Dennis gave Ventress a grumbled greeting before making his way towards his office just after midday. He hated court. He was always convinced that somehow his demotion or his temper would be worked into the defence.
Now, he slid his jacket off and sat at his desk, emitting a sigh before noticing the box on top of his paperwork.
With a frown, he took the folded piece of paper from the top and opened it.
'No excuses not to have any lunch now, Sergeant.
Love, Jenny.'
…
"Doctor's surgery."
"Can I take this to mean you're not angry with me anymore?" Dennis asked hopefully as Jenny passed a prescription to a patient with a smile.
"It means that even though I'm angry, I still care about you, and I know you need regular meals with your medication."
Dennis sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Can I see you tonight?"
"I already have plans." Jenny played with the telephone cord, winding it round her fingers.
"Lunch tomorrow, then?"
"No, thank you."
The hint of teasing in her voice was enough to get Dennis to keep asking, and when she'd turned him down several times, he added. "Well tell me when I will be able to see you."
"Well, I'm not sure, considering you've forgotten we've had tickets for almost a month to see that Jazz show tonight."
This brought a smile to Dennis' lips and he sat forward in his seat, suddenly feeling hungry. "I hadn't forgotten."
"Of course not. I need to go. Pick me up from the pub at 6."
Before the scot had replied, she'd hung up the phone. Still smiling to himself, Dennis bit into his sandwich.
...
"This seat taken?" That evening, Dennis rested a hand on the chair opposite Jenny.
"Depends who's asking, Dennis or the Sergeant."
Dennis sighed, sitting down before reaching out for her hand. "I'm sorry for what I said, how I behaved, Jen, but all sorts of things were running through my head on the way to the surgery. The thought of losing you…"
"Dennis-"
"Let me say it. The thought of losing you, it broke me in two. I can't imagine life without you. I still don't know what you see in me- I have a terrible temper, I find it difficult to talk about my feelings… but, I…I want to ask you-"
"Ready, Jen?" Gina asked, approaching from the bar. When she saw Dennis' frown, she smiled.
"Me and Phil got tickets too. I went to school with one of the band members. Jen and I decided it would be easier to go as a group."
"We'll see you outside in a moment." Jenny suppled, and as Gina nodded, Jenny squeezed Dennis' hand. "Sorry. I don't remember agreeing, she just kept talking, and I must have nodded at the wrong point."
Dennis gave a nod in resignation and stood.