Simone to Nikki

"So you split up with Matt then?"

Nikki stared at Simone. "Yeah how did you know?"

Simone placed a cup of tea in front of her. "I have eyes." She commented flippantly, going back to her desk. "At least now that I'm here, you can have decent cupof tea to replace the ones Jack makes."

"Hey don't diss them before you've tried them!" Nikki shot back, not really thinking about what she was saying. Her mind was occupied by something else.

The other woman sniggered. "I have!"

Nikki gave a disapproving sniff. "Well I happen to like Jack's cups of tea."

"Yeah I noticed" Simone agreed. "You're the only one who does – except from the man himself! I've also noticed that he hasn't made you one today" she added pointedly. "Unusual."

"We had an argument." Nikki mumbled. "I don't think he's going to make me one any time soon."

"Oh?" Simone answered "Surely it can't have been that bad? The man worships the ground you walk on"

"Don't be silly Simone!"

"I'm not – he does! Anyone with eyes can see that – except you apparently"

"yeah well he doesn't anymore." Nikki snapped. She looked down. "Sorry Simone I didn't mean to shout." She muttered. "I made a mistake – a bad one and it hurt him. He's lost all respect for me and whatever might have happened before – well it won't now. So just leave it, ok? I messed up anything we had, so that's that."

"What – so you're not even going to try?"

Nikki sighed. There was no point. Jack didn't want her anymore – not in the way she wanted him. "Can we just get on with our work?"

"Not until you tell me what mistake is so terrible that you think you've lost Jack for good." Simone pressed.

"When you and Jack were trapped in the care home, I was with someone, ok – someone I shouldn't have been. I was drunk. It is all sorted out now and it won't happen again – but Jack knows. He knows it all – and I know he's not going to forgive me. That's all I'm going to say on the matter, so please just leave it Simone."

"Ok." Simone responded "but you should know – he might be hurt and angry, but when you had your back to him earlier, Jack couldn't take his eyes off you. He was gazing at you the same way he was when you did the karaoke – which by the way I know you aimed the words at him. The same way, Nikki." She repeated, just in case her point had been missed. "If he didn't still feel the same way as before, why would he be looking at you like that?"

Nikki stared at her, suddenly filled with hope "Rea-really?"

"Really." Simone nodded. "And even if you don't want my opinion – you're going to get it anyway! I have never seen two people look at each other the way you and Jack do. You are a match made in heaven! Ask anyone who knows you both."