Introducing my own character � Sarah, a long term friend of June
June finally dragged herself through the door of the Canley Arms. It wasn�t that she didn�t want to meet Sarah � Sarah had been such a friend to her through all the traumas of her life and it was always a welcome break to spend time with someone not in the job. In fact, it was always a pleasure to spend time with her, someone who shared her own dry sense of humour, someone who would never judge her and always be there for her, always willing to listen. No, what June was bothered about was admitting that she had been wrong.
�June.�
June turned to the direction of the voice that had called out to her, and smiled as she saw Sarah cheerfully waving to her.
Gently easing herself into the seat opposite Sarah, June took a sip of the wine that had already been ordered for her.
�Sarah, its so good to see you, I am sorry that I haven�t been in contact much lately � things have been really hectic, you know, with getting the Community Safety Unit off the ground.� She glanced at her apologetically and took a quick sip of her drink, not wanting to look at her, not wanting to address the real reason for her recent absence.
Sarah responded by chuckling to herself and gave a long, but mocking sigh.
�What?� June questioned in amusement
�I wasn�t born yesterday June. Look at you, you are going around with a permanent grin on your face, a skip in your step, my goodness, you even turned the chance of watching a Mel Gibson film the other day. Come on, who is he?�
�Sorry?� June replied as innocently as she could, but looking up at Sarah�s knowing gaze, decided that there really was no point in trying to deny the issue. They had been friends for too long now, and Sarah could see straight through her.
�So, are you going to put me out of my misery and tell me who it is?� Sarah questioned raising her eyebrow in the realization that she had got June in a corner.
�Lets just say that you are going to be put out your misery in more than one way.�
�Sorry June, you have lost me.�
�Well, your matchmaking has finally paid off.�
�JIM?� Let out Sarah with more than a hint of enthusiasm.
June didn�t respond and started fumbling with her bag, anything to detract from this conversation. Ever since she had invited Jim along with her and Sarah to the theatre two years previously Sarah had plagued her in insisting that her and Jim were meant to be together.
�You were just made for each other�, she would say.
June had always denied it of course, arguing that Jim was more like a brother to her, but the only trouble was the more she had argued her corner, the less she had actually believed it to be true. No, as much as she hated to admit it, Sarah had hit the nail on the head. The realization of her love of Jim came about sooner than even he had thought. After Derek Conway�s murder she had sought comfort from him, Jim, her best friend, the one she could always depend on. Sarah was always there for her, true, but no one could read her, understand her, and just be there for her like Jim could. When he appeared on the day of the funeral wearing that suit� she smiled to herself thinking of how adorable she had found him in it. Even Derek Conway�s mother had said what a lovely couple they made � it was then, that was the moment she realized how much she wanted him.
�June?�
June jumped to the sound of Sarah�s frustrated voice, taking her away from her state of daydream
�So? Am I going to have to go and ask him myself?�
Sarah looked up at June with inquisitive, but amused eyes.
�No, ok, so it is Jim. Yes, as much as I hate to admit it, you were right and I was wrong. Jim and I are made for each other, I just cant believe that it has taken me so long to admit it to myself, and then even longer to admit it to Jim. So much time we have wasted, so much time we could have shared together. Listen to me, I am rambling on. Go on, it�s your chance to gloat now!�
Sarah looked up at her with a deep, satisfied grin.
�Gloat, me? Never! Oh June, this is fantastic. I can see how happy you are too, it�s just written in your eyes. If anyone deserves this its you and Jim. You have been through so much the pair of you.�
�So, I have your approval then.� June responded aware of just how much Sarah was enjoying this situation.�
�Approval? Oh, I suppose so, just watch out though, if you don�t look after him properly I will be right behind you to pick up the pieces, wouldn�t mind him for myself��
�Don�t even think about it,� June laughed. �Another?� She questioned picking up the empty glasses and walking briskly to the bar.
She was relieved to have finally got it over and done with. She wasn�t very good at admitting that she was wrong, she had continually insisted to Sarah that Jim and her would only ever just be good friends. Still, it felt good; she had finally shared with someone about her relationship with Jim. Jim. She smiled again to herself, thinking just how lucky she was to have the love of such a man. Sure, he wasn�t perfect, his short temper and his alcoholism, but those problems helped to make him who he was � a good, honest, thoughtful and caring man who she knew would do anything for her. A man who would love her forever, unconditionally.
She thanked and paid the barman and progressed back to Sarah, a skip in her step as she went to resume what was becoming a very enjoyable evening.
******************************************************
The taxi dropped her off outside of her house in the pleasant area of Canley where she lived. She smiled as she neared the house to see Jim sitting watching TV, coffee in one hand, stroking her cat with the other.
Opening the door she walked into the lounge and was pleased to be greeted by a warm grin from Jim which she was more than happy to return.
�Hey, how was your evening. How�s Sarah?�
June sat down by Jim and leant against him as he smiled and drew his arm around her, drawing her in closer to him.
�Sarah, she�s fine, sends her love. She was more than pleased to find out about you and me.�
�You told her?�
�She had already worked it out practically, you know what she is like, nothing gets past her.�
Jim grinned. �Yeah, that�s true, she would have made a good copper.�
June didn�t respond, simply content to remain in his embrace, a position of comfort, a feeling of security she never thought she would have.
�So, how was your evening?� She asked, patting his knee and then moving to hold his hand.
�Great, just went to the pub with a few of the lads, watched the footy, Arsenal won I am sure you are pleased to know.�
�Delighted.� She responded raising her eyebrows and giving a mock exasperated groan.
�Glad to hear it.� He replied as he moved his hand and proceeded to run his fingers lazily through her head. �Anyway, think it�s about your bed time.� He suggested with a glint in his eye
�Well if I have to go to bed, think its only fair that you do too.� She threw back at him with a glint of her own.
�Not going to argue with you there, come on.� He stood up and grabbing her hand, led her to the stairs. He turned to look at her, take in her beauty, sneak another look to convince himself that this really was happening, not a dream, reality.
�I love you June Ackland.�
She smiled and moved into him. �I love you too Jim Carver.�
Their lips met halfway as he kissed her gently, tenderly, like no one else had kissed her before. This was the real thing she realized happily. Here she was with the man she had been searching for all of her life, except he had been there all the time.
This is my first fan fic, so feedback would be appreciated! Let me know what you think, any comments? Gratefully received! Rach