Days prior to opening the letter
'Gordon, we're going to be late!' Shouted Jill up the stairs, holding her doctors bag in one hand and her hand bag on the opposite shoulder
'Won't be a minute darling' he replied, the opening of the bathroom door could be heard before he appeared racing down the stairs whilst smoothing down his tie. His cheeks were noticeably whiter than usual; even his glowing tan couldn't cover how pale he appeared. Jill noticed the colour change but chose not to mention it as she dashed out of the house conscious of the time.
It was only when they pulled up at their usual parking space; in Gordon's green car that Gordon dropped the bombshell on Jill. He just couldn't lie anymore.
'Err.. . Jill, just before you go there's something I should tell you' he uttered and he grabbed his wife's arm before she made for the door 'I didn't want to tell you until I knew for certain but... well...I'm having tests done-'
'Tests? What sort of tests?' interrupted the female, searching her husband's eyes for answers
'For bowel cancer' the car went quiet as the C word was mentioned
'C-cancer?!'
'I haven't been feeling right for some time' explained the male as he gazed out of the window at the hospital building 'Blood when I go to the toilet, abdominal pain, some vomiting... you know the signs as well as I do'
'Why didn't you tell me Gordon? You don't need to go through it alone!' reassured Jill as she placed a hand on the males face and stroked it soothingly
'You know me, I hate fuss. And you've got so much on with the children and work... Look I get the results back in a few days and then we'll know for sure'
'Whatever happens I'll be right beside you all the way. I love you'
'I love you too' he replied before placing a kiss on his wife's soft cheeks and getting out the car as if everything was normal.