Disclaimer: Except from Jonas, all characters are only borrowed from their owners. I promise to return them safely!

***SPOILER WARNING***

This story contains spoilers for the Midsomer Murders episode "Blood on the Saddle". You have been warned!

Ben Jones stares at the bill on the counter and winces slightly. "You're kidding me, right? That much for two suits?"

"Sorry, Mr. Jones. Additional rush service fee."

Shaking his head, Ben takes out his wallet and hands a bill over to the young man manning the counter of the dry cleaner's. The doorbell chimes, but it barely registers on his mind.

"They don't pay me enough for this," he says, grumbling, and lifts his foil wrapped suits over his arm.

"Oh, hello Ben," the newcomer greets him. "They don't pay you enough for what?"

He turns in surprise and finds himself face to face with Joyce Barnaby. "Morning, Mrs. Barnaby. I was just..." He accepts his change from the young man and pockets it. When he looks back at her she is obviously waiting for him to continue. "I just... had to come here too often lately. It's getting costly."

"Oh, yes, I suppose it can. I'm glad Tom doesn't need to have his suits cleaned too often." She hands over a slip to the young man. "I'd like to pick this up, Jonas."

"Of course, Mrs. Barnaby." He vanishes in the back of the shop, leaving the two customers alone.

While Joyce has been talking to Jonas, Ben has done his his best not to sigh or groan. "I've got to run, Mrs. Barnaby, your husband will probably be waiting for me already," he says when Jonas has left.

"Oh, sorry, don't let me keep you, Ben. Have a good day."

He nods in response, it is the best he can manage right now. "You, too." And with that he is out of the door.

Joyce looks after him, slightly puzzled at the quick get-away of the otherwise always polite and friendly Sergeant. "Now he must have gotten up on the wrong foot," she says to no one in particular.

"Here's the suit, Mrs. Barnaby," Jonas announces upon his return and lays out the clothing on the counter.

"Ah, thank you, Jonas. Say, do you know what got into Ben? He did seem a bit grumpy."

"Mr. Jones? He didn't really say anything, but he's become a good customer lately. Brings in a lot of really dirty suits. Those two he just picked up? One covered in soot, the other in mud. Isn't he a detective like your husband? I never knew that included getting so much dirt on your suit."

"No, it doesn't for Tom... anyway, what do I owe you?"

"8 pounds, please, Mrs. Barnaby."