Double upload today, I've got some promises to keep...

Pam had no idea how long she'd been sleeping. Her head pounded, her eyes were sore and her mouth and throat felt like it was coated in sludge. The worst pain was in her heart. He was with someone. A tall, slim beautiful woman. She probably surfed, scuba dived and led this sundrenched Aussie lifestyle, she thought with venom. She probably had this really amazing job and Jim would stay here with her forever in Sydney. She curled into herself for the smallest amount of comfort it could give. Had she'd hurt him that much that he'd go to the first woman he saw or did he really not care about her as much as she thought? Wasn't him leaving for this godforsaken country a big indicator that he was crazy about her? As much as she was about him?

The tears came again.

After she'd pulled herself together she found a hotel clock; she'd been sleeping for about twelve hours and she still hadn't changed. It was time for a shower, a change of clothes and then she'd leave. She wasn't sure where to go. She'd be humiliated if she went home. She'd left Roy, disappointed everyone including her father and for what? To see Jim and his holiday romance enjoying a lovely day which probably followed a lovely night. Humiliating.

She couldn't break down again; she needed to get the stink of travel and heartbreak off her skin. She peeled off her clothes she'd been wearing since she'd left her house and left them in a pile on the floor. She'd been so sure about her decision when she'd picked out those clothes. She'd left one future with Roy for a future with Jim only to find that wouldn't work either. "I'm so stupid." She muttered to herself. "What the hell am I doing here?"

She stepped into the bathtub carefully, feeling a little unsteady, she hadn't eaten that much apart from airplane food in the last day and her blood sugar was low. Fortunately, the heat of the shower was soothing. She could have happily slept another twelve hours in the steam of the bathroom, like a blanket shielding herself from the reality of where she was and what she'd done.

She considered seeing him, at least to say a proper goodbye before he left for Stamford. All she could muster was a tearful look as he left on his last day, pleading with her eyes for him to stay and for everything to be undone. It was too much to ask of him. He could only look back at her, almost giving her one last chance to tell him to stay, to tell him to be with her. She said nothing.

The shower was becoming counterproductive and she still had no plan. She couldn't go home and face everyone yet. She decided to find another hotel, Jim would be leaving this one in a few days and she'd have the city to herself while she figured out what to do with the rest of her life. For the first time she was alone. Maybe she should use this time to think.

She got out the shower and put on some fresh clothes. She'd never really appreciated the feel of clean underwear before, she felt fresher and happier already. She put on a pair of jeans and a yellow long sleeve sweater to keep out the evening chill and packed what little she'd bothered to get out of her bag. She shoved the card she'd wept over last night in the bag too. She could have left it behind but she didn't want to let it go yet.

She checked her appearance. She didn't look special but she didn't need to. She'd brushed her hair but hadn't bothered with make-up or skin care, she didn't see the point. Before leaving her room she rang her mom and left a message to tell her she'd arrived safe and sound but she didn't mention Jim, she wasn't ready yet.

She peeked out her door carefully, she didn't want to accidently run into Jim, she knew she couldn't hold it together and sobbing at his feet would be beyond insane at this point. She took the stairs rather than the elevator and made her way into the main foyer and reception.

A different but equally stunning receptionist greeted her in Australian tones. Pam couldn't wait to get out of there.

"I'll like to check out." She said glumly and handed over her key. The receptionist obliged and took her through the process. It took ages, form after form and a questionnaire on her stay. Pam was tempted to write 'It sucked' but she was too polite.

"Ok ma'am, if you could just sign here and here and I'll need your credit card."

Pam duly signed and handed over her card when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Her stomach sank to the floor. It could only be one person. She couldn't turn, she was rooted to the spot, she just couldn't see those green eyes without breaking down.

"Jen?" Came a female voice from behind her. Pam turned grateful it wasn't Jim but her stomach soon sank again when she recognised the woman stood in front of her. It was Jim's new girlfriend. "Oh, oh no. Uh, sorry, I, uh, thought I uh, knew you..." Pam saw the beautiful woman's eyes fill with tears.

The receptionist spoke again to get her attention, "Miss Beesly?"

"Beesly?" Said Jim's hideously gorgeous girlfriend. "Pam Beesly?"

Oh this couldn't be worse. Jim must have told her about what had happened; Pam turned and grabbed her card, speaking only to the receptionist. She needed to get out of here fast. "Are we done here?"

"Yes, enjoy the rest of your holiday, ma'am."

"Thanks." Pam scooped up her bag and barged past Jim's Australian lover, she couldn't look at her a second longer, even with those pitiful tears she hanging on her lusciously long eyelashes.

"Wait! Pam! You didn't marry him!" She chased after her.

Pam ignored her and kept walking. She had no idea why she sounded so happy; shouldn't she be worried that she was going to steal her new boyfriend?

"Slow down, why are you leaving? I can take you to Jim, I'm his friend."

"I know he's your "friend"!" She snapped angrily. "I saw you leaving his room this morning!"

"Oh god, we're not together, I'm gay. I was taking him to the Opera House." She pulled out an ID card she had on a chain under her clothes. "See?"

"You're not his girlfriend?" Pam's heart was racing once again and her breathing was getting so fast she felt like she was hyper ventilating.

"He's a lovely guy but you're more my type than he is, I thought you were my ex-girlfriend, that's why I called you Jen." The young woman's face fell. "My name is Sarah."

"You're his friend?"

"I am, I met him when he was drowning his sorrows because the love of his life was getting married."

"Love of his life?"

"I'm paraphrasing but... wow, you're here, he's going to flip!"

"Do you think he'd mind me being here? He's not mad at me for everything?"

"Of course not, you'll make him the happiest man alive, come on, he's in his room. You've got to see him."

"I look a mess, I-I can't see him now."

"You look fantastic, really, all he wants is you so don't delay another second!" The girl she now knew as Sarah grabbed her arm and dragged her back towards the elevator.

"Oh god, this is really happening again, I'd given up." Her hands were trembling and she felt a little dizzy, she really should have eaten something from the mini-bar. Sarah pressed the
button for the fourth floor.

"Sorry I gave you the wrong idea but at least you didn't leave, that would have been more awful than I could imagine. I can't believe you're here!" Sarah was grinning at her like a long lost friend. A few minutes ago Pam hated the very marrow in her bones.

"Me neither." The doors to the elevator opened and Pam could see his door. "This is it."

"Come on; don't keep him waiting longer than he already has!"

"Thanks Sarah." She smiled as sweetly as she could but she was too nervous. Sarah didn't move, watching to make sure Pam made it inside.

Pam took five steps and found herself in front of Jim's door. He was right behind it. Single and hopefully still in love with her. She adjusted the heavy bag on her shoulder and lifted a shaking fist and tried to knock. It took a few tries to will her hand to move but it did, she knocked weakly twice. Her throat felt tight, she wasn't sure if she could speak when he finally came to the door. She could hear heavy footsteps approaching quickly.

Within seconds of her knocking the door opened.