Chapter 12 - Home Sweet Home

Sam

"Your coming home with me tonight again," Sam directed.

Sheelagh laughed.

"What's so funny?" Sam asked.

"Just the way you said it. Like I was a piece of work or something!" Sheelagh said light heartedly.

"Come on get in the car. Sheelagh did you remember to water the plant?"

"Of course I did I'm not like that Sam Nixon," Sheelagh said sticking her tongue out at Sam.

Sam just grinned at her. As soon as they got in Sam collapsed on the sofa.

"It's been a long day hasn't it?" Sheelagh said as sitting next to her on the sofa.

"Yeah," said Sam "We didn't even get time for lunch!"

"Oh right so seeing me at night isn't good enough?"

"Sheelagh, all the time in the world someone could have you but it still wouldn't be enough," Sam replied

Sheelagh was a little choked. It brought a tear to her eye. Sam didn't notice.

"Is it okay if I go for a shower?" Sheelagh tried to say without letting Sam notice the uneasiness in her voice.

"Yeah of course, I'll cook us up some grub."

Sam made her way upstairs to let Sheelagh know her dinner was ready. Again the same situation arose as this morning, Sheelagh crying. Sam decided she had to talk to Sheelagh about this at dinner. Sam decided to shout up from downstairs then Sheelagh wouldn't know Sam had heard her.

"Well Sheelagh, the thing is...I can't cook! So I ordered pizza instead."

Sheelagh laughed then said in a sympathetic voice, "You know I would of guessed that and plus it has been a long day."

"But I can still make it good, I made a salad well I put some lettuce, tomatoes and peppers in a bowl and mixed them and then look," Sam said as she lit the candles.

"Are you expecting Phil round?" Sheelagh joked.

"Yeah that's what the cat bowl is for on the floor."

They both started laughing. The rest of the meal passed with general chitchat and laughing.

The meal was drawing to a close, "So what did you order for pudding?"

"Ah pudding I have made, strawberries and cream."

"Oh very nice, can I top up your glass?"

"That'd be nice thanks," while Sam was getting out the desserts she knew she'd have to approach the subject very soon, she was nervous but she only wanted to help.

"Sheelagh erm how do you feel about everything that's happened?"

"Mmm this looks lovely. What do you mean?"

"Don't just look at it, eat it!" Sam tried to lighten the mood, "I mean everything you been through with Des."

"Fine absolutely fine," Sheelagh tried to say confidently.

"Sheelagh I'm just bringing this up as a friend I just want to help. I know your lying I've heard you erm crying a couple of times I'm worried about you."

"I don't need you or anyone else to worry about me," with this Sheelagh stormed off upstairs.

Sam sighed. She'd let Sheelagh down. Sam was never good at dealing with emotions. Sam decided there was only one thing that could help her in the situation so she made her way out the back door.

Sheelagh

She sat in Sam's room. Sheelagh was feeling very bad; she knew Sam was just trying to help. Sheelagh was scared, scared of letting anyone in. She knew it was only a short time before Simpson was caught and she'd be home. Home all alone and working back under Gina and Sam will have forgotten all about her. Sheelagh had to apologise to Sam, she didn't want any bad feelings between them.

"Ah you've caught me red-handed," Sam said.

"Secret habit? I would never have guessed D.I. Nixon!" Sheelagh sat next to Sam outside on the step while Sam puffed on a cigarette.

"I'm sorry," Sam started to say.

"No let me start, I'm sorry I know your only trying to help but it's just so hard I feel so vulnerable," Sheelagh started to cry.

Sam put her arm round Sheelagh and whispered, "You'll get cold outside, lets go in."

Sam lead Sheelagh inside with her arm round here.

Sheelagh

"I'm just going to head up to bed I think."

"Oh no your not Sheelagh, come here talk to me about it," Sam gestured to sit next to her.

Sheelagh walked over, "Sam I can't put on you, it's not like that we were ever close."

Sam grabbed her hand, "That was only because we were in different departments, I've always thought very highly of you."

"But you don't want to here me whinging on about my life."

Sam looked into Sheelagh's eyes, "I do."