CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

ONE WEEK LATER

It was Saturday night and Tasha, Robbie and Kit had just arrived for dinner. Martha and Kim had been busy in the kitchen all afternoon.

But Martha wasn't in a good mood. She was really starting to get pissed off. It was nearly seven pm and Jack had promised her that he would be home by six. But of course, he couldn't keep his promise.

"Why don't you give him a call and see how long he'll be," Tasha suggested.

Martha nodded and took her phone out onto the front patio. She tried Jack's mobile, but there was no answer and it soon went to message bank. Martha groaned and cancelled the call. She decided to call the station to see if she could get him there. Ken Harper answered the call.

"Hello Martha, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"I was just wondering if Jack was there," Martha said.

"No, he isn't. He and McGrath just got called out to a robbery," Harper told her.

Martha sighed. "Could you get him to call me when he gets back please?" she asked.

"Sure," Harper answered.

"Thank you," Martha sighed again before hanging up.

"So, what's going on?" Robbie asked when Martha walked back inside.

"He wasn't there. Harper just told me that Jack and McGrath got called out to a robbery," she told everyone.

"Well I'm sure he'll be back soon," Tasha assured her.

"Yeah, whatever," Martha muttered. "Anyway, dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. Jack can just go with out," she said.

She was angry. She couldn't stand it when somebody made a promise and then couldn't keep their word. She had been looking forward to tonight and she was upset that Jack wasn't there.

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Martha decided to go to bed as soon as Tasha and Robbie left. Jack still wasn't home and he still hadn't called to let her know why.

She'd been lying in bed for about half an hour and was finally about to drop off to sleep when she heard the bedroom door creak open. She heard him close the door behind him; before sitting down next to her on the bed.

"Martha," he started, but she cut him off before he got any further.

"Don't say anything Jack. I don't want to hear it," she said to him.

"I want to apologise," Jack sighed. "I know I let you down, but there was another robbery," he explained.

"Yes, I know. Harper told me when I called the station to see where you were," Martha snapped.

"I didn't know that you called the station," Jack said.

"Well, I did. And Ken told me that he would pass on the message and get you to call me back," Martha told him. "But you didn't," she said sarcastically.

"I didn't know that you called," Jack insisted.

"Can you just be quiet? I don't want to talk about it anymore," Martha growled at him.

"I'm sorry," Jack apologised and reached out to touch her.

Martha moved away from his touch. "Can you not touch me," she sighed. "I'm really tired, and I'm hot. I just want to go to sleep and I really don't feel like being touched right now," she said.

"Alright," Jack said softly; clearly hurt. "I'm going to have a quick shower. I won't be long," he moved towards the door.

Martha ignored him and just turned away.

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"Morning," Jack said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Morning," Martha said back, but didn't bother looking up at him.

"Look, about last night. I'm sorry I didn't call you. And I'm going to ask Harper why he didn't tell me that you called," Jack started.

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that. Too bad if I was in labour or something and was trying to get hold of you. What if something was wrong with me? What if something was wrong with the baby?" Martha yelled. "Is that man some kind of moron?" she continued.

"I know. He should have told me that you called. I'm going to ask him about it today," Jack told her.

"It's not just last night Jack. I've been living her for only two weeks and already I hardly see you," Martha began. "I thought that by moving in here, you and I would get to spend more time together. But it seems like you're at work all the time. I know it's you job but this really sucks. They're always calling and ordering you to go in. You're not the only friggin cop in this town, so why can't they call someone else," she finished.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise," Jack assured her.

"Don't make promises Jack. Especially when you can't live up to them," Martha cried.

"I'll be home early tonight," Jack promised.

"Well, I won't be," Martha exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"Kit and I are helping Beth close up Noah's tonight. So, I won't be home until late," Martha answered. "Now, I have to go. I promised Sally that I would look after Pippa for a few hours," she picked up her bag and moved towards the door.

She didn't even bother giving Jack a kiss goodbye.

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NEXT CHAPTER: Who's in danger?

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