JUSTIN'S POV:
"I don't know, Tiff," I admitted "I'm not sure it's such a good idea. I'll just stay here."
"Just consider it, please, for me," she begged "and if not, I get it, but please, just think about it. Promise me that?"
"I promise." I replied
TIFFANY'S POV:
"What did Justin say?" Mum asked as she walked into the kitchen where I was organising dinner
"He said he'll consider it, but he doesn't think it's a good idea." I informed her
"That doesn't sound like Justin…" she admitted
"He's changed, I've told you that." I replied
"You understand why I'm being this way, don't you?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow at me
"I do." I informed her "But what happened to giving people the benefit of the doubt?"
"The last time I saw him, he punched me, Tiff," she sighed "I get that he was a very messed up young man, but still, you have to understand why I'm cautious around him…"
"I do get that, I do, but can you not see that he's changed?" I questioned "There's been no trouble since we got here, and all he's done is try and help."
JUSTIN'S POV:
I packed up my things the next morning and checked out of the B&B before heading back to Tiffany's. Knocking on the front door, she opened it a minute later…
"Come in," she greeted me "I'll soon be ready to go."
"Okay." I replied as I shut the door behind me "How's your Mum?"
As she was about to reply, Allie made her way down the stairs. Swallowing a lump in my throat as I saw how ill she looked, she smiled at us both weakly and made her way into the living room…
"Not good," she admitted "I don't know whether I should leave Floyd on his own."
"It's up to you." I informed her "If you want to stay, then we'll stay."
"We won't, but I will." she replied "You can't put your life on hold for me, Justin."
"And how many times have I said I don't mind?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at her
"Justin, can I have a word?" Allie asked
I glanced at Tiffany and she smiled at me reassuringly. Taking my coat off and hanging it up, I walked into the living room… "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, sit down." she replied, motioning to the chair in the corner
"Is everything okay?" I inquired
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about last night," she admitted "the way I treated you, it was uncalled for."
"It's okay, don't worry about it." I replied
"You've changed, and I should've noticed that." she admitted "But I was too wrapped up in holding onto the past that I didn't. I'm sorry."
"You're allowed to, given everything that happened…" I informed her
"I want to ask you something too. I need you to make me a promise, can you do that for me?" she questioned
I nodded my head… "What is it?"
"Will you look after Tiffany for me?" she inquired "I know she'll pretend she's strong and okay but she won't be."
"What are you talking about, Allie? It's as if you're dying…" I asked
"I think I am, Justin." she admitted, pursing her lips together nervously "So I need you to promise me that. Promise me my little girl will be looked after, please."
"I promise." I replied "But you're not going to die. You're strong; you're going to fight this."
TIFFANY'S POV:
After saying goodbye to Mum and Floyd, Justin and I climbed into the taxi he'd called to take us to the station. After paying the fare, we made our way to the platform, and as our train pulled into the station, my phone began to ring…
"It's Floyd…" I informed him
"Answer it then." he replied, taking my bag from me
"Floyd," I spoke as I answered the phone "we're just about to get on the train… What? Is she okay? No, it's okay, we'll be there as soon as we can. Okay, bye."
"What's wrong?" Justin asked as I hung up the phone
"Floyd found Mum collapsed in her bedroom." I informed him "We need to go to the hospital."
"Okay," he replied, moving over to me "let's go."
JUSTIN'S POV:
Tiffany and I arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later and hurried into the reception area, Floyd calling Tiffany's name as we made our way to the desk…
"Where is she?" Tiffany asked
"Having some tests and stuff," he informed us "we've just got to wait."
"How about I go and get us some drinks?" I suggested as I placed our bags down in the seating area
"Thanks." she replied, smiling at me warmly
"I'll be back in a minute." I informed them, making my way down the corridor
TIFFANY'S POV:
"Why couldn't he get back on the train to London?" Floyd inquired
"Don't start, Floyd. None of us need this." I sighed
"He doesn't need to be here," he informed me "it should be us. Just me and you."
"That's where you're wrong, because he does need to be here because I need him here." I admitted "If you took a minute to ask me how I was, you'd see I'm not coping with all of this."
"Tiff, I…" he began
"Save it." I sighed, standing up, making my way outside
JUSTIN'S POV:
"Where's Tiffany?" I questioned as I returned with three teas
"Outside," Floyd informed me "we had a bit of a disagreement."
"Okay." I replied, setting the tray down on the table
I made my way out of the hospital and found Tiffany sat in the bus shelter, her head bowed. Moving next to her, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, her body falling into mine...
"What happened? Floyd said you had a disagreement…" I questioned
"He asked why you were here," she informed me "he thinks you don't need to be but you do. You're the only thing getting me through this."
"Then ignore what Floyd has to say," I replied "and focus on being strong for your Mum."
"Easier said than done…" she admitted "What if she dies, Justin? What then? What are Floyd and I going to do?"
"I don't know about Floyd, but I'm going to look after you." I informed her "Just like I promised your Mum I would."
TIFFANY'S POV:
"Just like I promised your Mum I would."
"What?" I inquired "You promised my Mum you'd look after me? When?"
"Before we left, when she asked to talk to me." he informed me
"Why did she make you promise her that?" I asked
"I don't know," he admitted "she just asked me to."
"Don't lie to me, Justin, please," I begged "is she dying?"
I watched him as he swallowed a lump in his throat... "She thinks she is."
"What? And you didn't think to tell me any of this?" I questioned
"Your Mum asked me not to," he informed me "I couldn't betray her wishes."
"You didn't mind when we continued sleeping together behind her back," I replied "you should've told me, Justin!"
"She begged me not to. She just asked me to look after you, and I told her I would." he explained "Me not telling you wasn't just me not betraying her wishes, it was also me looking after you."
"Tiff," Floyd's voice called as I was about to reply "the doctor has news on Mum."
What will the doctor have to say about Allie?