Never had the time seemed right before, not until this moment. Brian was doing okay, Gerry and Steve we're getting in no more trouble than usual so for her things were running along smoothly. Her and Gerry had always known that Brian had known something they didn't in regard to Jack's sudden departure. For a while they'd assumed he had a new woman in his life that he didn't want them to know about but the idea hadn't really seemed plausible and still left a lot questions unanswered. "Brian, do you want to go for a coffee after work?" Sandra asked him quietly; she wasn't sure what can of worms she was opening and she sure gas hell didn't know the effect that opening that can would cause but it was a risk she was willing to take. "Sure, are you okay guv'?" Brian asked. "Yeah I'm fine." "Good, I'll ring Esther and tell her I'll be late for tea." "Okay." "Ready?" Sandra asked as she pulled her hair out of her scarf and picked her bag up. "Yeah. We're are we going?" "How about that little coffee shop around the corner?" "Yeah sounds good." The walk there had been filled with general chit chat. Had Brian known what was to come he wouldn't have been so calm and relaxed but he had no idea as to why Sandra was doing this and the reason behind Jack's sudden departure was furthest from his mind. "Coffee?" Sandra asked as she went to go and order. "Yes please and one of those little cakes." Brian asked. "Okay, I'll be back in a minute." "Here you go." Sandra said placing his mug and plate down before going back to collect he own drink. "So what was it you wanted to talk about Sandra?" "Erm...well..." Sandra began struggling to get the words she wanted to say out. "Are you okay Sandra?" Brian asked worrying that she was having a stroke. "Yes Brian, can you tell me the real reason behind Jack leaving? And don't even think about lying because I know you know." "Sandra..." "Before you start I do want to know so go on." "Well he moved to France." "I know that but why?!" "He had cancer." Brian said slowly trying to keep his tears back. "He what? He had? So is he okay now?" "It was terminal Sandra." Brian said as the tears ran down his face and he saw tears roll down her cheeks too. "Was?! You mean he's..." Sandra started before stopping and instead concentrating on trying to control her tears in public. "As far as I know, I've been trying to do some research to find out but I've not found anything." Brian said trying to pull himself together for Sandra as they both drained the last of their drinks and left.