I'm sorry for the delay in writing the rest of the story. Domestic Chryed distracted me but I'm going to write until the story is finished now.

Chapter 4

Sam blinked and looked up at Syed from where he was lying on the floor.

'You fainted!' commented Syed, stating the obvious.

Carefully, Sam sat up then pulled himself onto his feet, making his way carefully back to the bedroom.

'This was my fault, telling you about Christian,' murmured Syed following him into the room.

Sam, by now, was sitting on the bed. He turned to look at Syed, studying his face carefully.

'You want to find out how he is, don't you?'

For a moment, Syed wanted to go over to him, put his arms round him and forget he'd ever seen Alex, but he knew it was impossible. Christian was part of who he was, and who he always would be and now he needed to see him.

'I want to phone Jane,' he mumbled, hardly believing that it was his voice saying these words.

Sam looked down at the carpet. 'I can't stop you and I wouldn't want to, but…..I'm not happy about it. Do you have her number?'

'Not her mobile but I suppose I could phone the café if she's still working there.'

'Go on then,' said Sam gently. He looked at Syed his face pale with obvious worry. He looked so young and vulnerable. Why had this come along now – just when things were so good? He had shocked himself by fainting, He had dreaded Syed wanting to see Christian again and his worst nightmare seemed to be coming true. But he knew that Syed needed to find out how Christian was and he, Sam, needed to let him do just that.

'Just one request…..don't make that call anywhere that I can hear you!'

'Ok!' Syed almost ran from the room and down the stairs to the kitchen. Within a couple of minutes he had the phone number of the café and, as if in a dream, was pressing the buttons on the phone. His heart was thumping in his chest – would Jane answer? What would he say to her? He hadn't planned on ever speaking to her again – they hadn't exactly parted on the best of terms – and now here he was ringing her to find out how Christian was. Christian…lying in a hospital bed without him…maybe about to die without them ever speaking or touching each other again.

The phone rang several times. He was about to ring off when a female voice answered.

'Hello. Kath's Café.'

That didn't sound like Jane!

Syed virtually whispered, 'Can I speak to Jane?'

'She's not here at the moment. I'm Paula and I'm covering for her while she is away.'

Disappointment washed over Syed. He'd plucked up a huge amount of courage to make the call and now Jane wasn't there!

'Who's speaking?' Paula asked.

'Oh – just an old friend from the past. Just wanted to catch up with all the news.'

'Well I think she's gone up to the hospital.' said Paula. 'She spends all her spare time up there at the moment.'

Syed felt sick – so it was true. He had hoped that Alex had got it wrong, but this looked as if he hadn't. He started to shake and he could feel tears building in the corner of his eyes.

With an even softer, trembling voice he asked the question that he was almost afraid to ask.

'Has she gone to see Christian? Someone told me that he is very ill.'

For a second Paula didn't reply then she said, in an equally quiet tone, 'Yes, he is. Jane is worried sick about him. Everyone is.' Then she added, 'Do you know Christian?'

Do I know Christian? How can I answer that? I knew him. I loved him then. I love him now. He was my soulmate and he still is. I will never be truly happy without him. He was my whole life. And I miss him more that could ever be described in mere words. I want to be with him. I want to lie next to him on his hospital bed, wrap my arms around him, kiss him and tell him that everything will be all right. I never want to be parted from him again

'Yes, I knew him when I lived in the area,' was the answer he gave. A little too calmly. Then, 'Do you have Jane's mobile number?'

Paula hesitated. I don't think you should disturb her but I'll give you her number and she carefully read out the digits while Syed jotted them down, hand with difficulty his hand was shaking so much.

So this was it – he had Jane's number all he had to do now was to dial it. If Jane was in the hospital she might not answer.

'Hello. Jane Beale.'

'Jane. It's me. Syed.'

Silence.

'Syed? Syed Masood? What do you want? This is a really bad time to ring.'