Chapter 5

…

Sam waited for Dominic to leave before she made her way up to her office, Sheila wasn't around so she grabbed some tea from the pot on the table before going to sit behind her desk, throwing the package Dominic had given her on the side of her desk. She was reading through some paperwork when Sheila walked in.

"Something wrong Sheila." She asked, noticing the look on her Friend's face.

"I just went down to give Jockie the rent books to hand back to the occupant's."

"Oh good, listen thanks for finishing off the database for me yesterday….I really appreciate it."

"It's fine Sam really, I was happy to do it…besides you didn't look yourself anyway."

Sam went back to her paperwork but could feel Sheila's eyes on her every so often.

"Something you want to say Sheila?"

"Well actually Sam, I need your advice about something."

"Oh, well I'm always happy to help. Go ahead."

"It's about Dominic."

Sam did her best to keep her face as normal as she could so as not to give anything away.

"What about him?"

"He doesn't know but I overheard him on the phone the other night."

"Right…"

"I think he's got some young Girl pregnant."

Sam quickly flipped the page of her report she had been reading to hide the package that she had thrown on her desk.

"Oh…." Her voice radiating panic.

"I hoped I was wrong Sam but after this morning…..he told me he's decided not to go to America now."

"Well that doesn't mean anything."

"I think it does Sam….oh I could be wrong."

Sam got up from her desk to try to get the feeling back in her legs that had suddenly turned to jelly.

"Look Sheila…I'm sure you're just over-reacting."

Sam watched as Sheila got up from her desk and gave Sam a small smile.

"You're probably right…thanks Sam. Are you sure you're okay…I know you said earlier you were fine but you just don't look right."

"I'm alright…really I am." She replied, her voice cracking a little.

Sheila gave her arm a small squeeze before heading to the door but not before turning back.

"I'll tell you something though Sam….if I find out Dominic's been taken advantage of by some Girl, their life won't be worth living."

Sam stood looking at her Friend, unable to breath until Sheila walked out.

…...

Davey found Sam out on the grounds a few hours later, pacing back and forth. She had the weight of the world on her shoulders and he couldn't help the tug at his own heart at seeing her like this. She was never the sort of woman to allow anyone to see her weak and scared but for Davey, with him it had always been different….she'd trusted him.

"Sam." He called out.

She looked up to see her Game Keeper walking up to her, she tried her hardest to smile but she just couldn't find it in her.

"Sam…you okay?"

"Not really…"

"What's wrong…the baby…?"

"No David, the baby's fine. It's Sheila."

"You told her?"

"Are you mad, of course not. Oh, she was going on about Dominic not going to America and how she heard him on the phone the other night going on about pregnancy tests."

"She doesn't know it's you then?"

"No, thank god. This is never going away is it?"

"Not unless you decide not to have it and even then, there's no telling what the lad will say to anyone."

She looked out onto the grounds as she felt the guilt building up inside her. She glanced down at her abdomen for a mere second and placed a gentle hand on it before pulling away, which didn't go unnoticed by Davey. He moved closer to her and put his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to him.

"Sam, I can't tell you what to do here. At the end of the day, it's your decision."

"I have an appointment in Glasgow tomorrow with my Doctor, she's a Friend."

"You going alone?"

"No…Dominic asked if he could come with me, I couldn't very well say no…could I."

"For what it's worth...I think you'll make a great Mother."

She looked up at him and smiled softly at him, she couldn't believe how emotional she was feeling…it was unlike her.

"Thank you David."

He pulled her back in to him, holding her close for a few minutes…unaware that Sheila was watching from the office window.

…

Effie came in to the office with a tea-tray for her and Sam, bringing Sheila back from her spot at the window.

"Thought you could do with your lunch Sheila….sorry it's a little late, Jockie was meant to be helping me."

"It's fine Effie, thanks."

"Anything else you need."

"Not right now….actually can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can, anytime. What can I do for you."

"It's about Sam…"

"Oh the poor thing, she's not been well at all."

"Oh…."

"The last few mornings, like clockwork….she's in that bathroom being sick. She's so pale, she's off her food. I even caught her crying the other morning….it's really not like her."

"No it's not."

"I asked her if she wanted me to call the local Doctor but she insisted she was fine, you know what Miss Hagen's like."

"Unfortuantely I do." Shelia smiled.

"I can't imagine what's going on with her…..oh my, you don't think she's been…you know?"

"What..?"

"Drinking again, we all know how bad she became after Peter Odell. We know she's an alcoholic, she always will be. What if the poor things gone back to her old ways."

"Effie, I really don't think Sam's back to drinking. We got rid of all the bottles in the house and she doesn't smell of alcohol."

"Then I really don't know what else it could be…poor thing. Whatever it is, she needs to talk to someone….anyway, I best get back before she has my head off."

"Thanks Effie."

Sheila walked back over to the window to see Sam walking back to the house, Davey remaining close beside her and wondering what could be wrong with her friend.

…

To Be Continued….

Liz I've attached the video again, just in case you're having trouble identifying people…you're the only one reading this, thank you xxx