Jenny gave a sigh and removed Jim's hand from her back for the fourth time since they'd left the Aidensfield arms. She had waited hopefully for Dennis and Tricia to come back, but when it got to closing time, Jenny finally accepted a lift from one of Phil's rugby friends.
Stepping forward, Jim opened the door and Jenny looked down at the litter-strewn car with dismay.
"Won't be a minute, and I'll have it looking as good as new. I don't suppose you're free on Friday are you? I know it's Christmas Eve, but there's this show on that I have tickets for." He turned around hopefully, frowning when the blonde was no longer there. "…Jenny?"
…
When Dennis pulled into the Aidensfield Arm's car park, he was expecting to find that Jenny had already left, but instead he found her stood, arms folded, next to car as a man threw rubbish from the seat into her shoes.
Sensing movement, Jenny turned and a smile lit her face as Dennis put a finger to his lips and then a hand to her waist to lead her away.
…
Jenny sat in Dennis' clean car and giggled.
"It's lucky I just stole his date and didn't fine him for littering." Dennis glanced towards the bewildered Jim as they drove past.
"I wasn't his date. In fact, the person who's date I thought I was left me in the lurch."
"I'm sure he didn't want to."
Jenny smiled, resting her head back before shutting her eyes. "What do you think he was up to all evening?"
"Well, I'd imagine he'd gone to do something terribly important, like take a doctor to save a life that's hanging in the balance."
"A life hanging in the balance? Must have been quite an evening for him, then."
"Aye, I suppose it could have been, but unfortunately, I believe it turned out that the life hanging in the balance was that of a cow, and your date spent a good 3 hours in the cold with his hand up a cows bum."
…
"would you like to come in for a nightcap?" Jenny asked hopefully as they pulled up outside her flat.
"I would love to, but it's been a long day."
Jenny nodded, a little disappointed. She'd just pushed open the door when Dennis suddenly spoke in a rush.
"I'm working Christmas morning, but Tricia has invited me to hers for Christmas dinner, and she said you would be there, so I was wondering if you'd like a lift?"
After a moment's hesitation, Jenny leant across and dropped a kiss to the sergeants cheek. "I would really like that."
Dennis watched her unlock her flat and disappear inside with a smile on his face that grew into a grin when he noticed the bunny tail that now hung from his rear-view mirror.