She arrived at the station and went up to the canteen
'Hi Sarge, did you have a nice time?' Polly said
'Yes, thanks'
'So come on Sarge, what did you get up to' Tony smiled
'Yeah, it must have been good you look great' Polly continued
'Well' June smirked
'Well what?'
'Well, I met someone while I was away. A very nice man from Yorkshire'
'Oh yeah, what's he do? Are we going to get to meet him?'
'He's a fireman and I don't know whether you will get to meet him yet, it's early days.'
'Well Sarge you surprise me' Polly laughed 'You still haven't lost the knack at your age'
'Hey I am not that old' June smiled
'Oh well, whoever he is, he has done wonders with you, its nice to see you smiling again June' Tony said
'Thanks. So what's been going on while I have been away?'
'Right I think I will leave Polly to fill you in' Tony said
'Alright, we will catch up later'
'Yep, see ya'
Tony left Polly and June talking
'So?' June said
'Well, nothing has really happened apart from Jim'
'What about Jim'
'He threatened to leave the force'
'What? Why?'
'Because him and the super had a row'
'Oh. Was there anything else? What about Nick?'
'Sarge?'
'Yes'
'This new man? You are not using him to get at Jim are you'
'Of course not. Jim made his feelings quite clear before I left, I need to move on now'
'Are you sure you can' Polly asked
'Yes of course, now how is Nick'
'Not good news I am afraid, the day after you left he was taken into hospital, drug overdose. He's in a terrible state June.'
'Oh no, poor Nick'
'Yeah'
'Look Sarge, I have to go now. Come down later to the briefing room, all the relief have been asking about you'
'Ok I will'
Polly leaves June to finish her coffee. June sat back in her chair and her mind drifted back to Jim again. While she was away she had tried not to think of him and when she met Paul, she thought she could put Jim behind her. But now, she wasn't so sure. When Polly mentioned his name, her heart skipped a beat. Oh what was she going to do? She thought to herself. With that she thought I know I will ring Paul and ask him to come and meet the relief. If I spend more time with Paul I will eventually get over Jim, I am sure I will.
So that's what she did, she rang Paul and asked him to meet her in a bar at 7 o clock and he agreed, he couldn't wait to see her again. She got up and went to the briefing room, she asked all the relief out to the bar and then she went home. When she got in she walked straight to the wardrobe; she had an hour to get ready that should be long enough. She pulled out this beautiful red dress, which she had bought out in America. As she got ready to go downstairs, her mind kept drifting back to Jim now and again she couldn't help it. In fact she didn't really know if she was getting dolled up for Paul or Jim. Oh what a mess? She thought.
6:55pm
June arrived at the bar. 'Wow, Sarge, you look stunning' Polly smiled
'Thanks, I had to make an effort, Paul is coming over to meet you all'
'Really?' Tony said looking quite excited
'Yes, he'll be here soon'
'Oh Sarge you look lovely, who's the lucky man?' Robbie asked
'Paul'
'You had a nice holiday then?'
'Yes... I ' Just as June was going to continue Jim came around the corner shouting at the super
'You can't do this, I.... June?' Jim said looking lost for words 'You're back'
'Looks like it, yes'
'Did you have a nice time?'
'Yes thanks. Oh sorry Jim you will have to excuse me' June said as she walked over to the doorway to greet Paul.
'Jim, put your tongue back in, you look stupid' Polly said 'She's taken now so you can just leave her alone'
Jim didn't say anything but watched as June and Paul greeted each other.
'Oh June you are looking so beautiful' Paul said as he kissed her on the cheek
'Thanks, Paul come and meet the gang' June said directing him over towards the bar. 'Paul, this is Polly my best mate'
'Hi' Polly smiled
She introduced everyone
'Nice to meet you all' Paul said 'June has told me a lot about you all'
'All good I hope' Tony smiled
'Can I get you anything?' Robbie asked
'Um, yes we will have champagne please' Paul said
'Champagne? Well you know how to treat a woman' June smiled
'Shall we all sit down' June said
As they moved towards the seats, June looked back slightly and saw Jim watching them intently, she could see the love in his eyes, she quickly turned back around and joined in on the conversation.
Jim sat by the bar with an orange juice, mulling over the past. I am so stupid, he thought to himself. Letting such a beautiful woman slip through my fingers, oh you stupid man.
12:30am
Only June and Paul were left now and they decided to go upstairs to the booked room. As they went to the lift arm in arm, Jim watched from the bar, the jealously was all over his face. June looked back slightly and gave him a loving smile.
Paul and June reached the room and once they were inside he took her into his arms and said 'I have been waiting to do this all night' he kissed her passionately and June responded. Paul laid her onto the bed and started kissing her neck and then all of a sudden June said 'No, stop please'
'What's wrong?' Paul asked
'I can't do this'
'Why?'
'It wouldn't be fair on you, I am sorry Paul. I do like you but��
'But there's someone else'
'No, well yes, oh I don't know, it's not that simple'
'Well June I tell you what, you let me know when you know what you want' Paul said as he grabbed his things and stormed out
'Paul wait, Paul please' June cried
Paul went downstairs and stormed out of the bar, this was watched by Megan who was waiting for Jim. 'Hey Jim you have just missed Paul leaving in a huff, they must have had a row'
'Oh' Jim replied
'Well are you ready?'
'Megan you go on, I have just remembered I must do something'
'I'll wait for you'
'No I don't know how long I will be, I'll see you later'
'Alright' Megan replied as she kissed him
He stood and watched Megan leave and then he made his way to reception and found out what room June was in and then he went up stairs to find her. He knocked on the door and June answered
'Jim, what are you doing here?' June said trying to wipe her eyes
'I came to see if you were alright. Megan said she saw Paul storm out of the bar, did you have a row?'
'No'
'I don't understand' Jim said looking confused
'Oh Jim, everything was going great until I came back here today. I had a lovely evening and then when we got back here we started kissing and ended up in the bedroom but��'
'He didn't try to force you did he?'
'No, of course not, I told him to stop. I couldn't do it Jim. I am kidding myself, I love you Jim. I couldn't sleep with Paul because I didn't want him, I wanted you'
'Oh June. Come here' Jim said as he hugged her. He placed his hands on her neck and then dipped his head and kissed her. 'June I was so jealous tonight, I have been really stupid. I don't love Megan I never have, I love you. When I saw you tonight I hated myself for letting you go'
'Jim, hold me'
Jim wrapped his arms around her
'You look stunning June' June responded to that comment by kissing him passionately. Then she slowly walked towards the bed and Jim followed.
'Are you sure about this June?'
'Yes, Jim I want you and this time nothing is going to come between us. I am not letting you go, never'
Jim lay June on the bed and they made love like neither of them had experienced before. Afterwards they lay together and fell asleep in each others arms, knowing that whatever happened, they would always have each other.