Callum pushed Devon and Charlotte on the swings, pushing each child in turn, as they swung back towards him. Their carefree laughter penetrated his dark thoughts of the night before, and despite himself, he smiled.

He's thought dwelled on Matt's revelation that Emma and Will had slept together, while she had been engaged to Matt.

He's first reaction had been that Matt was just trying to stir up trouble – not yet realising that there was worse to come – and brush off the accusation, until he had seen the look of guilt on Will's face, as he looked down at his searching gaze.

Under the circumstances, he knew that finding Emma and Devon had to be his first priority, and any questions would have to wait, intending to discuss it with Emma later. Only to then realise he had more pressing concerns to overcome. Emma was in no fit state to answer question about her past.

He didn't know exactly what Matt's plans were – despite witnessing his vindictiveness first hand, he still didn't know much about him – only that above all else, he still trusted Emma, and whatever Hinckley was trying to achieve, he wouldn't succeed.

"Is Callum here?" asked Smithy taking off his cap as he and Will entered the living room. "He'll need to hear this too."

"I'm afraid not," said Dot, as she indicated that they sit down. "He went out to collect Devon from hospital, and he's still not come back yet." She glanced quickly at her watch – he'd been gone for almost three hours. "He's probably taken the little ones to the park. I'll call him," she added, as she headed into the kitchen to phone Callum, and make a cup of tea.

Emma entered the room, looking pale and exhausted. She'd managed to get dressed, wearing a jumper that was obviously too big for her. Judging from the size, it was one of Callum's and a pair of jeans. She pushed the sleeves of the jumper up and folded her arms.

"How're you doing?" Smithy asked, gently when she entered the room.

"I've felt better," she said, her eyes downcast, feeling awkward at being the centre of attention. She felt panic flutter in her stomach, and reminded herself to breathe normally. She was among friends…she could trust them…

"Has he been charged?" Emma wanted to know. "Is that why you're here?"

Dot returned with a tray filled with tea and biscuits, just in time to hear Emma's question. "I hope so, after what he's done to Emma!" she said indignantly. "If it were up to me, I'd throw away the key."

"Mum," sighed Emma closing her eyes.

"I'm just saying, dear," Dot commented as she sat down.

Smithy glanced at Will as he hesitated in answering.

"What is it?" Emma asked, feeling a tendril of fear stab her heart. "He's denying it?" her voice rose in disbelief.

"He's neither admitting nor denying it," Smithy explained, carefully. "Based purely on the forensic evidence, the CPS are going to proceed with this."

"But?" Emma demanded.

Smithy looked down at the carpet, fiddling with his cap nervously. "He's being bailed," he finally admitted.

"What! How is that even possible!" Emma's voice was edged with hysteria. "He's been following me; watching me for weeks! He raped me and he's managed bail!" Emma's voice cracked as she broke down.

Smithy was sympathetic. "There isn't enough evidence to suggest that he has been following you, Emma."

Dot's eyes blazed as she held Emma. "What about that night you all bumped into him? He was at Doral Park yesterday…" she demanded, angrily.

Will shook his head, finally joining the conversation. "Its circumstantial at best, Mrs Keane. They're all public places."

"Taking Emma and my grandson to that pumping station, wasn't circumstantial nor a public place," Dot summed everything up. "He'd have to have been following her to take her in the first place and do what he did!"

"I agree with you," Smithy agreed. "But we have to follow the evidence; right now it's opportunistic."

Emma moved from her mother's embrace, shaking her head in disgust. "He's going to get away with it, I just know it."

Smithy rose to his feet. "The evidence is against him, Emma," he soothed. "We'll get him for this," he promised, smiling reassuringly. "And we're all right behind you on this."

"I just need a minute, Sarge," said Will, as Dot saw Smithy to the door. "I just need a word with Emma," he added, as she still looked doubtful.

Voices in the hall indicated that Callum and the children were back; letting Will know that he didn't have much time.

"Stone knows about that night," he said quickly, and Emma's eyes widened. "Matt told him," Will explained just as Callum walked in.

Emma saw the quick look of doubt flicker across Callum's face on seeing Will, and her heart sank.

"Remember, we're right behind you," said Will as he left to follow Smithy. "Sarge," he said quietly in Callum's direction, who nodded as Will left.

"I got back as quickly as I could. What happened?" Callum wanted to know, not taking his eyes off her.

"Matt's made bail."

"What!" Callum was shocked. "How the hell did he manage that?"

"He knows how to work the system, Callum. He likes to stir things up if it means he can manipulate a situation to his advantage."

"Well, he can't manipulate this," Callum tried to reassure her. "Forensics will prove that…Em, I'm sorry!" he quickly apologised on seeing the anguish on her face. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded," he said kicking himself for being so heartless; wanting to hold her in the safe cocoon of his arms, and make her pain and anguish disappear.

He shook his head, in frustration, at not being able to do anything for her. "Dot just told me what Matt said Emma, and he's wrong. I love you far too much to ever let that happen."

He stepped towards her, intending to embrace her, but checked himself at the last second. Not knowing what else to do, he stuffed his hands in his jeans pocket, with an irritated sigh.

Emma took a hesitant step towards him, the butterflies she usually felt around him, feeling more like writhing snakes.

She ignored them as she took another step closer, her heart pounding. She rested her head on his chest, her arms wrapped loosely around his waist.

Slowly Callum embraced her, feeling the tremble ripple through her body; he was about to release her, when her arms tightened around his waist. He gently kissed the top of her head.

Now was not the time to question her about what had happened between her and Will. If he wanted answers then he'd have to go to the source and ask Will directly.