Thanks for the views and reviews xx

So this chapter skips a few months. Carla and Peter have been trying for a baby since the christening but she is yet to get pregnant. Jaimee and Matt are living together in Number 13, with Danny and Jake and it is now six months since Warren left for the army.

Rob and Jaimee are sat in the office. Jaimee is typing an email on the laptop.

'Has your grandad been back in touch?' Rob asked.

'No.' Jaimee replied simply, still hurt by her grandad's abandonment.

'Good.'

'Don't be so heartless Uncle Rob. I hope he's alright, what if he's had a fall or something?' Jaimee said, worried.

'I'm sure he's fine. The bloke's not exactly fragile is he?' Rob said.

'I'm gonna tell mum.'

'There's no need. Why upset her? He hasn't shown his face for six months darlin', just forget about him.' Rob persuaded Jaimee before changing the subject. 'What time is your meeting with Trindley's?'

'He should be here at 2.'

'Not too nervous?'

'Not at all. I'm gonna nail this. Mum and Michelle are gonna get back from the convention and we'll have some good news for them.' Jaimee said confidently.

'Fingers crossed.'

In Manchester city centre, Michelle and Carla are wandering round the convention, armed with flyers promoting Underworld. The hall is only half full though and the women look bored.

'You don't think there's something wrong me with do you?' Carla asked insecurely.

'Course not. Carla, you need to be patient with these kinda things. Some people get pregnant straight away and without meaning to and others have to wait a while. The worst thing you and Peter can do is stress about it.' Michelle reassured her.

'You're right. Thanks Chelle and sorry for boring you with all this.'

'It's what mates are for.' Michelle smiled.

'Oh god I hope Jaimee will be alright in the meeting this afternoon.' Carla sighed; this would be Jaimee's first solo meeting.

'She'll be fab. She's a proper little businesswoman.'

'You think?'

'Who could resist her cheeky smile eh?' Michelle joked.

'But what if she gets nervous and makes a fool of herself? She's been through so much already and if this turns out to be a disaster, it could wreck her confidence forever.' Carla said.

'She has no issues with her confidence and you know it. Jaimee's more settled now than I've ever seen her. She's got the fella, the job, she lives with best mates and she's got you just round the corner. Everything will be ok I promise.' Michelle explained.

'Even so I think we should go back early. Hang around the shop floor in case she needs help.' Carla said, already heading for the exit.

'If that's what you want to do then fine but honestly you're worrying over nothing.'

At Underworld, Jaimee comes out of the office to greet Mr Trindley who has just stepped onto the shop floor.

'Neil! Hi I'm Jaimee. Nice to meet you.' Jaimee enthused, shaking his hand.

'Nice to meet you too. Carla's told me a lot about you.' Neil replied.

'All good I hope.'

'Now that would be telling.' Neil smiled.

'Would you like a drink?' Jaimee asked.

'Coffee would be great thanks. Milk, no sugar.'

'Sweet enough already?' Jaimee joked, making him laugh.

'Hayley love, can you make us two coffee's please? Milk, one sugar for Neil and my usual.' Jaimee asked Hayley, who had just scurried past.

'Of course.'

'Right lets get down to business.' Jaimee said, guiding Neil into the office.

Carla and Michelle enter the factory quietly, not wanting to alert Jaimee. They watch her chatting happily to Neil Trindley who seems impressed.

'Mrs B. You're not due back for another couple of hours yet.' Sean said.

'She was worrying about Jaimee.' Michelle told him.

'The convention was rubbish anyway, the place was only half full and the majority of people didn't know what they were talking about.' Carla groaned, not taking her eyes off the office.

'How's she getting on?' Michelle asked.

'Brilliantly by the looks of it.' Eileen replied.

'Hey do any of you know of anything going on today? Any crime? Even if it's just a small crime? Carla asked.

'No, why?'

'There's a police car outside Jaimee's place.' Carla replied.

'But she seems fine to me.' Beth said, confused.

'It's probably nothing to do with her or the lads. They probably couldn't get a space wherever they needed to park so had to go there.' Julie said.

'Yeah.'

Carla and Michelle continue to watch the meeting. Jaimee takes her phone from the desk and rejects a call before apologising to Neil.

'I'm so sorry about that. I was sure I put it on silent.' Jaimee smiled, putting her mobile in the desk drawer.

'That's no problem.'

'Ok, now lets talk figures. And by that I don't mean mine, cheeky.' Jaimee teased, again making Neil laugh.

'Well it's pretty much the same as last year. We've been happy with the service and the price for many years now. And you know the saying, if it's not broke, don't fix it.'

'Excellent.'

Danny and Jake enter the factory, looking dishevelled and emotional, shocking Carla and Michelle with their appearance.

'Lads, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost.' Michelle asked, worried.

'Where's Jaimee?' Danny muttered.

'She's in a meeting. Can it wait?' Michelle asked.

The lads shake their heads wearily as two police officers joined the lads in the factory.

'Are you in trouble?' Carla asked, to which they shook their heads again. 'Then why are there two coppers with you?'

'We need to talk to Jaimee as a matter of urgency.' One of the police officers said.

'Ok, of course.'

Carla is about to fetch Jaimee from the office when she notices her get up from the desk, clearly worried by the sight of the police officers. She emerges from the office, nervously walking towards Danny and Jake.

'What's going on?' Jaimee asked, her heart beating through her chest.

She looks to the lads for reassurance but instead they bow their heads, letting tears escape their eyes and fall to the floor.

'Please don't say what I think you're gonna say.' Jaimee said, looking at the police officers.

'We're so sorry-.'

The police pause for a moment, watching Jaimee's reaction. She is unable to speak as her legs give way. Danny and Jake rush to her side, holding her up as the factory girls and Carla and Michelle watch on in sadness. The three friends hold each other tightly, sobbing hysterically for the friend they've loved and lost...