The next evening, Jenny watched Dennis silently. He'd been sat studying his drink for the past half an hour. As he gave his tenth sigh of the night, Jenny reached out and took his hand, holding it in both her own. "Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"

Dennis gave another sigh and glanced up with an apologetic smile. "Sorry. Do you want another drink?"

"No, I want to know what the matter is."

Dennis looked back down at his beer and hesitated before telling her what had been on his mind all day. "I saw an old colleague last night. The one I was demoted for hitting."

Jenny was silent for a moment, and then asked, "His name wasn't Jack, was it?"

Dennis looked up with a frown. "Aye, how did you know?"

"I met him last night, and he's just arrived."

Dennis turned to look at the doorway and swore quietly. Turning back to Jenny, he looked at her earnestly. "Will you go home?"

"Leave? Why?'

Dennis tightened his grip on her hands. "Please. I'll talk to you about it later."

Jenny frowned, but seeing the expression on his face finally gave a nod. She stood and dropped a kiss to his cheek before slipping out the back way as Jack approached the table.

"Was that your wife I just saw rushing off, Den? I hope it wasn't because of me."

"Aye, that was Jenny. She had some work to do. Pint?"