Jake threw the mobile onto the seat as he leaned against the car. He walked for a few minutes to clear his head before climbing into the car and turning the ignition he slowly out of the lay-by he was parked in. He'd go home for a shower and change of clothes and come back later. He knew what he was doing was wrong, so wrong and if Laura found out well that would probably be it but he couldn't let her stay somewhere alone and not make sure she was safe.

She'd almost met him in the lane this morning when she was walking he had just managed to disappear as she rounded a bend in the lane. Pete had given him the address the day she'd moved in he didn't think she should be there but she had insisted he had told Jake.

So Jake had camped out on the outskirts of the village and was hovering around making sure she was okay. He had noticed today she was walking slowly and seemed tired. He so wanted to go to her but knew that he needed to wait and take this at her pace.

The phone rang and he hit the speaker. 'Jake its Pete.'

'Hey whats up?'

'Listen you need to get over to Laura there are journalists trying to get into the house or something. She's terrified we're on our way, I've called the police. She tried to call you but you didn't answer. But, I figured you'd….'

'I'll be there in five minutes.' He hit the end call button and stopped the car to do a U turn not even checking for oncoming traffic.

He hit the speed dial for Laura's mobile. She answered on the first ring. 'Jake oh Jake where are you I need you.'

'Laura I'll be there in five minutes. I'll hoot the car horn so you know I'm pulling up. Be ready okay.'

'Okay thank you.' He heard her take a gulp as she tried to stifle a sob. He drove like a crazy man to reach the cottage. Tooting the horn as he flung the car next to his car.

At the commotion behind them the journalists turned away from the cottage and seeing Jake made a beeline for him.

'Jake care to comment on why your pregnant wife is living here?'

'Jake whats going on man give us a quote, make a statement.'

'Oi Harrison if my wife was up the duff I'd be keeping her a bit closer to home.'

Jake felt his anger rage up inside him and pushed the man who had made the last comment grabbing him by the collar. 'Why don't you just fuck off before I make you.'

'Steady on mate I'm just doing me job.'

Jake looked around him not sure which one he wanted to punch first he was prepared to take them all on right now. But his attention was caught as he saw the front door opening and he ran towards it. Laura was behind it tears streaming down her face he pushed her gently back and closed the door behind him. He pulled her into his arms feeling her slump against him as she sobbed quietly.

'Laura I'm so sorry sweetheart I had no idea this had got out.'

'Someone saw me leave Netherfield last week they know, how could they know? How could they find me here?'

'I don't know. I really have no clue. But, I'm here now it will all be okay.'

She nodded as she clung to him. He had no idea how they had found her here it was so remote. But if they wanted a story they'd do anything. He heard the noise of the police siren and pulled Laura with him to look out of the hallway window. A car was pulling up and two police officers were jumping out.

'Stay here don't open the door to anyone but me okay.'

Laura nodded and he pushed her down into a chair before opening the front door and calling to the police. He saw a car pull up it was Jules and Pete watching everything going on as the police moved the journalists out of the garden.

'Mr Harrison?'

'Yep I want them all arrested my wife is pregnant they are harassing her.'

'Right well we will need to get her statement, they say they didn't do anything and right now all we can do is move them on. I'll take all their details and take photos of their credentials.'

He stood there watching the journalists disperse and walk away towards their vehicles. He pushed his hands into his jeans pockets and took a breath. 'Right sure, I need to get her out of here though she is terrified.'

'I'm sure she is Sir. Do you want me to speak to her and take a statement now?'

Jake shook his head. 'No give me your number and I'll call you later we live about 30 minutes from here.' He gave a nod of his head and motioned for Jules and Pete to come across the road. As he shook the hand of the police officer the front door opened and Jules walked quickly past him. A look of disdain across her face. Pete stood next to him as he finished talking to the police and walked inside the door behind him.

They found Laura and Jules in the sitting room. Jules looking over Laura's head at the two men. Pete pulled Jake back into the hallway. 'Lets make some tea.'

Jake followed him reaching into his pocket for his phone. 'Lauren yeah yeah not now. I need you to call Bill. We've had a situation press all over the place Laura is staying in. I cant talk about that now' He quickly explained what had happened and flung a look at Pete who was making himself look busy with a box of teabags. He rubbed his chin absorbing the information from her as she spoke back to him. 'Okay I hear you but I want a full team at Netherfield within the hour. I want the house swept and the perimeter checked. Get him to mobilise a team 24/7. Someone knows what has happened. Uh huh. I know Lauren just call Bill okay I'll take care of the rest. Send them down in the chopper I want them there quickly. Lauren just do it. Thanks yes I'll tell her that. Hmmm hang on.' Jake looked across the kitchen at Pete. A worried look crossed his face.

'Pete where is Charlie?'

'He's with the boys at home. I'll call them.' Pete quickly rang home and checked everything was okay. Nodding to Jake that all was fine.

'Lauren I'll call you later. Get hold of my Mother let her know.' He nodded as he ended the call. 'I will Lauren thanks.'

'Pete forget the tea lets get out of here. As long as the press know we are holed up here we're a sitting target.'

He walked back towards the sitting room. Laura looking up as he stood at the door. 'Laura we need to go. We cant stay here.' She nodded but didn't stand up.

'My stuff though?' She spoke quietly as she looked from him to Jules.

Jules spoke quickly. 'Don't worry loves I'll pack it all up and bring it to Netherfield. You're going there?'

'Yes we are.' Jake nodded and spoke quickly as he turned towards Pete and handed him his car keys. 'Can you get Charlie and Ellie and bring them home?'

Pete nodded. 'Of course.'

'It might be an idea for you to bring the boys too and you guys stay over for the night I have no idea where the press might be holed up now.'

Jake saw Jules and Pete exchange worried glances as he left the cottage. The sound of the car roaring off down the lane seconds later as Pete drove off. Jake was leaning against the doorframe suddenly feeling tired he just needed to get out of this place. He couldn't protect her here.

'Laura are you okay to walk out to the car? They've all gone so its safe to go out there.'

'Yes lets just go please.' She stood up and walked across the room to him. Her eyes looking down at the carpet.

He reached for her hand and guided her towards the front door. He saw her handbag and the keys to the car beside them. He picked both up and opened the door. He looked out making sure there was no one there and led her out to the car. Once she was in and the door closed he walked back towards Jules who was stood inside the gate.

'I know you hate me but I love her and no one does this to my family. I will sort it out.'

Jules leaned forward brushing a soft kiss over his cheek. 'Jake you sort the bastards out no one does this to our girl.'

He nodded and turned towards the car. As he started the engine she spoke. 'Jake.'

He looked down at her she was so pale and tiny looking as she sat slumped beside him. 'Laura?'

'Thank you for coming today. I've never been so scared in my life.'

'I know I'm so sorry. I don't know how this has happened.' He reached across the car and squeezed her hand. She caught it as he went to pull it away and held onto it.

'This is all such a mess how do we sort it out?'

'Laura lets not think about that today. We can do that tomorrow. Right now lets get home and wait for Charlie okay?'

She nodded and closed her eyes releasing his hand. He gave a quick wave to Jules who was stood watching them. He drove slowly towards Netherfield trying to gather his thoughts and calm himself down.

He would stop at nothing to find out how the media had got hold of this…