DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS...ITV'S PROPERTY
XXX
Donna let go of Ross's hands and gasped out; "Marlon"
Marlon stepped forward, he really wasn't liking what he saw in front of him, "What's this? Why are you..."
Donna was shaking her head at him, "Marlon...it's not what you think"
Ross looked at her in complete amazement, he shook his head and blurted out, "YOU are unbelievable! You nearly had me then...you nearly had me believing your lies"
Marlon suddenly leapt forward and grabbed Ross by the lapels, "WHY ARE YOU SAYING THAT FOR?"
Ross looked over at Donna and she was so desperate, she had that pleading look upon her face as to say 'please don't tell him'. Ross met Marlon's stare and shook his head, "It's NOTHING...she's just got it in for me like the rest of the coppers do...must be my face"
"It must be", said Donna, her voice brittle.
Marlon let go of Ross who immediately picked up his holdal, he shot a glare at Donna, then was on his way back down the hill. Marlon came to Donna's side as she watched him go, "You don't have to worry about him...looks like he's clearing off somewhere", he reassured.
Donna shook her head and faced him, "What are you doing here...are you following me?"
"No...look...the station called...you appointment is this afternoon...why did you say it was this morning for?"
Donna didn't want to talk about this, she started to walk down the hill, Marlon went after her, "Donna! What is it? Why are you lying to us..."
Donna turned and looked totally distraught, "I just WANTED something for myself...I just WANTED some time alone...I just WANTED to...", she looked like she was going to upset herself as she looked down to the village.
Marlon took her hand, "Come on...you look cold...we don't have to go straight back home...go to the café, shall we?"
Donna nodded, and, hand in hand, they went down the hill.
XXX
Debbie was opening up the garage when she turned and saw Ross sitting up against the wall staring into space.
"Ross? I thought YOU were long gone..."
Ross looked up at her and shrugged, "then you were wrong..."
Debbie went over and crouched down, she put a hand over his knee, "Ross what is it? Why didn't you go?"
Ross met her eyes, "Where is there to go? I had this flat that I got for me and her...Donna...it was there for us to lie low after that job...couldn't face going there"
Debbie smiled at him, "You've still got your job here, you know"
Ross looked at her questioningly, "What is it with HER? Why can't she just...", he stopped.
Debbie guessed this was about Donna, "She's got a lot on her mind Ross...Marlon said something about them telling April today"
Ross stood up and nodded over towards the motors awaiting to be serviced, "make a start on those shall I"
Debbie's eyes followed him and she shook her head, she watched as he pulled on the overalls stealing glances over towards the café, she had seen Marlon go in there with Donna just now, he must have too.
XXX
Marlon finished his coffee. Donna was just staring into hers. Bob came over and wiped the table next to them, "Still set for 12 o clock over yours is it?"
Donna looked puzzled, Marlon shook his head, "Yes Bob...April needs to know"
Bob nodded and went to help Brenda at the counter, Marlon turned his head to face Donna.
"So how long has it been going on for?"
Donna looked surprized, "What?"
"You and Ross? Donna I'm NOT blind...I saw you two up there...have YOU been seeing him? Is HE the reason you have been acting all wierd lately"
Donna was too tired to fight or argue. She sat back in the chair and simply nodded a yes.
Marlon couldn't disguise his disgust, "You and him? You do KNOW what kind of creature that is don't you? He's the one who..."
Donna shook her head, "I know Marlon! Why do you think I didn't say anything"
Marlon was shaking, trying to get his head around it, " What am I going to say to Laurel? You do know she is going to freak out when we tell her"
Donna was confused by that, "Why tell her? What's the point, it's over between me and him now anyway...it was only just a bit of fun"
"a bit of fun?"
Donna shook her head, "yes...I AM allowed a life aren't I? Do you KNOW what it's like being treated like...like a...I don't know...a victim...everyone feeling sorry for me...I hate it Marlon..."
"Does that scumbag know about the cancer?"
"He does now...that's why it's over"
"good...then lets say no more about it"
XXX
At 12, April was sitting on the sofa at Tall Trees. Donna, Laurel, Marlon and Bob were all in the room with her.
Donna and Marlon glanced at one another then both faced April.
"Sweetheart...we have to tell you something", began Donna.
April looked up at them, "What...have I got another present for me?"
"No sweetheart...it's not...", Donna was shaking, Marlon took her hand. Laurel's eyes set on them when they did.
"Mummy...Mummy's going away soon...and she's not going to come back", Donna said fighting back the tears.
April frowned at her, "Where Mummy? I want to come too"
Donna was shaking her head, "No you can't come with me...it's too soon for you...but I will look down on you...I promise", her voice became high pitched and Bob closed his eyes feeling her pain.
Marlon smiled at his daughter, "I will be there... I will always be there for you...I'm not going anywhere"
"I want Mummy"
Donna closed her eyes. She wished she didn't have to do this, it was criminal.
Marlon squeezed Donna's hand. Laurel was watching.
"Laurel is going to look after you too...she's going to do that for Mummy", Marlon told her.
"But Mummy will be coming back though, won't you Mummy?"
Donna stood up and went to the kitchen feeling sick. The news wasn't going to get through tp her...and it won't do...not till she dies, not till she is dead and was never coming back.
XXX
In the pub, Ross was up at the bar drinking. His holdal dumped on the floor. Finn and Pete looked at one another. James was with Chas behind the bar.
"What's wrong with him? Why is he being more moodier than usual?"
Finn knew the answer, "He's..."
"He's what son?", asked James.
"He's just got things on his mind"
All turned to see Donna enter with Marlon and Bob.
"I'm sorry Marlon, but I couldn't stay round there...she's not taking it in...she doesn't understand and why should she? She's just a little girl"
Marlon shook his head, he glared at Ross who was looking back at them. The bad boy downed his drink and watched Donna come to the bar, he looked at her bitterly, "careful girl...you don't want to be seen standing near a complete scumbag like me...", he slurred.
Debbie was then standing with Pete, she waved a hand towards Ross, "How many has he had?"
"one after the other" Pete told.
Debbie glared at Donna, "Now can you SEE what you've done...can you?"
Marlon was then on his way over, he took Donna's arm, "Donna come on...sit down I'll get them in"
Bob patted the seat next to him, "Come on love...come sit next to me..."
Donna looked at Ross. Ross was looking forlornly at her.
"He knows about us...", she whispered, "Marlon knows..."
Marlon got the tray of drinks Chas set up and pulled Donna to the table and to Bob. Ross looked back at them. Donna had told Marlon. He knew about them...she TOLD him...that meant...that meant he must mean SOMETHING to her...
He turned and headed over to them just as Laurel came in through the doors to join them. Marlon looked up at Ross, "What do YOU want?"
Laurel was a tad nervous around him. Ross looked at Donna who was shaking, "I'm glad Donna told you about us...there was me thinking she were a right cold bitch but she DOES care...don't yah?"
Laurel frowned in puzzlement, Marlon stood up and faced up to him, "GET OUT ROSS NOW!"
Donna was shaking, Bob was looking at her...there was disappointment in his eyes. Ross was clenching his fists and was ready to belt Marlon one. James and Pete held him back, "Ross come on man...don't do this..."
Ross was trying to shake them off, "You don't get it do you? Me and her...me and Donna...we are together...we love eachother...that's what she said!"
Finn closed his eyes.
Bob stood up and yelled, "get him OUT of here"
Donna sat there...she wanted to go and crawl into a hole. Laurel was now facing her, her face showing her dismay, "how could you Donna...after what HE did to me..."
Ross was yelling as he was being dragged out of the pubs doors, "Donna! Donna!"
Donna stood up and made for the door, Marlon stopped her, "Donna don't..."
They had a moment between them, then she went through the doors. Outside Ross was on the ground, he was sobbing. Donna came forward and crouched down and beside him, she touched his face.
"Ross..."
"Donna...I can't bear it...I can't bear it no more...Why did you say all those things? Why did you lie to me...why make me fall in love with you...it's not fair"
She had his head in her lap and she stroked his hair as he sobbed.
She felt so guilty, because all this was her fault. She had let him fall in love with her. It was cruel. And now she was realising how much he was suffering.
And so was someone else. She looked up to see Debbie staring at them and the mechanic narrowed her eyes at her...
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