Chapter 7
…
Over the next few weeks Julie allowed Kevin to help out when she needed him, he would occasionally bring over dinner for them and bought a few bits and bobs for the baby. Julie returned to work a couple of weeks after the incident with Hedges and followed doctors orders and tried to remain behind her desk for a lot of the time. Gill was going over her speech for a former colleague who was retiring and his wife had asked her if she's say a little something at the party which she's agreed to though she was beginning to wonder why.
"Busy as ever I see."
Gill's head shot up to see Julie standing in her doorway, a smile on her face.
"Slap, what are you doing here? Did we have plans?"
"No, you're fine. I'm meeting Kevin."
"Oh?"
"Scan."
"Ahhh I see, you looking forward to it?"
"I guess."
"What's up, come in…close the door."
Julie did as Gill asked and closed the door behind her before taking a seat in front of Gill's desk. Gill came around and sat beside her, giving Julie her full attention.
"Alright slap out with it…what's wrong?"
"I just….What if there's something wrong…with the baby."
"Why would you think there's something wrong, have you been having pains…Kevin hasn't said anything, does he even know. Julie don't go keeping things from his, if you've been having pains then you need to tel…."
"I've not been having pains Gill, really."
"Then why are you so worried?"
"Oh come on Gill, I'm not a young woman…there's no point denying that fact."
"We know all this but you're healthy, you've had check ups with your GP, has he ever said anything about problems?"
"Well know but…."
"Then stop worrying, all you're going to do is stress yourself out and we don't want that do we."
"I'm being an idiot aren't I?"
"Nothing new there then."
"Cheeky cow."
"Always…so, how are things going with Kevin?"
"You mean you haven't asked him."
"Not my place, and anyway…it's you I'm more concerned about. Is he treating you okay?"
"He's been great actually, he comes by the house every other night…brings me dinner. He's even been buying things for the baby already."
"Good and what about…you know."
"Oh Gill I don't know, he's been trying so hard and he has grown up a lot in the last month or so."
"He really has, I hardly recognise him…I know it's not my place and you probably don't want to hear it right now but…he loves you."
"I was sleeping the other night; we'd been watching something on TV. I remember him talking to the baby, I could hear what he was saying but I didn't open my eyes. He said that she was very much wanted and that even though we may not be together, it wouldn't stop him loving me."
"There must be a small part of you that feels something for him, especially with the baby."
"Of course I do."
"What are you so afraid then?"
"I just don't want him to regret anything; I know he'll love the baby no matter what."
"Hey…whether you want to believe it or not…he loves you…you're just going to have to accept it slap…he's not going away no matter how hard you try to push him."
Julie smiled before looking at her watch.
"I better go, he went down to get the car…he'll be wondering where I've got too."
Julie got up and Gill followed, giving her best friend a hug.
"Just remember what I said okay."
"I will, I'll see you later."
…
Gill stood in her doorway as she watched Julie walk away and Rachel and Janet entering.
"Hey you too, how did the door to doors go?"
"Not much boss, one woman remembers seeing a white ford transit driving off a high speed but other than that…nothing." Rachel said.
"I've ordered the cctv footage for that area to be dropped off here later, Rach and I will go through it before the end of shift." Janet added.
"Great, thanks ladies."
Gill turned to go back to her office, Rachel and Janet eyeing her closely.
"She alright?" Rachel asked.
"You know what she's like, not one for opening up…come on; let's get these statements typed up."
"Give us a minute yeah."
Janet gave Rachel a suspicious look as she watched her go in to Gill's office and close the door behind her.
"What's up Sherlock?"
"Nothing, just wondered if you were okay."
"Fine."
Rachel rolled her eyes before coming around to Gill's side of the desk and leaned against it, her arms folded.
"Careful kid, remember we're at work."
"Something's up, I can tell."
"Oh it's nothing; I was just worrying about Julie that's all."
"She's okay right…the baby?"
"Mmmm, the baby's fine."
"Kev?"
"Julie's never found it easy when she's been in relationships, I know she acts like a tough nut but the truth is she's always afraid she'll get hurt. She never lets men get to close."
"Until now?"
"Yeah, I suppose the last thing she expected when she slept with Kevin was to fall pregnant and not that she is and Kevin's being well…I've never seen him be so grown up and supportive of her."
"He loves her, you can see that when he talks about her and the baby."
"She knows, it's trying to get her to admit she feels the same way because she does."
"But she's afraid of getting hurt?"
"She's never been one to let her guard down but I think the more time Kevin spends with her, the more she's beginning to feel something for him."
"It'll take her time, I guess…only time will tell and you can't push her."
"No, no I can't." Gill replied quietly.
Rachel rested her hand on top of Gill's as the older woman looked up at her.
"Thanks kid."
"So, when Jan and I are finished with the cctv footage, will I come by tonight…bring dinner, I'm thinking Chinese?"
"Sounds good, I'll get the wine."
"Great."
Rachel got up and gave Gill one last look before leaving the office and back over to her desk. Janet looked at her over her glasses as she typed.
"She alright?"
"Yeah. Yeah she's good."
"So…when are you two going to give it up?"
"Huh, what are you on about."
"I'm a detective Rachel, remember."
"She doesn't want people knowing just yet, we want to take things slow." Rachel whispered over the desk.
Janet looked over at Gill in her office then back at Rachel who looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Just be careful yeah, both of you."
"Thanks Jan."
…
To Be Continued…