Two chapters in a day? Wow, I'm nice to you today. Main reason being I don't know how long my laptop will last out on me so I want to post as soon as I finish a chapter, really. More Adam in this one, too.
Kirsty and Nita made up over dinner that night. Kirsty knew her daughter wasn't one to harbour a grudge for long, especially now she was all she had, but even so, the way she had got so angry so suddenly had stung.
Adam came round again that evening with tales of the day's events at the hospital. According to Big Mac, Ruth's husband was gay and had been seen kissing another man in a cupboard, but Kirsty very much doubted the truth in the situation. Big Mac was known to exaggerate things, and she would confidently bet on him having made the rumour up to let Jay think Ruth was available again.
Kirsty and Nita spent the night in Elliot's bed again. She felt bad about relegating him to the sofa for a second successive night, but he had insisted he was alright. It was a troubled sleep once more, with both mother and daughter tossing and turning throughout. Nita's alarm roused Kirsty from the middle of yet another nightmare.
She sat up, almost in shock as her clammy hands ran through her tangled curly hair. While Nita was in school, Kirsty scrubbed up the best she had since fleeing home, washing her hair and dressing in the smartest clothes she could find. She hadn't got a lot with her, but when she took a look at herself in the mirror, she was satisfied with how she looked.
"Wow." Adam's jaw dropped as she went into the kitchen. "What's the occasion?"
"Never mind that, what are you doing in Elliot's kitchen? You should be at work."
Adam laughed, shaking his head. "It's my day off, and I chose to spend it here."
"It's Thursday already?" Kirsty was shocked by how easily she had lost track of time.
"Uh-huh. So where are you off to?"
"It's Nita's school's parents' evening."
Adam checked his watch. "It's half past ten. I've never been to one, but I'd guess from the name parents' evenings don't start until the evening."
Kirsty looked at the carpet, shuffling her feet like a schoolgirl who had just been reprimanded for bad behaviour. "I didn't know what else to do," she said quietly. "How can I go on as if everything's normal when it's not?"
Adam took her by the hand. "Come with me." Practically dragging her to the front door, he called out to Elliot. "We're just popping out, see you later."
"Where are we going?" Kirsty asked as she got into the passenger seat of Adam's car.
Adam held a finger to his lips. "It's a surprise." He began to drive, eventually pulling up at Cemetery Junction. Kirsty shook her head in disbelief as he opened the car door. Surely he couldn't be taking her to the cemetery? That was just sick.
"Adam, I don't-"
"Shh." Adam took Kirsty by the hand and led her into the cemetery. He stopped by a tiny grave and crouched down. "Harry," he whispered, touching the gravestone with his hand.
Kirsty crouched down beside him, straining to read the lettering on the stone. Harry Trueman. The dates of birth and death gave away what Kirsty was suspecting. "He's your son?"
Adam nodded. "I had to decide whether to save him or Jessica. I let my son die, because I couldn't let two children go on without their mother."
"Jessica?" Kirsty asked. Adam had never mentioned a partner; he'd given off every indication he was single.
"She left me. Took Lucas and Amelia and went to America. I reminded her too much of Harry."
"I'm sorry. I had no idea."
"Why would you? This happened before I knew you. You had no reason to know."
"So why are you telling me now?"
Adam turned to face her, tears pouring freely. "Because you understand. You'll do anything for your daughter, including sacrificing your own happiness. I would have done – will do – anything for Lucas and Amelia. I couldn't let them go on without Jess. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, and at times I miss him so much. He was such a character, he was beautiful. And I killed him."
Kirsty shook her head. "No you didn't. You saved Jessica's life, though. You stopped two kids having to grow up without their mum, and though they might not say it now, they will thank you for it when they're older." She put an arm around Adam, not quite understanding how or why the role reversal had taken place but thankful that he had confided in her. "Don't blame yourself for this. It wasn't your fault. You're a good man, Adam Trueman, and you've saved so many lives. He's in a better place."
Adam nodded, sobbing into Kirsty's shoulder. Then, quite unexpectedly, he looked up. "I think I love you," he said quietly, pressing a gentle kiss onto her lips.
Startled by the sudden move, Kirsty's gut reaction was to pull away. After all, only two days ago he had told her how wrong it was for her to be kissing him. But Adam's touch was so soft and gentle, and she had wanted this for so long, her body did the only thing it would let her do. She returned the kiss.
