The house was in silence when Jean let herself in. She hung her coat up and took off her shoes to pad quietly up the stairs. As she passed the living room she saw a light on. Pushing the door open she saw Christopher feeding Amelia and smiled.

'Hello,' she whispered. 'Everything ok?'

'Hello, mum.' He smiled, he enjoyed spending quiet time with Amelia, 'nice evening?'

'Lovely, thank you. Lucien's asked me to marry him.' She thought a quiet moment between the two of the them was the best time to tell him.

'Oh.' He looked at the smile on her face, 'you've said yes, haven't you?'

'Of course.' She looked at him, not disappointed as such perhaps a little frustrated. 'Shall I take Amelia back up?'

The baby had finished her feed and dozed off in her father's arms. Christopher handed her over and took the bottle into the kitchen

'Good night, Christopher,' Jean called softly through the door.

'Night.'

Christopher went back into the living room and poured himself a whisky despite the late hour. He wasn't sure what that meant for his family but, in all honesty, he had seen it coming, or something very similar.

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Jean kissed Amelia's head and settled her in the cot. She smiled at the thoughts of her evening with Lucien. Planning a honeymoon before actually asking her to marry him, and he hadn't even done that, really, it was just taken that it would happen. Life with Lucien was going to be interesting, she knew that, and was looking forward to it, already.

She slept poorly as usual, she would have to get the cottage sorted. Lucien had noticed she was tired, and had showed his concern. They should have made sure she had somewhere comfortable to sleep, all the work she was expected to do was bound to have an effect on her. She worked hard at home, but she had a proper bed to sleep in and Charlie helped. The doctor had never seen her look tired before.

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Jean left Ruby's breakfast on the stove, as usual, and did the chores. There was some ironing to do, having slipped Lucien's laundry into the last load, she needed to get it done. It would be easier to do it at the cottage, she wouldn't hide it. If the neighbours saw it didn't matter, they didn't need to know the wedding ring was not Lucien's. As usual she was going to meet Lucien after lunch and go for a walk in the park.

Ruby came down in an even surlier mood. Christopher had told her his mother was going to marry Dr Blake so they couldn't rely on her to stay indefinitely. Ruby had been angry.

'I thought she'd stay.' She'd hissed. 'You know I'm not well enough to do everything.' She started to whine.

Christopher was beginning to think his mother was right, and she was just lazy. He'd seen her mother do everything for her when they were courting but had just thought she would be fine when they had a place of the their own. And she had been, until Amelia had been born.

'I'm sure you could do some of it.' He snapped back. 'Feed Amelia for one, she's your daughter.'

'You know what a poor feeder she is.' Ruby moaned. It upsets me.'

'She fed well for me last night, and mum has no trouble.' Christopher told her, 'perhaps mum's right, rigid routine isn't the best thing to do.'

Ruby, realising she was not going to get anywhere, turned over and sulked.

Jean ignored the behaviour, it was childish. Ruby had stayed out for dinner again last night, so Christopher had been on his own. Her only worry was Amelia, what would happen when she moved out and then back home, to Ballarat? She put Amelia in the garden while she ran the vacuum over the living room. She would ask Christopher to take it upstairs when he came in, she wanted to do upstairs, but it was heavy to lift.

She heard the front door go and knew what had happened, Ruby had gone out. No offer to do some shopping, take the baby for a walk. Off, goodness knows where. Jean was absolutely furious. She was going to give her a good talking to when she saw her later. IF she saw her later.

She went into the kitchen and made herself a sandwich for lunch and wondered what she should do about Christopher's dinner. Funny how she didn't think about Ruby's meal. She'd probably stay out again. She wondered who the friend was that had such a hold over her daughter in law.

She thought a while longer then smiled, there was some bacon left and they had eggs and cheese. She'd make him a cheese and bacon flan. It was something she had made often when he was young. An easy and cheap meal, that used some leftovers. Christopher had always liked her flan. She made the pastry case and baked it, leaving it on the side ready to be filled later, after her afternoon stroll. Tidying the kitchen to her liking and putting the laundry under the pram, Jean headed out of the house to meet her love. She felt strangely lighter of heart and smiled when she saw him, legs stretched out as he sat on the customary bench, reading the paper. She studied him from a short distance, he looked better than he had for weeks, the rest was doing him good. He turned when he heard the sound of her shoes on the pathway and grinned at her. Standing up he held his hands out in his usual greeting.

She leant up to kiss his lips, to hell with propriety!

'Hello, darling,' he murmured. 'How are you today? I didn't keep you out too late, did I?'

'I'm fine.' she tucked her hand through his arm, 'I thought I'd sleep better but I didn't. Christopher was feeding Amelia so I told him we're getting married.'

'Oh,' Lucien folded his newspaper, 'how did he take it?'

'I think he expected it.' She mused.

'Right.' He put the newspaper in the pram, 'well I've been to the agency and I have the key to your new home.'

'Lucien!' Jean was aghast, 'I need to pay a deposit.'

'All done.' He patted her hand. 'Shall we go?'

'I'll pay you back when I get my things in. The money is in my suitcase.'

'No you won't.' He stopped her and looked into her eyes. 'It's in my name, and I still owe you for the clothes and things you bought me in Horsham.'

She started to argue but he stopped her by the simple act of putting his lips over hers and kissing her.

She giggled. 'You win.'

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He unlocked the door and stepped aside to allow her access. As she stepped in he pulled the pram in and put it to one side in the hall and picked the baby out. Jean wandered through the cottage again, smiling to herself. This would make life so much easier while she was in Adelaide. She could come and go as she pleased, Amelia could be out in the garden if she didn't feel like a walk, and she could sleep in a proper, double bed. She stopped as she looked at the bed, there were blankets and an eiderdown, and pillows, but she had been told she would need her own sheets and pillow cases.

'Damn!' Lucien heard her mutter.

'What's the matter?' He came up behind her.

'I need to get sheets and pillowcases. We were going to get them today.' She turned and screwed up her face.

'Ok, well we haven't really been for a walk, so let's go and buy some bed linen.' He wasn't at all bothered. It was just part of the adventure.

'Lucien,' she put her hands on her hips, 'I need to go and get the money from my suitcase, it's a bit of a long way round.'

'I'll pay,' he kissed her cheek, but when she made to object, 'alright, you can pay me back later.' He sighed, he'd have to let her win this battle.

The shop they found had a variety of bed linen, from simple cotton to exotic silk. Lucien smiled at the thought of making love to Jean on silk sheets but she pulled him away hissing in his ear,

'You don't have to wash them!'

He stuck his lower lip out and she dug him in the ribs with her elbow.

'And what do you think Mattie and Charlie are going to think if I start putting silk sheets on your bed?' She raised both eyebrows in the question.

'Noted, but, can we have some when we're married?' He lowered his voice to barely a whisper to spare her blushes.

'Perhaps.' She squeezed his hand. 'Now, cotton, I think.'

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Lucien helped Jean make the bed and when they had finished he pulled her down onto it for an intimate moment.

'Later, perhaps.' She extricated herself from his grasp, 'I need to get my things from Christopher's and make his dinner. Why don't you stop, it's nothing fancy, cheese and bacon flan and salad.'

'Sounds delightful.' He kissed her and helped her off the bed.

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Back at Christopher's, Jean's first task was to feed Amelia and change her. Lucien leant against the kitchen counter and watched her. She was so competent, fluid in her movements, everything she did had purpose. She put the kettle on to warm the milk and make tea. While it boiled she changed the baby, singing to her, kissing her belly and blowing raspberries on her neck. Amelia grabbed at her grandmother's hair and gurgled with pleasure. He smiled, loving the scene being played out. If only they had met a few years ago.

While the bottle warmed Lucien cradled the baby, memories of years ago flooded back and he held her tighter than he would any other child. He was roused from his musings by Jean, passing him the bottle. She was interested to see how he would cope feeding a baby. He was surprisingly adept as he sat at the table both watching the baby feed in his arms, and his fiancée made the filling for the flan. Sometimes the simplest things were the most rewarding.

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Christopher arrived home to find his daughter being cradled by Dr Blake and his mother preparing a salad. Lucien stood up as he entered the kitchen.

'Christopher, hello.' Blake greeted him, 'she's beautiful..., Amelia.' He held the child out to her father.

'She is, isn't she?' Christopher couldn't but agree as he took his daughter from the doctor. 'I believe I should congratulate you, doctor. You and mum.'

'Thank you, Christopher,' Lucien grinned, 'I'm the luckiest man alive.'

Jean blushed as she listened to her son and fiancé discuss her. She hoped they'd come to understand each other in time.

'Cheese and bacon flan, Christopher,' she interrupted them , 'that alright?'

'You mean...' Christopher's face lit up, 'oh mum, it's been ages since I had that!'

'It's not that exciting.' Jean laughed as he reached and hugged her with his free arm.

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Ruby did not appear, again, for dinner. Jean was going to have to talk to her son about this and it would be easier with Lucien there.

'Where is Ruby, Christopher?' She asked, 'she hasn't been here for dinner for three nights. Who is this friend she keeps going to?'

'She's a widow, young. Her husband died in a training accident.' Christopher looked at his plate. 'She, Louise, has no children, she's on her own.'

'That's all very well and laudable, dear,' Jean admitted, 'but Ruby has a husband and daughter who need looking after.'

'I know mum,' Christopher ran his hands through his hair, disturbing the military cut, 'but she thinks Louise is more in need.'

'Does Louise have any other friends?' Lucien asked.

'Don't think so,' Christopher sat back in his chair, 'she and Ruby have always been close, from the typing pool.'

'Hmm...' Lucien sighed.

Jean could see he had something in his mind that might result in answers to Ruby's behaviour.

'Christopher,' he turned to the younger man, 'can you ask Ruby if she would like to join Jean and I for a small celebration of our engagement? Suggest she bring Louise, a night away from her home might, you know, be a change.' He looked at Jean, hoping she would get his idea without looking surprised.

'Well, I could try, but I know she will want to know what we do about Amelia.' Christopher caught on, quite quick, thought Lucien.

'Oh, Amelia's invited too.' Jean jumped in, 'I can't have this celebration without my granddaughter.'

'Where?' Christopher asked. He didn't fancy a row in public.

'My new home.' Jean said, before Lucien could suggest the restaurant or his hotel. 'Then I can show you where I will be living until things are settled.'

After a short discussion about what Jean and Lucien were planning, Christopher agreed on the idea and the date, Saturday, his day off and the time he usually spent with his daughter.

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Jean settled Amelia and left enough bottles in the fridge and Lucien offered to walk her home, and carry her cases.

'I'll be back in the morning, to make your breakfast,' she told Christopher smiling. 'We'll sort this out, Christopher, whatever happens I do love you.'

'Thanks mum.' Christopher kissed her cheek. For the first time for weeks he felt as if something good was happening.

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Ruby waited round the corner until she saw her mother in law had left.

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Lucien carried her suitcases as they walked to the cottage. Neither said a word but there was much anticipation, almost electricity between them.

Jean unlocked the door and stepped inside. Lucien followed her and put the cases down to help her out of her coat. She turned to him and linked her arms round his neck. He kicked the door shut as he bent down and drew her into a kiss, long and breathtakingly deep.

'Oh, Lucien,' She breathed and melted.

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She woke, remembering she hadn't unpacked. Her suitcases were still in the hall, Lucien had carried her to the bedroom and proceeded to slowly undress her ; kissing each part of her body as he revealed it. She had replied in kind, undoing his tie, slipping the buttons from their restraining holes in his shirt. They had made love frantically, filling a desperate need then slowly, revelling in each other's bodies. Lucien loved her with everything he had, until they had collapsed breathless and sated onto the bed and slept wrapped in each other's arms.

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Lucien stirred, the bed was empty. Was it all a wonderful dream? But something floated through the still morning air, singing, and not just any singing, her sweet soprano lifted in a delicate version of 'All I have to do is dream,' it was lilting, had more emotion than the version heard on the radio. He stretched and smiled.

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Jean sauntered through fully dressed. 'Breakfast is ready.' She bent and kissed him, 'I have to go to Christopher's. He will want his, and Amelia will need seeing to.'

'Jean,' He sat up.

'Lucien,' she sighed, 'I still have to look after them, for now.'

'I know, but...' He took her hand.

'But nothing, Lucien,' She stood up straight, 'I love you. it's not easy, loving you and knowing I have to see to them. It will all sort itself out, in the end. Be patient.'

He sighed heavily.

'I know you've moved in, I found your things,' she smiled cheekily, 'at least I don't have to sleep on a camp bed, and well, the benefits...' She winked.

Lucien choked, he'd never seen Jean wink before, and certainly not in such a suggestive manner.

I'll be back for lunch, but I have to go shopping first.' She grabbed her coat as she left the room.

'For us, or them?' Lucien asked.

'Both.' She called back as she opened the front door.

'Right.' Lucien grinned, he knew now where she shopped and he would meet her along the way.

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Christopher was just making some tea when she arrived. He smiled when she walked into the kitchen.

'Alright, mum?' He asked.

'Uh uh, you?' She put her hand on his back like she used to when he was a boy.

'Amelia went through the night.' He said, proudly, 'thanks to you.'

'I wasn't here.' She pointed out.

'No, but I think you had everything to do with it.'

'I'll be here during the morning, and do everything I have been doing, but I just won't sleep here.' She fried his eggs and bacon, and a bit of bread, as a treat. 'Has Ruby agreed to coming over?'

'Yes, Ruby and Louise will be there too.' He wasn't going to tell her that until he had extended the invitation to Louise, Ruby had refused point blank.

'Good, I'd like to meet Louise, I expect we have much in common.' She put his plate down in front of him and started to prepare his sandwiches for lunch.

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Jean asked Lucien to put his clothes in the second bedroom and make the bed up as well. She didn't want Christopher to know they were sleeping together, it was a step too far. He agreed it was better. It was only for appearance and he was sure Christopher was unlikely to believe it, but there again knowing his mother...

She spent the time preparing the meal, nothing fancy, a lot of both her men's favourites were similar and it was them she was more concerned about.

Everything was just as she liked it, considering she was running two homes, Lucien was impressed at how organised she was. She was already looking better, not as tired. When he remarked on this, she had said it was because she was sleeping better.

'You can't have been getting any sleep at all,' he gasped, thinking that she wasn't spending all night asleep now she was with him in the cottage!

'Nope,' she grinned and stopped what she was doing to kiss him.

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Their guests arrived together, Jean reckoned Christopher was determined to make sure Ruby turned up and they had both gone to collect Louise on the way. Louise had been surprised to be invited to a family meal, but it was nice to get out of the house. She enjoyed Ruby's visits even though, at first, she had been puzzled about what happened with Amelia. Ruby had just said her mother in law was babysitting, but she wasn't sure that was all Mrs Beazley Snr did. Ruby had always been one for a good time when they were both single and even after she had married. After the baby came she had used to phone to talk to her friend, saying how hard she found everything, and how difficult the birth had been. She even said Louise was lucky she hadn't gone through it.

Louise had not said anything to Ruby, but it was the one thing she bitterly regretted, not having had a child. She hadn't been married long when her husband was killed but she would have dearly liked to have had his baby.

Lucien welcomed them, shaking Christopher's hand and saying how nice it was to meet one of Ruby's friends. He was cordial to Ruby, Jean had told him he was not to make any allusion to her lack of interest in her daughter. He noticed Louise pick Amelia out of the pram and kiss her lightly on the cheek, before passing her to Ruby. Ruby cradled the child and tried to look happy about it.

Jean came through from the kitchen and smiled. She kissed her son and daughter in law, said hello to Louise and turned her attention to Amelia.

'Hello, my darling.' Ruby handed the baby to her, relieved to be free of her, 'have you been a good girl today?'

Ruby rolled her eyes, but Christopher confirmed she had been the best of girls.

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Dinner went well, Louise complimented Jean on her cooking and said how nice it was to meet some new people. Most of the wives on the base avoided her because of her loss. Jean said it wasn't unusual, most people didn't know what to say to someone widowed young, she had had the same when Christopher Snr had passed.

Lucien watched Christopher and Ruby's interaction. It was not that of a young married couple with their first baby, there was a distance between them; Louise, however seemed to hang on Christopher's every word, smiled at him when he passed her anything at the table and giggled at his jokes and stories of life on the base.

'Come on, doctor.' Said Christopher at the end of the meal, 'let's you and I wash up for mum, after all she's done the hard work.' He'd enjoyed the meal and it was good to see his mother so happy, ignoring Ruby's reticence.

The ladies retired to the living room with Amelia in her grandmother's arms. Louise commented on how easy the child seemed to be, she'd not cried at all during the meal.

'Oh as long as she's fed and clean, she's quite happy.' Jean said, leaning back in the chair.

'She went through the night last night,' Ruby offered, 'first time since she was born.'

'Oh how lovely.' Louise gushed.

'It doesn't mean she will do tonight, though.' Jean pointed out, 'but you may be lucky.'

'I do hope so.' Ruby managed a smile, 'night feeds are so tiring.'

'It's worse if you feed yourself.' Jean remembered, 'at least with bottles Christopher can take a turn.'

'He does.' Ruby had to admit that, Jean knew anyway. 'I couldn't feed, not after such a traumatic birth.'

Amelia chose that moment to stir and grumble, distracting Jean from making a caustic comment.

'Excuse me,' she got up and went into the kitchen where she could put a bottle to warm. While she waited she changed the baby and sang to her to keep her calm.

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'Your mother in law's lovely, Ruby.' Louise told her friend, 'and a super cook.'

'Um, yeah. She's been very helpful.' Ruby muttered.

Jean appeared with her granddaughter and the bottle. Louise stood up and held out her arms,

'May I, Mrs Beazley?' She asked, 'I never get the chance, Ruby doesn't bring Amelia over to see me.'

'Of course, dear.' Jean smiled and handed the baby over, interested to see this woman's handling of a child.

Louise proved herself more than competent, Amelia fed well and left her customary little offering on her shoulder.

'Oh Amelia!' Ruby scolded.

'It's ok, it happens.' Louise grinned, 'It'll wash out.'

'Still,' Ruby pursed her lips.

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Jean lay in Lucien's arms after making love that night. She had enjoyed the evening and found Louise interesting.

'She was lovely with Amelia.' She shifted so she could see her lover's face.

'Hm...she flirted with your son.' He offered this little gem.

'I know,' she sighed, 'Ruby's got some competition.'

'You don't think..?'

'I have to be realistic, Lucien.' Jean wriggled closer, 'she's an altogether nicer person, gentle and kind.'

'Stop wriggling like that, it gives me ideas.' He tightened his grip on her.

'What ideas might that be, dearest?' She murmured, sexily.

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Jean never missed the Sunday service at church unless she was ill, but this time she didn't feel it was right to go. Lucien told her if she wanted to go that was fine with him. But Jean said she felt guilty, it went against the teachings of the church, to sleep with a man you weren't married to. He kissed her forehead, it was difficult for him to comfort her on this, he had lost his faith years ago.

'Well why don't we go for a walk, just us,' he stroked her shoulders, 'perhaps by the sea.' He wanted to have a serious talk with her and somewhere away from the house would be best.

'That would be lovely. Shall we take a picnic?'

'Now that sounds like an even better idea.' He stretched out next to her, no need to get up just yet, he had her to himself all day, Christopher had told his mother she was to stay home, take a break. He and Ruby could look after Amelia, for the day. By which Jean knew he would be looking after the baby.

Jean lay her arm over his chest and sighed, a deep contented sigh. Lucien's fingers on her shoulders were having quite an effect on her and in spite of her catholic guilt she was more than willing to give in to temptation!

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They strolled hand in hand along the quiet beach, both barefoot and completely at ease. It had been years since either felt so carefree and they both meant to make the most of it.

'Jean,' he looked ahead, 'what did you want to tell me, about Ruby the other night?'

Jean had hoped he'd forgotten, he usually forgot such things, but for once he remembered how sad she had been that evening.

' I heard Ruby shouting at Amelia, telling her to shut up, calling her a stupid little brat. She said she should have made a better job of getting rid of her.' the words tumbled out, along with hot tears , 'she hates her Lucien, hates her own child.' She bent her head and he drew her close.

'Does Christopher know?' He gasped, he knew some women struggled to bond with their new babies, but to wish she'd lost it on purpose... Even women who'd begged him to help them miscarry had come to love the extra mouth to feed, on the whole.

'I don't think so, in fact I'm sure not.' She sniffed. 'Oh Lucien, what am I going to do?'

He drew her to a spot where they could sit against the dunes and held her close, allowing her to calm down while he thought. But he struggled to come up with any solution except that they take the baby, then what would Christopher do, he obviously loved his daughter.

'Honestly, Jean,' He sighed, 'at the moment I don't know. It hurts you, I know, because that's why you don't want us to use anything to stop you getting pregnant, do you?'

He didn't think he'd said that well, but the more he had thought about her pushing away the box of johnnies every time, the more he felt she was deliberately trying for a last chance at motherhood.

'I'm sorry, Lucien, I should have discussed it with you.' She snuggled into his chest.

'Every time I see you with Amelia I think she could be ours,' he admitted he wasn't averse to the idea, 'I didn't have much of a chance as a father, and, yes, it would be nice, but we have to be realistic.'

'I know,' then she looked at him with a wicked grin, 'it's fun trying though, isn't it?'

'You wicked woman.' He kissed her tenderly, 'I'd better get you down the aisle sooner rather than later.'

She giggled. She felt better about at least one thing and even about Amelia, she knew they'd find a solution to the problem.

They spent the better part of the day on the beach, eating their picnic and talking about the future, with or without children.

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They were just thinking of heading home when a police officer waved at them.

'Dr Blake, it is Dr Blake, isn't it?' He approached. 'Lieutenant Beazley sent us to find you.'

'Yes, I'm Lucien Blake, this is Christopher's mother.' Lucien passed the picnic basket to Jean. The officer nodded,

'Ma'am.'

'Could you come with me, sir.' The officer was obviously in a hurry, and finding Jean was proving to be a problem, 'there's been an incident at the house.'

'Amelia,' Jean gasped.

'The baby?' he turned to her, 'she's fine, good set of lungs on her.'

Jean grabbed Lucien's arm and looked terrified.

'The car is this way,' They were shown to a police car and driven straight to the house. Jean leapt out and almost ran over to her son who was standing outside the house trying to pacify his daughter.

'Christopher, what's happened?' He was pale and shaken, barely able to string a sentence together.

'Mum,' he wheezed, 'Ruby...'

She took the baby off him and started to soothe her. Lucien had been escorted into the house leaving her to try and get a coherent sentence out of him.

'She's dead.' He sank to the ground and put his head in his hands.

'What? How?' Jean sat on the doorstep next to him.

'Don't know.' He sniffed, 'I took Amelia out for a walk, she said Louise was coming over for a chat. When I came back I found her on the couch. I thought she was asleep, but I couldn't wake her.' He turned to his mother, 'mum I'm sorry, I want the doctor to see to her, do the autopsy. I trust him to find out the truth. I know I haven't always seen eye to eye with him, but I know he'll stop at nothing to get to the bottom of it.'

'Right.' Jean's eyes filled with tears, for Amelia and Christopher. What a mess.

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A bit of a long chapter and another mystery for the doctor. It just happened, sorry!