Meanwhile
Jerome watched Jazza as she sat on the play mat with Regina. He leant against the doorway of the living room and listened for the kettle boiling in the kitchen. He smiled gently as he watched how natural she was with children. She would be an amazing mother, he knew it. He couldn't wait for the day that they'd be able to play with their own child like that. He grinned to himself as he thought about it. She looked up at him and smiled widely. The kettle boiled at that moment and he threw a look to the kitchen before retreating slowing through the door.
He smiled to himself and he walked through into the living room, humming to himself as he did so. He poured the water into the mugs and searched for a spoon. He opened and closed three drawers before he found where they were. Seriously? He thought. You'd think by now I'd know where they keep their spoons. He stirred the teas as he felt his phone ring in his pocket. Perhaps that was Stephen or Rory saying they'd be home soon. He pulled his phone out and saw Freddie's name on the screen. He looked at it curiously for a second before answering.
"Hello?"
"Jerome, it's me."
His breath caught. Freddie's voice was shaky. She was worried about something. He cleared his throat. "Freddie, you sound worried. What's wrong?"
"It's Rory. We don't know what's wrong. She collapsed and she's not waking up. We're taking her to get help now."
He gasped and steadied himself against the counter. "Jesus..."
"I'm phoning because...hang on...Stephen wants you."
Jerome waited a few seconds and listened to the shuffling of the phone being handed over. Eventually, Stephens voice came through, urgent and quick. "Jerome?"
"Yeah, what's happening? What's wrong with Rory?"
"I don't know. I wish I did. Listen I-" Jerome heard Stephen sniff and take a breath - "I need you and Jazza to stay with Gina until someone else can get back to you."
"Ok."
"You know you're welcome to everything in the flat. I'm hoping someone can get back tonight but if we can't, you and Jazza are welcome to the bedroom. Gina's bedtime is at 7. She has formula made up in the fridge..." Stephens voice was giving way. "I'm sorry to ask this of you but-"
"No, it's ok," Jerome reassured him quickly. "Just get Rory some help."
"Believe me, I'm going to."
"And keep me updated."
"I will. And thank you again."
"No bother. I need to go tell Jaz."
"Ok, careful how you do it. Try not to stress her too much."
"I'll try."
"Ok, I have to go. Thank you."
"Yeah."
Jerome hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket. He took a few deep breaths before walking back to the living room, teas forgotten. He walked slowly, trying to process the information. Rory was hurt. She needed help. Stephen had sounded terrified on the phone and he had evidently been trying desperately not to cry. It was bad. Jerome knew it. But how would he break it to Jaz? He came back to the doorway and saw her still playing with Regina. He couldn't bring himself to smile. He walked in slowly and Jazza looked up at him. The smile dropped from her face when she saw his face clouded with worry.
"Jerome? What's the matter?"
He knelt down onto the mat gently. Regina giggled at him and he tried to smile at her. He couldn't. "Ok, don't panic, but we may need to stay here for a while longer."
Jazza narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I've just had Stephen on the phone. He's not sure they'll get back tonight and he asked if we could stay with Gina."
"Well of course we'll stay but what's the matter?"
He paused for a moment, unsure of how to say it. He took a deep breath. "It's Rory. She's been hurt. They're getting her some help now but they might not be home tonight."
Jazza's mouth parted slightly and her lip trembled. "What's wrong with her?"
"He doesn't know. All he knows is that she needs help and Gina needs someone to stay with her."
Jazza exhaled shakily. "Of course," she whispered. "I just... I just hope..." Her voice broke. "I just hope she's ok."
Jerome felt his bottom lip quiver and he took Jazzas hand. Regina giggled between them, oblivious to the problem. He bit his lip and prayed the Regina wouldn't lose her mother. "Me too." He inhaled deeply, trying to hold back the tears. "Me too."
