Part 12

Imperial Hotel

Mt Thomas

12:00pm

"We're hear for the lunches Chrissy!" called PJ as he marched into the Imperial.

"Oh! Sure, let me just grab them." The red headed publican disappeared into another room.

"I can't believe no one noticed anything! Tell me you wouldn't notice a stranger appear from the back of the local Sergeant's house dragging a monstrous scratching post!" cried Ben, frustrated.

"I know, but…" PJ stopped as he noticed someone wander into the Imperial. It was one of their feral friends, Angela, with what appeared to be a younger sister.

"PJ? Ah...earth to PJ!" called Ben, surprised his friend had just stopped, mid sentence.

"Ah…" was all PJ muttered. He had worked it all out. Suddenly it all fitted into place.

Flinders St McDonalds

12:30pm

"Have you two ordered?" asked Jack as he wandered into the busy restaurant.

Jo and Tess looked up from their position next to the stairs at Jack, "Not yet. Come on, we'll do it now," replied Jo quickly, tactfully as ever. She leaped up and practically dragged Jack to the counter. She had to escape Tess's invasive questions. Tess had been pestering Jo ever since that morning. She couldn't have worked it out already, could she? She'd have to talk to Jack about it.

Tess, already perceiving Jo's intentions, went along with it, asking them to order for her, and she'd save a table.

As soon as the nosy Sergeant was out of earshot, Jo turned to Jack.

"She knows."

Jack looked shocked, "Ah... wha... sorry? How, did you tell her? Shit Jo."

Jo looked back at him, offended, "Oh yes Stretch, I told her today. Just sorta came up in conversation. 'Oh by the way Tess, I'm sorta having a secret affair with a member of our station, despite the fact that it's against regulations, and the Boss is going to go off the deep end again.' Glad to see you trust me Jack." Jo turned away from him.

"Sorry, Jo, I didn't mean it like that. I just don't understand how she could possibly know." He placed a hand on her arm.

Jo jumped back, startling Jack again, "what?"

"Like that! We must have been acting differently- we have to be so careful! You can't touch me in public, or anything."

"Oh. Look, we'd better order." Jack strode to the registers to place their order. Jo looked at him, and sighed. This wasn't the way it was supposed to go, it wasn't supposed to be like this at all.

Tess sat watching the two from her little spot behind a seating booth. She had viewed the entire exchange, and was pretty sure she knew exactly what it had been about. She decided she'd confront Jo sometime that evening.

McDonalds, Flinders Street

12:35pm

"I'll be back in a sec, just going to the loo."

Jo got up from the table, and to her surprise Tess did the same. Predicting Jo's suprise, she replied, "I have to visit the little girl's room myself.

Once in the toilets, Tess turned to Jo. "Okay, what's going on here?"

"Sorry?" replied Jo, all innocent, but her eyes darting back and forth.

"Between you and Jack, please Jo, don't tell me there is something going on between you two,"

"I don't know what you're talking abo..." Jo stopped, a plan suddenly forming in her mind.

Tess's eyes stared at her quizzically, awaiting Jo to continue.

Jo stepped back, appearing defeated. "Okay, he begged me not to tell you, but..."

"Go on Jo,"

Jo leant against the basin, as if preparing herself. "Well, it all started yesterday morning...