Chapter 7

This chapter is especially dedicated to RoyalFlushGang.

Harleen sighed to herself as she wiped down the last of the table tops. Jack and his colleagues had left abruptly after the subtle altercation with Mark. Mr Napier collected the money owed from the rest of the Airmen and delivered every penny to Mrs Gilbert. He also requested to set up a tab, in which he would pay a weekly amount depending on how much he drunk. This pleased Mr and Mrs Gilbert beyond belief. In truth the pub hadn't been taking as much money as it used to before the war. Money couldn't be wasted on fanciful pleasures such as alcohol. The people around here barely had enough to survive, let alone spending it needlessly.

The thought that Jack would be coming to the pub frequently made a smile stretch across Harleen's face. There was something about him that had her completely entranced, the way his blue eyes held hers captive whenever he spoke, sent a delicious chill down her spine. "Stop it Harleen." She scolded herself, whilst dragging her damp dish cloth over the dark wooden surfaces.

"Harleen, you can go now dear. We're almost done and I don't want to keep you any later than needed." Mrs Gilbert said, walking into view.

Harleen smiled and walked over towards the bar. "Thanks Mrs Gilbert." She then turned her head upwards and checked the overhead clock, the time read 23:03. She groaned inwardly, Harley had hoped that she would be able to get off earlier, to avoid asking for a lift from Mr Gilbert. Her mother would have a heart attack if she discovered that Harleen had walked home alone at this time of night.

Mrs Gilbert noticed the uneasy look on her face. "Is everything alright Harleen? I know having the Americans here was a bit overwhelming, but we made a fair amount tonight and that lovely Mr Napier set up a tab!" She beamed.

"Oh, no Mrs Gilbert, I'm fine...it was actually quite refreshing having different customers besides our regulars." Harleen admitted with a smile. She then looked over directly at Mrs Gilbert, chewing her bottom lip. "I don't mean to ask this, but would it be an awful inconvenience if Mr Gilbert ran me and the dogs home? Only, my mother would be that mad if she found out I walked home alone."

Mrs Gilbert furrowed her brow in thought. "I would like to say yes Harleen but Jonathan's been on the sauce, since we made a fair game of it tonight." She said, regretting every word. "And I can't drive, not that Jonathan would let me touch his car even if I could!"

"Oh...erm...well I suppose it couldn't hurt just this once." Harleen stuttered, mentally kicking herself for not asking for a lift earlier that night.

"I'm sorry Harleen," Mrs Gilbert frowned. She then walked over towards the till and pulled open the tray. "Here take this, your night's pay and some tips." She said, shoving a couple of bob into Harleen's hand. "Get yourself home quickly and give the tips to your mother, she can't be angry if you've made this much."

Harley nodded weakly, feeling an uneasy pit of anxiety building in her stomach at the thought of walking through the village at night. Ordinarily she perhaps wouldn't of minded, but with Mark's lingering eyes stuck in her mind from earlier, she couldn't help but shiver. "Thank you Mrs Gilbert, I'll just grab my coat." She said, pocketing the money and walking over towards her bag.

Harleen slipped on her coat and secured her bag and gas mask over one shoulder, making sure that she had everything before she left. She waved goodbye to Mr and Mrs Gilbert, before heading off to the back door to get her pups.

"Run straight back here if you get any trouble Harleen." Mr Gilbert said apologetically as he set down his nearly finished pint of beer.

"I'm sure it won't come to that Mr Gilbert." She smiled, heading out towards the pub gardens. As soon as she opened the door, Harleen instinctively gripped her coat tightly to her body. The air was cold, leaving a nasty bite as it whipped past. "Bud? Lou? C'mon boys, time to go!" She called. The two alsatians pounced out of the bushes towards her, their tongues hanging out of their mouths while their tails wagged into over drive. They curled around her legs, brushing their fur against her.

Suddenly thick vocals protruded the silence "You should really keep them on a lead."

Harleen gasped at the sound, she turned her head sharply and jumped back in surprise. Jack was standing with his back against the same tree from earlier, sucking on another cigarette. "Easy toots, it's only me." He chuckled, smiling at her reaction.

Harleen grasped her chest and giggled weakly. "You scared me Mr Napier."

"Am I really that scary?" Jack asked, walking over to her whilst extinguishing the end of his light.

She nodded, "You might not be, but your manners are." Harleen joked, brushing a stray piece of hair away from her head. She watched him as he gently rolled his head back and laughed. His neck tensed under the strain and soon Harleen found herself staring at his Adam's apple. It moved beautifully under his skin as his heavy laugh escaped his throat. Her eyes flicked towards the collar of his shirt, neatly pressed down while his tie hung perfectly in between the gap. Jack's brown sheepskin leather jacket covered the majority of it. The collar was turned up, protecting the back of neck from the harsh, bitter coldness. She wondered for a moment how warm it might be, being wrapped up tightly underneath it all, the fluffy material that lined the brown jacket look so inviting.

"You really should smile more." He commented, pulling Harleen back to the world of reality.

"Why?" She asked, not making a conscious effort not to grin.

"Your face lights up... along with your eyes." Jack said, making more steps towards her.

Harleen blushed, turning her head awkwardly away from his gaze, she noticed his movements towards her. "I thought you'd be back at the barracks by now, with the rest of your...colleagues."

Napier shrugged. "I didn't quite fancy sharing a truck with those morons. Besides, I need the walk to clear my head."

Harleen furrowed her brow. "Morons?"

"Yeah, like a bunch of idiots." He grinned. "Christ, they weren't kiddin' when they said there would be a culture gap! Guess I'll have to educate you." Jack said, pulling his lips into a half smirk.

"I guess you will." Harleen replied, feeling another forbidden blush creep up onto her face. She pulled at her jacket again. "Well Mr Napier, I really must be going...it's getting late."

Jack nodded, then he cocked his head to one side, allowing a thick lock of brown hair to fall over his forehead. "You catching a ride or something?"

"No, I missed out on a lift. I'm walking home." She told him. There was something about the way his gaze changed when her words met his ears, something that made her heart flutter heavily. "Well, I'll be going now… So, I suppose I'll see you soon? Since you've set up a tab...at the bar I mean."

"Yeah," Jack chuckled. He brought his hand up to rub the back of his neck, causing the jacket that he was wearing to gather around his elbow and shoulders. "Figured I could use the change of scenery. Staying cooped up in my billet isn't healthy...for the mind, y'know."

Harleen nodded slowly, meeting his blue eyes in an unbreakable gaze. "I know."

"That's of you don't mind me drinking all your scotch!" He teased, breaking into a devouring smile. "Plus the customer service here ain't too bad."

"Well I'm glad you approve Mr Napier." Harleen said, gently stepping away. "Now I really must get going."

"Let me walk you." Jack said suddenly, closing the gap that she had created. "It can get dangerous in the dark."

Harleen raised her brow. "I know this village like the back of my hand. Besides, the dogs will protect me."

"Let me walk you...I'm tryna be a gentleman here." He exclaimed, smiling still.

"I appreciate your chivalry Mr Napier, but honestly, I'm fine. It's a ten minute walk at most."

"Toots, you jumped out of your skin when you left the bar just now. I can either walk you, or follow you. Either way I'm not letting you go alone." He told her firmly. Jack stood beside her and held his arm out for her to take. He jutted his head to the side, encouraging her to take it. Harleen shook her head from side to side and giggled. The sweet melody escaping her lips made Jack's mouth gape slightly in astonishment. Hesitantly, Harleen hooked her arm around his. Her fingers gently brushed the leather of his jacket sleeves, she bit her lip at the feeling.

"There, that wasn't too hard was it Harley?" He murmured, studying the sight of her arm wrapped around his. "Now, which way is home to you?"

Tilting her head up, she captured his eyes. The moonlight reflecting of his pupils as they darted around her face for an answer. Harleen could practically feel the heat from his body pressed into the left side. Her mouth instantly went dry. "Err...this way…"