The morning came along far too quickly. Jill and Gordon had slept in each other's arms, ate breakfast with the children and arrived at work together. Their time was spent much more amiably than the previous morning. There were smiles as they walked the narrow path up to hospital. Gordon placed a hand on the small of her back, leading her through the door in front of him. They stood close as they waited for Lizzie to finish with a phone call.

The conversation the night before had been much needed. He now seemed to understand some of her reasons for her actions, and some of her fears. She felt much more at ease with him. She felt much more confident in their relationship.

"Morning Doctors!"

Lizzie's bright greeting drew them from their own little world. "Morning Lizzie." Gordon grinned whilst Jill smiled and nodded, composing a more professional expression on her face.

"How are you this morning Doctor Weatherill?"

"I'm fine. Thank you Lizzie," she added, seeing the question for what it was; concern, not as something to be used for later gossip.

Gordon flicked his eyes to his wife, noting her composure, her poise as she stood straight in immaculate clothes and high heels. Anyone would still be shaken and more than a little nervous at entering the building after the shock of the previous morning. Jill, however, showed none of this. And Gordon felt a surge of admiration; he was so proud of her. He hoped she knew this.

"Thank you Lizzie."

Gordon's gaze moved to Jill's lips as she spoke. He caught a glimpse of the tip of her tongue as she pronounced the 'th' with perfect elocution.

"Doctor Ormerod, Doctor O, Doctor. Doctor Ormerod!"

Lizzie's shout, accompanied by a sharp jab of Jill's elbow to his ribs startled him into awareness of his surroundings once more. The surroundings that contained things he should be concentrating on more than concentrating on his wife. He smiled sheepishly at Lizzie, took his patient files and proceeded on a slow walk to Jill's office door. He couldn't understand why his feelings for Jill were especially strong at that moment. Perhaps it was just after the emotions of last night. He shrugged. Whatever the reason, he didn't mind; he was just glad she seemed to have forgiven his stupidity and insensitivity towards her.

He leant in and placed a kiss to her cheek, leaving her to unlock her office door. And how relieved she was when she felt the key engage with the lock and heard the mechanism sliding back. She would never had admitted it to anyone of course, but she had been a little worried that the morning before would repeat itself and she would find her door unlocked with destruction behind it. She depressed the brass handle, pushing the door inwards, and taking a step after it.

She looked up from her files. She stopped. A jolt hit her chest. A feeling of cold swept throughout her.