Wow, another blizzard of reviews, thank you very much, everyone.
CHAPTER TWO
Mads was pacing the motel room, fretting. Lexi sat on the bed, looking at her with a quiet air of amusement. "You know, you doing that isn't going to help."
"I just feel like I should be doing something,"Mads replied, frustrated. "Sutton is goodness only knows where…" She stopped, as her pacing took her near the window and she saw something out of it. "There's a police car outside."
Lexi hurried to join her. Like Mads, she was relieved to see the figure being helped out of the car: At least the police weren't bringing news that she was in hospital or worse. "They've got Sutton with them."
Mads threw open the door. A female police officer was escorting Sutton over to them. "Are you sure you don't want someone to sit with you, Miss Becker? You're a victim of one crime and a witness to another…"
"My friends are here,"Sutton said simply. It was the most subdued that Mads had ever seen her.
"What's happened?"Mads asked the police officer.
The officer hesitated. "I think you should let Emma tell you herself. Just be there for her."
Mads closed the door, leaving the three of them alone. Lexi turned to Sutton. "What's gone on?"
Sutton crumpled, collapsing onto the bed. She lay there, silently sobbing. Unsure of what else to do, Mads put a comforting hand on her back and sat there until Sutton could talk to them.
Dan, Laurel and Jordan had all joined Ethan and Emma in the flat. The expectant parents sat together, holding hands and looking nervous, . "So what's with the summons?"asked Jordan.
Laurel locked eyes with Emma. "I already know, don't I?" Emma nodded.
Jordan was no more the wiser. "You going to share it with the rest of us?"
"I'm pregnant,"Emma replied.
Jordan grinned. "Congratulations!" He was met with a series of stares. "Or not?"
"Thanks, mate,"Ethan answered, grateful.
"They're going to think it's mine, aren't they?"Dan asked quietly.
Emma sighed. "I'm sorry."
He shrugged. "No, look, Jordan's right, we should be congratulating you." He gave Ethan a smile. "My little brother's going to be a dad. Married before me and a father before me. You're going to give me a complex."
"Who knows?"Laurel commented brightly. "This might all be over before anyone needs to find out you're pregnant."
"I'm not sure how that's going to happen,"Emma sighed. "Sutton doesn't seem to have made much progress and there's not a lot we can do to help."
"Except find out who that phone call was from,"Jordan suggested. "A woman who hasn't spoken to anyone here since before the craziness started. Who can that be?"
The Chamberlin house was playing host to an intimate dinner party: Peter, Kristin, Char and Justin. Char was looking around with open curiosity. "You know, I can't remember the last time I came here. Have you redecorated?"
"New curtains,"Peter answered.
"Yeah, that's it. They're nice."
"Nice steak, Mr Chamberlin,"Justin noted appreciatively.
Peter smiled. "It's nice of you to say so but I just provided the venue. The food's down to Kristin."
"I was happy to help,"Kristin answered with a smile.
"And that's just one of the things I love about you." Peter gave her a quick kiss.
Which was the moment when they heard another voice from the direction of the door. "Well, it looks like I got here just in time." They all turned around to face the woman standing there. "I appreciate that you need to entertain, Peter, but perhaps you should have let me know in advance."
Four faces stared in astonishment. Char was the first to speak. "Mum?"
End of Episode Six
