Lunch was served in an English Pub crowded with lonely alcoholics and workers returned home on Christmas Day. For once, it took very little convincing to get Phryne or Jack to eat. Both her hungry and eager to take a break in order to figure out their next course of action so they found an open door that promised food and sat down. Jack felt an instantaneous feeling of aggravation and protectiveness as three separate men left their half empty mugs of beer to openly stare at Phryne. A look from the female detective and a single eyebrow raised in their direction was enough to shut them all up but that little burst reminded him why he was so hesitant to be with her. The years he'd spent feeling that jolt and having nowhere to focus it.

They made idle chatter until their food arrived and then they were burning their tongues on over done meat pie and questioning the fish and chips over two very large mugs of beer.

Jack shrugged. "When in Londinium." They tapped their glasses and took one long gulp. It was weak with a bitter aftertaste so one gulp was all they needed. "Now, Miss Fisher, what do we know?"

Phryne distracted herself with pie. It was still burning her tongue but it actually wasn't bad. "I know that this pie is delicious. I love that everything here is so savory, even the sweets."

"That's not what I mean and you know it." Jack continued to eat – or at least push his food around as he scolded her.

Her lips turned up as she took another bit of her meal. "Of course. I simply wanted to enjoy our lunch together. I've gotten to spend such little time with you since you arrived."

He rolled his eyes in amusement. "I've been here for less than 24 hours and once this case is solved, we'll have plenty of time to have that discussion. But the sooner we find Harold, the sooner we can go back to where we were so rudely interrupted."

The lady detective felt that automatic twinge of frustration as her partner once again offered a very clear innuendo. How was she supposed to get a read on this man? But who was Phryne Fisher to pass up an opportunity to get what she wanted? So she smiled and tipped her head in acknowledgement. "You do make a very good point."

Jack smirked and leaned in conspiratorially. "I usually do, you just don't listen to me."

"Because your way is usually no fun." Phryne finished off her meat pie. Now, down to business; no time for Jack's indignant protests – like the ones surely about to make an appearance. "So, what we know is that Harold is a former curator with a penchant for thievery and a mother with very expensive medical bills. Our next stop should be to see her."

The detective gave up on pretending like he wanted his meal and pushed it to the side. "Or we could telephone the police and enjoy the rest of our holiday in peace."

"You know that neither of us will be able to relax knowing that our task is half finished." Phryne shook her head, knowing she'd already won. "No, we have to see this through."

Jack stared at his companion, examining her look of smug determination. She'd already won the battle. And he knew it. With a sigh, he rolled his eyes. "You may be right but I don't have to like it."

Phryne lifted her cheeks in an unconscious smile. "That's the best part about being right. Now, let's get the bill so we can continue our quest."

He let her drive. Even after all the trouble putting her behind the wheel had cause them, she never let him say no or sway her from her decision to drive dangerously. He knew she didn't do it on purpose. It couldn't really be helped if precarious situations just fell into her lap while she was behind the wheel.

The couple were barely a kilometre away from the hospital when their car suddenly hit a rather large bump in the road. Phryne immediately swerved onto the sidewalk and narrowly missed a street lamp. Jack reached out a hand to protect her but she instinctually did the same and their limbs got tangled in the middle. Once the car had come to a complete stop, Phryne pushed open her door. "What the hell was that?"

Jack muttered as he stepped out of the vehicle. "Some things never change."

"What was that?"

"Your driving is still dangerous in another country." Jack called out with a mocking tone.

"You're very funny, Jack."

Their laughter fell apart as they saw the cause of their accident and they stared in shock.