Anywhere But There
DISCLAIMER: 'The Bill' characters and original plot depicted in this story is copyrighted to Thames Television/Pearson Corp
It was now dark, Neil walked along the dimly lit path, leading to the cemetery, Bruce told him that the place Andrea would be is the only place in the entire cemetery that is lit up. There was a lamp near one of the walls a few hundred feet away from him - there he could see someone sat on the grass.
As he walked closer he could hear then talking to the grave they were sat at. It was Andrea. Neil sighed, he was relieved that she was safe. Walking towards her he tried to approach quietly, avoiding the twigs and acorns he could just make out on the dark path.
Andrea was shivering, she was sat on her coat - so she didn't get muddy. She had her knees up to her chest and held them tightly to her body. She was sniffing, like she'd been crying Neil was getting much closer and could hear her much better.
"I don't know what to do, I mean I love him - but he just doesn't trust me, I don't want to hurt him… I don't want to lose him either. I wish you were still here, you always gave me advice on my relationships…" Andrea stopped. She saw two shoes on her left and sniffed again, she thought it was the caretaker or someone who was going to move her along, but why would they wear shiny shoes - she could see the reflection of the lamp on them. She looked up slowly, to see Neil's sorrow face, he made a small smile, and she returned the gesture.
"Are you still angry at me?" Andrea asked, Neil laughed slightly.
"I thought you were angry at me." Andrea nodded,
"I was, but I thought that you had a better reason to be annoyed so I…." Andrea suddenly thought, and changed her tone "How did you know I was here?"
Neil dropped his head, "Bruce Malcolm. He thought that you might be here."
Andrea grimaced, "I.. I don't understand, why would Bruce tell you that I was here…"
"There's been an explosion at the station, we thought that you may have been in there - so we split up to find you." Neil tried to explain as quickly as he could, all he wanted was Andrea in his arms, he could explain all later.
"So she's your friend?" Neil asked indicating the Grave, Andrea nodded and picked up her coat.
"Yeah, we've been mates since we were four. We both agreed to move down here together - to start our careers as journalists… only her's was short lived."
Neil read out the headstone, "Jane Smith, Died age 27, always missed and forever loved." Neil looked over at Andrea, who was putting her coat on. "How did she…"
"Car accident, on her way to a big press conference, she was rushing because she was late - and really needed the story…. But…" Andrea sighed.
"It's amazing the lengths reporters will go to get a story…" Andrea darted an evil glare over at Neil.
"You just can't help yourself can you? I mean you come over here and expect me go home and cuddle up to you, thinking you've changed. When really you're just the same.." Andrea stormed out of the cemetery. Neil followed her bewildered, he hadn't realised what he said.
"Andrea. An… Andrea wait! Come on I'm sorry" Andrea halted and turned towards him, and was about to say something she'll forever regret.
"Neil…leave me alone, don't come anywhere near me - I thought you loved me for who I was, not what I am… just go." Andrea flagged down a taxi, Neil was broken, Andrea opened the door and when Andrea wasn't looking Neil slipped the driver thirty pounds for the fee. Andrea looked up from her handbag.
"Neil! Go!" The taxi went. Neil watched it till it turned the corner, then himself made his way home, dropping his head and wondering when it went wrong for them.
