Two.

Two days after the infamous pineapple incident came another hazardous surprise in the form of one D.I Neville Parker.

Anna often rode her white moped to work, the body work decorated with multi-coloured tropical blooms and a disparity of vibrant birds (Walking took a while longer, and was not so conducive in the mid-summer heat, either). Taking her usual route down the narrow bumpy lane and then into town, she had just rounded a corner when a man stepped out in front of her little moped without so much as a warning.

Tires screeched as she slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel, pitching the back end of the vehicle upwards into the air and sending Anna flying forward. The bike toppled due to the angle of the front wheel and in turn she hurtled off, landing face first into the dirt.

"Oh my god! I am so, so sorry! Are you alright?" A very familiar masculine voice sounded in Anna's ears. She felt his hand fall on her back before he grasped her shoulder gently. "Let me help you, are you hurt?"

Anna pushed herself up with her arm, meeting the dark brown eyes of Neville Parker with a narrowed glare. "You!"

"Oh... erm. Hi," He said sheepishly, removing his hand quickly as he noticed her glower.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Anna cried, pulling off her helmet to allow long brunette curls to spring free. "Do you always lumber around like a – like a big walking tree!?"

"I wasn't thinking, I'm really sorry!" Neville said ardently, fingers scratching at his forearm profusely through the thick suit jacket he wore.

"You can't just step out in the middle of the road! I could have hit you!"

"I know, I know. Please, can you just tell me you are ok? Are you injured? Do you want me to take you to the hospital -"

"No way! I am not letting you take me anywhere, thank you very much!" She hauled up her moped to inspect the damage, thanking her lucky stars that the bike remained unmarred or dented. It was only due to the shock wearing off, did Anna begin to feel a stinging sensation on her cheek. She placed her hand onto the offending area, withdrawing the digits and seeing the shocking red of blood.

"Oh my god, you're bleeding!" Neville said in alarm, swinging his backpack from his shoulders and rummaging through its contents quickly. "I have a first aid kit in here somewhere, just give me a second... where the hell are you?"

"Er no, thank you. I'm going to work, I'm already late as it is." Anna huffed in annoyance, prepared to wheel her moped the rest of the way. Her body felt quite sore, and she wanted to start her evening shift with a large rum.

"Just let me stop the bleeding? Please? It's the least I can do," Neville asked sincerely, a neat grey box with a red cross on the front in his hand. Anna let out a 'tut' with her tongue, muttering a few choice words under her breath whilst wheeling the moped to the side of the small road. The tall detective followed suit and she nudged the kickstand with her foot, setting her vehicle upright before sitting on the seat with her feet flat on the ground.

"This might sting," He said softly, sliding one of his large hands onto her uninjured cheek, before placing a cloth of some kind against the wound. Neville's hand was soft, warm, gentle. Anna's skin was naturally pale, like his, but now held a sun kissed tan from years of sun exposure. She noticed that he smelt strongly of insect repellent and of course, citronella. The thought would have given her a laugh, had the situation warranted it, of course.

Anna did wince as he used the cloth to stem the bleeding, the skin raw and tender. Her sky blue eyes met his and for a moment they widened in confoundment, as his gaze softened with a strange, devoted look that Anna found hard to decipher.

She mentally scolded herself, remembering the man before her was an absolute nuisance, and that the butterflies in her stomach were due to the pain in her cheek, not Neville.

He cleared his throat; face flushed a deep magenta. "I erm, have antiseptic wipes that might help?"

"I think I'll just take them to the bar. I really need to get going or I'm going to be in trouble. Again," Anna said, ignoring the tingles as his hand splayed out slightly so his fingers brushed the sensitive skin of her neck. "You can let go of me now."

"Oh. Oh!" Neville flushed even harder, removing his hold quickly. Anna held onto the cloth at her cheek, making to start pushing her moped along the track, before he spoke up once more. "Here, let me do that!"

"It's alright, really -"

"Honestly, it's not a problem," Neville took hold of the handles, beginning to wheel it along the road and into the main street in town. Anna was met with curious glances from many of the locals, of whom she waved her hand in a gesture that read 'don't ask'. Within minutes, they reached the bar.

"Anna? What happened to you?" Catherine asked upon seeing the state of Anna, hurrying over to the disgruntled brunette. "I knew that moped was going to be dangerous! What did I tell you?"

"It wasn't my fault, mamam!" Anna cried, regretting it as her cheek stung.

"Hi Catherine, er, actually, it was my fault," Neville said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I stepped out into the road, Anna managed to stop before she, well, you know, sent me flying. I've checked the cut and it's not too deep, I don't think stitches are necessary,"

"That was very kind of you, Neville, thank you," Catherine cooed. Her mamam not only ran a bar, but was also the Mayor of the island and always possessed a very calm, strong demeanour. These were traits Anna hoped she would inherit one day, depsite being convinced she was too much like her real mother.

"Thank you!? I could have broken my neck, and you thank him?" Anna seethed.

"Did you break your neck?"

"Well, no, but I -"

"And are you still in one piece?"

"Yes."

"Then everything is ok, is it not Neville?" Her mamam grinned, patting him on the shoulder. Neville caught Anna's glare and flushed, gulping audibly.

"Er, yeah, all good,"

Anna let out a scoff. "Just keep your distance from now on, alright?" She said to the detective warningly, muttering angrily whilst making her way into the back to clean herself up.

Detective Inspector Neville Parker was a total nuisance, and the sooner he left, the better.

...