Thanks as ever for all the kind reviews. I'm working on updating more often but life keeps getting in the way! Anyway, here's the next instalment …

xxxxx

.

Chapter 5

Faye grinned to herself, pausing in the corridor yet again to ogle a half-naked Jason. Two weeks had passed since he walked back into her friend's life and she really ought to be used to seeing him in various states of undress, and yet … yum. His hair was still damp from the shower and he was wearing a pair of black jeans and nothing else. Her gaze lingered over those broad shoulders before drifting down to his tight denim-clad rear and she allowed herself a wistful sigh. No harm in looking, after all. She was just about to call out to him in the hopes he'd turn around and she could admire that lovely chest and the way his jeans sat low on his hips when she realised he was actually talking on his mobile.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. OK, take a deep breath … and another one. Better? Now, can you tell me where you are?"

Faye shrank back against the wall, her heart beating fast as all her old copper's instincts kicked in.

"Yeah, I know the place, love - and as it happens I'm actually not that far away." He glanced over at the kitchen clock. "Listen, sit tight, get yourself another drink and I'll be with you in about twenty minutes. Promise me you'll wait?"

The response must have been favourable because he mumbled a hurried goodbye and ended the call just as Faye had the presence of mind to slip back into her room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Straining her ears she heard him tell Lorraine that he had to go out for a while, but that he wouldn't be long. Her husky reply made him chuckle and he asked her to keep the bed warm until his return.

Faye's mind was in a turmoil. Surely he couldn't be cheating on Lorraine after all his efforts to get her back into his life? But if he wasn't, why sneak out to make a private call to another woman and not tell her about it? She heard Lorraine's bedroom door close and Jason's tread in the corridor, grabbing her coat and bag before she missed her opportunity.

xxxxx

Luckily for Faye he didn't bother with his car, preferring to remain on foot, and although she struggled to match his long elegant stride she succeeded in remaining a few paces behind until finally he crossed a busy road and entered a café on the far side. She withdrew into the shadows and rescued her camera from her bag, focusing the lens just in time to capture the attractive brunette who launched herself from a booth and into his arms.

Jason raised no objection, holding the young woman close for a few moments before kissing her on the forehead and sliding into the seat opposite. Faye continued clicking away as he reached out to gently cup his companion's cheek and she turned her face into his touch, welcoming the contact. A waitress appeared to take their order and after she left Jason reached across the table to take the young woman's hands in his.

Feeling slightly queasy, Faye continued to take the odd picture during the twenty minutes or so of their assignation, capturing a final few shots of the brunette slipping her arm though his as they headed off down the street together. She considered following them but decided she probably had enough incriminating material already.

Jason Grant, you bastard. What the hell are you up to? With a heavy heart she turned and headed for home again, trying to decide what to do for the best. Should she confront him and give him a chance to explain himself? Or should she just show the photographic evidence to Lorraine and let her decide what to do about it? She half wished she'd never overheard that damned phone call, but it was too late for regrets now.

xxxxx

She was no nearer deciding what to do about it the following day, but Lorraine spotted her obvious distraction.

"Earth calling Faye. Hello, anyone in there?"

Faye shook herself and forced a smile.

"Sorry. Didn't sleep too well last night, so I'm a bit dopey. What were you saying?"

Lorraine narrowed her eyes suspiciously and Faye glanced away.

"I was asking you about progress on the Williams case, but forget about that for now. Something's wrong, isn't it? And don't even bother trying to fob me off, I can read you like a book."

Faye sighed heavily, thinking back to the previous night. She'd heard Jason return an hour or so after her, been privy to some flirtatious banter and then not long afterwards murmured sounds of pleasure to the accompaniment of creaking bedsprings. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable and knowing she wasn't going to sleep much anyway she turned on the radio to drown them out, hating the fact that she was destined to be the one to rain on her best mate's parade. Worse, she only had herself to blame for persuading Lorraine to give him another chance. Realising her companion was still waiting patiently for a reply, she got to her feet and went to retrieve her camera.

"Believe me, I really hate having to do this but I'd be letting you down as a friend if I didn't."

Lorraine furrowed her brows in puzzlement and opened her mouth to reply, but Faye held her hand up.

"Please, just let me get through this and then we can talk, alright?"

"You're scaring me now, but OK. If you insist …"

She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, confusion written all over her face, and Faye took a deep calming breath before launching into an explanation.

"Last night, entirely by accident, I overheard Jason speaking on his mobile. It was obvious from his side of the conversation that he was arranging to meet another woman and the content concerned me enough to want to investigate further, specially as it seemed fairly clear he hadn't mentioned it to you."

Lorraine bit her lip and slowly shook her head, her eyes large in her face.

"Anyway, rightly or wrongly, I followed him. And I took some pictures …"

She readied the camera to show the previous night's footage and passed it to her friend, still unsure whether or not she was doing the right thing. Lorraine trawled slowly through the incriminating shots of her lover with another woman, her face pale, her expression set. When she finally looked up there were tears in her eyes.

"The bastard …"

Faye squeezed her arm.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, huh? We don't know for certain he's cheating on you. There could be a perfectly good explanation."

Her friend swallowed and a tear trickled slowly down her cheek.

"The evidence looks pretty damning to me …"

"I know, but give him a chance to explain, love. He deserves that, at least."

Lorraine nodded distractedly.

"I suppose so. Hope you don't mind, but I really need to be on my own for a while now."

She stood, heading in the direction of her bedroom, but Faye caught her hand.

"I'm so sorry, Lorraine. I hope I did the right thing showing you …"

"It's not your fault. You were just being a good friend, and I'm grateful."

Faye knew that whatever the eventual outcome, that look of devastation would haunt her for a long time.

xxxxx

Afternoon drifted into early evening and still Lorraine didn't emerge from her room. Not knowing what to do for the best, Faye eventually took her a hot drink.

"Lorraine? I thought you might be thirsty so I've made you a cup of tea."

She was just about to knock again when the door opened and her friend emerged, face still pale, eyes puffy from crying.

"Oh, love. How are you? Can I get you something to eat?"

Lorraine shook her head.

"Thanks, but I don't think I can face anything at the moment."

Faye squeezed her arm.

"Have you heard from him?"

"No. And I'm not sure I'd take the call, to be honest. I need to talk to him face to face."

At that moment her mobile rang, and she beckoned Faye into the room before checking the handset.

"Is it him?"

"No. Unknown number."

She shrugged, connecting the call.

"Hello? Yes … yes, it is. Who is this?" There was a pause. "What? When?"

Faye watched as the various emotions chased themselves across her face. Confusion was swiftly overtaken by disbelief and finally shock.

"Oh God. How is he? Yes … yes, of course. I'll be right there."

Lorraine sank down onto the bed as though her legs were about to give way, staring wide-eyed at Faye.

"That was a sister from the local hospital. It's Jason. He's been hurt …"

.

xxxxx

Feel like there should be an Eastenders style "duff duff" at the end there! Tune in next time to find out what's happened to our intrepid – and possibly flawed - hero …

Meanwhile, please leave me a review if you enjoyed. They genuinely are appreciated. :)