Chapter 31

Martha awoke in a sweat and sat up abruptly. She'd been having a nightmare, yet she couldn't remember what it was about. She looked down and saw that Jack was sleeping on the sofa. Realising they must have fallen asleep earlier; she pulled herself from the sofa and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

She walked towards the sink and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks seemed to have gained a rose colour, rather than the pale colour she had been holding for the last few days. She smiled to herself as she thought about what Jack had said earlier. She hadn't doubted him for a second when he said he was going to bring the baby up as his own, because she knew he'd never lie to her. For that, she loved him even more. Her relationship with Justin had been so much more complicated. They dated for almost 2 years, and had only split up 2 months before she'd got together with Jack. She found it strange that she could move on so quickly, but deep down, she knew her heart was with Jack. As it had always been. The past was in the past. Fake spiders, Nudie runs and cliff jumps aside, they were made for each other. She couldn't help feeling that with Justin she'd only stayed with him to make him happy. She knew that deep down; she longed to be set free from the relationship. However, is was when she first tried to escape that he proposed, and she knew she couldn't turn him down, he would have just been suspicious. That was why she accepted. To make him happy. Just like she had done all the way through the relationship. Regardless to her own feelings.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a knock on the bathroom door. "Are you OK?" she heard Jack call. She wiped her face. "Yeh, I'm fine" she replied. He slowly opened the bathroom door. Without saying anything, he walked behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. They stayed wrapped in each other for a few moments, until a knock at the door disturbed them. "Leave it" whispered Jack, as he kissed her again. She smiled and kissed him back. Then there was a knock again, she pulled away and went to answer it, Jack following behind her. She opened the door and came face to face with two police officers. "Can I help you?" she asked, confused.

"Are you Martha McKenzie?" asked one of the officers. Martha turned to Jack, who looked equally confused. "Yes" she nodded, turning back to them. "And we believe you know Justin Coleman?"

Martha felt her mood suddenly dampen. "What's he done now?" she moaned. The police officer removed his cap. "I'm afraid there was an accident. Justin died half an hour ago"...