Confrontation and acceptance

Chapter 25

Sam opened the lounge door and ran into Phil's arms, who stood up as she entered. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Shh… Sam… it's ok. I understand."

"What?" She looked up into his chocolate brown eyes.

"I understand. It's your job." He sounded disappointed, but tried not to let it show in his face.

"How do you know about that?"

"Steve was eavesdropping. But I understand."

"What are you talking about? You think I chose the job?"

"Didn't you?" Phil tilted his head to the side.

"No… I chose to be with you."

"You what?!" Richard and Caroline exploded.

"I quit."

"But you love your job." Phil lifted her chin and wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

"NO! I love you." Tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"Oh Sam… That means a lot to me. I love you too. It'll be ok. I promise."

"I know it will now, I just hope everyone understands."

"Maybe not, but they'll come round."

"I hope so."

Jack made his way to the door, but turned around before he reached the door.

"Oh, there is some news on the case. I didn't want to tell you like this, but I have no choice, I didn't want to tell you when you were upset, but…"

"What?" everyone looked up as Sam spoke.

"At the first hearing today… the bail hearing…"

"What?"

"Application for bail was approved."

"What?!" Phil shouted. "He got bail." Sam gasped and broke into fresh tears and started sobbing into Phil's chest. He wrapped his arms tighter round her, and kissed the top of her head.

"Yes, but there are conditions to his bail, and we are going to continue the investigation and see if I can get more evidence, but obviously with no one knowing what has happened and what the charge is, we can't move too quickly and I'm going to have to take people off the case."

"Change the people on the case." Phil had calmed down slightly and was talking at a reasonable volume.

"What's the difference?"

"Put Mickey on the case." Sam had stopped crying and Jack looked puzzled at her suggestion.

"What?"

"Tell Mickey what the charges are. He's the only one who knows what I've been through. He'll understand, he'll be discreet, and if you need anyone else put Jo on the case, she's a good friend she won't say anything."

"I think that's a good idea." Phil's voice was still rather harsh when he spoke to Jack.

"Ok, I'll put them on the case, but you'll have to talk to them so they can make their own case notes." Jack sounded if he was trying to warn her off the idea.

"That's fine, we don't mind, just get him locked up." The rest of their families stood confused as Phil lost his temper again.

Jack didn't answer; he just left the house in silence.

"I'm so sorry Sam; I didn't think he'd get bail. I can't believe it. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault. You weren't to know. There was nothing you could do."

"What's going on? Why are we here? Who's been bailed? And why was he charged?" Sarah couldn't take it any more.

"I think it's best if we wait until Jo and Mickey have been round."

"Thank you Phil."

"Hey come on. Sit down and I'll get you a coffee ok?"

"Ok, I'm sorry about Jack. He was out of order."

"It's alright. Just don't worry about it any more."

Sam sat down on the sofa and Abi came over to comfort her.

Thanks for reading. You know what to do now. Press the little blue button and review. I will ud soon. Luv Sam xxx