Sheelagh was debating whether or not to leave, but knowing how much pain Samantha must be in she could harly leave her in this state, could she?
As she walked slowly up behind Samantha, Sheelagh felt tears forming in her own eyes, not tears for Niamh, surprisingly. They were tears for Sam, Sheelagh didn't want her feeling the way she had when her baby girl died.
Holding back her tears, she reached out and put a hand on Sam's shoulder, making her jump.
'I'm sorry' Sheelagh said quietly 'I didn't mean to scare you'
'Sheelagh...Don't be sorry. I was just..err'
'You don't have to explain it Sam. You're upset about Abi'
That seemed to trigger Sam. She started crying again. Sheelagh watched her face, so...hurt, distraught. She felt so guilty. Not really knowing what else to do, Sheelagh stepped forward and put her arms around Sam. Sam, feeling shocked at first, cried into Sheelagh.
'It's ok..' Sheelagh whispered while stroking Samantha's hair which is almost identical to her own.
'You don't know what it's like!' Sam sobbed without thinking.
'Actually...I'm pretty sure I do, thanks' Sheelagh sounded a little upset.
Sam pulled away from the hug.
'I'm so sorry Sheelagh, I really am. That was so stupid of me, I'm such a cow!'
'No, you're not'
'Yes I am! You were being so sweet, the first person to actually care and I've gone and upset you' Samantha felt so bad seeing the hurt she had caused.
"Hey, it's okay. No good beating yourself up over it Sam, it's fine' Sheelagh reluctantly wiped a tear from Sam's cheek.
'Thank you'
Sheelagh managed a small smile.
'Have you...heard anything from Abi?' Sheelagh asked cautiously.
'No, nothing'
'Oh, I'm sorry. Look, I'm sure she's fine...'
'I hope so...Can I ask you something? At the risk of sounding an idiot?
'Sure'
'Do you want to come round to mine after work? It's just...'
'The dread of an empty house?'
'Yeah'
'I know it well. I'd love to come.' Sheelagh smiled.
Sam smiled back through her remaining tears. 'Thanks, we can talk, you know. Sort of...take care of each other.'
Sheelagh was surprised, Sam wanted them to 'take care of each other'so somewhere in there she meant she wanted Sheelagh to take care of her, that just didn't fit.
'Didn't really se you as the type to want looking after' Sheelagh said sweetly.
'Well, everyone needs looking after at the right time from the right person, don't they?' With that Samantha left the office and walked out of sight.
