CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

A FEW DAYS LATER

Jack let out a sigh of relief. He had just finished his last bit of paperwork, and now he could finally go home. He'd worked an all-nighter and he was worn out. All he wanted to do now was go home and get some sleep. He stood up and let out a loud yawn.

Lara, who was standing at the counter, laughed at him. "You think you're tired now? Just wait until the baby comes," she teased.

"Don't remind me," Jack groaned at her. "I probably won't get any sleep at all".

"How is Martha? How far along is she now?" Lara asked.

"She's six months in," Jack exclaimed. "She's doing okay, but it's really starting to get to her now. She told me that she's been having trouble sleeping, and she's been starting to get some really bad back aches," he told Lara.

"Hmmm, well it all comes with the joys of pregnancy I guess," Lara started. "But just think; it will be all worth it when the baby eventually arrives".

"Yeah, I know," Jack smiled. "Well, I'm off. I need some sleep," he picked up his jacket.

"Ah, not so fast Holden," McGrath walked from his office.

"What is it?" Jack groaned.

"I've just got off the phone with the head office in the city, and you, Rice, Manning and Smith all have to head up there this afternoon for a meeting," McGrath explained.

"What? Why me?" Jack whined.

"Because you and the three other blokes are the only members who haven't been yet," McGrath started. "And it's extremely important. It's not a request, it's an order. So you need to get home and back your bag; you need to be there by this afternoon," he finished.

"Just great," Jack said sarcastically. "How long does this stupid thing go for?" he wanted to know.

"A week," McGrath replied.

Jack groaned again. "A week?" he wanted to make sure he heard correct.

"Yes Holden, a week," McGrath sighed. "Like I said, this is an important meeting. It also includes tests, and they'll probably get you to do a few shifts at the office in the city. You don't have to worry about accommodation; it's already been organized. Now, like I suggested before; get yourself home and pack your bag," he continued before walking back into his office and closing the door.

"This sucks," Jack sighed.

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Martha and Macca were both up early that morning. They had offered to open up Noah's for the early morning rush.

"Mmmm, yummy," Martha gulped down a freshly made smoothie.

"Hey, we're supposed to be selling the products; not drinking them ourselves," Macca laughed. "How can we make a profit when little Miss Piggy is gorging all the food and drink?" he teased.

"Shut up," Martha laughed and pushed him. "I needed a little pick me up. I had a crappy night," she told him.

"That makes two of us," a voice moaned as they walked up to the counter. It was Jack.

"You do look like crap," Macca pointed out.

"Yeah, I started at five pm last night, and I just finished like 20 minutes ago," Jack exclaimed.

"What are you doing here then? Why don't you go home and sleep," Martha suggested.

"I wish I could," Jack sighed. "But the boss has just informed me that I have to go to the city for some stupid week long meeting. I have to be there by this afternoon," he explained.

"That sucks," Macca pointed.

"Tell me about it," Jack groaned again. He then looked at Martha. "Will you be okay while I'm gone? You're not going to go into an early labor or anything are you?" he joked.

"No, I'll be fine," Martha smiled.

"If anything happens, make sure somebody calls me straight away," Jack said seriously.

"Don't worry, we will," Macca promised. "Now, I'm going into the storeroom. I need to get some more strawberries because greedy guts just ate them all," he smiled knowingly at Martha as he walked away.

"You know, I could totally give him the sack if I wanted to," Martha laughed.

Jack smiled at her. "Are you sure that you're not going to get yourself into any trouble while I'm away?" he asked again as he picked up her hand.

Martha sighed. "I told you that I'll be fine," she told him.

"Ok, well I guess I had better go then," Jack exclaimed.

"I'll see you when you get back," Martha smiled.

"Yep," Jack replied. Then he quickly leant down and gave Martha a soft kiss on the cheek before walking out.

Martha grinned. That felt nice, she thought to herself.

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"Are you still coming for dinner tonight?" Lucas asked Martha as he sat down at the kitchen table.

"Yeah, of course. Your dad's cooking, and I'll eat anything he makes," Martha smiled.

"I told him to make extra, because I know that you're eating like a horse at the moment," Lucas joked.

"Hey," Martha pretended to take offense. "Maybe if the kid wasn't such as pig like its father, uncle and grandfather, I wouldn't eat as much," she laughed.

"You're starting to get quite big now," Lucas pointed out.

"Don't I know it," Martha huffed.

"Jack still thinks you're sexy," Lucas said.

"Really? And how do you know that?" Martha asked.

"Because I overheard him telling dad," Lucas answered. "And he's right; you look great," he added.

"Thanks Luc," Martha smiled at him. He really was a great kid. "But this gut is nowhere near finished growing yet. By the time it's done, I'm going to look like a heffa," she told him.

"Yeah, you're right," Lucas teased.

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