CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
It was the next morning and Jack sat at the breakfast table drinking a coffee. He looked down at the local newspaper in his hands, and shook his head in disgust. Martha, Irene and Corey's faces were plastered across the front page; accompanied by the story of what had happened. There was even a picture of him and Martha leaving the hospital the night before. Martha's injuries to her face could be seen clearly.
Jack wasn't happy that his and Martha's private life had now been made public knowledge. Anyone who read the damned newspaper would now know that Martha had cheated on Corey, with him; and that's why Corey had tried to kill her.
Jack didn't understand how the newspaper had found out the exact story; McGrath had promised him that the newspapers would only get the short version. They were never supposed to find out about his and Martha's 'affair'. They were only supposed to be told that there was hostage situation involving Martha and Irene, and that Corey had been the one to do it.
Jack wouldn't be surprised that if the person who blabbed was someone who knew Colleen Smart. She was probably on the phone all night telling her Bowls buddies the 'juicy gossip'. And then one of them probably rang the newspaper.
People were going to have a field day with this. The townsfolk of Summer Bay loved a good scandal; especially if it involved the cops. Or even better, one of the members of the famous 'Stewart' family.
Jack thought that maybe he should get rid of the newspaper before Martha seen it. She was upset enough as it is; he didn't want this making it worse.
"Hey Jack," a voice said from behind him.
Jack swivelled around in his chair and saw his father walking through the front door. "Morning," Jack said. "It's nearly 9:00 am. Don't you have students to teach?" he asked, looking at his watch.
"Yeah, but not for another half hour," Tony replied, sitting across from Jack. "So, you've read the paper by the looks of it," he then said.
"Yep," Jack replied. "Martha and I are just going to love being the centre of attention," he said sarcastically.
"This is a small town Jack, and you and Martha are going to be the talk of it for awhile. Just don't let it get to you too much, okay," Tony stated. "Has Martha seen it yet?" he then asked.
"No," Jack answered, shaking his head. "I might get rid of it before she gets up," he added.
"What's the point in hiding it from her? She's going to see it eventually," Tony told Jack.
Jack sighed. "Yeah, I know".
"Speaking of Martha; how is she doing?" Tony asked. "She seemed very quiet last night".
"She got a bit upset last night before we went to bed. We had a talk about what happened; and she cried for a bit. But after a while she was fine," Jack started. Of course he left out the intimate part of the story. His dad didn't really need to know about his sex life.
"But then during the night she woke up, crying and shaking. She had a bad dream. She was pretty restless for the remainder of the night. When I woke up this morning, she was already awake. She was just sitting there on the bed staring off into space. Didn't even notice me saying her name," Jack finished explaining. "I'm worried about her".
"Well, it's understandable. She's been through a pretty traumatic experience. It may take her a while to get over it," Tony explained. "You just need to make sure that she knows you will be there to help her through it".
"She knows I will be," Jack nodded. "Last night I told her that I loved her," he then suddenly said.
"Really? And how did she take it?" Tony asked; a big grin appearing on his face.
"Actually, she said it first. She got in before I got the chance too," Jack said truthfully.
"Well, I'm happy for you Jack. It's about time things picked up for you," Tony told him.
"Thanks dad," Jack smiled.
"So, how does it feel?" Tony questioned.
"What?" Jack asked confused.
"How does it feel to be in love?" Tony teased.
"That's enough. This conversation is starting to make me feel a bit uncomfortable," Jack laughed as he walked over to the sink.
"Yeah, alright mate," Tony smiled. "I gotta go anyway. I'll be late for work".
"Seeya dad," Jack called as Tony walked out the door.
Jack picked up the newspaper and made his way to his room. May aswell show Martha. Besides, who gives a stuff what people say about us? As long as I have Martha; then everything will be fine.
Martha stood in front of the mirror in Jack's room. She looked at herself intently; running her fingers across the bruises on her face and neck. She looked like total crap.
She'd hardly slept at all during the night. And she had woken up from a terrible dream about Corey, and had trouble getting back to sleep. She was just glad that she had Jack beside her, comforting her.
From behind her she heard the door opening; and watched in the mirror as Jack entered the room.
"What are you doing?" Jack asked, walking up behind her.
"I look disgusting," Martha replied, still looking at herself in the mirror.
"What? Don't be stupid. You look fine," Jack reassured her; wrapping his arms around her waist, and placing a kiss on her neck. He then took her hand and pulled her towards the bed, where they sat down.
"We made the front page of the paper," Jack told Martha.
"What?" she growled, snatching the newspaper from his hands. "McGrath said they wouldn't find out all the details," she cried, as her eyes roved over the front page.
"He did say that. But somehow they found out anyway," Jack said.
"Great. Now the whole of Summer Bay will think that I'm a tart who sleeps around," Martha yelled.
"No they won't," Jack sighed.
"Yes, they will Jack, They won't be able to help themselves," Martha snapped.
"Does it really matter what people say? Because frankly, I don't care what they think of us. It's none of their business anyway," Jack told her.
Martha sighed. "You're right. I don't care what they say about me," she stated.
"And like my dad said yesterday; who could resist the Holden charm. I mean, it's not your fault that I'm so damn hot. It's only natural that you would want my body," Jack started to joke.
"I never said that you were hot," Martha giggled.
"You didn't have too. The fact that you're sitting here in only my shirt says it all," Jack teased.
"I have to do something about the size of your ego. It's way to big," Martha laughed.
"Yeah, but you still love me," Jack said.
Martha smiled and leaned forward. "That I do," she whispered before kissing him hungrily.
Jack kissed back; getting lost in the feel and smell of Martha. They continued with the exploration for a few more minutes, before Jack eventually pulled away.
"Sorry to stop the festivities, but I need to take a shower. I have something important to do this morning, and I want to get it over and done with," Jack explained. He wanted to go and see Corey. But he didn't want to tell Martha that he was going there.
"Where are you going?" she asked him.
"Um, no where important," he stammered, looking away from her.
Martha could tell that Jack was lying to her, and she didn't like it. "Don't lie to me Jack. Lies are what broke us up the first time, remember. And I don't want that happening again," she said softly.
Jack sighed. Martha was right. Lying was not the way to go. "I'm going to see Corey," he told her truthfully.
"I'm coming with you," Martha shot out. Martha had been thinking that maybe she should confront Corey. It might give her some closure.
"Are you sure you want to see him?" Jack asked, sounding worried.
"Yes, I'm sure," Martha answered.
"Okay," Jack nodded.
"Good. But can we stop and see Irene on the way? I want to see how she is doing," Martha asked Jack.
"Sure. But lets get ready and go now," Jack replied.
Martha smiled and stood up; taking Jack's hand. "Let's take our shower together," she suggested.
"I won't say no to that," Jack grinned, and happily followed her down the hallway towards the bathroom.
