Detective Constable Jenny Lord - Life gets complicated in Broadchurch

Chapter 4 Sometimes a hug is all you need

A bright sliver of sunlight peeked through the window curtain and landed on Hardy's face. Hardy groaned in his sleep, turned over and buried his head under the pillow. For one more moment he luxuriated in the darkness but then his eyes popped open. He tossed the pillow aside and stared at the window. He had zero interest in joining the world. Laying next to the sweet nymph who had made life so much easier in recent weeks struck him as a far better idea. He rolled over on his side and raised up on one elbow to study her sleeping face. A cuddle or maybe a bit more till the alarm clock forced them up. Half an hour before it's set to go off. I can manage. A grin tugged his sensuous lips upward then changed his mind. It's her turn you plonker. let her sleep.

He slid from under the duvet, headed for the loo. Fix something special for her breakfast you lazy sod, surprise her.

Jenny turned the alarm off and felt for Alec, but his side of the bed was cold. Fresh pancakes and coffee drifted in from the kitchen. The delicious aroma triggered a gentle rumble in her stomach and brought a smile to her lips. "Bless him," she murmured as she put her hair up into a ponytail. Threw on a vest and slid into her black, lace knickers. She joined him a moment later and slid both arms around his waist, She ran her fingers up his chest. She didn't dare think of letting them roam lower. "That smells delicious, why didn't you wake me up?" she murmured against his back.

"Good Morning to you too, my love." He turned and gave her a quick kiss before returning to the stove. "I wanted to do something special for my lady love. After all, she's given so much to me, but," he teased," since I couldn't find her I thought I'd make your favorites."

She smacked his back and he chuckled. It came as a rumbling sound bubbled up and lit up his amber eyes. She caught his gaze and sighed softly. He was happy. After last night, she'd worried. He had nightmares. He'd toss and turn and settle when she patted his chest. Truth be told, she worried all the time that some dark thing would raise up and flow over him like a wave pounding the beach.

His brow pinched between his eyes and then he kissed her forehead," Grab a quick shower while I finish up."

"Yes, Sir," she said with a mock salute,

The plate he set in front of her did have all her favorites, Sausage, egg white and two banana pancakes with a smiley face made of banana slices.

"That was wonderful," she said when she finished. "And the smiley face was brilliant." She rose to clear the table. She glanced at the kitchen wall clock, "We better hurry, though. "

"Yeah, I guess we'd best, I want those damn drug dealers off the streets,"

She stopped and locked eyes. "And no coffee for today. You've had more than enough the last few days. Don't think I didn't notice the dreams or the way your heart pounded." His expression clouded and for a moment she thought she'd said too much. But then a smile came.

"Yes Ma'am, already had a bollocking from Miller over the coffee last night."

"Because she worries," she said when she whirled and marched in the direction of the en-suite, Her blonde ponytail bounced around her head and hips swiveled just enough to peak his interest.

*****

The overnight reports brought nothing new. At least no one else had died. Hardy took off his glasses, sat back in the chair and glared at the juice box in front of him. Women! I hate going through paperwork, especially without coffee or tea.

Will knocked on his door, "Sir, I know this is a bad time with the case and all, but may I speak to you on a private matter?"

"Shut the door and sit down McDonald, what's the problem?"