This is how I would have liked the estrangement between Jack and Phryne to have been resolved.
Okay, my first foray into adult writing. Be warned, chapter 2 will definitely be for adult eyes only.
Opportunity Knocks
Mr Butler cleared his throat and repeated his question, this time a bit louder. "Is there anything else you require before I retire for the night, Miss?"
Phryne was a hundred miles away. She sat in the parlour, a half-played game of draughts laid out in front of her, an untouched glass of scotch in her hands. She seemed more intent on swirling it than drinking it.
As he moved into her line of sight, she roused herself from her contemplation.
"What? Sorry Mr Butler. Was there something you wanted?" she asked, completely unaware of his earlier question.
Mr Butler smiled down at her. "You know, when I was younger, I was quite the expert" he said, nodding at the board in front of her. "Would you like a game? Keep your mind off what's bothering you."
Phryne, shrugged. Either way it didn't matter. Jack was what she wanted and that had been taken away from her. At this point she didn't think she'd care if she never saw another draughts board in her life. Yet Mr Butler was setting up the pieces, expecting a game. What could it hurt? she thought idly.
Mr Butler watched her carefully. He knew exactly what was bothering her. He had hoped she would come to her senses of her own accord but it appeared it wasn't to be. She needed a gentle push in the right direction.
As he took his place opposite her, Mr B looked engrossed in determining his first move. "You know Miss Fisher, I quite miss having the Inspector come around to join you", he began innocently enough.
Phryne stared blankly at the board. "I do too, Mr Butler", she replied sadly, "I do too".
"Do you think he'll return soon?" he asked, knowing full well the situation between the two of them made that seem highly unlikely.
"I doubt it, Mr Butler" Phryne answered softly.
He waited until she looked at him, then he held her eye. "That's a shame" was all he said, relying upon his eyes to deliver his message.
Unshed tears made her eyes bright. As he'd intended, Mr Butler had pushed a button and the vulnerable Phryne made an appearance from behind the confident façade. "I miss him, Mr B. I need him".
At this last comment, she seemed to bristle. "But that's ridiculous! I swore I'd never need anybody, let alone a man".
"There comes a point in everybody's life when we all need someone," he replied gently. "Wisdom is knowing that time and taking the opportunity it presents"
Phryne was still. Her eyes held his. He held his breath. Had he pushed too hard? Would she stubbornly refuse to see what was obvious to everybody else?
"Do we?" she breathed. She looked at him. He felt as if she was asking his permission.
"Yes Miss Fisher, we do." He left unsaid the knowledge that the Inspector was Phryne's someone. She was a smart woman. She would accept what needed to be done. Of that he had no doubt.
With a shake of her bobbed hair, she seemed to make a decision. Phryne rose, a glint in her eye. "Mr Butler, get me my car. I have something I need to attend to".
"Certainly, Miss Fisher", he replied. The Phryne of old was back and Mr Butler smiled as he hurried to ready the car. The Inspector didn't know what he was in for, but he had a sneaking suspicion that he would find a way to handle it.