The Natural Progression of Things
This is my first Fan fic! Inspired by the scene where Hugh, Phryne and Dot find the Inspectors secret stash of biscuits. I realised that "Someone" had to cook for Jack.
The Inspectors Secret Stash
It all began so innocently one morning, as Hugh Collins was watching Dot make biscuits. Hugh had a day off work and had arranged for him and Dot to take the tram into the city. They wanted to wander around the stores with the intent of having a lunch somewhere, but it was raining when he arrived at the Fisher household. Somehow, watching Dot make biscuits was an easier option than tramping around a cold wet city. Dot was at the kitchen table, making ginger snaps, a particular favourite of more than one policeman at City South Police Station.
"Perhaps you should make some of these for the Inspector" said Hugh. He sat as he usually did when "off duty": at home astride a kitchen chair, his arms resting across its back. He stole a piece of dough that was looking lonely on the edge of the rolling sheet.
"And why would I do that? Asked Dot, ignoring the liberties Hugh took with her biscuit dough.
"I think his secret stash must be all gone", replied Hugh, stealing more. "The inspector has been seen searching out the biscuit tin in the staff room this week."
"So, why would it be my job to make the Inspector more biscuits?" asked Dot, "Not that I'd mind. Doesn't he have a house keeper to replenish his supply?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. Must be on holidays or off visiting" Hugh was intent on eating more raw dough.
Dot looked at Hugh, and then at Mr Butler, who was sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper with a cup of tea in front of him.
"You may as well cook more Dorothy, said Mr Butler, not looking up from his paper, "I don't think Constable Collins will leave enough of this batch for anyone to get the finished product!"
Hugh flushed and retracted his hand from stealing more dough. Dot just smiled.
It was later that morning when the biscuits were cooked and cooling on a wire rack. The rain had eased, so Dot and Hugh stepped out. The biscuit baking was finished by Mr Butler, who was partial to a ginger snap himself. Jane joined him at the kitchen table, preferring a book to the paper.
Dot and Hugh returned to the kitchen, Dot shaking rain drops off her coat.
"All done Mr B?" she asked, somewhat unnecessarily.
"All done Dorothy, and I have found a small box for you to parcel some biscuits up for the Inspector" replied Mr Butler. "Tea?"
"Thanks Mr B" said Dot.
Hugh managed a "Yeah, Ta" through a mouthful of Gingersnap, while giving Jane's hair plait a quick tug. Jane responded with a glare at Hugh, who returned her glare with a feint to her plait. The glare/ feint pattern continued and Jane fell into giggles.
Dot ignored the frivolity with the air of one who grew up with siblings. She started putting biscuits in the small cardboard box. "You can take these into the Inspector tomorrow Hugh" she said, tying the box securely with string.
Hugh did not answer, ceased his teasing of Jane and suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Is there a problem?" asked Dot
Hugh squirmed a little. "It will look a little strange if I take them into the Inspector" he said. "The other blokes might think I'm trying to charm him up or something!"
Dot was taken back. "Hugh Collins, you asked me to make biscuits for the Inspector, and now you are refusing to take them! How do you plan to get the biscuits to the Inspector if you won't take them?"
"Could you bring them in tomorrow, please Dottie?" asked Hugh with his most pleading look.
"Me!" exclaimed Dot, "Hugh Collins that would look somewhat inappropriate if your intended lady bought in gifts for your boss!"
"Hmm": was Hugh's sole response to the dilemma he had created.
Mr Butler gave a little sigh as he set down the teapot. "I do believe I can think of a solution" he said.
Hugh and Dot gave him their full attention.
"My suggestion" continued Mr Butler "Is that Dorothy takes in two boxes tomorrow. A larger one for the general staff room, and a smaller parcel for the Inspector. If the larger box of biscuits is handed over first, then a side step by Hugh to the Inspectors office will hardly be noticed."
"Brilliant plan!" enthused Hugh, charmed by the simple answers to life's problems.
"But Mr B" said Dot, "Why would I be taking biscuits along to the station, when I only saw Hugh today?"
Mr Butler regarded her with a small smile "Really Dorothy, why would you need an excuse to visit your betrothed. Don't you want to see him every day?"
Dot flushed and there was a gentle chuckle all round!
The following morning, Dot braved wind and rain to find herself at the front door of City South police station carrying a basket with the boxes inside. "I don't know why I agreed to this" she muttered as she pushed open the front door.
Sargent Green recognised her as soon as she stepped in. "Why Miss Williams" he called "What brings you here on such a cold wet day?"
Dot braved her most winning smile. "I thought I would bring Hugh a treat. But, then I also thought that it would be rude of me not to include the rest of the station"
"Really!" exclaimed Sargent Green, "And what treat would Collins expect, that you could share with us all?"
Dot decided that he really was a slimy snake and she did not care for his attitude or smile at all!
"Ginger snaps" she declared, presenting the larger box from her basket.
The slimy smile was immediately replaced by a genuine smile. "Oh, aren't you wonderful" he rattled, "We haven't had homemade biscuits here for donkey's years. Well, not for a few weeks at least!"
Hugh rushed in at the sound of her voice. "Dottie" he called "Biscuits, Yum!"
"Collins, you look after this girlie" Sargent Green told Hugh "She's a treasure and a keeper if she brings food to the station for you!"
Hugh chuckled and winked at Dot, as the Sargent opened the box. Dot wasn't sure if the Ginger snaps would make it as far as the tea room!
Sargent Green carried the box out of the main room, heading toward the back of the station. Dot caught Hugh's attention, and nodded toward the Inspectors office. "Here you are" she whispered as she bought the smaller cardboard box out of her basket.
"Great, Just the ticket" whispered Hugh as he took the biscuits and turned toward the office.
"Hey, Hang on there Collins, What have you got there?" exclaimed Sargent Green, who had turned around at an inopportune time.
Hugh froze, faltered, and then looked at Dot in hope. "Some biscuits for the Inspector" he managed.
"Are you trying to charm up the Inspector? " quizzed Sargent Green. He looked at Dot. "What are you after, buttering up the old guy?"
Dot decided that: firstly, the Inspector could not be in his office, and secondly: Sargent Green really was a snake. However, she turned on her smile again and replied "Well Hugh has been working a lot of over time lately, and could do with an extra day off. And I believe that the Inspector is the person who decides if extra time off should be rewarded!" Her smile was plastered on.
Sargent Green considered that, and looked form Dot to Hugh and back again. Then he threw back his head and laughed. "What a girlie" he chuckled "Talk about guts, buttering up the old guy with food. Good luck to you girlie, you'll go far!" And he wandered off into the corridors of the police station.
Hugh looked at Dot who returned his gaze. "Well, go on, put it on his desk" she mouthed and made motions with her hands to encourage Hugh to move.
"Oh, right" gabbled Hugh and rushed into the Inspectors empty office, placed the box of biscuits on the desk and rushed out again, mission accomplished!
Hugh gave a sigh of relief and smiled at Dot. Dot smiled back, but said "I better go home then", somewhat disappointed that the event was all over.
Hugh walked her to the door, thankfully the rain had stopped. "Thank you for bringing those biscuits in" he said. "They'll be a big hit with the lads"
Dot chuckled. "And you better get inside before they are all gone!" Hugh joined in her laughter, and then lent in to kiss her cheek. "Better go. Love you" he said and he rushed off.
Dot smiled after him, her hand on her cheek where he had kissed her. "Love you too" she whispered to the vacant air.
Inspector Robinson returned to his office later that day, feeling decidedly damp and grumpy after traipsing around in the rain. He placed his hat on the hat stand and shook his coat before hanging it up. It was only when he sat at his desk that he noticed the small box on it. Jack approached it cautiously. It was unusual for plain cardboard items to appear on his desk inexplicably! He gave it a poke, and a shake.
Deciding that the parcel was harmless, he pulled the sting and opened the box. Inside were a dozen gingersnap biscuits, round and a dark golden colour. He inhaled the scent, taking in the smell and appreciating the effort someone had put into the biscuits. Just looking at the biscuits lifted his day, he liked the fact that someone had chosen to give him this simple gift.
Jack then noticed the small note inside. He unfolded it and read "To Inspector Robinson, from the Fisher Household", in decidedly school girl hand writing. He broke into a smile and reached for his biscuit tin.