Finally back in the comfort of his house, Chris cradles a bottle of beer. He is hunched over at the kitchen table, whilst Kate stands at the cooker, tossing the spaghetti bolognese mix.
"He is a teacher too," Kate reassures her partner, "he knows the risks we are taking."
Chris doesn't respond, remaining slouched over his beer again. Kate switches off the hob, and turns to face him.
"Think about how much you had to fight with your morals when we first got together," she reminds him, with a smile.
Chris looks up at her, and intakes a deep breath. He smiles at her a little, giving her a small nod. She smiles back, sympathetically.
"You've just got to give Tom some time," she points out.
Kate squats down in front of Chris, and places her hands on his thighs, looking up into his eyes. She doesn't say anymore, just smiles. Chris leans towards her, and they meet in the middle, pressing their lips against one another.
Standing to her feet, Kate steps between his legs, and perches herself on Chris' lap. She wraps her arms around his neck, as he looks up at her.
"I'm glad you came home to me though," Kate admits. "You had me worried this morning."
"I know," Chris bashfully responds. "I wasn't sure I'd be here tonight either, to be honest."
Kate kisses him once more, before leaning over his shoulder, hugging him tight. He squeezes her towards him, his arms around her waist.
At that moment, the doorbell goes.
Chris bows his head, a little worried. He didn't leave things well with Tom, and for all he knows that could be the police coming to arrest him.
Kate strokes his cheek with her thumb, seeing his anguish. But she forces out a smile for him.
"You alright to get that?" she asks. "I'll plate up."
She gives him a peck on the cheek, before bouncing her feet back onto the floor. She desperately tries to remain flippant, not wanting Chris to feel bad for whatever is about to happen.
Chris strokes his thighs, and sighs loudly, in anticipation. He gets up from his chair, and walks out of the kitchen. He turns to look at Kate, now stood back over at the cooker.
"Well, go on," she playfully orders, as she gives him a friendly smile. "This'll be cold by the time we get it otherwise."
Chris nods, with half a smile. He reluctantly strides down the hallway, eventually placing a hand on the door. He rests it there, just for a moment, plucking up the courage to open it.
But he was not expecting that.
Stood on the doorstep, looking forlorn, Tom forces out a smile for his friend.
"I'm ready," Tom finally announces. "I want to listen."