Jim pushed open the glass door to the Maple Rooms and stepped into a room which was wonderfully cool with air conditioning. He held the door open for June, who smiled and stepped forward, and proceeded to trip over, her shoes betraying her for the fifth time since they had left the house.
"Stupid things..." She muttered, then looked around. "Wow... nice place."
"This used to be Annie's caff..." Jim smiled. "Remember it? Annie, and Carol, she always had a gob on. Never liked me much - well, not after I spilt that plate of spaghetti over her."
"No, she didn't hate you. She fancied you really."
"Yeah, well, maybe." Jim shrugged and flushed slightly.
"That's what Taffy told me."
"Taffy Edwards said a lot of things. He must have told me that every woman in Sun Hill fancied me. Load of rubbish of course."
"You were very fanciable back then..." June flushed.
"Nah, I wasn't."
"Whatever you say... how about we get our table before I'm crippled for life." She pointed down at her shoes.
"Of course." Jim reached out for her hand. "Right this way madam." He approached the tuxedo'd maitre'd. "Table for two, name of Carver." He said, in a false posh voice.
June bit her lip as the maitre'd led them to a secluded corner table, pulling out a chair a chair for June to sit. She waited until he had gone off to get the menus before bursting out laughing. "Where did that voice come from... you'll have to keep it up all night now."
Jim hiked his eyebrow at her. "Will I indeed." He winked at her. "I've got many hidden talents. You've never really scratched the surface of who I am."
"Really?" She looked at him intently. "You can cook fry ups, and tease me to death... what more is there to Jim Carver?"
"Lots more." He looked up as the waiter returned with the menus. "Thank you kindly, young man," trying to ignore June kicking him under the table.
"Young man?" June laughed, opening the menu. "Now what was it I said, most expensive dish."
"That would be... the salmon." Jim turned a strange shade of white as he read the menu.
"I love salmon... what about a starter. Are you having one? And dessert?" She looked up. "Jim are you OK? You're... rather pale."
"I'm fine..." Jim coughed to clear his throat and fiddled with his tie. "I was thinking of selling my car anyway."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just a little bit... just a teensy bit more expensive than I imagined." He shrugged.
"Then we can just have one course... or even better we'll split the bill."
"Don't be silly... order whatever you want." He reached over and took her hand in his.
"I'm not bankrupting you for this..." She looked up at him. "What are you having?"
"Whatever you're having."
June ran a finger down at the menu. "Starter... how about oysters?"
"Oysters?" Jim's eyes widened. "You do know what they say, about..."
"So?" June shrugged. "Do tell? And we can't have the same main course because I won't be able to try yours then."
"I'll have the steak." Jim smiled. "Nothing like a bit of beef. Rare... blood dripping from it..."
"Eww... It's got to be medium at least... I'm definitely having the salmon then."
"I think just a light dessert... strawberries." He looked up at her. "I'm watching my figure."
"If you say so..." She gazed at him. "How about we leave dessert til later... see how we feel after the first two courses?"
"Good idea." Jim beckoned to the waiter and placed the order, again in the same voice. June hid her face behind her hand. After taking the order, the waiter continued. "Would Sir like to see the wine menu?"
"I'll have a medium white wine." June interrupted. "Jim?"
"I'll have a mineral water, thank you." Jim said quietly, his voice dipping a little.
"You forgot your posh voice then." June said softly.
"Yeah." Jim flickered a glance at her, his eyes a little dark and regretful.
"What is it?"
"What was it you said to me once... you wont even be able to have a glass of wine with a meal... just makes me feel different sometimes, out of place."
"It's nothing to be bothered about - lots of people don't drink with meals. I've not... do you mind me drinking?"
"Of course not." He found a smile. "June, I never... thanked you... for what you did for me back then."
"It was nothing... you'd have done the same for me." She grasped his hand. "That's what friends are for."
"We've always been friends haven't we, ever since that first day." Jim smiled. "Wasn't the best first day on the beat but you were there with encouraging words and a smile. You never judged me, or put me down if I got things wrong... I wouldn't be where I am without you."
"You were the best puppy I ever had... and the cutest." She blushed and looked away. "It was a pleasure to be out with you. You were always so friendly, so nice..."
"That changed though, didn't it." Jim smiled wryly. "Woke up one morning a right grumpy sod."
"I wouldn't put it quite like that... but then again I'm more tactful."
"Do you want to know why?" Jim tipped his head a little to the side.
"If you want to tell me." She subconsciously mirrored his pose.
"I've never really realised it until recently... you know I really wanted to go into CID, and how pleased I was when I got in..."
"I think pleased was an understatement..."
"Ten pints of beer and a curry, I remember... well, vaguely. And I did enjoy being in CID, it's just..." He pulled in a breath, smiled softly at her.
"Just what Jim?"
"I missed... I missed you." His grey eyes met hers.
June's mouth fell open. "Really?"
"Yeah. I know we still saw each other, but it wasn't the same." He sighed. "June, can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course you can... go on."
"I had the biggest crush on you." He ducked his eyes away, a flush creeping up his cheeks and turning his ears red.
"You're blushing." June laughed. "Can I tell you a secret too?"
"Since we're sharing... go on..."
"I fancied you too. Viv used to tease me about it something rotten."
"Seriously?" Jim looked at her open mouthed, then laughed.
"What's so funny?" June blushed and fanned her face with her hand.
"Just... why did neither of us ever say anything... do anything?"
"You were so young... the age difference... me and Dave... any number of reasons."
"Is it my imagination... or did I ask you out once?"
"You did... all coy and shy, despite where your hands had just been on those mannequins remember? Didn't we have lunch together?"
"Eventually, after Galloway had finished with us. Annie's caff..." Jim stopped. "Seems like we've come full circle."
"Where better?" June laughed. "Ooh, is that ours?" She glanced over at the waiter.
"Looks like it. June... I've never eaten oysters before. The only place I usually see them is on the sea bed..."
"I... I was hoping you'd show me how to eat them because... I've never had them either." She laughed.
"Sorry." They looked at each other as the plates were dropped onto their table, Jim thanking the waiter. They regarded them suspiciously, Jim prodding one with a fork.
"Aren't you just supposed to swallow then? After you..."
"No I insist, after you."
"No really... dig in."
"No... ladies first." Jim pushed the plate toward June.
"Jim... how about at the same time then?"
"OK..." Jim picked up one of the oysters and wrinkled his nose, watching as June did the same. "1... 2... 3..." He tipped the contents of the shell into his mouth.
"So what did you think?" June asked, her own oyster still in her hand.
"I think..." Jim winced. "They're best left on the sea bed where they belong."
"Ah..." She went to place hers back on the plate.
"But... each to their own... give it a try." He insisted.
"Do I have to?" June whined. "But I suppose I did choose them... and we are paying for them..." She picked it up and tipped the contents into her mouth swallowing hard several times. "Different I suppose... god knows why they're supposed to be... you know."
"An aphrodisiac?" Jim smirked.
"Perhaps we should finish them then?" June looked away coyly.
"Perhaps we should." Jim smiled, reaching for another oyster.
***
Fifteen minutes later, Jim is tucking into his steak while June eats her salmon. He looks up as June winces and leans under the table a little, apparently rubbing at her leg or foot. "Are you alright?"
"These shoes are pinching... the things we do for you men. The salmon is great though."
"Slip them off."
"I couldn't... not here."
"Why not, no-one will notice. And I can't bear to see you in pain."
"If you insist..." She shuffled slightly. "That's better... fancy a bite a salmon?"
"To tell you the truth, as a diver... I'm really not all that into eating fish. Once you've seen them swim past you, felt them brush up against you, it's just... I can't do it."
"So I don't get to feed you then?"
"What else have you got on that plate?" He glanced over.
"Potatoes... vegetables... the usual..."
"I've never built up an emotional affinity with potatoes." He smiled.
"Is that so..." She cut a chunk of potato and smothered it in sauce, offering it up to Jim.
Jim leant forward and bit into the offering, chewing then licking his lips. "Yum..." He prodded his own fork into a chunk of his steak. "Fancy a bit?" He teased.
"It's a bit... bloody."
"It won't hurt you."
"It's practically still mooing."
"I'll take that as a no, then." Jim chuckled. There was a moment's silence, then Jim frowned, then looked up at her, startled.
"Go on then... I'll try some... feed me." She gazed at him, once more extending her leg under the table and hooking her toe under the hem of his trousers, softly rubbing his skin.
"What are you doing?" He whispered quietly as he offered the food to her once more.
"Stretching my legs." She leant forward and took the meat of his fork. "Not bad..."
"Stretching your legs, my..." He bit his lip and tried not to laugh. "June!"
"What?" She said innocently, still gazing at him. "I wouldn't mind another glass of wine."
"I'd be careful with that... remember what happened the other night." Jim smiled as the waiter poured another glass of wine, then moved away. "June... can you please stop that?" Jim shifted a little in his seat.
"I'm in control... I have no intention of getting drunk tonight." She rested her foot on the edge of the chair between his legs. "Stop squirming, you look like you've got fleas."
"June..." He shook his head, looked away, then dropped his fork to the table. "Excuse me." He got up and headed towards the restrooms.
June picked at her food waiting for Jim to return, which he did a few minutes later. "Thought you were running off and leaving me with the bill." She laughed sipping her wine.
"Course not." Jim sat back down, moving his body so he was at right angles to the table, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah... fine..." He looked at her and smiled, but she noted how his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"There's something wrong... tell me Jim." She looked concerned.
"June... I... just wasn't expecting... what just happened."
"And what was that?" She cut another slice of salmon, and looked up at him.
"You know what... June... I adore you, you know that, but... I don't think we should rush into anything."
"We're just having a meal together..." She shrugged, obvious disappointment on her face.
"June, if we can't even talk about this..."
"Talk about what Jim?"
"June..." He leant in close. "Tell me honestly, what you expected tonight."
"I... I don't know... I just decided to go with the flow... I don't expect anything."
"June... I said, be honest. This is me, you can tell me anything." He took her hand and squeezed it tightly.
"I never expect anything... that way I can't get hurt."
"If you didn't expect anything, why do you look so sad?"
She placed her other hand on top of his. "I... I thought I'd done something to put you off." She avoided his gaze.
"No... never... but June, if we go there, if we let our relationship become physical � sexual... " He whispered. "We cross a line we can never go back to."
"Which you obviously don't want..."
"I didn't say that. I need to be sure that it's what you want."
"Would I have turned up at yours the other night if it wasn't what I wanted."
"You were drunk..."
"Doesn't mean I wasn't telling the truth... maybe I needed to get drunk to get the courage to do it."
"Which means you're scared... nervous."
"Terrified..." She finally looked up at him.
"That's what I mean... I don't think you're really ready and I don't think you're really sure. I don't want you to do anything you'll regret."
"I'm not scared of that... I... I was scared of rejection."
"June, I'm being totally honest with you when I say that there is nothing I would like better."
"But?"
"I'm not about to take advantage of you. I saw how you reacted when you thought I had."
"Do you know why I was so upset? Why I slapped you?" She looked up at him
"Because I was being unbelievably horrid to you?" Jim looked up at her.
"No because I was mad with myself more than anything..."
"Why mad with yourself, you should have been mad with me... I deserved it..." He smiled a wry smile.
"I was mad with myself because... you were so convincing... I really thought we'd slept together and..." She shook her head.
"And what?"
"And I hated the idea that I couldn't remember our first time." The words tumbled out of her mouth and she blushed. "Now do you understand?"
"I think I do." Jim took her hand in his. "Do you see why we shouldn't rush this, do you see why we should be one hundred percent sure? What we have, June, it's precious, and I don't want a silly mistake to ruin it."
"It wouldn't be a silly mistake on my part... I've wanted this for so long... I just wish I could remember what I said to you the other night."
"What do you wish... hope you said to me?"
"I'd rather you told me what I actually said."
"No, come on, I want to hear you say it." His thumb rhythmically stroked the back of her hand.
"You're making me blush." She looked down at the table.
"June... please. I need to know you meant what you said - and as you've only had one and a half glasses of wine... maybe this time I can actually allow myself to believe it."
"OK then..." She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. "I think you're amazing... I've fancied you for as long as I can remember... you have gorgeous eyes... you have the most amazing and infectious smile and laugh, and you're the nicest man I have ever met."
Jim smiled, then flushed and looked away, laughing awkwardly. "Wow." He looked back up to her, his eyes dancing.
"Well say something then."
"I... I think you're incredible. You're beautiful, intelligent, funny... strong... you've always been there for me and I could never have imagined that you would... feel this way for me."
"I'm lost for words..." June sniffed, her eyes filling with tears. "Now look what you've done."
"Here..." Jim dug in his pocket for a handkerchief, passing it over, waiting as June wiped her eyes. "You really do mean it, don't you?"
"Do you think I'd lie to you?"
"No. Never." Their eyes met. "June... I..." He stuttered, lost for words, looking down at their empty plates. "Shall we go?"
"What about your strawberries?"
"Doesn't matter." He signalled the waiter, pulling out his wallet. "Let me drive you home."
"Have I scared you off?"
"No... I thought..." He bit his lip to try to hold back some laughter. "I was hoping you'd invite me in for coffee. Again."
"What sort of woman do you think I am?" She laughed.
"The same sort of woman you were two days ago... June..." He stopped suddenly, a questioning look crossing his face.
"A drunken sex-crazed maniac who turned up on your doorstep and threw up on you..."
"No... after the funeral... June... when you asked me in, did you..."
"Did I what?"
"Did you want something more to happen... I mean... the other meaning of the word coffee?"
"I don't know what I wanted, my feelings were all over the place... you looked amazing that day."
"Thanks... so did you."
"In that old suit?"
"You always look good. Even in uniform."
"Watch what you say..." She laughed. "So are you going to pay and we'll take it from there?"
"Let's see what happens, eh?" He passed his credit card to the waiter. "Just a coffee, and let's talk some more, I love talking to you."
"We could have dessert too. Thanks for tonight... it's been wonderful."
"No - thank you." He signed the receipt that the waiter returned with, then slipped his credit card back into his wallet. "This has been the best night of my life."
"And it's not over yet." June slid her feet back into her shoes and stood. Jim approached her and she slipped her arm through his. "Let's go."
................. on to Part Six
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