We do not own Eastenders, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, Doctors or Emmerdale
Chapter 26
Rowan woke up and looked at the clock with a sigh. She sat up and reached over and patted Ray on the shoulder.
"Ray, it's time to get up. It's Sunday, you have to go to work," she said. She got up and pulled on her dressing gown and padded across to the bathroom and quickly brushed her hair and splashed her face before going into the kitchen to make breakfast.
He'd slept with his back to her again last night. She guessed he didn't want to give her the wrong idea, but it still hurt a bit.
Taking Maggie around Walford had been fun though. The dinner had gone well, too. Syed and Christian had been their usual selves and between them and Rhys' antics, she was sure Maggie's face was a permanent shade of red. She really couldn't believe them sometimes.
Maggie had opted to take the train home, so Rowan offered to drive her to the station since Ray was working although Rowan had been more than willing to drive Maggie home. No doubt Ray was worried about her being pregnant and driving all that way back to London alone. She sighed at the thought.
She pulled eggs, bacon, diced potatoes and flour tortillas out of the fridge to make breakfast burritos. That way if Ray took too long getting ready, he could take breakfast with him.
Ray grumbled quietly as she moved out of the bedroom and hugged the covers closer. He didn't want to work today. He wanted to wait until Maggie was gone and then do what he had been dying to do all weekend. But he couldn't, he would have to wait until he got home, or see if he could get an extended lunch hour.
He was half-glad that his Mum was leaving to go back up to Manchester, though she had promised to come back down after the baby was born. It meant that he wasn't so uncomfortable about being with Rowan. He wasn't so opposed to the idea of people hearing them, but when it was his mother it was a different kettle of fish altogether.
He sighed and rolled out of bed, hitting the floor with a soft thump. Ray picked himself up and padded through to the bathroom drowsily to start getting ready for work. He didn't want to go in today.
Maggie was woken by the sounds of people moving about in the flat and smiled at the sound of someone hitting the floor in the room next door. She pulled herself out of bed and looked down at her neatly packed bag. She'd done everything last night to make sure there was as little hassle as possible today. And now all she had to do was get dressed and washed and pack her remaining things into her little suitcase. She would be sorry to leave, she found that living with Ray and Rowan to be a more enjoyable experience than she had anticipated. After the awkwardness had gone she found talking to Rowan to be a very easy thing to do.
Maggie pulled on her dressing gown and slippers and opened her bedroom door to go through to the kitchen. She smiled at Rowan as she headed for the kettle and made herself a strong cup of tea to wake herself up.
Rowan smiled cheerfully at Maggie.
"Hope you're hungry," she said and put a plate with a breakfast burrito on the table for her, placing a knife and fork next to the plate. She put a plate down for Ray and then made a small one for herself and put it on the table. She reached into the fridge and got the milk out for Maggie and put it on the table then sat down to eat.
She tilted her head as she heard the bathroom door shut and the shower start and glanced at the clock.
"So, I think if we leave here around 10 we can stop at the station for a quick goodbye to Ray and get to your train in plenty of time. I know the quickest way," she told Maggie and chuckled.
She toyed with her burrito a moment and then looked back at Maggie.
Ray dried his hair with a towel and hurried to the bedroom to get dressed. He scowled at the time as he realised his was bordering on being late and hastily tucked his shirt into his trousers before grabbing up his jacket. He walked briskly into the kitchen and leaned down to kiss Maggie's cheek and Rowans lips. He spotted the burrito on the plate and winked at Rowan as he grabbed it
"I'll see you later Ro, bye Mam, safe journey," he called as he half-ran for the door, taking a strategic bite of burrito as he did so.
Maggie chuckled as she waved and finished up her breakfast. She picked up her empty mug and plate and then Ray's unused plate as an afterthought and put them next to the sink. She patted Rowan's shoulder as she passed her. "I'm going to get ready," she smiled as she headed back to her room to get her towel that was folded and waiting on the top of her suitcase.
She looked up at Ray as he kissed her and watched him go with a small sigh before turning to Maggie with a bright smile.
"Okay, I'll shower up after you're finished," Rowan said agreeably and went to wash the dishes. She quickly finished tidying up and when Maggie was finished in the bathroom she grabbed a pair of jeans and a top and hurriedly showered and dressed. She braided her hair back and slipped on her shoes.
Maggie showered quickly, aware that Rowan would want to use the shower too, and got dressed smoothly. She zipped up her case and made sure that she had everything, if she didn't then she could collect it when she came back next time. She certainly intended to come back, she liked spending time with her son and Rowan. She was definitely looking forward to spending time with her new family once the children were born.
Rowan went into the kitchen and picked up her bag after a quick glance at the clock. She snatched the car keys off the hook and looked over at Maggie.
She wheeled her case into the front room and sat down at the kitchen table as she waited for Rowan.
"I really enjoyed you visiting this weekend, I was so nervous you know," she gave a chuckle. "Now I can't wait for you to come back when the babies are born."
Maggie smiled at Rowan and shook her head with a grin as Rowan turned around and walked to the door. "I've enjoyed myself, too," she smiled. "I'm looking forward to meeting my grandchildren," she smiled at Rowan as she followed her outside. She grabbed her case up as she went and followed Rowan downstairs.
Rowan wrapped Maggie in a hug and leaned her head on the woman's shoulder briefly before letting her go.
"Okay, ready?" she asked, her eyes bright with unshed tears, but kept a sunny smile on her face as she headed for the door.
She opened the trunk and held it for Maggie to put her case in and then climbed in and drove to the station when Maggie was ready.
Maggie settled herself comfortably in the car and smiled at Rowan as she started up the car and drove.
Debbie got to the station just before 9 and got busy typing up the things the Guv had given her. She wondered if he would come in today. Chris and Shaz had left the station right after they'd arrived to go and investigate some minor crimes around Walford, most of which were probably teenagers being crazy on a Saturday night. She knew Ray would be here, but he could be got around. She wanted Gene all to herself.
She smiled as her fingers flew across the keyboard, not even aware she was humming.
JT left the spare room and went to make breakfast. Roxy was still avoiding him, refusing to talk about Sean. JT was finding it very frustrating, he deserved to know! He loved Roxy and if she loved him back even the least little bit, he deserved to know the truth.
She blanked him instead. He wasn't sure how to deal with it. Girls back home were a lot simpler. He ate breakfast with Peggy and then headed downstairs to get things ready for lunch.
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Roxy sighed as she woke to the empty space next to her. JT was still sleeping in the spare room and wasn't talking to her very much, granted she was still avoiding talking to him about Sean and her feelings towards the both of them. She conveniently found something that needed doing every time he brought up the subject. It looked like he had given up, for now anyway. She wasn't stupid enough to think that he had dropped the topic completely.
She missed him. She wanted to be waking up in his strong arms, not lying cold and alone in her bed. She pulled the covers tighter around her then sighed as she caught sight of the clock. Amy had morning playgroup today. She pulled herself out of bed and went to get Amy ready for the day. Once the toddler was washed, dressed and eating breakfast in the kitchen Roxy went to sort herself out
Roxy picked Amy out of her chair and made her put her shoes on as she finished doing her make-up. She still had 10 minutes and if Amy was going to insist on walking then she would need that 10 minutes.
"Come on, Amy," she said with as much of a smile as she could manage.
Amy made her way downstairs with Roxy cautiously walking behind her, ready to catch her if she stumbled. Once they were at the bottom of the steps Amy began to toddle towards the kitchen. Roxy frowned.
"Where are you going Amy, it's this way," she said gesturing to the back door. Amy shook her head. "Bye to JayTeeee," she said as she confidently pushed open the door to the kitchen and disappeared inside. Roxy huffed out a breath, it seemed she was going to have to face him this morning. She opened the door to followed her daughter. A sad smile crept onto her face as she saw Amy latch onto JT's leg and hug it tightly, looking up at him with her happy little face.
JT looked up as Amy came in and smiled down at her. He quickly picked her up and lifted her over his head.
"Are you off for play time?" he asked her and glanced over at Roxy. He hoped she would talk to him after taking Amy to her group. He walked over to Roxy and put Amy down next to her mother then fixed his eyes on Roxy's.
"I'll see you later," he said to her earnestly, his gaze boring into hers.
Roxy watched JT and Amy and watched his face as he looked at her. She nodded slowly as Amy beamed up at the pair of them. What she really wanted to do was throw herself into his arms, but she wasn't sure how he would react to that and she didn't want to be pushed away. So she took Amy's hand and smiled at JT as she led the little girl away.
Amy held Roxy's hand tight as they crossed the square. "Mummy, why are you not talking to JayTee?" she asked curiously. Roxy sighed and stopped to lift Amy into her arms so they could talk better.
"Mummy and JT have had a bit of an argument, Amy," she replied softly and Amy's face immediately went worried. "Iz he going to go like Daddy?" she asked quietly and Roxy hugged her tightly. "I hope not sweetheart, I really hope not."
Amy clung to Roxy the whole way to the Community Centre and Roxy had to pry her off. "Amy, come on, gimme a smile," she said and Amy tried. Roxy sighed as she swept her hair from her forehead. "Would you like JT to pick you up today?" she asked and Amy nodded eagerly. Roxy smiled and kissed her cheek. "Okay then, I'll make sure that he does," she said and hugged Amy one last time before leaving.
Roxy felt the anxiety well up inside her as she crossed the square back to the Pub. She knew that Amy loved JT, she knew that she loved JT, she just was unsure whether what she felt for Sean was want for what they had had before, or genuine want for him. She needed JT to understand how she was feeling but if she was unsure herself then how could JT possibly understand? She sighed as she pushed open the door and headed directly for the kitchen.
Roxy stood and watched JT for a moment, admiring him from afar. She cleared her throat to get his attention and went to sit on one of the empty worktops, if she was standing she would pace. She didn't want to pace, and if she was sitting then she was less likely to run out again. They needed to talk this through and if she ran out then they couldn't.
"Amy wants you pick her up today," she told him, searching his face.
JT looked at Roxy and smiled. He put the knife down and walked over to Roxy and without a word, folded her in his arms.
"Please, tell me what's going on," he pleaded with her. "I love you so much," he told her. "But I need to know what's going on."
Roxy wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his neck. She held him tightly with her eyes shut and just enjoyed the feel of him for a moment. She lifted her face to look up at him and sighed
"I love you, JT," she told him. "And I don't know what it is that I'm feeling for Sean," she told him as she rested her head on his shoulder.
JT took her face in his hands and made her look up at him.
"I'll fight for you, Roxy, if you want me to. I've never met anyone like you and I do not want to give you up. I love Amy, too."
He leaned down and kissed her softly. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you'll let me. I won't leave you and I'll take good care of you and Amy. I won't ever give you reason to be afraid of me," he promised.
Roxy felt the tears start to well up and moved to hide her face in his shoulder again. No one ever wanted to stay with her. They all moved on and left her. But JT wanted to stay with her, forever. She clung to him tightly and got control over herself before pulling her face from his shoulder and smiling up at him. She slid her hand up his neck and pulled his face down to hers. She kissed him fervently for a moment then pulled away and hugged him again.
"I love you, JT," she whispered.
"Well, that's good," JT remarked with a smile and held her tight. "I'd really like to take you upstairs right now," he breathed in her ear and then without warning, picked her up, slung her over his shoulder and carried her to their room, kicking the door shut behind them.
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Ray walked to the station as he ate his burrito. He rushed into the station, ignoring Adams amused chuckle. Ray didn't want the Guv on his case for being late again, neither did he want Alex's teasing. He collapsed into his seat with a sigh and looked from the closed office door to Debbie.
"He in yet?" he asked as he straightened his clothes.
Debbie looked up and smiled at Ray as he came in.
"No, Guv's not here yet. Chris and Shaz are on the other side of town checking into some minor break in. I'm just here to type up these reports so won't be bothering you for too terribly long," she gave him a smile.
She watched him sit down and wondered why he seemed so out of sorts. She went and got him a cup of tea and put it on his desk and leaned on the desk.
"You look a bit out of sorts," she said in a soft tone. "You all right? Can I help at all?" she wanted to know and stepped around behind him and began to rub his shoulders.
Ray sighed, a quiet day today then. And if Debbie wasn't hanging around then he would be on his own. He would have to find some way of entertaining himself while he was alone, then.
Ray shook his head at her, but couldn't help leaning back into her clever hands. "I just was in a rush this morning," he told her as he closed her eyes.
"You're very good at that you know," he told her.
"Awww thanks, aren't you sweet," Debbie chuckled and leaned over. "I took a course, years ago, before I signed on," she told him and looked up as the door opened.
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Rowan drove them to the station and climbed awkwardly out of the car.
"We can say a quick goodbye to Ray and then be off to the train," she said cheerfully and headed inside. She gave Adam a quick nod and hurried down the hall ahead of Maggie towards Ray's office. She reached out and nervously put her hand on the doorknob, took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face as she opened it.
Ray went to say something else but his attention was distracted as the door opened. The sight of Rowan and Maggie made him beam happily until he saw the look on Rowans face. He frowned, what was wrong?
"Thought we'd drop in so Maggie..." she trailed off at the sight of Debbie, standing behind Ray, her hands on his shoulders and leaning over him. Her jaw dropped and she stared at them.
"What...what is going on?" she gasped out. She felt her breath begin to come harsh in her throat as her brow furrowed and she stepped towards the desk. "So this...this..." she stammered and gestured at Ray and Debbie, "this is why..." she paused, her accent beginning to thicken as her voice rose an octave.
She moved to the desk and stopped in front of it and faced Ray, her breath heaving. She looked at Debbie, her face a thunder and Debbie snatched her hands away from Ray's shoulders and backed up a step.
"Rowan, I wasn't doing anything..." Debbie began.
"Shut up," Rowan snapped and looked at Ray. "It was nothing to do with your mother being in the flat...you've got something going on with HER!" she accused and jabbed her finger first at Ray, then at Debbie. She felt the tears spill down her face.
"How could you do this to me?" she choked out in a small voice.
Maggie noted the look on Ray's face and wisely stayed out of the situation, she wasn't going to interfere.
Ray sat there in shock for a moment, she thought he hadn't been sleeping with her this weekend because he was shagging Debbie? No! Ray hurriedly stood up and moved around the desk, staying a little away from her in case she decided to hit him, or worse.
"I haven't touched her, Ro!" he said. "I promise, I wouldn't!" he protested desperately. She needed to calm down, stress wasn't good for their baby!
"She gives everyone massages Ro, not just me," he added as he took a cautious step forwards, that wasn't technically a lie, Debbie did give massages to Gene, too but he didn't know if she gave them to the rest of the team. He supposed she didn't, but it wasn't just him!
"Please, don't cry, Rowan," he said softly as he reached for her hand.
Rowan jerked her hands back and stepped away from Ray. She glanced at Debbie, back at Ray and then turned and stalked down the hall. She turned a corner into another hallway and walked down it a ways before stopping and leaning against the wall.
How could he let her touch him? And Rowan had warned Debbie off! Apparently the woman was just that desperate. Rowan covered her face and leaned the side of her head against the wall and sobbed. She was big as a house and he didn't want her anymore.
Debbie watched Rowan storm off and gave an inward sigh of relief. She'd been half-convinced Rowan would come after her for trying it on with Ray. She walked around his desk and gave his shoulder a push.
"Go after her," she hissed and retreated behind her own desk and sat down. She didn't want Ray thinking she'd been trying anything with him, even though she'd been considering it. Gene was leading her on a merry chase and Ray had given her the impression of going after anything with breasts. Clearly, she'd read that wrong. She looked at her typing, trying to avoid looking at Ray's mother and sighed. She stood up.
"Can I get you a cup of tea?" she offered to Maggie in a soft voice.
Maggie looked at Debbie and shook her head at the offer. "No, thank you dear," she said as she observed the woman that had provoked such a reaction from Rowan. She couldn't help but dislike her for that. She went and sat at Ray's desk, arms folded and looked over it, smiling slightly at the picture of Rowan and him next to his computer. It looked like one of the ones from their trip to Virginia, the surroundings certainly looked similar. The picked it up and looked at it curiously: this one hadn't been in the album Rowan had shown her.
Debbie nodded politely and turned back to her computer. Well, there went that down the drain. That Rowan's timing was uncanny. No bother. It was Gene she wanted anyway, she thought and smiled.
Ray watched Rowan walk away, helplessly. His jaw dropped and he looked at Maggie who raised her eyebrows at him.
"I didn't do anything, Mam!" he told her earnestly. "Honest! I wouldn't...I...I couldn't," he stammered as he moved his gaze back to where Rowan had vanished.
Debbie's push on his back jolted him into motion and he bolted after Rowan, calling her name as he went. He dashed to Adam and asked if he had seen Rowan and he shook his head. Ray felt slightly relieved, she hadn't left the station then. He asked Adam not to let her leave if she passed him and then dashed off again. Ray turned a corner and felt his heart judder in his chest as he saw Rowan against a wall, crying. He moved towards her and laid a hand on her shoulder and eased her hands from her face, he gently wiped her tears and cupped her face to make her look at him.
"Listen to me, Rowan," he told her as he stroked her hair from her face. "I didn't touch Debbie, I will never touch another woman, not while I have you!" he said harshly. "I don't know what to say to make you believe me!" he said.
Rowan gazed at him. She wanted to believe him.
"Then why did you let her...she was all over you, Ray," she whispered. "Couldn't you see what she was doing and you just let her. You were enjoying it. What else was I supposed to think, especially after you didn't touch me all weekend."
She sniffed. "Do you think it wasn't weird for me, when we stayed at Gem's? But I didn't say no, did I? And I'll tell you what, our room may have been on the other side of the house from hers, but she knew full well what was going on," Rowan told him.
"I just couldn't believe..." she looked down and sighed. "And that Debbie. You know I don't trust her," she finished in a small voice.
Rowan wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "There better not be," she replied softly.
Ray grinned at her and pressed his lips to hers. He had had no qualms with kissing her in front of Maggie, but anything else had been a big no-no! He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her happily. He buried his face in the top of her head and closed his eyes. She didn't seem mad at him anymore and it looked like she believed him. Good. He had done nothing wrong.
"There's no one else but you, Ro," he murmured quietly into her hair. Ray inhaled deeply, breathing her in, then let her go. Lunch Time couldn't come quickly enough for his liking. He smiled at her. "I'll see you at lunch, just gonna go and say bye to Mam," he told her as he took her hand and led her back to the office.
Maggie looked up and replaced the picture as Rowan and Ray walked back in and smiled happily at them, it looked like they'd sorted whatever they had been sorting out. She smiled at them as she stood up from Ray's desk and went to hug the pair of them. She kissed Ray's cheek and ran her hands through his hair. "You be good CurlyLocks, don't go getting into any sort of trouble," she told him and he scoffed. "I won't, Mam," he told her as he kissed her forehead. "Safe journey," he smiled.
Rowan followed Maggie out of the station. She sighed as she climbed into the car and gave Maggie a smile as she started the car and drove her to the train. She made sure Maggie had everything and saw her safely to the platform and watched the train pull away. When it was out of sight, she walked back to the car and drove back through the snarl of afternoon traffic to Walford.
She glanced at her watch as she finally got back to the Square and pulled up in front of the station. Just past noon. She quickly fired off a text to Ray. "Where are you? If at work, am outside ready to take you home, if at home, get ready cause I'll be there soon."
Ffion clung to Bradley's arm as they walked to the car lot, her eyes darting around to watch for Sean Slater. She breathed a sigh of relief when they made it to the car lot with no sign of him.
She looked at the couch apprehensively for a moment before sitting down and starting on Bradley's paperwork while he worked the dispatch radio.
His phone rang and he quickly answered it.
"Okay, sure, no problem, yeah bye," he said and flipped the phone shut.
"Can you work the radio for about an hour?" he asked her. "Steve's running a bit late so I need to go pick up this fare."
"But..." Ffion began.
"Lock the door behind me. I'll take my keys, you'll be fine. Call if you need me okay?"
She gazed at him a moment and then nodded and followed him to the door. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips and left, pulling the door shut behind him. He gave a quick glance around and then climbed into the cab and drove off.
Ffion put her forehead against the door and make sure it was securely locked before going to sit back down at the radio. She glanced up at the blinds, glad they were closed so no one could see she was alone and then bent her head back to the column of sums in front of her.
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Sean watched interestedly as Bradley drove off. He turned his gaze to look through the windows of the car lot and smirked when he saw the blinds all close. Ffion was in there then. Good.
Sean stood up from the bench that was quickly becoming his permanent spot and made his way towards the Car Lot. He tried the door and was half-annoyed to see that it was locked. He knocked loudly on it and waited.
Ffion jumped at the sound of someone knocking on the door. Who could it be? No one was supposed to know she was here. It could be Bradley looking for Max, she considered and bit her lip. She pulled out her phone and considered calling Max to see if it was him. She stood up and crept to the door and pressed her ear to it as she pressed Max's number. She didn't hear a phone ringing out there and quickly shut her phone. Someone else then. Rhys maybe. She didn't want to see him. She backed away from the door and stayed silent, hoping whoever was out there would just go away.
Sean listened intently, he could hear careful footsteps. He grinned and knocked again.
"I know you're in there, Ffion," he murmured loud enough for her to hear. He moved around the building and tapped on a window, then moved again and drummed his fingers on the next window.
"You can't stay in there forever," he told her through the door as he came back to it.
Ffion jumped and gasped at the sound of Sean's voice. She went to the corner, her back pressed against the wall and slid down into a crouch. She huddled in the corner and stared at the door. She'd apologized. Why couldn't he just leave her alone!
She bit her lip and looked at her phone. She wanted Bradley back here now! She stared at the phone, wincing at Sean tapping on the windows and began to slowly type a text to Bradley.
"Please come back," she finally sent.
Ffion walked over to the door.
"Leave me alone, Sean. I'm not going to let you in and I'm not coming out. If you don't go away I'm going to call the police," she called back.
"And what are you going to tell them Ffion?" he laughed incredulously as he leaned against the car lot and folded his arms. He scanned the square idly as he stood.
"I just want to come in and book a cab," he told her as he rattled the door again.
"Fine, you tell me where and I'll get on the radio. You don't need to come in here for that," she told him, her voice shaking slightly. She backed away towards the radio and bit her lip, wondering if the door lock would hold the way he was slamming against it. He was right. He could say he just wanted a cab and they would probably believe him. Especially Rhys. She waited next to the radio, gnawing her lip again as she stared at the door which seemed all too flimsy.
Sean heard the door rattle with satisfaction. "Don't make me break this door down Ffion, it's so much easier if you just open it for me. How on earth will you explain a broken door to your beloved Bradley?" he inveigled.
Sean slammed his fist onto the door. "Just open the door Ffion, I want to come in and talk to you."
Ffion looked at the phone clenched in her fist. No reply from Bradley. She jumped and bit back a sob as he slammed his fist against the door and slowly walked over to it.
"Promise you just want to talk. Promise you're not going to hurt me," she said, she could hear her voice shaking with fear, but could do nothing to stop it.
Sean's lips curved in a triumphant grin as Ffion gave in. He was making no promises of any kind. Instead he hammered on the door once more to hurry her up.
She slowly reached out and flipped the lock and opened the door, huddling behind it in case he came in swinging.
"Please, don't hurt me," she pleaded.
Sean stepped smoothly into the car lot as the door swung open, he turned and shut the door behind him then raised his eyebrows at Ffion's cowering figure. He smirked as he reached out and took her arm. Sean marched her to a chair and placed both hands on her shoulders, pushing until she sat. He stood behind her, his hands on the arms of the chair and moved his lips to her ear.
"So Ffion," he murmured, his lips still curved in his malicious smirk. "I think you're scared of me," he breathed as he moved his lips closer to her ear. "I think I frighten you."
Ffion whimpered as Sean pushed her into a chair.
She shivered as he spoke in her ear. Yes, she was terrified. She leaned and turned her head to look at him, her eyes blinking slowly as she met his gaze and held it. She could feel her heart beating in her throat and swallowed hard, trying to stay calm.
"Rhys isn't going to bother you, I promise," she whispered as she searched his eyes. She gripped the arms of the chair to stop her hands shaking and took a deep breath. "I told him you didn't do anything, I told him and he didn't believe me."
She knew she sounded like a broken record, but she couldn't think of anything else to say. She swallowed hard again and found her gaze drawn to his lips. Before she realized what she was doing, she grabbed his face and pulled him to her, kissing him deeply.
Sean raised his eyebrows in amusement and surprise as she kissed him. He kissed her back and pulled her out of the chair and sat her on the nearest desk. He pulled away from her lips and kept her caged where she was by keeping his hands either side of her legs.
"Well, well, well," he sneered at her. "That was unexpected," he told her.
Sean's hands moved to her waist and pulled her closer to him, making sure he was standing in-between her legs. He bent his neck so that his lips were next to her ear once again. "You can't be scared of me and want me Ffion, it doesn't work like that," he told her and gently bit her earlobe, tugging it before releasing. "So which is it?" he asked as his grip kept her pressed against him.
Ffion turned her head slightly to meet his gaze.
"Why don't you just shut up and kiss me," she whispered harshly and pressed her lips to his, her arms winding around his neck as her legs wrapped tight around his waist.
Sean smirked into the kiss as she wrapped herself around him. He wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He pulled her even closer and tangled his hands in her hair, holding her head in place.
Sean detangled his hands from her hair after a moment and slid them up her legs and under her skirt. His fingers hooked under the waistband of her knickers and yanked them off her. He kept her in place with one hand as he other flew to his trousers and he undid the buckle and dropped them and his pants to the floor.
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Bradley saw the text from Ffion and hurried back to the car lot as fast as he could in the snarl of relaxed Sunday drivers. He pulled up and ran to the door, but stopped short at the noises coming from inside. He grabbed the doorknob, worried for Ffion's safety, but then the nature of the sounds hit him. He quietly turned the knob and peeked inside, then shut the door again.
Clearly Ffion hadn't been afraid of Sean at all. He slowly walked across the Square towards home and threw open the wardrobe, grabbing Ffion's clothes out and throwing them on the bed. He ransacked the flat until he had all her belongings together and then began stuffing them in her big carry-all bag.
He hefted the bag, went back to the car lot and threw open the door.
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Ffion clung to Sean limply when they finished. Why couldn't she rid herself of this need for the thrill? Bradley was so wonderful to her, and yet here she was, walking into the flames again. She simply couldn't resist.
She raised her head from Sean's shoulder and then gasped in shock and horror as the door flew open. Her hand flew to her mouth and stifled her shout of "Bradley".
"You want her, you can have her," Bradley snapped and threw the bag with Ffion's things in it to the floor. He saw Ffion's keys next to her bag on the desk and snatched them up then looked at Ffion in disgust.
"Don't come back," he told her coldly, then turned and left the car lot. He'd go back when they'd gone.
Ffion let out a low moan at Bradley's words and buried her face in her hands.
Sean smirked to himself and unwound himself from Ffion. He hoisted his trousers back up and winked at her.
"See you round," he told her as he sauntered out of the car lot.
Sean looked around the square for a moment. What had originally been an unsuccessful morning had become a very productive afternoon. He grinned to himself as he walked.
Sean frowned as he spotted Janine's flat. He hadn't heard from her since they made their arrangement. He made his way towards her door and rang the bell insistently.
Ffion barely nodded at Sean as he left. How could she have been so stupid? But she hadn't been able to resist. She found the danger that radiated from Sean irresistible. She sat a few moments after Sean left, then stood and pulled on her knickers before grabbing up her bag and the carry-all that Bradley had given her. She trudged outside and saw Bradley leaning against the fence and watching the car lot.
She looked at him hopefully and he deliberately turned his head. She looked down at the pavement and realized she'd likely never get Bradley back. She walked slowly and blindly across the Square, unaware of the tears that had begun to fall, just aware that she needed to get away.
/\\\/\\/\/\\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\
Ray looked down at his phone as it went off and read Rowan's text.
"On way out 2 car now - you can gimme a life :)"
He stretched before getting out of his seat and grabbing his jacket off the back of it and then took his phone from the desk. He turned and looked at Debbie. "I'm off out for lunch, see you later," he grinned at her before heading out of the office. He waved at Rowan as he spotted their car and headed over. He smiled as he climbed into the passenger seat and strapped himself in.
"Ray, I'm really sorry about earlier," Debbie said. She couldn't apologize enough for her mistake. He probably wouldn't have gone for it anyway; he seemed overly enthralled with that Rowan. Fair dos. There was still Gene to consider and he was the far better prize in her book.
Ray nodded at her. He was grateful for her apology, as nice as her massages were he didn't want to risk his relationship with Rowan for them. He loved Rowan too much. He left the office with one final wave at her.
"Home, please," he smiled. "I'm starving," he told her with a wink.
"I'm sure I can find something for you to eat," Rowan said blandly as she pulled away from the station.
"I got Maggie safely on the train. I only just got back. The traffic was a nightmare. I'm glad she chose not to drive back to Manchester . No telling how long I'd have been on the road," she remarked.
Ray nodded. "I didn't want you driving all the way up there anyway. Being stuck in a car for ages isn't good for anyone, least of all you," he said gesturing vaguely to her stomach. "With being pregnant and all."
She pulled up in front of the restaurant and went inside. She gave Syed and Nora a quick wave and headed upstairs. She'd had Trevor make up some pasties before she left and they were in the fridge in the flat. She walked into the kitchen and then turned to face him and gave him a sultry smile.
"So, lunch first…or dessert?" she asked him coyly.
Ray followed her inside and upstairs dutifully and grinned at her. He moved forward and lifted her off her feet and into his arms. "How about we break with tradition and have dessert before the main course?" he said with a grin as he carried her through to the bedroom and kicked the door shut behind them.
"I'm all for it," Rowan replied with a giggle as he carried her to their room.
/\\\/\\/\/\\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\
"I'm gonna head back down and get to work," JT said to Roxy and stroked her cheek before he finished getting dressed. He was glad they seemed to have worked things out for now.
Roxy smiled at him as he left the room and pulled the covers over her. She rolled onto her side and gazed at the sunlight streaming through the window. She felt a whole lot better now that had been sorted, and now Amy would see that they were okay again too. She smiled and checked the time. Amy's group finished in another hour. She sat up and got dressed then went downstairs to man the bar.
JT leaned on the pass-through window after waving to Peggy when she came into the kitchen to watch over it while he picked up Amy.
"Hey, Rox, ready to go pick up Amy?" he asked her and then left the kitchen to wait for Roxy by the bar.
Roxy grabbed a towel and dried her hands as she turned to nod at JT. She smiled and winked at Tracy as she skipped out from behind the bar and beamed at JT.
"Come on, or we'll have an annoyed toddler on our hands because we weren't there in time to pick her up with everyone else," she smiled at him as she led him out of the pub.
/\\\/\\/\/\\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\
Rowan sighed and rested her head on Ray's chest. "That was glorious," she purred. "Are you absolutely sure you have to go back to work?" she wondered, her tone slightly petulant. She glanced at the clock.
"Yeah, Mr. Hunt is probably there by now," she answered herself with a sigh. "Guess I should heat up the pasties."
She kissed him and pulled away reluctantly to climb from the bed and pull on her dressing gown as she headed into the kitchen.
Ray sighed as she walked away. He really didn't feel like getting up now. He just wanted to stay in bed and cuddle her. Sadly it seemed as though that wasn't going to be an option. He dragged himself up and dressed again. It seemed as though he was going to have to go back into work. Gene had got the morning off though, as had Alex. Ray grunted, 3 guesses what they had been doing all morning.
Ray padded out to the kitchen and got himself a glass of juice before settling at the kitchen table to watch Rowan.
Rowan quickly heated up the food and slid a plate in front of Ray then sat across from him to eat.
"So, what would you like me to make you for dinner?" she asked him curiously.
Ray reached for a pastie and bit into it as he thought carefully. He grinned through his mouthful and swallowed it down before answering her.
"Bangers and Mash," he told her. "With gravy," he added with a broad smile at her.
"I suppose I should have guessed," she teased and put her empty plate in the sink. She moved behind him and draped her arms over his chest as she leaned down and kissed his cheek.
"And watch out for that Debbie. I don't trust her a bit," she told him and then put her hand on his cheek to turn his head so that she could kiss his lips.
"I'm going to have a bath, I'll see you when you get home," she said and kissed him more thoroughly before heading to the bathroom.
Ray sighed as he watched her walk away and stood up. He drained his tea and left the mug in the sink. He grabbed up the car keys and his jacket.
"See ya, Rowan," he called out as he shut the door to the flat and got into the car.
/\\\/\\/\/\\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\
Debbie looked up and smiled at Gene finally arrived. She watched him go into his office and then hurriedly went to get him a cup of tea and a plate of Garibaldi's.
"Ta, Debbie. How are the reports?"
"Nearly done. It's been quiet today. Ray's at lunch, he should be back soon enough," she told him. He nodded.
"So, how's your day been?" she asked brightly.
"Horrible. That Molly is still acting overly happy for a teenager and Sam's got a cold or something and was crying most of the night," he complained.
"I'm so sorry," she said, her tone one of commiseration.
"Yeah, well, so am I."
He drained his tea and pulled the bottle from his desk drawer and poured some into the tea mug and drained it with a satisfied sigh.
"Here, let me help," Debbie said briskly and stepped behind him and began to massage his shoulders. Gene gave a groan of contentment and leaned back and closed his eyes.
"Oh, that's brilliant, love," he breathed.
"Thank you, sir," she replied. She worked her way over his shoulders and then up the column of his neck.
"Just relax," she leaned down and whispered in his ear and he nodded.
"If you like, I can really help you relax," she offered, her tone low and slightly seductive.
"Really?" he asked curiously, half-asleep from her ministrations.
"Oh yes," she agreed and slid a hand over his chest and she leaned around and kissed him.
/\\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\\\/\\/\/\\/\/\\
Ray wandered back into the office. He felt a lot better now that he had eaten and spent time with Rowan. She had forgiven him anyway...not that he'd done anything. Ray glanced at Debbie's vacated desk and shrugged to himself as he slung his coat on the back of his chair then pushed open Gene's office door. He supposed it was best to let Gene know he was back from his lunch break.
"Heya, Guv," he greeted as he pushed open the door. "I was..." he trailed off at the sight of Gene with Debbie stood behind him, leaning over his shoulder, kissing him. He cleared his throat loudly to get their attention. His face set in a hard frown. So, according to Rowan, Debbie had been coming onto him, clearly not as successfully as she was doing with Gene!
"What's going on?" he demanded to know then held up his hands. "You know what? I don't even want to know! But if you're going to do stuff like that then at least make sure you lock the door!" he growled. He wondered how long this had been going on for...Poor Alex!
Ray stalked past his desk and headed for the kitchen, he needed a strong cup of tea to help him think.
Debbie jerked and stood up sharply, covering her face with her hands. Damn Ray and his timing! Gene sat and gaped as Ray stormed away and then stood up and looked at Debbie.
"What the bloody hell are you playing at woman?" he demanded.
Debbie took her hands from her face and looked at him. "I'm so sorry, I just...I don't know," she half-wailed and threw her hands up.
Gene folded his arms and frowned at her. "What sort of game are you playing?"
Debbie huffed out a breath. "It's not a game," she protested and grabbed him and kissed him hard before letting him go. "I want you," she said, her voice low as she kept her eyes fixed on his.
"I'm going now," she blurted and walked to her desk. She yanked her bag from the drawer and rushed out, leaving Gene to stare after her in confusion. If he was more awake he might have been able to process what had just happened. But he didn't have a clue. He shook his head and sat back down with an annoyed sigh, reaching out the bottle again to fill the mug.
JT swung Amy up onto his shoulders and looked at Roxy.
"Maybe we should go to the p-a-r-k and get some i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m," he suggested and winked.
Roxy grinned at him and nodded conspiratorially. She glanced up at Amy's happy face as she played with JT's hair and watched where they were going. Once she recognised the park, Amy began to get excited and Roxy reached up to help JT put her down. Amy hurried over to the swings and waited next to them pleadingly. Roxy laughed and went to sit Amy in one of the swings and pushed gently.
JT chuckled at Amy and went to get the ice cream.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
Ray stood in the kitchen and sipped his tea as he thought. Debbie and Gene clearly had something going on. Alex clearly didn't know, the whole station would know about it if Alex Hunt knew her husband was cheating on her. She would be in here right now, shouting the odds. And Gene would not be in one piece. He snorted in frustration and kicked a cupboard. Ray leaned off the counter and carried his mug back into the office, he noted that Debbie had vanished and raised his eyebrows at Gene before sitting at his desk with his back to his DSI.
Gene noted Ray's look and frowned. He'd done nothing. He stood up and walked over to Ray's desk.
"You have no right to give me that look, Raymundo. She kissed me, I didn't kiss her. And if I wasn't half asleep from Sammy keeping us awake all night, she wouldn't have got that far," he said, his tone full of his repressed anger. He leaned on Ray's desk and pointed at him.
"So, you just keep what you saw to yourself, because it was a mistake and I'm not having Alex worry over something like that."
He kept his angry gaze fixed on Ray for a few minutes and then stalked from the office to go and smoke.
He was even more furious with Debbie. No matter how nice that kiss had been, she'd had no right. He snorted and shoved the door harder than necessary to open it and stepped outside with a sigh. Ray would keep his mouth shut, he was sure of that.
Ray sighed as he watched Gene go. Who was he to argue with his Boss? He sighed. He couldn't tell Alex, the atmosphere in CID had been so lovely recently, if Alex found out that Gene had kissed Debbie then that atmosphere would vanish. He shook his head: he would keep his mouth shut.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
Chris led Shaz tiredly back to the station. That supposedly simple break in had turned out to be one annoying long day, especially when after interviewing a multitude of witnesses and watching hours of the video footage, it turned out there hadn't been a break-in at all.
He glanced at Ray as they passed the Guv's office and frowned. "You go on, Shaz, I'll be right there," he said and walked in.
"What's going on, mate?" he asked and gestured at Ray's expression. "Bad day?"
Ray looked up at Chris.
"Nuthin, Ro came in when Debbie was calming me down and got the wrong end of the stick. We sorted it though," he sighed. "Apart from that..." he trailed off with a shrug.
"What about you two?"
Shaz sighed. "Turns out that what we were told was a break in was a massive hulabuloo about nothing." she grumbled sourly then drummed her fingers on Rays desk before returning to her own to fill in the forms.
Chris watched Shaz walk off and then turned back to Ray.
"You know, Rhys has had a lot to say about that Debbie. He dated her once and he said she's not as nice as she seems," he told Ray and then leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Rhys reckons she got where she is on her back. He reckons she'll try to get herself promoted here the same way," he confided softly and then straightened up. "So I'd be careful around her if I was you."
He grinned then. "Anyway, mate, paperwork to do," he turned to leave and then stopped. "Hey, how do you fancy the pub tonight? Me, you, Rowan and Shaz? What do you reckon?"
So that was it. Debbie wanted to shag her way into a promotion. He snorted, it looked like she was going the right way about it. He would keep his mouth shut though.
He nodded readily at Chris. "Sure. I'll text Ro, see if she's up for it," he grinned as he dug out his phone and fired off the text.
"Nice one," Chris said and pointed. "I should get on the paperwork so we can leave then," he said and hurried off to his desk.
Chris looked at Shaz when he finally had his paperwork done.
"I said maybe we could go to the pub with Ray and Rowan, is that all right with you? We haven't hung out with them in a while," he said. He sometimes missed goofing off with Ray. Ray rarely seemed to go out anymore now that Rowan had gotten big.
Shaz nodded amiably. "Sure."
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
Ffion looked up and found herself outside the restaurant. She would have to tell Rowan she was leaving. She went inside and hurriedly slipped to the hallway that led to the stairs. She climbed up and knocked at the door.
Rowan turned her head at the sound of someone knocking and put down the potato she was peeling. She opened the door and gasped at the sight of a distraught Ffion.
"Fee, what's going on? Come in," Rowan ushered her inside and shut the door.
"I'm so sorry, Rowan, but I have to leave. I've done something...well...Bradley will never forgive me now. He's chucked me out."
"Oh dear," Rowan said and folded the sobbing girl in her arms. She held her tightly a moment and then led her to the kitchen and sat her down and began to make her a cup of tea. "What happened?" she asked quietly.
Ffion lifted her tear-streaked face. "He...Bradley...he walked in the office at the car lot when...well...that Sean Slater showed up and I don't know how it happened..." she trailed off and Rowan sighed and nodded. She handed Ffion the tea.
Ffion thanked her and then at the look of concerned encouragement on Rowan's face, spilled the whole story. Rowan listened. She let out a long breath when Ffion had finished and squeezed the girl's hand.
"Where will you go?"
"Back to Cardiff. I can't stay here. I'm afraid of Sean, but I want him, too, but I love Bradley. I've made such a mess. I suppose it's what I've always been good at," she said softly and sipped her tea.
Rowan patted Ffion's shoulder and went into the bedroom. She pulled the cash box out and counted out Ffion's pay and then a bit extra and carried it in and handed it to her.
"I think you should stay and try to fix things, but I'm sure Bradley needs time to cool off and so here," she said and held out the money. "Your pay, plus a bit extra to help you out. I do hope you'll come back, Ffion."
Ffion stood and took the money and shoved it in her pocket. "Thank you, Rowan. You've been a completely lush boss, really. I hate to leave here, I love working here, but I do have to go, for awhile at least. Thank you for everything," she said. She'd never forgotten Rowan had saved her life.
She hugged Rowan tightly and kissed the woman's cheek. Rowan gave her a sad smile and patted her on the shoulder and walked with her to the door.
"Take care of yourself," Rowan said as Ffion left.
Ffion nodded and headed down the stairs.
She knew she was near the High Street and headed for the tube station.
Rowan sighed. She went and looked out the window and noted Ffion was not going back in the direction of the Square. Which meant she wasn't telling her brother, or anyone else in all likelihood, that she was leaving. Rowan pulled on her shoes and headed out of the flat.
JT caught sight of Rowan as she crossed through the park to get to Rhys' flat.
"What's up with Aunt Rowan?" JT wondered aloud to Roxy and grabbed Amy's legs to keep her steady on his shoulders as he hurried over.
"What's going on? You look like you're on the warpath," JT said as his long legs easily caught up with Rowan's
Rowan paused and looked at him. "Ffion's leaving. Seems that Sean Slater has been at her again. I need to talk to Rhys. She clearly isn't going to say anything to him and from the sound of things, this is partly his fault. No, Ffion shouldn't have had an affair with that...that...Sean, but her brother didn't help matters by trying to charge him with rape when he'd done nothing wrong," she blurted.
She folded her arms and looked at JT and Roxy, unable to keep the anger from her tone or expression.
"Do you know, Ffion told Rhys that Sean hadn't done anything and Rhys arrested him anyway. So, Sean's been harassing Ffion about it. I guess he went after her today and things went bizarre and Bradley walked in on them together...you know...," Rowan paused and waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, I'm going to give Rhys a piece of my mind," she stated and turned away before JT could utter another word.
JT looked down at Roxy, unable to keep the shock from his face. "Well, cut off my legs and call me Stumpy," he breathed and snapped his mouth shut.
Roxy watched Rowan curiously, then ran after JT. She listened to Rowan and her fists clenched angrily. Sean had been harassing Ffion as well as her? She felt a little put out and jealous, Sean was supposed to be chasing after her, not Ffion!
She watched Rowan march away and made a small humming noise in response to JT as she lost herself in her own thoughts. Roxy turned her head after watching Rowan dash off and caught sight of Sean standing outside Janine's. He was trying to win her back? He was going completely the wrong way about it! What was he doing hanging around with all these other women if he was trying to get her!
She left Amy with JT and marched over to Sean, her anger evident.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
Janine got up reluctantly, her attention still focused on the TV as she picked up the receiver.
"Yeah, who is it, I'm busy," she snapped.
Sean grinned. "Me, lemme in" he told her.
"SEAN!"
He turned as a familiar voice bellowed his name and smiled smoothly at the sight of Roxy marching towards him.
"Hey, Roxy," he smiled as he stepped out from Janine's front path
Roxy strode right up to Sean and slapped him round the face. "Is it not enough that you're making my life a misery that you have to go and ruin other people's lives as well!" she spat at him.
Sean pressed a hand to his cheek, the force of her unexpected slap had made him stumble. He turned to her, fury radiating from him. "Your life is only a misery because you are forcing yourself to believe that you have a future with that gorilla!" he snarled. "We both know that if you came back to me then everything will go back to how it should be!"
Roxy almost screamed at him "When are you going to get it Sean? I love JT! "
"But you're mine!" he retorted possessively "He doesn't deserve to even look at you Roxy!"
"Just go away Sean! Go away and leave us all alone!" she told him before turning her back on him. He reached out and latched a hand onto her wrist, pulling her back to him so that their lips met. She pushed at him furiously and broke free.
"Stop doing that! I love JT! I don't belong to you! I don't belong to anyone," she told him before running off.
Janine smiled and left her flat and opened the door just in time to see Roxy smack Sean hard. Her mouth dropped open.
JT gaped again as he saw Roxy march off away. He lifted Amy off his shoulders and tucked her against him and ran after her when he saw she was heading for Sean. That could only be trouble.
JT looked at Janine as she opened the door he met her eyes in surprise at the slap. JT nearly grabbed Sean as he tried to kiss Roxy, but stepped back as she pushed Sean away. JT turned as Roxy ran off. JT looked at Sean steadily for a moment before going after Roxy.
"Well, well, well, trouble in paradise?" Janine asked her tone one of feigned concern. She smiled at Sean.
"You'll never get her back now," she giggled and folded her arms.
Sean scowled at her as he pushed past into her flat, nursing his aching cheek as he went.
"You're not exactly helping are you" he snapped at her "What have you done to help?" he went on "Nothing, you bumped into JT once. ONCE. And that's it" he growled at her
"You, Janine, are supposed to be making it so that JT sleeps with you, or appears to, so that Roxy comes running into my arms," he told her. "You just haven't bothered," he grumbled.
"Yeah, well…it would be a lot easier if they weren't together all the time," she huffed at him. "It's not exactly the easiest thing in the world. Although, she seemed pretty jealous to me, so maybe something will come of that and I'll have a chance. It's not like you've been making it worth my while."
She looked him up and down and then turned and went back into her flat and shut the door.
Sean snorted. She should try harder then!
He grunted to himself and made his way home, he wanted Roxy and JT broken. He'd tried pulling Roxy away from JT and clearly that wasn't working, he'd tried getting Janine onto JT so that Roxy would come rushing to him, that hadn't worked. He needed a different tactic, though he had to admit, casting doubt into JT's mind about Roxy's true feelings was highly amusing. Sean knew that Roxy wanted him, deep down, she couldn't deny herself forever. She'd come to him.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
JT caught up with Roxy and put a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down.
"Roxy, why does it matter if he was with someone else, since you say you don't want him back?" he asked her curiously. He couldn't help but wonder. She'd clearly been jealous that he'd been with Ffion. Did she only push away from the kiss because JT and Janine were both there?
He put Amy down next to him, holding onto her hand so she wouldn't wander off and looked at Roxy.
"If that Janine and I hadn't been standing there would you have pushed Sean away?" he asked her softly.
Roxy sighed, she hadn't wanted JT to come after her. She had wanted to be alone, to get her head straight. She glanced down briefly at Amy as she turned to face him and looked up into his face. "Yes" she told him firmly. "Because I don't want him near me," she muttered.
Roxy bent and scooped Amy off the ground and into her arms.
"Come on, you," she smiled. "Dinner's waiting at home," she smiled.
"Ice Ceeaaamm," Amy pleaded and Roxy shook her head. "No, you've already had one," she said with a tone of finality. Roxy smiled as she saw Amy's face fall in disappointment. "But," she whispered to her daughter. "I think there might be strawberries for afters if you're very good."
Roxy started off towards the pub and glanced back at JT as she went.
JT watched Roxy walk away. He wasn't sure he believed her. Something Sean had said about an alley crossed JT's mind and he began to wonder if Sean wasn't trying to stir up trouble. The glance back did nothing to ease his mind, but he followed her into the pub and upstairs anyway.
He watched her as she cooked, but chose to remain silent. He wasn't sure what to say if he was being honest.
He waited until after dinner and Amy was safely distracted with strawberries. He took a deep breath.
"Roxy, he said something to me…he said I should ask you about the alleyway. After what I saw today, I have to wonder if maybe I shouldn't. You seemed awfully jealous of Ffion, don't think I didn't notice your face when Rowan was talking," he told her.
Roxy glanced down at Amy and then looked back up at JT.
"He cornered Amy in the alleyway and had a chat with her," she explained. "I found them, it was after Nursery one day," she said to put it into context for him. "And I sent Amy home with Abi and..." she trailed off. "I stayed to tell him to stay away from her. It ended up.." she paused again and looked up into his eyes. "He caged me in against the wall and kissed me," she said then closed her eyes. "And I didn't push him away, I didn't want to push him away JT. It scared the shit out of me," she admitted and looked sadly back up at him. "I suppose part of the reason that I don't want him near me is because.." she trailed off again and took a deep breath. "because I'm scared of wanting him," she whispered.
JT looked at Roxy steadily.
"Or you want him and you're scared to admit it," he added. "Roxy, you have no idea how hard this is for me. To see the look on your face when you heard Sean was having an affair with Ffion, to wonder what's going on, this is so hard..." he trailed off.
"I'm going for a walk, I'll be back later," he said and stood up. "You really need to make up your mind, Roxy. Decide what you want and face him decisively and tell him, because right now, you're just playing hard to get."
He stepped around her and left.
JT crossed the Square, his hand shoved in his pockets as he wandered aimlessly. He caught sight of Rowan in the cafe, but the didn't want to bother her with this, even if she was family.
As night fell, he stopped wandering and decided to find somewhere to sleep. He didn't want to go back to the pub. He wanted to give Roxy her space. He considered the restaurant, but Rowan and Ray might want the flat to themselves after having Ray's mother for the weekend. He headed for the B&B.
Janine left her flat and noticed JT heading for the B&B. Had there been a row? She smiled and ran over to him and bumped into him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry..." she began and looked up. "JT, please forgive me," she said then tilted her head at him.
"How about that scene earlier huh?" she asked curiously. JT looked at her and let out a long breath.
"What about it?" he asked her in a dark tone.
"Well, you know, if you need someone to talk to, I'm more than happy to. My husband left me for someone else, so I can understand how painful it can be," Janine told him, her voice heavy with sympathy.
"Look," she went on at the expression of doubt on his face. "I've got this I was going to have it myself, but why don't you do what you're going to do and we can have a drink together, what do you say. You can tell me everything," she offered as she held up a bottle of wine.
JT shrugged and went into the B&B, Janine following right on his heels. Kim eyed the pair of them as they went over to sit in a quiet corner in the front room and began to share a bottle of wine Janine had. She went to the pub with Denise and when they returned, JT and Janine were gone. Kim pursed her lips and looked at Denise.
"I think that fella of Roxy's is up in his room with Janice," she said and looked at her sister. Denise snorted and shook her head before heading upstairs to bed. Kim went over and picked up the empty bottle and the glasses JT had borrowed and put them in the kitchen before heading upstairs herself.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
Rowan pounded on Rhys' door until he answered.
"Rowan, what?" he asked her in confusion.
"You should know Ffion is leaving town. Apparently, Sean was harassing her because of your little fiasco arrest. And somehow it ended with them…well….I don't think I need to spell it out for you," Rowan said shortly. "Suffice to say, Bradley walked in and chucked Ffion out. So she's leaving," she finished coldly.
Rhys' eyes widened. Ffion left?
"I'm sorry…" he trailed off.
"I'm the wrong person to apologize to," she shot back. She glared at him furiously a moment longer and then turned and stormed away.
Rhys watched her go and went back inside and tried to call Ffion. No answer. He tried again and again, but she clearly wasn't going to answer. He sighed and began calling the family.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\
Rowan strode furiously back across the Square and heard her phone go off. She read Ray's text and looked at her watch. It was already after 4, where had the day gone.
"Am at café, what time?" she sent back and headed towards the café. She saw Roxy and JT looking like they might be having some sort of problem, but she wasn't interested. She'd had enough of drama today. She went into the café, got a cup of coffee and a large piece of chocolate cake from Bianca and began to eat her way through it.
Bianca noticed Rowan seemed upset and walked over to her.
"You alright?" she asked. Rowan looked up at her.
"Just tired of today," she replied. "It seems to be nothing but drama, some of it my own."
Bianca laughed and dropped into the chair across from her.
"You think you've got drama now? Wait till that's over with," Bianca told her and pointed at Rowan's belly. "You'll have more drama than you can shake a stick at once you've got kids."
"Oh, thanks, Bianca, I feel so much better now," Rowan said tartly and took another bite of her cake.
"Happy to help," Bianca teased and got back up when more people came in.
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"Once we're done with work. Will text and meet you in the pub" Ray sent back then pulled his paperwork towards him, determined to finish it
"Okay, am consoling myself with chocolate cake. Will see you then," Rowan texted back.
Rowan finished her cake and sighed as she pushed the plate away. She got up, waved goodbye to Bianca and headed for the pub. It was nearly time for Ray to be finished. She went to the bar, got herself a lemonade and then sat down at a table, leaning back comfortably as she sipped her drink.
She smiled and nodded at people she knew, but stayed where she was. She picked up her phone and sent off a text to Ray. "At pub. See you soon."
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Roxy was left with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach as she acknowledged the truth in his words. She didn't want to feel like this for Sean, she couldn't help it. The jealousy had surprised her at the time but had made her angry as well, angry that he was sleeping with other girls, and angry that she felt that way.
Amy watched JT leave and looked to Roxy. "Where JayTee go?" she demanded to know and Roxy turned and took the empty bowl away. "He's gone for a walk Amy, he'll be back later," she told her. Amy nodded and climbed off the chair. She toddled through to the front room as Roxy watched her carefully. Satisfied that Amy wasn't going to injure herself, Roxy set about sorting the kitchen, and her head.
Would sleeping with Sean help? Or make everything worse? She knew that if she had to choose then she should choose JT, he was the ideal bloke, strong, kind, good with Amy, he loved her and promised not to leave her or hurt her. She loved him.
But Sean...Sean just made her feel things that she really thought that she shouldn't. She wanted him, and still loved him. He would be a rubbish father, she could see his temper flaring and him lashing out if Amy did something wrong. She didn't want to live in fear of what he might do to Amy or her. But she couldn't extinguish what he made her feel. She shut the fridge with more force than was strictly necessary in her frustration.
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Shaz smiled and looked over her shoulder towards the other office.
"Oi, Ray" she called to him "You ready to go?" she asked.
They hadn't spent hardly any time with Rowan and Ray recently. She supposed that was because the pair of them were constantly locked away in the Restaurant.
Ray grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair and checked the text from Rowan. He grinned as he came out of his office and looked at Chris and Shaz. "Come on slow coaches, there's drinking to be done, and a small blond woman already in the pub waiting for us," he told them as he headed towards the doors.
Shaz rolled her eyes and stood, then slipped her hand into Chris' as they walked through the station and out to their car.
Ray pulled up outside the pub and didn't wait for Chris and Shaz to catch up before hurrying into the pub and instantly spotting Rowan. He made his way over and dropped a kiss on her lips before leaning against the bar.
"Been a while since we've done this," he commented.
Rowan looked up and smiled as she saw Ray come in. She nodded and leaned back in her seat.
"Yes, it has," she agreed and waved at Chris and Shaz as they came in. "I'll have another," she told him in a slightly cheeky tone and pointed at the fact that Tracey had come up behind him.
"Go ahead and sit down, Shaz, I'll get our drinks," Chris told her and headed for the bar. He got their drinks and then went and sat down next to Shaz and handed over her drink.
"Was it nice having your mum around?" Chris asked Ray curiously.
Rowan smiled. "I like her. She's planning to come back after the birth."
Ray grinned at her and nodded at Tracey.
"Another lemonade and a pint please, Trace," he smiled at her then turned back to Rowan. "So, what else did you do today?" he asked as he paid Tracey and brought their drinks over. He sat down beside her and smiled before taking a hefty gulp from his pint.
Shaz nodded at him with a smile and took the seat next to Rowan with a grin at her friend. She looked back up at Chris as he came back and took her drink from him with a word of thanks.
"Oh, it was a banner day," Rowan said tartly. "Ffion's left, she may not come back. She stopped by to tell me just before she left. So, then I went and gave Rhys an earful."
Chris laughed and Rowan raised her eyebrow at Ray.
Ray looked at her. Ffion left? Why? He decided he would ask her later if the moment came up, or if he remembered. No doubt it would be all round the square soon, some gossip would get hold of the information and the stories would soon be flying around. He shrugged inwardly as he stared at a beermat through the clear brown liquid of his pint.
Shaz frowned. "I'm getting sick of Rhys," she grumbled to herself. "He's doing my head in."
"Yeah, well, a lot of Ffion leaving is his fault, if he'd just listened to her..." Rowan trailed off. "Sean was harassing her about what happened, but somehow, um, things changed. Bradley walked in on them in the office at the car lot. So he tossed Ffion out," she told them. "That poor girl."
Ray nodded. "Yeah, it's nice to have her around for a bit, any longer than that and I think I may have gone crazy, though," he commented. "I realised how much I miss her though," he shrugged.
"You would have gone crazy? You?" she snorted and rolled her eyes and looked at Shaz. "No details, but lets just say, someone has issues," Rowan explained and then glanced back at Ray.
Ray grunted. "I don't have issues," he grumbled quietly.
Chris glanced at Ray, but said nothing, simply took a drink of his pint.
Shaz looked between them interestedly, then focused her attention on Ray. "So why do you have issues Ray?" she asked curiously, a grin on her face.
Ray scowled at her. "I don't have bloody issues," he muttered back.
Rowan gave Ray a look.
"Well, I don't recall me having the same problem in a similar situation," Rowan reminded him. "And sometimes, I probably should have."
She took a drink of her lemonade and let the subject drop.
Chris looked from Ray to Rowan and shrugged. Clearly nothing more was going to be said. He glanced over at the dart board and stood up with a gesture at Ray.
"C'mon, we can have a normal game without Jack and the Guv here," Chris suggested and headed off.
Ray chuckled at Chris, he was glad that Rowan had dropped the subject, he didn't really want to discuss it in front of Chris and Shaz. He would have to endure teasing if either one of them found out. He looked at Rowan then grabbed up his pint glass and followed Chris to the dart board. Maybe this time he'd win.
Shaz' face fell. "If he had just listened to her in the first place!" she grumbled. "And he went and arrested Sean without a warrant! I told him before he went storming off," she said in frustration. "I could strangle him, I really could."
She looked back up at Rowan. "Is Fee okay?" she asked. "I mean, do you think that she did the right thing?"
Shaz looked at Rowan. "So, why have you two not been socialising with us lot recently?" she wanted to know. "Surely we can't be that horrid to hang around with," she teased.
Rowan shrugged. "I don't know. She's sure Bradley won't forgive her and take her back and I don't blame her for not wanting to stay around here, what with the Sean situation, she probably is better off going back to her family, for awhile anyway."
Rowan made a face at her. "Yeah, cause I don't invite you over at all," she teased back. "I don't mind going out, but I'm storing up quiet nights in. We'll have so few of those in a short amount of time."
"And sometimes, I'm just too tired to bother moving. I tell Ray he can go out, though, and sometimes he actually does."
Shaz smiled. "To be honest, our hours are terrible, I seem to be getting all the rubbish shifts recently," she sighed.
Shaz looked over at Ray. "I can imagine him being quite protective of you, especially as you're getting near your due date," she commented as she watched Chris and Ray set up the dart board. She looked back over at Rowan's stomach and raised her eyebrows. "You're due in what? October?" she asked.
"I just don't want him to feel he can't socialize because I'm tired. He's got his phone, if anything happened he'd be the first person I call," Rowan said. "Yeah, roughly late October, but I really hope I'm early. When you start having kids, do not have twins, whatever you do, one of them is always awake," Rowan groaned.
After a couple of hours, she looked at her watch and yawned.
"I should get home. He's going to want feeding," she said with a gesture at Ray. "Let's have a show marathon this weekend, I'm going to pick up the new Torchwood DVD," Rowan suggested. "We can kick the boys out and drool over Captain Jack,"' she added with a grin then caught Ray's eye and tapped her watch.
Shaz nodded in agreement. "Text me a time and I'll be there," she smiled as she drained her drink. If Ray and Rowan were leaving then no doubt Chris would want to be fed.
Ray glanced over at Rowan and caught her expression. He nodded as he turned his head to look at the dart board and grinned at her as he drained his pint and left it on the bar. He followed Chris back over to Rowan and Shaz and glanced at Shaz briefly before holding out his hand to help Rowan up. He smiled at her and waved at Chris and Shaz as he led Rowan outside to the car and drove home.
Chris noted the direction of Ray's gaze and took his final throw. "Well, you win that one mate. But looks like you're leaving, so we'll get you next time. Hungry anyway, I'll have to see if Shaz'll feed us," he chuckled and slapped Ray on the arm before heading over to Shaz and putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Ready, love?"
Shaz looked up at Chris and smiled as she stood. "So, take-away or am I cooking tonight?" she asked as she grabbed up her jacket.