Rose walked in to the inn with Tilly following behind her. "Hi Mary, is Lucy in please?" "Yep" Lucy said as she walked downstairs hearing Rose "are you OK?" Lucy frowned, seeing her friend was clearly annoyed. Mary looked between her daughter and Rose before speaking "should I take the girls in to the garden?" She offered "yes please" Rose said as she passed her Sophia. "Come on, let's go for a coffee" Lucy said. Rose nodded in agreement and they headed to a near by cafe.
—
"So, who's rattled your cage?" Lucy frowned. "Jack" Rose sighed "your Jack?" Lucy asked confused "why?" "Do you remember his ex with the son?" "Jessica? Yeah" Lucy replied "well she's shown up" Rose replied "what?!" Lucy said surprised "oh, no, it gets better" Rose said, annoyed "she and her husband want to go to Atlanta, so she expected Jack to take James like it was nothing! Jack and I closed the front door to discuss it and when we opened the door, she'd gone! Left her son there and expects Jack to pick up the pieces. She's taking advantage of him, she knew what she was doing! She knew Jack wouldn't turn his back on the kid!" Rose said frustrated "but how did that turn in to an argument?" Lucy asked, confused "because Jack wants to keep him!" "Can you not afford to?" Lucy replied "that's not the point! It's not Jack that will have the added pressure, he'll be at work… things are hard enough with the girls sometimes as it is, adding another child - that neither of us really know anything about - won't help! God, I don't even know how old he is!" Rose said, annoyed her friend wasn't understanding. "and then it was like I implied he shouldn't help James but it was OK for him to help the girls!" she ranted. Lucy sighed "I think he's about 7…" Lucy said "Rose, you're my best friend, and I don't want to fall out or annoy you, but Jack is just doing what Jack does… he's being kind… and you love him for it" Lucy raised an eye brow. Rose sighed, knowing she was right. "He's being taken advantage off. He doesn't owe Jessica anything" she rolled her eyes "you're right" Lucy nodded "he doesn't… but that isn't James's fault… how have you left it with Jack?" She asked. "A mess… the middle of an argument, and I shouted at Tilly in the process, so I don't think she likes me very much at the minute either… I called her Matilda for god sake… I hardly ever call her that, it reminds her of her Father" she said, disappointed in herself.
Lucy looked across at Rose "go and get her, Rose. Take her and Sophia home and speak to Jack" "I'm not going back tonight, I'm still annoyed at him, even if I do understand it more now… can me and the girls stay at the inn please?" "Do you even have your stuff?" Lucy asked and Rose looked at her hopefully "you want me to go and get your stuff, don't you?" "Yes please" Rose nodded "Fine. But you're only staying tonight, then you're going home to speak to him, OK?" Lucy said firmly "OK…" Rose replied and followed Lucy as they stood up and left the cafe. "I'll see you in a bit" Lucy said as they went separate ways - Rose to the inn and Lucy to Jack's.
—
Jack was sat on the sofa when there was a knock at the door. Part of him hoped it was Jessica coming back for James and part of him hoped it was Rose who had forgotten her key.
"Lucy?" He asked confused, moving aside so she could come in. "Hey… I heard about Jessica" she said awkwardly "you've seen Rose then?" He asked, getting a nod in response. "Where's James?" She asked "asleep in the spare room… Jessica was kind enough to bring him with his stuff" he said sarcastically. "Where's Rose?" He asked "she's at the inn. She's asked me to come and get some of hers and the girls stuff. She's going to stay there tonight to cool off, but I've told her she needs to speak to you tomorrow" Lucy smiled a little "thanks Lucy" Jack said, disappointed Rose wouldn't be home tonight. "Are the girls OK?" He asked "Sophia's fine… I don't think Tilly is too impressed with Rose but I'm sure she'll be fine" she said. Jack nodded "I'll go and get some of their things together, I'll back in a minute" he said "thank you" she replied.
—
Rose walked back in to the inn and out to the garden where Mary was sat holding Sophia whilst she sat on the grass with Tilly. Tilly didn't notice Rose until Mary pointed her out as she got closer "hey, Mummy's back" she said as Rose sat down next to her. "Hey baby" she smiled a little, but Tilly ignored her. Sensing the tension, Mary stood up "I'll take Sophia inside" "thanks Mary" Rose smiled a little and watched as Mary walked away. "Look darling, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you, I was just stressed" Rose said. "My name is Tilly… not Matilda… it makes me sad when you call me that, and it makes me sad when you shout" Tilly frowned at Rose. "I know baby, I'm sorry" Rose said as she moved some hair from Tilly's face, feeling guilty. "I want Jack" she said, crossing her arms. "He's at home, and we're going to stay here tonight, like a girls sleepover! But we'll see him tomorrow, I promise" Rose said, hoping the idea of a sleepover would help win Tilly over. "Fine" Tilly sighed. "Can I have a hug?" Rose asked hopefully. Tilly looked up at her and climbed on to Rose's knee, hugging her.
—
Jack came back downstairs with a bag of Rose and the girls stuff and passed it to Lucy. "Will you tell Rose I'll be in all day tomorrow so come whenever? and that I love her and the girls" he asked "course I will" Lucy nodded "thank you" Jack smiled weakly and watched as she left.
—
Lucy arrived back at the inn and knocked on the door of the room Rose and the girls were staying in. "There you go" she smiled and passed her the bag of stuff "thank you" she smiled in response. "Is he OK?" She asked. Lucy nodded "he said he'll be in all day tomorrow and he wants to speak to you… told me to tell you that he loves you and the girls, but you know that anyway" she raised an eyebrow, hoping Rose would see sense. Rose just rolled her eyes jokingly at her friend "good night" she smiled, making Lucy laugh "night Rose" After shutting the door, Rose got Sophia and Tilly changed for bed. "I want to go home" Tilly said as she climbed in to bed "I know darling, we'll go home first thing, I promise. Try and get some sleep" Rose replied. Tilly just sighed and after closing her eyes, she fell asleep quickly.
