The group gathered around the Christmas tree could hear the cold December wind howling outside the firehouse window. Buzz looked at Jenna and said, "It's great to be back Petula." Jenna grabbed Buzz and pulled him to her. "I know my darling. You coming home is the best Christmas present I could ever have hoped for." Harley on hearing this leaned over to Phillip and said, "Isn't it great that Dad is home and with Jenna. It's almost as if all's right with the world." Phillip smiled and kissed Harley on the neck.

    Frank and Eleni were on the couch and Frank looked as if he were about to fall asleep. Eleni punched him and said, "Boy aren't you the romantic one. There's your Dad and Jenna hugging each other to death, and there's Harley and Phillip smooching in the corner, and here you are with me------and falling asleep." Frank grunted, smiled, and pulled Eleni towards him.

    Buzz laughed and said, "I heard that Eleni. If I could only remember about Frank. I do have this memory, though, of Frank always sleeping whenever I wanted him." At this everyone laughed. They were all so happy that Buzz was home and starting to act like his old self.

    Buzz grabbed Jenna's hand and led her to a chair. "There's so much I want to remember", he said, "but can't. Like were you ever in love with anyone else before you met me." Jenna smiled and lowered her head. Buzz frowned and asked, "Well, why don't you answer the question ?" Everyone
    looked at Jenna.

    She raised her head and said softly, "Buzz, you are the only man I have ever loved with all my heart,  although…….." Frank popped up from his stupor and said, "What does that mean ?"

    Jenna laughed and said, "Why Frank, did I awaken you ? Believe me it's not that bad, it's just something I was remembering from many years ago." Buzz's frown grew deeper as he said, "So I'm not the only one ?"  Jenna held his hand and put it over her heart. "Yes Buzz, you are the only one, truly you are, but when I was a very young girl and destitute on the London streets there was a  man……" Everyone glanced at each other and Harley said, "Come on Jenna. You can't just drop these unfinished sentences about this "man" and then expect us to talk about the weather and stuff like that." Eleni nodded in agreement and Phillip said, "Yes Jenna, you've opened up the door and now you have to let us all in on your little secret."

    Buzz was now staring at Jenna with a very concerned look on his face. Jenna noticed and said, "Oh Buzz, I should never have started this, but everything was so relaxed and comfortable with you back and all, and it is so cozy here on this Christmas Eve that it made me nostalgic, and I started remembering my younger days and another Christmas Eve, and of course I then remembered him."

    Buzz leaped up, "Aw come on Jenna you can't keep doing this. There is something you haven't told us and it's not fair to keep it to yourself like this." Everyone joined in with a loud yes.

    Jenna sighed and said, "All right I'll tell you the bloody story that you all seem to be so anxious to hear. But I warn you it's not what you think." At this Buzz sat down again and said, "OK, Petula please tell us, and especially me, who this "man" is you keep referring to."

    Jenna took a deep breath and as the wind continued to howl outside, she quietly said, "I have always thought of him as the Man from the West End............"

    The December wind had picked up and the firehouse windows rattled as Jenna began her tale.

    "As I'm sure you know I grew up in abject poverty. My earliest memories are of being cold and hungry. We never had enough of anything. My mum and I begged in the streets to get our food and we lived in a single room with no heat. I can remember stuffing rags and papers inside the tattered dress that I wore in order to keep warm. It wasn't too long before I discovered that stealing offered much more than begging and I guess that's why I did it, to get more.

    "By the time I was 18 I was quite an accomplished pick pocket. We still lived in one room, but at least it was heated and I was so skillful at my trade that I had never been caught. My favorite area to ply my skills was the theater district in the West End. I would dress up as well as I could and arrive early in order to watch the playgoers as they entered the theaters for an evening's entertainment.  Many of the women were dressed in expensive clothes, which I envied, and a lot of the men were dressed to the nines. I would try to pick out my victim as they went in. Then I would watch for them as they exited after the show.

    "Well on this one particular night, it was Christmas Eve, I had set my sights on a handsome looking gentleman who appeared to be very well off. I was sure if I lifted his wallet, it would provide an ample reward for my efforts.

    "My usual technique was to wait outside of the theater until my target would make his way out after the show. When he did I would sort of bend over and then bump into him rather forcefully and utter a heartfelt, 'excuse me'. As I did this, I would reach into his pocket and lift his wallet. It was all very simple and I did it very quickly.

    "Well on this particular evening I waited for my handsome gentleman, who was alone, to pass me, and as he did I bent over, bumped him, uttered my 'excuse me' and then reached into his back pocket. I had the wallet half way out when I felt an iron grip on my wrist and this handsome gentleman said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, "Why my dear, I would much prefer that you reached into my side pocket. That way I could also have some fun." As frightened as I was I had to laugh, for he had a huge grin on his face as he said this.

    "As I rose up he tightened his grip on my wrist even further and said, "If you don't make any noise, I won't." I didn't know what to make of this so I just stared at the man and waited for him to call a policeman. I wasn't going to beg him to let me go. It wasn't in my nature to do so. I just waited there to face the music. He looked into my face and said, "I'm now going to let go of your wrist and I don't want you to try and run away. I'm not going to hurt you or turn you in. In fact, how would you like to accompany me to that pub on the corner and let me buy you a drink and a meal. You look like you could stand some food."

    Well you could imagine my surprise at being treated in such a manner when I had just tried to lift the man's wallet, so I simply said, "All right, let's go." So we quickly made our way across the street and into the pub which had the quaint name of "The Cupid's Bow".

    Jenna paused for a moment and looked around the room. Everyone seemed to be deeply engrossed in her Christmas Eve tale, especially Buzz. He was staring at her intently. Jenna said softly to him, "Buzz if this is upsetting you, I can finish it another time."

    Buzz shook his head slowly. "No", he said, " I was just remembering something as you talked about being so poor. I remember a night when I climbed into Jeffrey Morgan's hotel room to see you. I think I had to crawl over a ledge to reach the room's balcony. You and I made love and afterwards  you talked about your poor childhood and how you never had enough of anything and of how much all this money that you and Jeffrey had amassed meant to you. Then I asked you to give it all up for me."

    Jenna clasped her hands together and cried, "Oh Buzz, you are starting to get your memory back.  And you're starting to remember some of the good things instead of just the bad."

    Buzz smiled and continued, "I also remember what you said. You said, 'You're asking me to give up trips to Europe, a first class education for Coop, and all the luxuries I've been used to, in return for being with you.' And I answered, yes. And then you said, 'Well Mr. Cooper I guess you're worth it. So all right I give it all up for you.'"

    Jenna started to cry, "And Buzz, you said, 'you've made me the happiest man in the universe.'"

    Buzz with tears in his eyes said, "And you did!"

    Harley squeezed Phillip's hand. "Isn't this wonderful. My Dad is really starting to come back to us.  Just look at his face when he looks at Jenna. He is so happy."

    Frank leaned back on the couch and said, "OK, OK, enough of this sentimental stuff. I want to hear more about this stranger from the West End and why he didn't turn you in." Eleni punched him hard on the shoulder. "Frank, leave them alone. Your Dad is really starting to get his memory back."

    Jenna looked at Buzz and asked, "Do you want me to go on ?"

    Buzz replied, "Sure. It's fascinating hearing about this life of yours before I met you. And who knows something else may trigger my memory. So please go on."

    Jenna held Buzz's hand. "You're sure now." Buzz nodded yes.

    "Well then, after the stranger and I had entered the pub, been seated and ordered our meal, he smiled at me and said, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Andrew Cunningham. Now since turn about is fair play, what is your name ?"

    "I have to tell you he was a very handsome man. He appeared to be in his early forties and he had a most bewitching smile.

    "Since he had me at his mercy what did I have to lose telling him my name, so I said, "I'm Jenna Bradshaw." He nodded and said, "Jenna. Such a beautiful name to go with such a beautiful lady." I know that I blushed deeply because it was the first time a man had ever called me beautiful. There was an awkward pause and then he continued. "Perhaps you're wondering why I didn't turn you into the police ?" I replied, "The thought did cross my mind."

    "Mr. Cunningham slowly took a sip of his drink and looked at me with a very serious expression on his face. "Well my sweet child call it professional courtesy, for you see, I was also working at my trade tonight, only I was after bigger fish. Picking pockets is not my idea of a comfortable living.     Now if you want to talk about jewelry…..now there is a whole new world of opportunity."

    The wind had died down and snow had begun to fall as Buzz looked at Jenna and said, "So that is how you got into the cat burglar business ?" Jenna raised her head and answered, "Yes. Andrew was my mentor. In fact the woman you see before you now, the woman you fell in love with, is largely the creation of Andrew Cunningham." Buzz reached out for Jenna's hand. "How so Jenna ?"

    "Well, that evening Andrew made me an offer that was to change my life forever. As we were eating he explained his occupation to me.

    "You see Jenna I am what is commonly referred to as a jewel thief, although I like to think of myself  as an appropriator. By that I mean I appropriate jewels from those who can afford to lose them.

    "I frequent the best resorts and spas. Attend all the theatrical events. If the rich and famous are there, then so am I. It has provided me with a very lucrative living. I want for nothing. I stay in the best hotels. I eat in the best restaurants. Money is not a concern for me. In fact, Jenna, I am quite rich.

    "But as with all entrepreneurs, I want more. And to be quite frank with you, I'm tired of working  alone. I need a partner. Someone to work with and help me. A man alone, like myself, draws attention and inquiries. But a man with a beautiful lady on his arm only draws envy. And Jenna you are a beautiful lady. A beautiful lady just waiting to be developed.

    "Of course I was flattered no end by this. After all I was only 18 and had seen nothing of the world, having grown up in the gutters of London. And here was this extraordinarily handsome man paying me compliments and talking like he was interested in my welfare. No one had ever done this before.  Not even my mum. She was only interested in where the next meal was coming from and how many pockets I had picked that particular day. In a word I was under his spell. And, of course, he knew it.

    "It was then that he asked me. 'Jenna', he said, 'how would you like to join me in fleecing the rich of their ill gotten gains?' I just stared at him, unable to speak. 'Should I take your silence as a yes ?'  Finally I was able to stammer out, 'I, I, am overwhelmed.' Andrew smiled. 'Well, is that a yes?' It was then that I said, 'Yes of course. But why me ? Why have you chosen me ?'

    "He took another sip of his drink and answered. 'Because dear girl I see in you an uncut diamond.  All of the raw material is there for a remarkable gem. It just needs some work. Think of me as the diamond cutter. When I get done with you, the Jenna Bradshaw of the gutters of London will be     transformed into the Jenna Bradshaw of high society.

    "Trust me Jenna, I will make you into a great lady.' He paused here and reached for my hand. 'To begin with, we will get you a tutor to polish up your English and get rid of that horrible street accent. Then we will buy you one of the best wardrobes that my money can provide. We will educate you in etiquette and the finer things in life. And when we are done, the uncut diamond that you are today  will become a polished gem. I give you my word.'

    "And with that he raised his glass, as I did mine, and we toasted the future."

    The snow was still falling outside as Harley leaned forward in her chair and said, "Jenna this story is so incredible. If it hadn't been for Andrew Cunningham what would have become of you ?''  Jenna smiled and replied, "Well Harley, you never know about life do you ? At that time I was a very  impressionable young girl who loved to go to the cinema every chance I got. Maybe if Andrew had  not rescued me from the poor life I was living I would have turned into an English Nola, fantasizing my life away to a fare thee well."

    Buzz grinned and said, "With or without the meatloaf, and pots and pans?" Everyone laughed as Jenna added, "Buzz you know I hate the kitchen especially the pots and pans part. And as for meatloaf…..uggg." Harley was grinning from ear to ear as she asked Jenna, "And what pray tell are your feelings about Nola and her fantasies now ?" Jenna glanced at Buzz as she replied, "As far as I'm concerned she can have all the fantasies she bloody well wants as long as Buzz and I aren't a part of them." Buzz added, "And I hope she doesn't ask me to carry any firewood downstairs any time soon. I don't think my head could take anymore."

    As everyone laughed at this Jenna rose to refill her cup with some tea and as she did she glanced out of the window, and for an instant she thought she saw a figure huddled in a doorway across the street and looking up at the firehouse. She couldn't be sure though, as the snow blotted out  whatever it was she thought she had seen.

    "Well Jenna what happened next ?" Eleni asked. "You can't stop now. Did this Mr. Cunningham keep his word and provide you with all he had promised ?" Jenna turned away from the window with a distracted look on her face. "Oh yes," she replied, "and even more than he promised."

    Buzz then asked, "And what was your relationship together ? I mean, well, you know what I mean."

    Jenna smiled. "Buzz he was always the perfect gentleman. After all he was over twenty years my senior and he treated me as a big brother would treat a bothersome younger sister. He was always kind, witty, patient, understanding, forgiving of my mistakes, and he took great pleasure in teasing me. I for my part had a school girl crush on him and wondered why he never looked at me in a romantic way. As I've said he was extremely handsome with a personality to match."

    Phillip piped in, "Well for criminny sake what happened next ? What did you and he do ?"

    Jenna continued. "All right Phillip. After several months of intense tutoring and educational expenditures devoted to making me a lady, Andrew thought I was ready for our first joint venture into the jewelry trade. And I am happy to tell you it went off without a hitch. As did all of our escapades  from that point forward. Andrew was very clever and a detailed planner. He never left anything to chance. We were unstoppable. Why, on one occasion he even staged a robbery of the jewels that I was wearing and collected a sizable sum from the insurance company. So we kept the jewels and the money. He thought this was an especially creative caper. Oh we did have fun together." As she said this a frown appeared on her face. "And then of course, as always happens in my life, the unexpected happened."

    As Jenna uttered these words the figure huddled in the doorway across the street shivered and slowly walked out into the roadway and pulled the coat more tightly around her neck.

    It just wasn't fair she thought. Buzz should be with me. I should be up there with his family, not her.   I was always honest with him. I told him the truth. She lied to him. I didn't. Well, I haven't given up yet. Where there's a will, there's a way. And I will find a way. Yes, I will find a way.

    Jenna took a sip of tea and placed the cup beside her. "Whenever things go well for me I know it won't be long before an unexpected event will intrude upon my happiness." Buzz reached over and took Jenna's hand. "So this life you were living with Andrew Cunningham was a happy one." Jenna  held Buzz's hand as she replied, "Yes Buzz it was. You have to remember he was the only person in my life, up to then, who had treated me with any respect. Look what he did for me. He took me out of the gutter and provided me with food, shelter and a good life. I owed everything to him.  Without his intervention I would still have been plying my trade in the West End and living in that same one room hovel." Buzz nodded. "So what happened that ruined all of this for you ?"

    Jenna's face took on a serious, almost tragic, cast as she continued with her story. "We were very successful and life was good for the both of us. We became closer as time past and I had hopes that Andrew would see me as more than just a partner in a business venture. But he still kept his distance, although there were occasions when I caught him looking out of the corner of his eyes at me with an expression that had nothing to do with brotherly love."

    Upon hearing this Buzz's face became somber. Jenna noticing, smiled. "Buzz, I didn't even know you existed at this time in my life. My relationship with Andrew and what I felt for him has nothing whatsoever to do with us. At that time he was the center of my universe. He was my knight in    shinning armor. He was the man who saved me from a life of poverty. It was only natural that I would feel the way I did." Buzz nodded his assent and said, "Go on with your story."

    "Well, we were planning a job that Andrew referred to as 'the big one'. It seems the Duchess of Carmichael was staying at the Dorchester Hotel in Leeds, and had brought the famous 'Pretoria Diamond' with her, which at that time was valued at slightly less than $1,000,000. Andrew in his   thorough manner had found the diamond was being kept in the Hotel safe which had a time lock on it. He had deduced the only way to get into the safe was to use a method which he had devised, which was to blow the time lock with a special explosive mixture. It was a volatile combination of     chemicals that was unstable, but did offer the advantage of being able to blow a safe with a  minimum of noise. I can remember him saying that this would be the crowning achievement of his career, and then he had paused and said, "Jenna if this goes as planned and we are successful, there is a question I want you to ask you, and I hope your answer will be yes."

    "You can imagine how thrilled I was. At last Andrew had shown that he did care for me in a way that had nothing to do with our business venture. Soon after this conversation he left for a shed behind the farm house we were renting to make his special explosive mixture. I asked to come along, but he told me to rest as I would need all my faculties that evening if we were to succeed. So I went to the bedroom, and after a few moments fell into a troubled sleep.

    "I awakened with a start. It took me a few moments to realize that a sharp cracking sound had been the cause of my awakening. I looked towards the shed and my worst fears were confirmed. Smoke
    was pouring out of a blown window of the small structure."