Disclaimer I don't own Last Tango in Halifax. BBC and Sally Wainwright own all. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.
1
Robbie felt sick. The thought that, not only had the love of his life murdered his brother but was now being haunted by him made his head spin. He knew she was right, he had been injured while working in the barn. She had told him to be careful more than once. But a ghost? Nah. He shook his head. Gillian was not usually the flaky type. He narrowed his eyes, staring into the tea in front of him he tried to make sense of everything. Looking up he saw the woman he was thinking about walk into the room.
"Thought you were in Canada."
"Not yet." He smiled slightly, remembering the conversation they had in the cafe. Gillian watched him a moment longer.
"What you doing ere then?"
"Ellie let me in. Her and Raf have gone into town. Dunno why. Tea's in the pot."
Automatically Gillian headed towards the old fashioned tea pot on the kitchen unit.
"Did you tell them?"
"No." Robbie answered honestly. "Didn't see the need to. Not something I could drop into conversation as they were headed out the door."
Gillian shrugged her shoulders. She knew there was every chance he could phone the police. That he could, should hand her in. He watched her a moment as she shook slightly. He had seen many sides to the woman in front of him, scared, really scared wasn't one he was used to.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm not going to Canada."
"Oh?"
"I'm staying ere. In England."
"Oh."
"Gillian." He got to his feet, stepping towards her. "Can you say anything other than 'oh'?"
"Yeah. No. Oh shit."
"I'm not going to file for divorce and I am not going to head down the nick. Because you didn't kill Eddie." He raised his hand. "Listen to me and for once keep that trap shut until I've finished."
Gillian raised an eyebrow. She knew there was no way the ex copper wasn't going to have his say. He took a deep breath before looking away for a moment.
"Eddie was my brother and I loved him. Doesn't mean I don't know he was a violent bully. I know he knocked you about. I know he terrified Raf." He paused. "And I know what else he did. How he raped you, more than once."
Tears streamed down Gillian's face as she watched him. "He would have killed you. I don't doubt that now. What you did saved you and Raf. Do you know how many domestics I went to when I was a copper?"
"Dunno."
"I lost count."
"Rob?"
"No. Let me finish." He raised a hand before setting his mug down. "You flinch every time a man raises his voice. Me, your dad, Raf or one of Caroline's boys. I've felt you tense when I touch you."
She scrubbed at her cheek as he spoke. She hadn't realised he knew so much.
"So that day in the barn. He killed himself. Eddie. He was drunk. He was using the chainsaw. He killed himself. And if you belief otherwise then he has done a good job of damaging you." He touched his temple.
"I told you what happened."
"Aye." Robbie nodded. "And I read the autopsy report, the forensics. You didn't kill him. No one did but him. You can believe what you want. But science can't lie. It wasn't you."
"I was drunk. We both were."
"Yeah." Robbie nodded. "That part is true. But the angle of the chainsaw cuts. Two independent scientists said it was self inflicted. So please, stop blaming yourself!"
"I."
"You were so pissed you didn't know what the ell happened! Now I don't want a divorce but I do want that barn knocked down and I'll do it with me bare hands if I av to!" He stated as Gillian looked up at him.
"Can I talk now?"
"Yes." He sighed.
"I bloody love you." She whispered as he pulled her into his arms. Robbie hugged her tightly, knowing that Eddie was truly behind them. The older man couldn't hurt them anymore.
Xxxxx
A/N please review