Following episode 'Caught By The Killer' 2nd August
Forbidden Love

Chapter 1

Stuart watched as the car passed through Sun Hill's yard gates, images and feelings swimming through his mind, feelings of which he had, over the past month, been trying to suppress. And that hug, God that hug was surprising, but for some reason he wished it wasn't just a thank you hug. The thought of that woman Tess exploring her body made Stuart's blood boil, yet simultaneously his heart race.

As Jo's car turned out of sight, Stuart clambered into his car bracing himself for yet another evening, with nothing but a wine bottle to keep him company. Key in ignition, he forced his mind back to arriving home. Every so often, Jo's face would flit before his eyes, temporarily distracting him from his journey. He couldn't help but wonder what exactly she would be doing now. Was she still in the car? Was she home? What was she wearing? Was she coping with her ordeal that she had been put through today? So many questions, yet no answers, how he wished he actually knew.

Jo was in fact coping rather well with the events of the day.

Once one of the members of uniform dropped her home, she headed straight for the shower. Under the warm intense spray her thoughts cleared, and was able to enjoy the peaceful moments of nothingness which she had longingly sought after during the Cindy Statham case. The steam relaxed her to a state of calm as she rinsed out the conditioner, trying to repair some of the damage that Rachel had caused by regularly removing and reapplying the Gaffa tape around her mouth, not worrying about her hair being caught in this vicious ritual.

Jo thought to herself, that was a close escape, I've never been that scared before, oh and Stuart, what was Stuart thinking? He thought Rachel fancied me, what a loser, he couldn't actually decipher between wanting me, and wanting me dead. Still he did kinda save me, I suppose I owe him that.

As she settled onto her sofa in a clean pair of blue pyjamas, the TV remote on the arm, a glass, JD and coke bottle on the floor her mobile began to ring. Cursing whoever it was ringing her, she searched the kitchen.
Caller ID 'Stuart Mob'

'Hiya hun' she answered, emphasis on the last word, 'What you up to?'

'Oh erm, not much, just got home and….I…well…I'm not interrupting anything am I?' he stuttered

'No, I was just settling down with my favourite companion'

'Erm sorry, I'll leave you, I…'

'Staurt', Jo interrupted

'Yes?'

'I was only joking; I was just about to get rather drunk! What did you call for anyway? I don't think you've ever called me?' being sure the suspicion sounded in her voice.

'Well I just wanted to see how you were holding up after today?'

'I'm fine, honestly I'm fine! Now why don't you stop worrying about me and start enjoying your Friday night' replied JO

'Fair enough, I'll see you on Monday then, bye bye'

'Bye Stuart,' the line was silent, 'and thank you.' Then the line went dead.

To Jo, that was a simple enough phone call, to Stuart it was quite the opposite. His heart swelled, a grin crept across his face. She thanked me, he thought.

He settled into his chair with his wine and TV remote, unbeknownst to him, Jo was doing exactly that same.

Jo poured a drink, thinking about Stuarts phone call. There was just something odd about it. She couldn't quite determine why, perhaps it could be due to the previous lack of social interaction with her colleagues, she just wasn't used to them being worried about her.

Still slightly unsure, Jo pushed the feeling of unease to the back of her mind while she downed her drink and prepared for a solitary night in with alcohol.