Hey Guys, I know it's been awhile since I posted. Thanks for the recent comment! I'm glad you've enjoyed reading the stories. While I haven't been posting, the pandemic and racewar, hasn't stopped me from writing. So, I'm going to finally start posting again. Hopefully, everyone is OK, healthy and coping. x
(Rachel gives Charlotte a piggyback ride down the posh hallways to Gill's flat door. Charlotte giggles gleefully and listening to her laugh gave Rachel an optimistic spirit. As long as Rachel could help it, Charlotte would never have to experience pain even remotely similar to what Rachel lived through and what Zoe sadly did not. Charlotte's joy was free and unburdened. It knew no limits. It filled Rachel with a momentary confidence, a rare awareness that despite the odds, despite being told her entire life that she was a fuck-up, this mothering thing, was something she wasn't doing half bad at. Her daughter is happy and safe. Rachel bends slightly at her knees allowing Charlotte to knock on Gill's door.)
Rachel: A bit harder. (Charlotte knocks as hard as her toddler fist allows. The door swings open and to both of their surprise Janet stands in the frame.) Oh. Hiya.
Charlotte: (Rocks and bucks on Rachel's back) Nan! Nan! Nan! (Rachel struggles with her and swings the toddle over to her side.)
Rachel: I didn't know you'd be here.
Janet: I text Gill earlier to see what she was doing and she invited me over.
Charlotte: Nan!
Janet: Hello! (She takes Charlotte from Rachel's hold and the two of them hug. Rachel smiles as she watches her daughter who knows nothing but love and adoration get her carmel cheeks covered in Janet's pink lipstick kisses. Charlotte giggles with each one.) I got your letters.
Charlotte: Did you like them?
Janet: I did. I loved them. You did such a good job. Here, let me get your jacket. (She places Charlotte down and helps her remove her jacket and scarf. She hangs them on the nearby wall hook and Charlotte scampers off. Both Rachel and Janet laugh when they hear Gill's voice "No Running.") Just so you're aware, her majesty was not happy when I first got here.
Rachel: Because of Sammy's (She gestures to her face and Janet nods.)
Janet: I tried to talk her down for you. So, she's moved past threats of physical violence to this weird, quiet, vaguely alarming calm.
Rachel: Brill. (sighs) Time to face the music I suppose. (Rachel follows Janet into the great room. Orla smiles a bright smile and waves to Rachel.) Hello. (Charlotte stands by where Orla sits trying to get her attention. Sammy is in the kitchen drinking a beer from a bottle as Gill finishes the final touches on the table.)
Sammy: Hi Boss. (Gill looks up from what she's doing and forces a tight smile at Rachel, however her eyes are angry. Rachel suddenly feels uneasy. She steps towards Gill and air-kisses her cheek.)
Rachel: Thanks for having us. (Gill's eyes give her a warning glare and Rachel steps back instinctively.) Gill, I don't know, if Sammy or Janet mentioned it...but I am short staffed at the moment. I lost a DCc and have another on temporary suspension by the police complaints commission. I had to rely on Sammy, and he really stepped up.
Gill: Is that your way of apologizing?
Rachel: No. What do I have to apologize for? I thought this was a celebration.
Gill: Excuse me lady, I thought we all had reason to celebrate up until I saw my son walk through the door.
Sammy: Mum, don't be nasty.
Gill: (grips Sammy's face and turns the bruise to Rachel.) This black eye is nasty.
Rachel: Shall I just go then?
Janet: C'mon Rach don't be like that.
Rachel: You said you wouldn't bite my head off.
Gill: I said I wouldn't kill you.
Rachel: Well if you're gonna be like that. I'm just going to go because I actually do feel like celebrating.
Sammy: Rachel don't go.
Rachel: It's unrealistic to think, he'll be in the field and dealing with these scumbags that we deal with everyday and never end up with a scratch on him. He wants the experience, he's hungry for it. I can't keep him locked up in a tower.
Charlotte: Like in Rapunzel.
Rachel: We had a chat me and him, and he's gonna be more careful but it was his bloody fault he provoked a murder suspect.
Gill: You what?
Sammy: I tried to tell her that.
Gill: No you didn't.
Sammy: I did. I was saying it wasn't Rachel's fault.
Gill: Yes but-
Sammy: You never let me finish. I provoked him. I wanted him to hit me so I could arrest him. So, we'd have more time to hold him while we gathered evidence on the murder.
Gill: Well that's a stupid thing to do.
Rachel: I told him that. And we're working on 'How not to use ourselves as bait'. Aren't we Sammy?
Sammy: Yes ma'a- I mean, Rach.
Gill: Samuel David Murray, when were you going to tell me that vital bit of information? Were you just going to sit back and let Rachel get the bollocking?
Sammy: Well, I was hoping no one got a bollocking.
Rachel: Have you met your mum? (Janet chuckles enjoying watching the family drama unfold.)
(Meanwhile, at Janet's house. Adam lounges on the settee reading one of his historical fiction novels. He considered himself a bit of a history buff and he read historical fiction to amuse himself at all the bits they got wrong. He'd often laugh out loud at the errors or omissions and Janet would ask "What's so funny?" and once he told her she'd roll her eyes. It rarely ever elicited a smile from her. There's a knock at the door. He checks he looks at the clock on the wall and then at his phone. The last text he received from Janet said she had just arrived at Gill's and that she'd be in late. It wouldn't be Tasie at this time. She'd have rung or text before just showing up. Adam wraps his robe around himself a little more tightly once he stands, slipping his feet back into his house shoes and then walks to the front door. He opens it. In front of him stands a strong looking and angry man, an unfamiliar man about his age with what looked like a military haircut.)
Adam: May I help you? (The mystery man faintly smelled of booze.)
Melligan: Is Janet in?
Adam: Janet? No. Who are-
Melligan: You're lying. (He pushes Adam out of the way and he enters the house.)
Adam: I beg your pardon!
Melligan: (shouts) Janet!
Adam: Get out or I'm calling the police!
Melligan: I am the police! (Walks further into the house and shouts) Janet? Janet! (He starts up the stairs and Adam grips onto the man's jacket tugging him backward. Melligan stumbles a step back down and grabs Adam by the collar.) Where's Janet?
Adam: I told you she's not here!
Melligan: (let's go of Adam) Where is she?
Adam: Out. Now LEAVE! Before I call the po-
Melligan: I told you. I am the police. (He takes his badge from inside of his jacket. Adam reads it. "DCI Melligan".)
Adam: What do you want with Janet? Clearly this isn't a friendly visit. If you were one of her mates you wouldn't have barged in here, disrespecting her house and disrespecting me!
Melligan: Oh Adam, we're more than just mates Janet and I. (Adam doesn't like the devious smile now on Melligan's face.) We're lovers. We've been shagging.
Adam: You're a liar! Get out!
Melligan: I'm not. Your finacee, your old lady, up until yesterday was my bit on the side. Now, that bitch has gone and ruined my life!
Adam: No.
Melligan: Yeah, she has, so you might as well know about US. It's been going on for months. She called it off, after your heart attack, right little Mother Teresa, crying at your bedside, droning on about what's "really important in life." The minute you came back home, that night, she didn't work late. She was with me. Shagging.
Adam: Stop. I don't know why you're saying-
Melligan: C'mon. You know it's true.
Adam: I'd like you to leave.
Melligan: Here, let me prove it to you. (He pulls his mobile from his pocket and allows Adam, who is still wearing his reading specs, to read over his shoulder. He opens a thread titled 'Janet' and scrolls. So many texts. Melligan stops at one and laughs.) Here, this is one of my favorites. (Adam reads: "Can't wait to see you. Just slept with Adam. I could only cum when I thought of you." Melligan watches as Adam's face grows red. Adam balls his hand into a fist and punches Melligan in the jaw. It catches Melligan by surprise and he stumbles backwards but laughs.) Oiy. Save it for your slag of a fiancee! (Adam punches Melligan in the stomach and Melligan bends a little at the waist. He's angry now. Adam rolls up the sleeve to his robe and Melligan figures if this man wants a fight. He'll give him a fight. Adam may have won Janet's heart but he was going to regret taking him on.)
(Gill's flat. Gill has finally calmed down and Janet has offered to help toss a salad. The two women are in the kitchen with Charlotte who insists on helping. Sammy sulks at the table after having been told off by his Mum. This was meant to be a celebration for him, but he just feels like he's been called 'naughty' and spanked at his birthday, which did happen once. Rachel sips a glass of wine, Gill's peace offering, and sits beside Orla on the settee. Orla leans close to her.)
Orla: (softly, whispers.) I've got a surprise that will turn this party back into a celebration.
Rachel: (smriks) Really? Go for it.
Orla: Got it done today while you lot were working. (Rachel sips her wine and watches as Orla pulls an ultrasound photo from her pocket. Rachel smiles.) Four months.
Rachel: (whispers) A girl. (Tips her head towards Gill) She's going to be well pleased. Aww, congrats. (Gently touches Orla's arm.)
Orla: Cheers. (She puts the ultrasound back.) The cake I've baked is one of those gender reveals. Pink on the inside.
Rachel: How American.
Orla: Sammy wanted a boy but-
Rachel: Of course. Better tell him now then, allow time for the shock to wear off. (Orla laughs) My mum and dad wanted a boy so badly, when I came out, they didn't even have a name picked. I went home as Baby Bailey. (Laughs.)
Orla: I've been looking up girls names all afternoon. Ever since I found out. So far I like….
(Janet's house. Melligan has punched Adam and he's fallen back onto the settee. He howls as if in pain.)
Melligan: How lucky do you feel now mate? You won her, alright? She's yours. She reported me and I lost my fucking job today. I'm done with her. (Adam groans and turns over.) Do you feel like a big man? Huh? You wanna try hitting me again? (Adam doesn't move.)
Adam: (groans) Call 999.
Melligan: What?
(Gill's flat.)
Orla: (continues) Sammy really wanted a Jr. If it was a boy.
Rachel: I had a boy. Baby Bailey Jr. I asked before they took him away.
Orla: (wide eyes) What?
Rachel: Oh. I mean, uh, nothing sinister. Gosh. Look at your face. (She laughs) No, it was just a stillbirth, miscarriage, whatever. No one took my baby away.
Orla: Oh no, Rachel, I'm so sorry.
Rachel: That's alright. I mean, barely stillbirth, 20 weeks. That just about makes the cut.
Orla: (eyebrows lower and she puts a hand on her stomach) That's how far along I am.
Rachel: Yeah, well…(she realizes how far her foot is in her mouth) Well, don't you worry. You'll be alright. (Smiles) Something just isn't made right inside me. I can't carry full term. Even Charlie was early. (Orla doesn't seem more at ease. Rachel jokes.) The universe did all it could to avoid having another one of me. But you're alright, you're sweet, the world needs more Orlas. (Orla bursts into tears and Rachel turns away and sips her wine. Sammy comes rushing over and swoops Orla into a hug.)
Sammy: Is everything alright? What's the matter my love? (Orla cries into his shirt and he looks to Rachel for an answer. She shrugs.)
Rachel: Hormones? (Janet's phone rings and she sees that it's Melligan. She ignores it. Gill smiles noting this.)
Gill: What's going on over there?
Sammy: I dunno Mum. (Janet's phone rings again.)
Charlotte: Someone needs you Nan.
Janet: Thank you Charlotte. (She looks at her phone and sees this time that it's Adam's mobile. She answers.) Hello?
Melligan: Janet! Adam, he's, he's having a heart attack.
Janet: What? (Everyone in Gill's flat looks to Janet.)
Melligan: I've called an ambulance.
Janet: Let me speak to him.
Melligan: He can't. He's, oh god, just meet him at hospital.
Janet: (hangs up her mobile.) I've got to go.
Gill: What?
Janet: Adam's on his way to hospital. Another heart attack. Ambulance is on the way to my house now.
Rachel: (stands) I'll come with you.
Janet: No you stay. I'll ring when I know more. (She begins out to the hallway, retrieves her jacket and scarf.) So sorry Gill.
Gill: No. (waves dismissively) Go go. (Janet hurries out of the flat.)
Rachel: God, poor Jan.
Orla: Poor Adam. I hope he's alright.
Sammy: He survived one. He's strong. He'll be alright.
Gill: Right. Well, everyone who still has an appetite come and eat.
Charlotte: Yay! (She quickly climbs into a chair.)
(Janet's car. Janet uses her mobile and calls Adam's phone. A first responder answers.)
First Responder: Hello?
Janet: Hello? Who is this?
First Responder: My name is Brianne. I'm a first responder.
Janet: I'm DS Janet Scott, Adam's fiancee. Is he alright?
First Responder = Brianne: By the time we got to Adam he went into full cardiac arrest.
Janet: Oh God. Oh. (Janet struggles to hold back tears and pinches her forehead with one hand as she drives.)
Brianne: Tha ambulance is taking him to Oldham General. We were able to resuscitate. But he is in a coma.
Janet: A coma? (Janet's hand moves from her forehead to cover her mouth. How could he be in a coma? She just kissed him 'Ta Ra' eight hours ago. They're meant to be getting married over the weekend. How could he be in a coma?)
Brianne: Yes. Please rest assured he is receiving the greatest possible care. If you're not able to make it to the hospital all questions going forward should be directed to Oldham general.
Janet: No, no. I'll be there. I'm on my way now.
Brianne: Ok. Bye.
(When she reaches the hospital, she goes straight to reception.)
Janet: My fiance, Adam Wells, was just brought in by ambulance. Which way?
Receptionist: (gives Janet a blank stare, presses a few buttons and then stands.) Uh, just one moment.
Janet: What's going on?
Receptionist: Just wait right here. (The receptionist disappears behind a badge only door. Janet paces. A police officer steps over to Janet.)
Officer: DS Scott?
Janet: Yeah? (Another officer steps over.)
Officer: I'm DC Natalie Reed and this is my partner DC Lionel Barkley. (Janet squints, dismissively at the badges being flashed at her.)
Janet: Ok? D'you mind? I'm in the middle of a crisis.
Officer = DC Reed: Yes, Adam Wells. Can I ask, where were you when Adam began having a heart attack?
Janet: What? What is this? I just need to see him.
DC Reed: Please answer the question DS Scott.
Janet: I was having dinner, at my mate's, former DCI Gill Murray.
DC Barkley: Do you have her number so we can confirm that?
Janet: (scoffs) What is this?
DC Reed: It appears that, Mr. Wells , was assaulted-
Janet: (eyes tear up) What?
DC Reed: -the stress of the assault lead to his heart attack and-
Janet: Is he alright?
DC Barkely: He's in a coma.
DC Reed: -and there is no sign of forced entry.
Janet: (wipes some tears) You can't think that I?