Thanks for the reviews, especially yours Firebird590, you've definitely put my mind at ease about Jake. I wasn't sure what Neil's ex had been up to, and to be honest, she doesn't play much - if any - of a part in this story. I did want to acknowledge her, so she gets a mention, but is still in limbo as this is a Neil / Grace story. Jake loves his Mum, and can understand why she isn't around as much as his Dad (I've given her a pregnancy, and the drugs used to treat Leukaemia are not great for pregnant people).

Anywho, read on, and hope you enjoy.

C


4.

Once again Jack nodded.

"Mr Meadows?" Jack put the console down, turning to face Jake, the seriousness in the young boy's voice mirrored in the tension in his body. "Mr Meadows, you have to let Dad stay with Grace. You have to let them work together, because he needs her. My Dad has been so strong while I was ill, and he was always there for me, every step of the way. He stayed with me when I was scared, he sat with me when I was sick, he even held the bucket for me. He slept in my room, he held me when I cried, he's the best dad ever and I love him very much." Jake paused, drawing a deep breath, the effort of talking about his illness written clear across his tired face.

"My Dad loves me and I love him. I know how hard it was for him to see me so sick, and I know he didn't say anything to anyone. He never does. He thinks I don't know that about him, but I do. I saw him crying at night, I saw him trying to be brave, and I saw him hold it all in so he could concentrate on me. My Mum, she can't come and see me because of the baby, she wouldn't be allowed into my room because of all of the drugs I was having, and so Dad had no-one to talk to, except Banksy, and even then I don't think Dad ever really talked to him. Dad's like that, he keeps it all bottled up."

Jack Meadows nodded, that much was true. Neil Manson was a very private person, reserved and quiet. Not a soul had known about Jake's illness until Neil Manson had confirmed he was in remission – Jack shook his head slightly changing his previous statement slightly, no-one outside Neil's inner circle had known about it.

"Your Dad's a good man Jake, and you're right, he does care about you a lot."

"He cares about Grace too. He likes her a lot, and she likes him too. She was worried about him, and so she followed him one night and found him with me in the hospital. She didn't ask any questions, or push him or anything, she just joined in our card game, and then started to teach me poker, which was great, though I'm not entirely sure Dad thought so. Anyway, it was fun, and I beat Dad which was even more fun, and she made me laugh, and she made Dad laugh, which made me happy. Dad needs someone to make him happy. I'm going to be going back to live with Mum soon, and Dad'll be alone again, and I don't want him to be alone, and he won't, cos he's got Grace – " Jake stopped, his words beginning to run into each other.

"I think my Dad loves Grace, and I'm pretty sure she loves him too, and I like that. I want them to stay together, and work together, just – I just want her to stay with Dad. And if you're their boss, then you're the one who says if they can stay together, so – "


So... what ? What happens? SO want to say Lead on MacDuff, but shall refrain from quoting Shakespeare and would love to hear where you think Jake goes next in his little chat with Jack. One more thing, do any of you realise how hard it is to remember to type Jake and Jack in the right places? If any of them are muddled up, bear with me and make it work in your heads.