An hour later, Tricia opened the front door and glanced down the street with a sigh.
"Anything?" Mike asked through a mouthful of food.
"No. And stop eating everything!" Tricia slapped his hand away from the biscuit tray by the front door.
"I can't help it! Your neighbour keeps pushing things at me and saying I'm a growing boy."
"That sounds about right. I really am sorry, she just Invited herself over, and then said her friend had nowhere to go, and now.." She gestured to where, along with Tricia's brother, Phil and Gina, 5 older ladies now sat.
"I can deal with old ladies, but did you really have to invite my boss?"
"It was for Jenny. Look! They're here!"
"Late, as I'll take pleasure in reminding Sergeant Merton."
….
Dennis sat awkwardly between 2 older ladies who were all trying to show him photos of their cats or their grandchildren, but his eyes were on jenny where she sat talking to Tricia's brother. As soon as they arrived, the man gave Jenny the sort of enthusiastic hug Dennis wished he could, and then had steered her away to talk to her quietly.
…
Feeling eyes on her, Jenny's hand lifted to the charm that hung from the necklace Dennis had given her. The chain held a small silver pendant in the shape of a rabbit, and on the back of it, Dennis' badge number was engraved.
After a few seconds, Jenny glanced towards Dennis and gave him a slight eye roll.
Offering a smile in return, Dennis tipped his head towards the empty room next to them, and Jenny gave a slight nod.
"Sorry to stop you there, ladies, but I need to call the station and make sure everything is going as it should."
"Oh, we understand, Sergeant Merton. And there's plenty of time to show you our photos before lunch."
…
Dennis had been in the other room almost a minute when Jenny slipped in and pulled the door almost shut. "We've only just got here and I already want to leave. Every year I forget how much I hate Christmas."
"Perhaps it's not Christmas you dislike, it's the people you've been spending it with." Dennis played hesitantly with the sprig of mistletoe that he'd found resting on the table.
"Maybe." Jenny's voice barely came out as she watched his hand.
"…Perhaps I can think of something that might improve it a little?" Dennis finally lifted the sprig and held it between them.
Jenny's hand brushed his empty one that still rested by his side, but she found herself unwilling or unable to speak.
Dennis' lips finally brushed Jenny's gently.
….
"Where's the sarge?" Mike asked one of the ladies who had now finished almost a whole bottle of sherry between them.
"He's gone to make a phone call. Something about the police station."
With a frown Mike walked to the room where the phone was and pushed open the door.
He was about to speak when a pale hand slid over his mouth and pulled him quietly away.
…
When they reached the kitchen, Mike turned to Tricia. "What was that about?"
"Do you know how long that kiss has been coming? Leave them to it. Whatever you wanted to say to either of them can wait. Have you finished the potatoes yet?"
…
Inside the room, Dennis pulled Jenny a little closer, his hands wrapped around her waist as her fingers caressed the back of his head. The only reason they finally parted was to catch their breath.
Jenny smiled and loosened her a grip a little. "I think that has definitely improved my Christmas."
…