As they sat in the car outside Jenny's flat a few hours later, Dennis stared down at his lap. "Jenny-"
Interrupting, Jenny reached out to clasp one of his hands. "Dennis, what you were going to say earlier..."
"Jenny! Home late, I don't know what our parents would say!" Steve called out from the doorway, grinning.
Jenny sighed as Dennis took his hand away. "You should go in, it's cold out here."
Jenny glanced towards her brother, then back to Dennis. After a moment's hesitation, she leant over and kissed his cheek gently. "I love you, Dennis. I love you even with your temper and your struggle to talk about your emotions. And I love you a little bit more every time I see you struggling between what you want to do and what you think you should do." She dropped another kiss to his cheek before climbing from the car.
"Night, Dennis."
The scot finally looked up, a smile on his face. "Night, Jen."
"You're not coming inside, Den?!" Steve called out, getting a slap on the arm from Jenny.
…
"Sarge, phone call! It's the neighbour who called us about the Aidensfield surgery break-in!" Alf called out, hoping the sergeant's door was open so he wouldn't have to get up.
With a sigh, Dennis picked up the phone, expecting a long call about nothing in particular. "Mrs Jenkins?"
"Sergeant Merton! The boy was back! The one who broke in. I'm sure of it. He was walking next to Jenny, and the doctor was walking in front of them-"
"Was? When did this happen?"
"About half an hour ago. Yes, just after 1."
"Why the hell did you wait half an hour to call?!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sure, but I had to see my grandson off to school after his dinner!"
Slamming down the phone, Dennis called out. "Alf!"