Looking at Sheelagh's home was making her feel nauseous. It was full of memories for her- mostly good- which seemed to be inwardly attacking. With both Phil and Abi berating her about her actions on the outside it was the last thing she needed.

But, of course, she had to go in. It was non-negotiable.

Belinda didn't seem to be showing signs of tiredness, all she wanted was rocking back and forth. Sheelagh was more than happy to oblige. At least it meant the little girl would probably be awake when Sam arrived.

Speak of the devil, Sheelagh thought as the doorbell rang. After a quick inner debate she took Belinda into the hallway with her, supposing it would mean a slightly less awkward situation. Opening the door she was pleased to see poorly masked anxiousness on Sam's face- it meant the detective was as apprehensive about the meeting as she was. 'Hi.'

Seeing Belinda instantly brought an incomparable smile to Samantha's face as she came through the door. 'I'd forgotten how gorgeous she is.'

'She's definitely something,' Sheelagh agreed as she handed Belinda over to her grandmother. 'Tea or coffee?'

Sam glanced up. 'Tea, thanks.'

Sheelagh nodded as she went into the kitchen, vaguely hearing Sam cooing behind her. It struck as rather a bittersweet noise. If things had been different then a few months down the line she'd have been fawning over another baby and everything would be... Forcing that away, she concentrated on making the tea. Of course, her mind drifted back to what she'd been doing inviting Sam round in the first place.

It was a clear abuse of Abigail's trust yet she still considered her loyalties to be firmly in Samantha's corner, despite the situation. Abi was reacting to something that wasn't about her and Belinda and Sam suffering because of her irrational behaviour wasn't on.

Sheelagh smiled at her own reasoning. It wasn't difficult to acknowledge she was doing all this for Sam's sake, though she wondered if it was a ploy to get around her on the baby issue. It wasn't a conscious decision but she was astute enough to know it was probably a factor.

Going back into the living room with two mugs she found Sam just stood with Belinda held tight against her. A kind of picture book moment, one Sheelagh didn't want to spy on. 'Tea's up.'

Sam looked over. 'I really appreciate this, Sheelagh. I mean, you more than anybody should be...'

'Don't, Sam,' Sheelagh interrupted. 'I'm a sucker for a happy scene, that's all.'

'It's good of you anyway.'

'What's Abi being like? If you don't mind me asking.'

Shrugging, Sam took a seat. 'Stubborn.'

'Can't think where in the world she gets that from.'

'I know, I know, it's my own fault. But she's got it into her head that...' Sam trailed off.

'It's alright,' Sheelagh said softly. 'I know what she's thinking.'

Sam sighed. 'So many people have been telling me how idiotic I'm being, they assume I don't know. But if there's one thing I've always been able to do it's criticise myself.'

'And usually you're too harsh.'

'No, not this time. I didn't mean to hurt you, Sheelagh. I hope you know that.'

To buy herself time she gulped some rather scalding tea. 'Of course I know that.'

After a minute of silence during which Sam gazed at little Belinda, she finally said, 'You're alright then, both of you?'

The fact that the baby had been included in the query was a good sign. 'Unless you count morning sickness.'

'Oh, I remember that. And the light duties?'

Sheelagh laughed. 'I think I've grown to hate the legal system. And I'll never complain about filling out tax forms again, they'll be a relief.'

'And everything's okay with the baby?'

'Yep. Had my first scan last week, everything's looking good.'

Sam nodded. 'I'm pleased for you.'

'Don't say it like that.'

'Like what?'

'As if we're passing strangers,' Sheelagh answered. 'I can't bear that kind of...'

'Okay, okay,' Sam silenced her. 'But I don't know how I'm supposed to act, you understand that surely.'

'Just be you. I don't need special treatment.'

'You deserve it.'

Clearing her throat, Sheelagh nodded towards Belinda. 'I think she needs changing.'

Sam sniffed a little. 'Does she?'

'If you can't smell that you've got a problem.'

After a moment she smiled sheepishly. 'Sorry, I thought that was the curry I had earlier.'

Laughing, Sheelagh reached for the bag Abi had left. 'Well, good luck.'

Sam looked alarmed. 'No, wait! I mean, it's been a while since I've... Point me in the right direction, so to speak.'

'If you need me to tell you that...' Sheelagh quipped then took pity. 'Oh, alright.'

A few minutes later they were almost done, after several grimaces from Samantha. Sheelagh found it all incredibly amusing though she was also wondering what Abigail's first years had been like if her mother was so bad at nappy-changing.

As she pulled the little trousers over the clean nappy Sheelagh addressed Belinda. 'I'm sorry, darling. It's not my fault you've got a hopeless case for a...'

'Don't finish that sentence,' Sam warned.

Sheelagh looked at her innocently. 'Sorry, are you sensitive about it or something?'

Sam shrugged. 'It's just if you were planning on living, that's all.'

Placing Belinda in the carry-cot, Sheelagh stood. 'Your tea's gone cold. Do you want another?'

Glancing once at her granddaughter, Sam nodded and followed her into the kitchen, leaning against the counter. 'I don't like going behind Abi's back, you know. It's just I don't believe I'm living in the same house as that kid and not having anything to do with her.'

'How does that work exactly?' Sheelagh asked. 'Does Abigail set an alarm or something?'

'Well, I wouldn't put it past her. No, she's threatened to move out if I don't respect her wishes so...'

'Realistically, where would she go?'

'Oh, believe me, she'd find somewhere. I know Abi, she won't let this one go.'

'I have tried talking to her, Sam. I didn't want this.'

'None of us did,' the detective answered wistfully. 'But it's not your fault. I'm the failure here.'

Sheelagh shook her head. 'You're not a failure.'

'In Abi's eyes.' Sam glanced to the floor. 'And mine.'

'What am I going to do with you?' Sheelagh asked as she rinsed the mugs out. 'You won't get through to Abi unless you stop arguing with yourself. And you know that so you're better off just getting on with it.'

'I miss you, Sheelagh.'

'Yeah, me too,' she replied quietly. 'But we... It's difficult.'

'Everything always is.'

'That's very philosophical of you,' Sheelagh said in an attempt to lighten the mood. 'Out of the ordinary, some might say.'

'Well, I've had plenty of time to come up with cheesy one-liners.'

'Let me be the first to tell you you've got too much time on your hands.'

'If I work anymore they'll charging me rent.'

Sheelagh smiled. 'Um, listen, I promised Abi I'd bath Belinda before I took her back. Would you like to do the honours?'

The face lit up. 'I'd love to.'

For the next half hour Sheelagh sat trying in vain to read a book while splashes and giggles drifted down the stairs. She was too busy thinking about what Sam had said in the kitchen to concentrate on the text in any detail.

I miss you.

Those three words should have changed everything between them. Any self-respecting romance film would have that as the moment that came before a passionate reconciliation but it wasn't a film, it was real life. Problems weren't fixed that easily, minds couldn't be changed due to a moment of truth. If Sam still had her reservations about the baby... Well, that was that.

'Now, I'm trying to work out whether you were trying to punish me or not.'

Looking to the doorway she barely stopped her laughter. Belinda was dry as a bone and dressed again but Sam was splattered with enough water to fill a medium sized paddling pool. 'You weren't supposed to join her.'

'Here, take her.' Sam held out the baby for Sheelagh to accept. 'I think she'll fall asleep any minute.'

Watching Belinda's eyelids open and close a few times, she nodded. 'It won't be long. Look, you can't go home like that, it's freezing out there. Get something from my wardrobe.'

'Sheelagh, I...'

'Did I give the impression that was a suggestion?'

Sam took that in and turned straight away. 'Nope, you didn't.'

Once the footsteps had reached the top of the stairs Sheelagh placed Belinda back in her carry-cot and quickly packed the back Abi had sent along. It was regrettable but it was nearing nine and any later might alert Abigail to the situation.

When Sam came back down ten minutes later she was a little dryer in a green blouse that really brought out her eyes. 'I feel better now thanks.'

Sheelagh nodded. 'Good. Well, I hate to do this and it does sound stupid since you two live together but...'

'You have to take her home,' Sam supplied. 'It's okay, I understand. I'll go for a walk before I go home so Abi doesn't suspect.'

'Thanks. I don't want her thinking I betrayed her.'

After kneeling down to kiss her granddaughter Sam stood back up. 'Will there be a next time?'

'If I have anything to do with it.'

Sam seemed to want to say something spectacular but she held back, instead moving for the door. 'I'll get the clothes back to you tomorrow.'

'There's no rush.'

As the front door closed Sheelagh looked to Belinda- asleep and at ease with the world. If only everybody was that easy to please.