Dennis dialled a familiar number and then cleared his throat nervously.
"Doctor's surgery." Jenny answered the phone after two rings, glad something had interrupted one of the patients trying to set her up with their son.
"I was wondering if you had a moment to talk?"
Jenny smiled to herself, sure she detected nervousness in his voice. "Well, that depends on who it is and what you're calling about."
"Sorry, it's Sergea…Dennis."
Jenny's smile widened as he continued. She was sure he was nervous now.
"I've just heard the snow is going to be quite heavy tonight, so I wondered if you'd like a lift to Phil's party?"
Tricia had already offered Jenny a lift, but now she replied, "I would love that."
Dennis relaxed a little into his seat. "I can pick you up about half past 6?"
"I'll see you then, Sergeant Dennis."
….
That evening, Dennis took a deep breath and climbed out of his car. As he approached Jenny's door, a smile began to pull at his lips as he remembered their encounter the night before.
Inside, Jenny adjusted her hair and stared critically at herself in the mirror. At half past 6 precisely, as she knew it would be, there was a knock on the door. With one last glance in the mirror, she walked to the front door and pulled it open.
Dennis stood there with flowers in hand and a bemused smile on his face. "No bunny outfit, then?"
"I changed my mind, but I did save you this." She reached behind the door and a moment later produced a fluffy tail, pleased when she saw amusement sparkle in the sergeant's eyes.
"I'll treasure it."
…
Jenny stayed by his side for most of the evening, and every time she refused a dance or a drink from someone else, Dennis felt himself grow a little surer of her feelings and a little more confident in his manner.
He'd finally worked up the courage to ask her to dinner later in the week when Tricia approached them looking worried.
"You wouldn't be able to drive me somewhere, would you, Dennis? I've had a call about an ill patient, but my car won't start and Bernie is…a little worse for wear."
He nodded, then glanced at Jenny and was surprised when she dropped a kiss to his cheek. "I'll get a lift with someone else if it takes a while."
Tricia bit back a smile as she watched their hands brush as Dennis said a few quiet words into Jenny's ear. It was about time.
…
"Sorry to drag you away, Dennis, but this patient only ever calls if she's in a bad way."
"It seems about time you got a new car."
"That's what Mike said, but I'm so attached to this one. My father gave it to me, and I learnt to drive in it."
"Sentimentally doesn't keep you warm when you're stuck in a snow storm."
Tricia gave a smile and turned to look out into the night.
…
"Oh you're a fine one to talk, Gina! Look at you and Phil, always dancing around one another."
"That's different."
"How?"
"We're not talking about me and Phil, we're talking about you and Dennis, and I don't see the problem in this day and age for the woman to make the first move."
"I think we both know Dennis isn't quite up to date with that sort of thing. I don't want to scare him off. And anyway, I quite like how he goes about things."
"You just wish he'd speed things up?"
Jenny gave a moan and rested back against the seat. "Do I ever."