I always thought it could have led to an interesting storyline if Jenny had been in the episode 'Harmony' in Series 12 when Dennis' cousin came.
…
To Didi, it seemed as though the adults had left the room to discuss her like she was a naughty child. She supposed in a way she was, bringing down all this drama on top of them.
"Can I get you a cup of tea?" The blonde behind the counter suddenly asked her.
"Ah..no, thanks. I don't much like tea."
"I didn't before I moved here and discovered not liking tea is on par with partnering with the actual devil, according to many of our patients. You must be Didi?" At Didi's nod, the blonde offered "I'm Jenny."
"Dennis' Jenny?! I had pictured you as an old lady with wrinkled stockings when mum told me he had a girlfriend."
"Well, thanks very much." Jenny laughed. "He's not that old, and I definitely never let my stockings wrinkle."
Didi smiled. "Sorry. I'm nervous about what they're talking about in there."
"Then go in. They're talking about you, you should be in there."
Didi looked at her for a moment and then marched into the room. Everyone stopped talking and looked her way as she folded her arms.
"Didi-" her mother began.
"I'll stay with Jenny."
"You'll what?!" Came four voices.
Didi glanced back at Jenny where she stood in the doorway looking as surprised as everyone else. "He won't look for me there, will he. It will give me a few days of peace to think."
"Have you asked Jenny about this?" Dennis asked, glancing at the blonde.
"No, but you don't mind, do you, Jenny? She needs help with her stockings anyway." Didi smiled triumphantly.
…
As the light began to fade Dennis knocked on the door with a slight smile pulling at his lips, which lit to a full smile when the door was opened. "Miss Latimer."
"Sergeant Merton." Jenny smiled back.
"How's Didi?"
"Oh, fine. She's asleep now, having told me all your family secrets."
Dennis gave an amused nod. "Aye, I thought she might. Found any skeletons that have scared you off?"
"Listen, I'm sure every family has their fair share." Jenny offered kindly, before adding "Perhaps one day I can tell you about mine."
"I look forward to it." Dennis smiled, glancing up the stairs. "…I best not come in if she's sleeping. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Jenny nodded, accepting a gentle kiss, her hand resting over Dennis' heart.
"Sleep well." Dennis smiled as he took a couple of steps backwards. "What was Didi saying about your stockings?"
"Never you mind."
…..
Dennis groaned when the phone rang. A squint at the clock told him it was almost midnight. "Merton."
"Uncle Dennis?"
Dennis was wide awake in an instant. "Didi? What's happened?"
"I woke up and saw a face at the front window. I woke Jenny and she went out to look, but she hasn't come back and it's been ages!"
…
Dennis probably broke every speed limit he was supposed to enforce on his drive to Jenny's house. He was met with Didi's face glancing worriedly around the door. "I'll have a quick look around out here. Close the door and only open it if it's me or Jenny, okay?"
Didi nodded her head, shutting and locking the door.
Heart beating fast, Dennis looked for any clues about what might have happened; something dropped, something out of place, something- he saw a flash of blonde hair. "Jenny?"
Sat on the bench at the end of the road lit only by moonlight, a cold Jenny lifted her head. "Dennis? What are you doing here?"
"Didi called me. Said she saw someone at the window and you disappeared after him." Dennis replied, eyes on the man with a lowered head beside her who gave a quiet wail when Dennis placed his coat over Jenny's shoulders.
"David's had a bit of an upset. Nothing to worry about." Jenny rubbed David's back.
"I didn't mean to cause any panic. I only wanted to talk to Jenny." David said tearfully, jumping up.
"David-"
"I'll see you tomorrow." David replied, rushing away to his truck.
"David.." Jenny looked after David with a sigh as Alfred raced after him.
"What…" was all Dennis could formulate.
"I have no idea. Something about death, a box of apples and a kiss. I think he's worried he might have made someone pregnant over a box of assorted fruit." A smile pulled at Jenny's lips.
"Well." Dennis grinned.
Jenny's smile widened as she stood up. "Sorry for giving you a fright."
"Not half as bad as the fright David seems to have had."
…
"Deborah!"
Deborah lifted her head and her eyebrows. "I didn't expect you to be here so early, Dennis."
He pulled his coat over his shoulders. "Aye, well." Was his only reply. Best not to get into the fact Didi had fallen asleep and he'd stayed for a cup of tea and ended up falling asleep sitting up with Jenny in his arms. "Didi is awake, you can go up." He stepped aside.
….
When Dennis was stood in the wings listening to his cousin sing that evening, he found himself gazing at a certain blonde in the crowd.
Feeling eyes on her, Jenny tilted her head and smiled at the man who was watching her, then gestured toward one of the other patrons. A certain someone from the grocers who was now stood with someone other than David Stockwell.
Dennis raised his eyebrows and smiled, catching sight of David in the rafters looking shocked.
…
Two days later, David pulled his hat off and blushed when he saw the sergeant entering the pub. "I'm..I'm sorry about…"
"Forgotten." Dennis nodded, smiling.
Relieved, David turned back to the pint he had been nursing the best part of an hour.
"Stop it." Jenny smiled as she felt Dennis begin to laugh softly again.
"We should have let Didi know a kiss over a box of assorted fruit was all it took."
"Hush. " Jenny laughed, hiding her face briefly against his jacket.
"What's so funny, then?" Gina asked.
"Just families." Dennis offered.
"And midnight visits." Jenny smiled.
"And assorted fruit." Dennis managed, before the pair dissolved into quiet laughter again.