They were still sitting together, wrapped in their own little world when Rosie returned to the parlour half an hour later. Rosie stood in the doorway, debating whether to interrupt them or not. Phryne looked up and smiled.

"Mr Butler?" Phryne called softly. "Would you get Ms Sanderson a..." One day she would have to get Mr Butler to tell her how he read her mind so effortlessly, she thought as he appeared with a glass of champagne for Rosie. As Phryne sat up, Jack stirred beneath her. A gentle hand on his arm calmed him as he woke. Blinking at the intrusion of the lights, Jack became aware of his ex-wife standing in the doorway. He sat up suddenly, spilling Phryne unceremoniously onto the floor. Laughing, Phryne struggled back to her feet.

"Rosie, have a seat and make yourself at home. I'm sure that Jack will regain his manners when he wakes properly."

"It has been a draining time for all of us."

Rosie had long since retired to bed and Jack and Phryne were still sitting in the parlour. It was hours past the time that propriety insisted he left her home. He still made no move to leave.

"So, Inspector, are we going to talk about this?"

"I don't think I can face the case today."
"Not the case. This." Phryne signalled between the two of them.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No, I want you to talk to me Jack." There was so much left unsaid between them. No matter how strong she was on the outside, she shuddered to think what actually having this conversation would do to them, do to her.

"What do you want me to say Phryne? You've already told me that you can't give me what I want. You've told me you could never give yourself to just one man and I could never be just another dalliance." Phryne's heart broke as she watched the hurt and fear cross his face.

"Jack..."

"Phryne, don't. Not today. I couldn't cope with you letting this go with all that's happened today."

"Jack, look at me." For the first time since she'd broached the dreaded subject, he looked at her. Her face cracked, her usually sunny mask was gone and in its place was fear, hurt and heartache.

"Oh God, Phryne."

"Don't you dare feel sorry for me Jack Robinson!"

"I don't want to hurt you Phryne, but I can't put myself in as another player in your games."

"Jack, when was the last time you saw another man in this house? Apart from Mr Butler, Hugh, Cec and Bert of course." Jack thought about this. It had been months since he had seen or heard of Phryne's nocturnal activities. "Jack, it's only been you for a long time now."

Dorothy was not surprised to find Inspector Robinson in Miss Fisher's bed the next morning. What did surprise her was that they were both still fully clothed. Phryne was cuddled up tightly against the Inspector's chest, his arms tightly pulling her as close as possible. Dot placed the tea tray on the table and left the room.

It was past midday by the time Jack woke in a strange bed. He woke alone, but the hint of French perfume lingered on the sheets. She had been there, that he knew. He stretched. His hand encountered something that crumpled under his touch.

"I didn't have the heart to wake you. Feel free to use the facilities – the lavender salts are amazing! Join us downstairs when you're ready. P"

The bottom of the note was stained with red lipstick. He smiled, thinking of the kiss she'd left him. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and padded bare foot towards the bathroom. Filling the bath with hot water and salts, Jack lowered his frame into the bath and sighed as the hot water immediately relaxed his tired muscles.

Jane, Phryne and Rosie were busy making a mess of the kitchen. Dot watched on, cringing at everything that she and Mr Butler were going to have to clean up once they were done. The biscuits were misshapen but the hapless chefs didn't seem to mind. Jack smiled at the picture that greeted him. Jane was busy scraping the left over mixture off the side of the bowl while Phryne ran her finger along the edge and sucked on it. She looked up, still cleaning the sticky sweet goo off her finger.

"Jack! You must try Jane's new invention!" She quickly ran her finger along the bowl again and held it out for Jack to clean.

"Yum! Well done Jane!" Jack said, ruffling the young girl's hair. In retaliation, Jane swiped biscuit mix down his face. Rosie watched on with a smile. Jack was so at ease in this household. She couldn't remember him ever being this happy in their own marriage. She thought she should feel awkward in this situation, with her ex-husband in his new lover's kitchen (were they lovers? Sometimes she wondered), but she wasn't.

"Excuse me Miss? Mrs Stanley is here to see you," Mr Butler announced. Phryne rolled her eyes at Jack before wiping his face with the edge of the tea towel.

"Coming Mr Butler." Phryne hadn't even stepped inside the parlour before her aunt started.

"How could your Inspector friend let this happen?"

"Good morning to you too Aunt P."

"Don't 'Aunt P' me my girl. What are you doing about this situation?"

"And what situation would that be?" Phryne asked, sitting heavily in the chair by the door. She felt this was going to be a long visit.

"Sanderson and his nephew. The ruling was unacceptable! What they did to those poor girls! And their sentences!" Aunt Prudence made as if to swoon. Phryne rolled her eyes. In the hallway, out of sight, Jack leant his head back against the wall and sighed. He was as upset about this as Mrs Stanley, possibly the only time he would ever agree with her. Yet he still had no idea what to do about it.