"Well then, Miss, since your day is suddenly free, do ye fancy a takin' turn around the market with an officer?"

"Ye know what? I will take a turn wit' ye," she said with a firm nod. "I'll not rush meself home ta get sacked. No sir. Let them pay me for me last day of work, fair is fair."

Albert did feel for the woman, losing employment was difficult, and she seemed the decent sort. Not radical at all.

She went silent, kind of seething at the moment and who could blame her? She was going to have to thank her friend later for the heads up. She looked to Bert and then relaxed a little. At least this afforded her the opportunity to walk arounf with a man in uniform. Mmm, she really did like a uniform on a man.

"This way, Miss." and together they set off at the dignified plodding pace of a policeman on patrol. With tradesmen and women shouting around them for custom, Bert stopped at a stall that sold flowers.

"'Mornin' Liz," Bert said to the older woman.

"Good mornin', Mister Hailey."

"Anything up?" Bert asked. Informal information gathering from women like Liz helped Bert and his colleagues keep the peace in this town.

"Not much today Mister Hailey. I seen the Longbottom kids earlier."

"Really? Ten pounds o' trouble in a Five pound bag, that lot are."

"Aye. Well, aren't you goin' ta introduce us, Mister Hailey?" the older woman asked pointedly staring at the Irish beauty at his elbow. Bert was flustered.

"Oh! Liz, this is Miss O'Connor - she is.. uh.. a new acquaintance of mine."

"Mrs," she corrected softly. "Me husband, rest his soul, passed when we were but newlyweds."

"Oh! Sorry. My sympathies, Mrs O' Connor." Bert answered. "Allow me to apologise, can I buy ye a flower?"

"Ye don't have ta apologize but I won't turn down a flower from ye, Constable," she said, tilting her head just so.

"Do ye 'ave a favourite?" He asked, gesturing to the small rainbow of colour.

"That one..." she pointed to a yellow daisy looking flower with a brown center. "That is very pretty."