James went to speak to Nick a couple of days later and it was not something he was looking forward to.
Arriving at the Police House he saw Nick's motorbike in the yard. Taking a breath James knocked on the kitchen door. Nick himself opened it.
James thought he looked terrible. He had clearly lost weight and was looking tired and generally not on form.
"Nick." James kept his voice light. "I wondered if I could have a word."
"I'm just about to go out James. Is it a police matter?"
"Well no but it is quite urgent. I can come back later. But I will come back Nick - we need to talk."
Nick sighed recognising James was not going to go away. "Come in," he said stepping back so James could go into the kitchen. Nick did not invite James in any further and he did not ask him to sit down.
"Eileen about?" James asked.
"No, she's out, with Katie."
"Right." James indicated the kitchen table. "Shall we sit down?"
Reluctantly Nick sat down at the table with James.
"Nick, I'll come straight to the point." James paused. "Maggie Bolton has raised concerns."
"About?"
"Katie's welfare."
"I can't see why," Nick's tone was brittle. "There's no problem with how Katie is being looked after."
"By Eileen. Not by you."
"I'm a serving police officer," Nick retorted. "I can't look after a child full time which is why Eileen is here."
"To help you. Not bring up Katie for you."
"Is this all you've come for James?" Nick stood up irritated. "I think you should leave to be honest."
"Nick, there's no shame in admitting you're struggling," James said lightly.
Nick moved restlessly to the window, then turned back. "I think I'd prefer it if Maggie Bolton didn't come here any more," he said. "I'm not sure why she does to be honest."
"Because she has concerns!" James took a deep breath . "And not just for Katie its hardly fair on Eileen to let her bring up Katie alone."
"As I remember it she volunteered." Then Nick looked sharply at James. "Eileen's said something hasn't she?"
James stood up and faced Nick "Don't blame Eileen for any of this," he said. "She is genuinely worried for Katie's emotional wellbeing Nick." He paused. "Nick, are you sure the answer is having Katie living with you? Perhaps you need a break, just while you come to terms with things."
Nick looked back out of the window.
"How about Eileen take her to live with her for a while and then when you feel,stronger, you can re-think things?"
Nick stared at him incredulously. "Who's that suggestion come from James? Eileen? Maggie Bolton? The pair of them together?"
"Don't get angry with Eileen, Nick," James replied. "She's doing her very level best and she is not finding it easy. Struggling with the loss of Kate and at the same time trying to bring up a very young baby. And as for Maggie, she's doing her job. You know, she'd support you too if you let her."
Nick wearily sat back down at the kitchen table. After a moment or two, James joined him.
"How about it?" he said gently "Letting Eileen take Katie with her for a while. Would it help Nick?"
"Its one of the last things I promised Kate," Nick replied looking back at James. "To take care of Katie."
"Nick, there's taking care of her and being a father to her and at the moment you're doing a half hearted job of one and no job at all of the other." James sat back. "I do know Nick, I know damn well how hard it is. My two girls were not so old when their Mum left us and I had to be both mother and father to them. I had to. And if you can't do that Nick, and there's no shame in admitting you can't, maybe we need to rethink things. For Katie's sake."
For a few moments there was silence. "We don't have to make decisions today," James said gently. "Have a think about things though Nick. And don't be cross with Eileen. She is doing her best." James sighed. "There's something else I need to speak to you about Nick. The Aidensfield practice. I'm giving it up Nick. A surgery in Ashfordly is taking it over albeit not on a full time basis. Two days a week something like that. I'm going to be concentrating on my own practice in Whitby. I want more time with my family and I'm going to get a couple of assistants to help me so I can do precisely that."
"What happens to the surgery is none of my business, James," Nick said, tersely. "You must do what you think best."
"I think you had a right to know though Nick." James swallowed. "But that's not quite all. The ownership of the surgery has passed, well, been sold, to the Ashfordly practice."
Nick got up and moved back to the window. He turned back to James his expression giving nothing away. But his words indicated his feelings very clearly.
"Kate worked very hard to build up that practice after she took it over from Dr Ferrenby. Then you came along inviting her to form a group practice with you. Next thing she's working all hours, staying over in Whitby to cope with the workload. Which by the way nearly cost us our marriage." Nick took a deep breath. "And here we are and Kate's barely been gone five minutes and you've sold up in Aidensfield and made a tidy sum out of it which no doubt you'll be sinking into your own ship over in Whitby. Nice work!"
James was furious. "Nick," he said, standing up and facing him, "I know how it must look But you can't really think I'm somehow profiteering out of this!"
"What the hell am I supposed to think James?" Nick strode over to the kitchen door and flung it open. "Get out James. There's nothing left to say. Oh and tell Maggie Bolton I don't want to see her round here again any time soon either!" Nick took a breath. "And just in case there's any doubt, my daughter will be staying here with me!"
James walked to the door, turned back as if to say something then quietly left as Nick slammed the door shut behind him.
James thought briefly for a moment about walking straight back into the kitchen and putting facts right as it were but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He thought it best to let things calm down a little. So he began to walk down the path to the car. As he did so, Eileen arrived at the gate with Katie in her pram.
"James, hallo," she said pleasantly. Then she saw his face. "You've spoken to Nick."
"Yes. I am sorry Eileen. It went as badly as it possibly could. Especially when I told him about the new arrangements for the Aidensfield practice." James smiled wryly. "I think Nick's view is I've done very nicely out of all of this."
"Oh James." Eileen took a breath. "Well I'm sorry but this won't do. I'll speak to Nick."
"No. Honestly Eileen I think its best left. He's in no mood to listen to anyone. I am sorry though. I think I may have dropped you in it rather."
"Its fine James." Eileen looked sadly at the baby in her pram. "I don't mind at all for myself. But its this little one I'm worried about."
James bit his lip. He nodded toward the Police House. "Will you be all right?" he asked.
"Of course. Don't worry James. About any of this."
He went off down the path. Leaving Katie in her pram by the door Eileen let herself into the Police House. Nick was standing by the kitchen window. He glanced round as she came in.
"Where's Katie?" he asked sharply.
"Just out by the door in her pram." Eileen took a breath. "I saw James outside just now."
Nick sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. Eileen after a moment joined him.
"I'm not angry with you for speaking to James," Nick said. "I know you only have Katie's interests at heart."
"And yours too Nick," Eileen said quietly. "That's why I suggested maybe taking her to London with me for a while. To give you some breathing space." She paused. "Nick, about the other matter. The surgery. James would never see Kate's death as an opportunity to profit you must know that. I think this is more that you are angry with him about Kate's illness not being picked up on but you know as well as I that Kate hid her illness. And I think Nick this is what is hurting you most isn't it? That Kate made the decision so the baby could have every chance?"
Nick moved past her and picked up his greatcoat. "I need to go - I'm late." He went out not even glancing at his daughter in her pram. Wearily Eileen put her head in her hands. How could things ever get better?