"...And that's when I put I came up with this brilliant plan." PC Penhale's voice carried out the door of the police station.

"Ohhh! Yeah, right," Morwenna said, clearly tuning the constable out.

"Don't you want to know what it was?"

"Mhm. Yes...umm...of course."

"Well, I remembered the old car boot I had lying around out in the back shed, see? Never used-not many serious parking violations since I've been on the beat," he bragged.

"Right. Right."

"So I whipped that baby out and..."

"...and stuck it on the MPs vehicle. Another save by our brave PC!" Al said with feigned enthusiasm as he entered the door.

Morwenna's face brightened considerably. "Al, you're back!," she exclaimed, giving him a light hug.

"Okay, okay," he said reciprocating. "Just took Mike over to the base. Not exactly ano'her trip to Tanzania." She released her grip, smiling sheepishly.

"But...umm...I'm glad ya missed me..." he mumbled. There was awkward silence. His mind frantically searched for some way to break the ice. "Morwenna, fancy a walk over by the breakwaters? Word is there's some...um...dolphins out by the harbor entrance."

"But...it's low tide..." Penhale whispered indiscreetly.

Al winked. A look of understanding came over Penhale's face. He attempted to wink back.

There was another awkward silence.

"Well, thanks for your help, Constable!" Morwenna broke in. "We al'ays know we can count on you!" she added an overly upbeat voice, heading for the door with Al.

"Never a problem. Just your friendly local policeman tryin' to..." The couple was out the door, chatting away. Penhale's walkie talkie chirped.

"0901...This is Police Constable Penhale receiving. Please relay your request, over."

"Is this PC Penhale?"

"Roger that, 0901"

"Constable this is Colonel Harbridge of the 1678th Military Police Squadron. I'm afraid I'm going to ask you a few questions..."

"Urgent situation...has just...come up. Over. Man...down...on...harbor...wall. Over. Possible...life...or...death...situation...sir. Over and Out"

"PC Penhale!"

"Roger that 0901. Got to go. Over and Out."

He clicked the phone off. "How am I gonna get outta this one?" he lamented out loud.

Morwenna and Al meanwhile were strolling along the beach.

"Dolphins? Is that the best you could come up with?" Morwenna teased.

"Well, I had to get you outta there somehow, didn't I?" Al said, sulking only the slightest bit.

Morwenna cast long eyes at him.

"Al? You're something special, ya know that?"

"Oh, riiight. See someone I know told me I was 'just Al.' Nothing new. Al'ays predictable. Mumble 'lot."

"I like you're mumblin', actually. And I could use predictable. Goodness knows I put up with enough craziness e'ryday."

"Not still into Mike...or Collin even?"

"Well, Collin's a bit over-the-top for my taste, and Mike's nice, and he's got a nice bod', but um..."

"...The state of your kitchen would kill 'im!" Al finished. She laughed, nodding her head in agreement. He watched her, smiling a little.

"Morwenna?"

"Mhmm?"

"What would you think of...umm...us...you know...together? Forget about Cornish Couples ...that terribly worded letter..."

"I think'd be grand!"

"Really?"

Morwenna laughed and shook her head. "Would you like me to write it out for you Al?"

A mischievous grin appeared on his face. "Well, I mean, a contract might be..."

She poked him in the ribs.

"Dinner at Large's?" he suggested, nursing his wound.

"You're buyin'!"