Richard was starting to come back out of his shell a little bit more now. He’d worked a shift at the Kings Arms, Jack had promised him some work at The Headless Pint to help him out...he’d even harboured thoughts of trying to break back into the PR business. That Friday evening, he’d arrived home and considered going down the road to the chippie for something to eat, when there was a loud knock at the door.

 

‘Who’s this?’ He wondered to himself.

 

Opening the door, he almost cried out with shock.

 

‘Hello, I think we need to talk,’ it was Rachel.

 

 

***

 

 

At The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Gary’s housemates were visiting him. After his suicide attempt, he’d remained unconscious for a couple of days and they were keeping him in for observation.

 

‘How’re you feeling?’ Phil asked, pulling up a chair.

 

‘Not too bad,’ Gary seemed in better spirits today.

 

‘Have they said when you can go home?’ Jo asked, holding his hand.

 

‘Should be tomorrow,’ his voice was still slightly hoarse from the night they had pumped his stomach.

 

 

Good, well we’ll come and pick you up,’ Jo had been closer to Gary recently. They had started to confide in each other and, since he had been attacked, she was particularly concerned about him. It was pure good luck that she had been the one to find him in the field that afternoon. She’d gone looking for him and the green fields of Alborford were her last resort...and she was almost too late.

 

Kris stood in the background, saying nothing. All she could think about was Nathan, who she knew was with Laura right now…

 

 

***

 

 

‘Fancy a drink?’ Richard asked Rachel as she sat down, he was making it obvious how nervous he was.

 

‘Tea? Coffee? Something stronger?’

 

‘I think I need a red wine please, then come and sit down and breathe deeply!’

She laughed, hoping to relax the atmosphere—but it wasn’t really working!

 

 

***

 

 

Nathan and Laura were taking a risk, they were in his bed at Number Six, while the others were visiting Gary in hospital.

 

‘Poor Gary, it sounds awful, everything must have really got on top of him,’ Laura sighed.

 

‘Rubbish, the bloke’s a wimp, he should pull himself together!’

 

Huh! I think I can see why you and Kris are well suited! Neither of you ever show any compassion or sympathy!’

 

Nathan kissed her, sensing that he was irritating her.

 

‘Aww, that’s nasty! C’mon babe,’ as usual he won her round, and she soon started giggling.

 

‘Did you hear the front door then?’ Laura asked.

 

They listened for a moment.

 

‘Nah….oh, hang on,’ listening again, they suddenly heard Phil and Jo talking in the hallway.

 

 

***

 

 

‘I never wanted to hurt you, Rachel,’ Richard was close to tears, but she was managing to stay calm. During the time she’d spent away from Rex Road, she’d hardened up about the whole situation. He could tell that she wasn’t the emotional wreck that had left...not by a long way.

 

‘I know that...and I still love you, but it’s going to take a lot for us to get over this, y’know,’ he noticed that her bump was really starting to show now and the thought of his unborn child made him feel even more emotional.

 

‘Do you mean you’re willing to give things another go?’ Richard asked, desperately watching her for any telltale signs.

 

‘Well…’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Quick, get dressed, they’re back earlier than I thought!’ Nathan went into a blind panic, about to be well and truly rumbled by an already suspicious Kris. Little did he know, Kris had already spotted them together and was waiting for her chance.

 

‘OK! OK!’ Laura wasn’t moving quite as fast as him. After all, she’d had fights with Kris before and wasn’t scared of her. She wanted him, so maybe this would be for the best?!

 

Just as he pulled up his jeans, Kris burst into the room.

 

‘I was wondering when this would happen, catching you two at it in this house? Nathan, you really shouldn’t crap on your own doorstep,’ she didn’t seem too angry at first, and even had a smile on her face.

 

‘Kris,’ Laura made the mistake of trying to speak.

 

‘Shut up you little slut!’ Kris moved towards her and suddenly spat in Laura’s face.

 

‘Now look!’ Nathan reached toward the two of them, but Laura pushed him aside and slapped Kris round the face.

 

‘What’s going on up there?’ Phil shouted up the stairs.

 

‘It’s OK, Phil, we’ve got an unwelcome guest I’m about to deal with!’

 

***

 

 

 

 

‘There’s a long way to go…’ Rachel continued.

 

‘Of course,’ Richard moved to kiss her.

 

‘Steady on! I’m moving back in and trying again mainly for the sake of our baby...one step at a time,’ Rachel compromised and held his hand gently.

 

‘I do love you, Rach.’

 

‘And I love you, otherwise I would never have come back. I was staying with Deborah, she advised me to never see you again...but here I am.’

 

Richard squeezed her hand and swigged some wine.

 

‘You won’t regret it, I can still make you happy.’

 

‘You’d better, or we haven’t got a future together..and this baby won’t have a father!’

 

 

***

 

 

‘Get out of this house you little tart!’ Kris grabbed a screeching Laura by the hair and began to lead her down the stairs.

 

‘Let go you cow!’

 

Phil and Jo stood opened mouthed as Kris began to fiddle with the door key.

 

‘Kris! This is crazy!’ Nathan shouted after her.

 

 

‘You can shut the hell up!’ Kris flung open the door.

 

Outside Number Eight, Val and Rhys were chatting, about to walk to the shops.

 

‘My little boy...sixteen years old tomorrow, eh?’

 

‘Mum!’ Rhys wailed with embarrassment.

 

Val’s head spun round to Number Six, to see her half-dressed daughter land on the pavement outside.

 

‘Oh hello Mrs Lucas,’ Kris cried, ‘don’t forget to put your rubbish out for the bin men too!’

© 2010 Danny Alborough / DJA Publications
All characters, names and situations are fictitious.
Any similarities to places or people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.