Jenny held her coat tightly around herself and walked outside, intending to find Dennis, but after the bright lights inside it seemed pitch black outside.
"I hope you're not out here to steal some of Lord Ashfordly's game birds." Dennis asked from somewhere behind her, making Jenny jump.
Turning, she squinted into the darkness, but was still unable to see him. "Oh you know me, I always get dressed up to go poaching."
Dennis smiled at this and strolled out from where he'd been leaning against the wall. "What brings you out here into the cold, then?"
Jenny finally caught sight of his coat buttons glinting in the moonlight and relaxed a little. "Apparently the cook has a soft spot for you." She held up a mug of steaming soup. "Although I think most of it's now on my shoes."
Dennis took the mug gratefully in both hands and took a sip. "Sorry, I thought you might have been the person we're waiting for. Although I'm not totally convinced you're not, so I might have to check your pockets when I'm done."
"I hope you're not saying the wife of a policeman might do something illegal."
"Dennis smiled and took another sip of the warming soup. "Having fun inside?"
"Oh, loads. Just had a scintillating half an hour lecture on the pros and cons of investment properties in London."
Dennis finished the last of his soup and handed the mug back to Jenny. "Well let's both hope this party finishes soon, because I lost feeling in my hands about half an hour ago."
"I can warm them up, if you like," she smiled
…
When Jenny opened the door to the cloakroom, a man standing inside gave a shiver. "Freezing, isn't it?"
"It is a lot warmer in the dining hall…" Jenny hung up her coat, and as she wondered if this was the man the police were looking for he gave a guilty smile.
"Just avoiding a toff who wants to talk to me about investment properties. Again."
Jenny gave a smile and a nod. "He caught me earlier and gave me the same speech he's given me every time I've met him about how I can't lose. Doesn't do it himself, of course."
The man smiled at this and held out a hand. "That's the fellow. I'm Jack, pleasure to meet you."
…