Sitting by the fire in Maggie's cosy sitting room, Joanna morosely stared into her cup of tea. "And to make things worse," she said, "I interuppted Nick Rowan whilst he was putting his daughter to bed. Although that bit I didn't quite understand. There was a lady there - Eileen - is she a relative?"
"She's an aunt of Nick's wife, Kate."
"Oh. I don't think she was there?"
"No." Maggie spoke slowly. "Joanna, Kate Rowan - she was the local doctor here by the way - died nearly two years ago. Eileen is helping Nick bring up his daughter."
Joanna looked at Maggie, shocked. "How dreadful. She must have been so young."
"She was. And so very brave" It still hurt Maggie to talk of it. "She had leukaemia Jo, and she hid her symptoms - because she was pregnant. She sacrificed whatever chance she had - and it wasn't much of a chance - for the baby."
"How did Nick cope?"
"It hasn't been easy. He's had some tough times., at home and at work. But whilst I wouldn't say he's moving on - and to be honest I don't ever think he will - he's in a much better place now than he was."
Joanna shook her head. "I shouldn't have come to Aidensfield, I shouldn't even be teaching. I mean, how could I let the Jacksons take me in like that?"
"Jo, don't be silly. You're not the only one they've led down the garden path over the years. If you've made any mistake, its only that maybe you should have asked around a bit before going to speak to Nick Rowan tonight. PC Bellamy who ended up trying to deal with Nat this morning came to see me to get medical treatment for his hand and it was a real mess Jo. Nat had badly bitten him and kicked him as well. If Phil - PC Bellamy - did bruise Nat, I'm happy to say it probably happened whilst he was trying to fend Nat off. That behaviour can't be allowed to pass."
"The other day when Maxwell was being a nuisance up at the cottage Nick was lovely, really helped me out,"Jo said with a sigh. "I need to sort this out Maggie."
"Yes. In a small community like this we have to work pretty closely together," Maggie pointed out. "Leave it with me Jo. I'll speak to Nick. I'm sure we can sort things out. Nick's not unreasonable."
Jo nodded.
"I hope you don't think we were talking out of turn," Maggie said softly, "but Nick did mention he was concerned about Maxwell and the way he was behaving at your cottage. Have you heard any more from him?"
"No. I honestly don't think I will Maggie. He was just trying it on because he likes his own way all the time." Jo managed a weak smile. "That would have been the easy option wouldn't it? Marry Maxwell and live in luxury!"
"But it wouldn't have been the right option? You can offer much more than that Jo."
"I know. And fundamentally, deep down, Maxwell is a bully. Its fine until he doesn't get his own way. I didn't want to live like that Maggie."
"Of course not. And please don't worry about today. It will all get sorted. I promise."
Joanna brought her Head Teacher up to speed with events the next day before school. "Oh dear," the woman exclaimed, "this is all most unfortunate. But you say things are being smoothed over?"
"I hope so, yes."
"We'll have to see what happens. I suppose its lap of the Gods as to whether Nat even comes to school today. I do wish you'd spoken to me before going to see PC Rowan last night."
"Believe me, so do I!" Joanna looked out the window. "Nat's here now," she exclaimed. "But his Mum isn't with him. Does she not bring Nat to school?" She caught the Head's eye. "No," she said flatly. "Of course she doesn't."
Suddenly the Head's severe expression relaxed. "Joanna," she said. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. The Jacksons are, shall we say, difficult, Don't doubt yourself. You're doing very well."
"Thank you," Joanna replied. "That means a lot."
She went out into the playground to meet Nat. Nat gazed balefully up at her.
"Still got me bruises Miss," he said.
"Yes. And I gather you dealt out some bruises of your own yesterday. You left a police constable needing medical attention. Nat do you know how much trouble that could have got you into." Jo sighed. "Now come on, into class with you."
Nat sighed, realising today was not going to go the way he had planned.
Over at the Police House Nick was switching between eating his own breakfast to helping Katie eat hers or at least trying to stop her from putting as much of it on the floor as she could. There was a knock on the door, Eileen went to answer it
"Morning Maggie," she said. "Come on in, tea in the pot."
"Lovely thank you," Maggie replied joining Nick and his daughter at the breakfast table. "Morning Nick, morning Katie."
"Hallo," Nick said with a grin "Want some breakfast?"
"No, I'm fine thank you a cup of tea will do me." Maggie paused. "Just want a quick word Nick."
"Katie Rowan," Eileen said, "if you've finished that breakfast come on with me and I'll clean you up."
"You don't have to go anywhere Eileen," Maggie said. "I've only come round because Joanna Weston came to my cottage last night. She's really upset about what happened yesterday. She knows she got it badly wrong."
"Well that's beyond any doubt," Eileen said robustly. "We'll leave you and Nick to it though Maggie. You can talk better without this one chipping in."
Nick gave his daughter a quick kiss as Eileen whisked her off and then focused his attention back on Maggie.
"Sorry," he said. "Eileen gets a bit protective."
"You must have been annoyed as well," Maggie said.
"I was, a bit," Nick admitted. "She needs to check her facts before she goes hurling around accusations Maggie. In a small community like ths, you have to be careful."
"And she knows that, absolutely." Maggie took a sip of tea. "She's mortified Nick. And come on, we've all been taken in by the Jacksons at one stage or another."
"Well that's true," Nick said. He sighed. "What do you want me to do Maggie?"
"Speak to Jo, Nick. Let her know there's no hard feelings. It's really rocked her confidence and she doesn't need that."
Nick thought for a moment then nodded. "All right, I'll see her after schoool today."
"I hope you don't mind." Maggie gave Nick a tentative glance. "I told her about Kate. It just sort of came out in conversation."
Nick tensed a little then relaxed. "No, its fine. Don't worry Maggie. I'll speak to Joanna, sort it out. I thought she'd come round last night because she was having trouble with that boyfriend of hers again"
"I think she was more shaken up by him than she cared to admit," Maggie said. "I think we still might hear more from that quarter."
Joanna had a fairly rough ride from Nat that day culminating in her sending him out of the classroom to the Head to deal with. But the rest of the children were lovely and she had some most welcome, supportive comments from parents at the end of the school day. Her fragile confidence in herself felt a little less shaky as she headed for her car to drive home. As she reached the car she paused. Nick Rowan was walking towards her. She tensed, wondering what he was going to say to her. Before he could speak she spoke first.
"I owe you an apology. I was so wrong yesterday."
"Its fine. I spoke to Maggie this morning. I was pretty cross last night but I know how persuasive the Jacksons can be."
"I should have checked my facts though. I felt so embarrassed."
"There's honestly no need." Nick tried to turn the conversation onto lighter ground. "How did today go?"
"Good. Well Nat Jackson has given me a bit ofa time of it especially when he realised I was on to him but I think I dealt with him."
Nick nodded. "I'll get on then. Honestly, don't worry about anything. Its forgotten."
"Nick? Let me make dinner for you - at my cottage - say, tomorrow evening? My way of saying sorry and you can tell me a bit about Aidensfield. There's clearly a lot I need to know!"
He hesitated and she saw the conflict on his face.
"If you don't want to, honestly, that's fine, I won't take offence."
Nick relaxed a bit "No, its not that," he said. "I'd like that. Don't go to too much trouble though."
"I won't. Come to the cottage about seven?"
Nick stood and watched her drive off still unable to believe he'd agreed to go for dinner the following evening. But it was a dinner - what harm could it do?