Chapter 7


After a four-hour bus journey from Dublin to Donegal the SVU squad had reached the large house they had rented for two weeks. It was a huge house built on a 3 acre farm surrounded by trees and fields. It was picturesque, like something from a movie. Once Olivia stepped out of the mini-bus she took a deep breath of fresh air. It was so different to the city. Everything seemed so fresh and pure and to Olivia it had seemed perfect. She loved the countryside but never really got to spend much time there because she was always working. She had always dreamt of moving to the countryside with her husband when she retired. She smiled as she thought this would be the perfect place for her and Elliot to spend their old age at.

As everyone walked up to the front door of the lavish house the door swung open and a young girl about 16 or 17 years old appeared.

"Hello my name is Ciara, welcome to Manor House" she smiled as she introduced herself and extended her hand to Don.

"You must be the owner of the house?" he questioned as he returned the handshake.

"No "she replied with a giggle "My Grandma Catherine owns the house but she is a bit poorly at the moment and asked if I would take care of this for her. So I am here to show you around the house and the estate and answer any questions you may have. Now would you like to come inside and I will show you around the house?"

Olivia was immediately drawn to this girl. There was something about her that Olivia seemed to recognise and she wasn't the only one.

Elliot eyed the young girl too, she looked so familiar but how could he know her?

As everyone stepped inside she counted how many people were there. There were 7 in total.

"Sorry to be so blunt but is there any couples here? Maybe who would like to share a room? We can get you to your rooms first?" Ciara looked around and seen 6 hands in the air.

"Ok "she continued follow me she said and everyone picked up their luggage and followed her through the hallway and up the stairs. On her way up the stairs Olivia admired the paintings of lakes and castles. As a matter of fact she admired everything, the dark mahogany staircase, the hard wood floors the large windows that looked across a vast lake – just like the one in the pictures. She loved this place; it was like nothing she had ever seen before.

Ciara led everyone into the first bedroom. It was very modern compared to the rest of the house and had a king size bed in it and an adjoining bathroom. Fin and Melinda looked at each other and in unison said "we will take this room "."Very well "said Ciara and led the rest of the group into the next room that was next door to Fin and Melinda.

The next room had a more homely feel to was cosy and not as big as Fin and Melinda's but still as nice. Don and Liz decided to take that room and next Olivia and Elliot got their room. It was across the hall from Don and Liz and was huge. Olivia joked that it was almost as big as her apartment. Last to get their room was John as he was the only single person in the group. His room was next to Olivia and Elliot's.

"You two better not keep me up all night with your fooling around" he smirked as he peered over his dark glasses. Olivia blushed as did Ciara who was standing next to John. Elliot just nudged John and told him not to be jealous. As Ciara excused herself to let everyone unpack and relax for a while before showing them around town Olivia's phone rang – it was Dr Khadim.

Olivia went into the bathroom and locked the door. She didn't want Elliot to know who she was talking to.

"Hello Olivia?" asked the doctor

"Yes this is she" replied Olivia nervously.

"We have the results of your tests here and I'm glad to let you know that it is not cancer. We got the results of your tests back quicker than expected. Although this is good news on further tests it was revealed that you carry a gene that can increase the risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two major genes that when they mutate can cause breast cancer. These genes can be passed from parent to child, increasing the risk of developing cancer in a child that have parent carrying these genes." As the doctor continued to inform Olivia about the genes she had inherited she wasn't even listening properly. She was just so glad that it wasn't cancer. She realised Dr Khadim was still talking and began to listen again "BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are located on chromosome 17 and chromosome 13 respectively. There is a 90% chance of developing breast cancer for a woman that has these mutated genes. In contrast, men carrying BRCA1 have no risk to develop breast cancer, but those carrying BRCA2 genes have high risk. It is important to note that mutations in these genes can be passed on to children by either parent. A man with a mutation is just as likely to pass this gene to his children as a woman with a mutation. Hereditary cancer occurs at young age, for instance a woman in her 20's with breast cancer is more likely to have hereditary type of cancer that a woman in her 50's."

"Hold on doctor, are you telling me that I'm at risk of getting cancer?" she asked.

"Well yes Olivia it is something you might like to think about. But it doesn't necessarily mean that you will get cancer many people don't, I just want you to be informed. As of right now you are in perfect health."

As the doctor finished what he had to say Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. She could now spend the rest of her holidays without having to worry about her health too much. She thanked the doctor for calling and hung up the phone. As she walked back into her room she noticed Ciara go into a small room at the end of the hall. 'Maybe she lives here' she thought and continued into her and Elliot's room. Again her phone started to ring this time it was Casey. She quickly answered the phone.

"Casey honey where are you? We have tried to get in touch with you for over a week! "She almost shouted down the phone." And we have all flown to Ireland to see you" Olivia added.

"Oh Liv you didn't need to I'm fine I'm working on a farm!" she shrieked with joy.

"A farm?" asked Olivia. She would never have looked for always smart ADA Casey Novak on a farm.


OK guys reviews are very much appreciated! Tell me what you think so far.

This isn't the end of Olivia's illness either and a lot more fun to come when the group go the the farm where Casey has begun to work.