The shy clattering of harmless wheels swiftly crossed the UCOS floor. Brian propped the bike up and sat down. He always liked to get a head start, a little quiet in the morning. As he prepared his desk for another long day, the droning of his desk phone went.
He answered in a cheery voice.
"Brian Lane, UC-"
"BRIAN! WHERE'S JACK!" It was Sandra. There was a muffle, sobs in the background and everything went silent. Fear rose in Brian's voice, breaking through, no matter how hard he tried to pretend.
"Brian. Gerry here. Do you know where Jack is mate?" Even Gerry voice was shaky.
Brian stuttered. There was a sigh at the other end of the phone.
"Look, get you stuff, we will be 10 minutes." Gerry exited the call.
Those 10 minutes seemed like a lifetime.
Sandra stormed out of the car, towards Brian.
"Where is he BRIAN!" She was now in tears.
"I-I, Jack, he's gone to France. He wants to die in peace. He has, he has."Brian was panicking. Finally he took a deep breath, it was time to tell the truth. "He has terminal cancer of the liver, he's gone to a cottage in France, where he wants to die. I wanted to tell you. I really did. But I had to do it for Jack." It felt like a ton of weights had been lifted off of his shoulders. The words he had longed to tell his dearest friends since the day he knew.
There was silence. Sandra stormed into her office, Gerry taking a seat, clearly upset, but worried how it would effected Sandra, and worried whether they would ever see Jack again. Why couldn't Jack trust them. He felt betrayed. There was a series of clicks and tapping of a keyboard. Gerry looked around, one empty desk, Brian had his head in his hands...
Brian and Gerry exchanged looks of confusion and united at Sandra's office door, curious to see what she was doing.
She fiercely wiped a tear from her eye and looked up.
"Pack your stuff. We are going to see Jack."