lover. He had attempted to follow her himself several times but each time failed at the art of anonymity. This had caused rows and he promised he would learn to trust her. But as we know, what is said in a bedroom from someone fighting desperately to keep their love is something quite different from what they know they will actually do. The very next day was the friday he came into my office.
I parked the car early in the car park on that saturday morning. I parked early with my assisting parked on the other level on the look out. We were an hour early but I know from experience its best to get to the location earlier than the suspect and get a good location in the car park. This way you dont have to follow them from the house. Sure it leaves them open to make an unschedualed stop from their home before they get to the supermarket, dont worry I do think of these things. But in my experience people generally stick to the same time frames. Husband texts me when she has left the house, the supermarket is 10 minutes away by car and if she is much later, then next step to follow her from the end of her street because she is clearly going somewhere else.
The last person I expected to see parking her car and taking off her sunglasses was my old best friend. I waited there while she shopped, sure I had made a mistake but when she came out I was certain it was her. Watching her load the boot, I was torn what I should be doing. That feeling of betrayal came back to me hard. But this was a job, what should I do?
I followed her till she parked just off the high street and got out the car. I watched to see where she would go, taking notes of times and snapping pictures frantically. She went into a cafe and 5 minutes later did not return. Tricky. I would have to get out the car and go after her. Which is what I did.
Entering the cafe I saw her instantly sitting at the corner table reading the Guardian with a coffee and a sticky looking cake. She hadnt noticed me. I took my place on the other side of the cafe and watched, taking out my own newspaper. Perhaps she was meeting someone here.
Half an hour later, no one had come and she was still reading her paper. A woman waiting for a lover who was late would surely take out her phone and check it now and then, would surely be looking out the window or calling frantically 'where are you? I'm here' but not this suspect. Strange. A woman under suspicion wouldnt be away from the home longer than she needed to either as this would arouse her husbands worries. UNless she was toying with him, their argument the othernight got to her, she was testing him. Or was she?
Just at that moment, quite unexpectedly she looked casually up at me. Smiling vacantly she looked back at her paper and my heart stopped when with a puzzled expression her eyes looked a second time. She recognised me. Her gaze lasted two seconds too long and her mouth gaped slightly as she prepared to mouth the words "Spooks? Is that you?" I smiled, defeated.

"Oh my God S, I cant believe it's you!" I replied feighning shock.

After another half hour had passed, I drained my third coffee and I had completely forgotten how good it felt to be in her company. She was still just as funny and just as cool as she had been all those years ago! I almost forgot what I was doing there, almost...but not entirely. Leaning back in my chair I watched her take her phone out and ask for my number. This could be complicated. I was aware that this wasnt right but vowed I would call her husband later today and explain all. I would urge him to come clean with his wife and pray that she didnt take it out on me. I gave her my number.
"Whereabouts do you work? If you're nearby maybe we can meet for a coffee one lunch time?" she asked innocently.

"Actually I dont work that far from here" I answered trying not to fidget.

"What do you do now then, I forgot to ask?" she asked. Pause. Pause, too long, speak Spooks God damn it.

"Well?" she asked again giggling slightly. Looking her right in the eye, I said it.

"I am a private detective" that was it, nothing more. I said it, had to be honest. It wasnt my business to tell her anymore, she was a smart girl, the thought had crossed her mind and my trained eye saw the guilt flash across her expression.

"No shit? Your joking me right? I didnt think that existed anymore?" she asked puzzled.

"Well it does still exist. It's just not the kind of thing people say they do, you know, encase word gets around. Most of us say we are in finance or something like that. My wife thinks it's funny when I tell people to watch their expression change" I explained, trying to ignore what I had read in her face.

"Spooks, were you following me?" she asked tentatively.

"Yes" I said before I had thought about it.

"My husband thinks I am cheating on him" she answered with a look of exasperation.

"I know. Are you?" I asked, wondering if she too was incapable of honesty.

"Yes" she replied with an almost smile as the shocked pause led to the both of us laughing. Something about her honesty, her trust in me, that made me unable to feel she had done anything wrong. Is that all it takes? A little bit of honesty and respect and all can be forgiven? I honestly believe it does.
I havent told her husband anything yet. Left a voice message for him saying I couldnt take the case as his wife was someone I recognised from school. I couldnt bring myself to say anything else but needless to say, I have refunded his consultation fee by cheque to his postal address.