"Will you marry me?"

Jean smiled gently as she turned towards Lucien, yet her eyes filled with tears. She opened her mouth to answer yet she couldn't speak. Lucien held out his hands and clasped hers. She met his eyes, and slowly she shook her head, biting her lip to keep the tears in.

"Oh Dear God" was her silent, heart-wrenching prayer; "How I love him! How I want him, and how he knows that for certain now! Why do You bring me such love, Dear Lord, but keep it so far away?"

Lucien was silent, somewhat setback by the sight of her distress - he searched her face. He had taken her hands to claim her for his own, yet here she was shaking her head; her eyes full of love, while silent tears rolled down her cheeks. "Why not?" He was thinking, "how can she kiss me with such love, and show that she cares for me so, and yet say no?" Mei Lin had gone, had said it was time for them both to start their lives again, surely Jean wanted it too. He stood crestfallen, holding her tight. Jean quickly loosed his hands and walked inside to check on dinner.

"Jean" he called after her, reaching for her. Lucien slowly followed her inside. The smell of roast filled the kitchen and he could hear her stirring the pots on the stove. She didn't turn as he entered, distracting herself with the cooking. "Jean" he said gently, as he held her waist from behind. "What's wrong, my darling Jean?" He was caressing her arm. She put down the spoon and leant back into his arms, her tears came freely now as she let him hold her. "I love you Lucien," she admitted, " but I can't marry you, you already have a wife." She straightened her shoulders and tried to be strong.

The were interrupted by the sound of the front door. Charlie was home from work. Jean turned back to dinner and the doctor to his mother's studio, to drown his sorrows the only way he knew how.

Dinner was very quiet that night. Jean attempted cheerfulness, asking Charlie about his day, inquiring after Rose. Dr Blake didn't speak at all, in fact hardly looked up from his plate, except to thank Jean for the meal. As Jean moved to clear the plates, Charlie stood up and in his best Sargeant-Davis voice he said "OK, someone had better start explaining, or I'll have you both for withholding information from the Police." Jean and Lucien both started and looked up at Charlie - his friendly grin broke the atmosphere for them all.

"Well Charlie" said Doctor Blake, taking Jean's hand, "I love Mrs Beazley very much, and I don't know why she won't have me." Jean knew that cheeky tone of voice very well, though she could see he was hurting. It made her smile, yet at the same time feel like bursting into tears. Charlie looked at her expectantly and she squeezed Lucien's hand for support. "He has a wife, Charlie, and while she is alive he can't have another." She quickly stood up to disguise her sadness, but Charlie, stepping around the table, intercepted her and took her by her shoulders. "It will be OK, Mrs Beazley." He said and something of the kindness in his voice and the authority of his uniform brought an air of confidence and a wishful glimmer of hope to the bleak of that night.

Charlie gave a quick nod towards Dr Blake "it's OK Doc, I'll see what I can do to help." Charlie was gone and they heard the front door close as he left. Jean turned to Lucien as he stood up to help with the the clearing.

Then the telephone rang.