Sam’s nightmare had ended and he was staying at Ros’s, taking a few days off work to recover.

 

‘I can’t believe that she would do that to you, after only meeting you once!! There are some sick people around!’ Ros ranted and raved about the whole thing, and Sam was starting to wish that she’d shut up.

 

The police had questioned the woman who’d accused Sam of rape, and she’d broken down and admitted that she’d made the whole thing up. She’d been desperate for a relationship for so long that she’d been pushed over the edge when Sam had rejected her advances at the works night out.

 

‘Thank goodness the whole thing’s over...Ros, are you feeling OK, you look a bit sickly?’

 

‘I’m fine, must have something on the way though…’ She was trying to think of the right moment to tell him that she was pregnant.

 

 

***

 

 

‘Is Kris OK? She been a bit off with me,’ Lisa had spent her first few days in Number Six wondering what was wrong with her housemate. Jo, as ever, tried to smooth things over.

 

‘She can be a bit awkward around new people sometimes...give it time, and I’m sure she’ll be OK, you just need to get used to each other.’

 

 

Lisa’s expression changed slightly.

 

‘Well, I hope she gives me the benefit of the doubt, because so far she’s being a little bitch!’

 

Jo thought it best not to comment on this further.

 

‘So anyway, shall we go out in town tonight?’

 

‘Yeah, sure, shall we try out your local, don’t think I’ve been to that one before, what was it called?’ Lisa asked.

 

‘The Headless Pint, we know the landlord Jack Redfern quite well, he’s a great bloke, you’ll like it there I’m sure…’

 

***

 

Laura left college after a lecture and saw Nathan hanging around the gates.

 

‘You here again?’ She snarled at him.

 

‘Well, I have a pretty good idea when your lectures happen now,’ he grinned cheesily.

 

‘You stalking me?’ She replied, finding the idea quite thrilling too.

 

‘I guess I am. Did you have a good birthday the other day, I saw you in the Union Bar with your posh new educated friends…’

 

‘More spying.’

 

Nathan actually managed to look sincere for a moment.

 

 

 

‘Only because I miss you Laura, I really cared about you. If things had been different, we could have been together.’

 

Laura walked away from him, in an act of defiance….but the truth was, she felt ecstatic at what he’d said.

 

‘Laura?’ Her brother ran across the road, having just finished work. He’d got a job at the leisure centre, working in the office.

 

‘What were you doing talking to that loser?’

 

‘He’s not that bad, anyway it’s none of your business!’ Laura snapped at him.

 

‘OK! Don’t blow a gasket!

 

 

 

***

 

 

Back at Number Six, Lisa and Kris were the only ones in the house.

 

‘Fancy anything to eat, Kris, I can make us something?’ Lisa asked.

 

Kris looked her up and down, but said nothing. No doubt about it, Kris felt totally threatened by Lisa. She was beautiful, intelligent….so was Kris, but didn’t feel it.

 

‘Have I done something wrong, Kris? I’m trying to get on with everyone,’ Lisa didn’t get upset, she wasn’t one to turn on the

 

 

Tears easily.

 

‘I don’t know you, and I’m not sure that I want to get to know you, so just leave me alone!’ Kris shocked Lisa into silence, the new housemate just leaving the room.

 

Kris went to a drawer and started flicking through solicitor’s paperwork about Gary’s will.

 

‘They’re too quick to welcome her into this house, I’ll teach everyone a damn good lesson!’

 

 

***

 

 

Laura and Rhys arrived home together, as Ray was reading something in the kitchen.

 

‘Hi Dad, what’s that?’ Laura asked, kissing him on the cheek.

 

‘Oh, nothing love,’ he looked flustered, ‘just boring work stuff.’

 

The truth was, Ray had discovered a letter from the clinic about Val’s abortion!

 

‘Where’s Mum? I’m starving!’ Rhys whined.

 

Oh, get your own tea!’ Ray snapped at him.

 

***

 

Ros and Sam had gone out for a meal in Norwich to continue their celebration of his freedom. They’d gone to their favourite curry house on Magdalen Street and were halfway through the meal.

 

‘I can’t imagine getting through these last few days without you,’ Sam whispered, holding her hand.

 

‘Your family have supported you so well too,’ she added in modesty.

 

‘I know...I really do love you, Ros.’

 

She decided that now was the time.

 

‘Sam?’

 

‘Hmmm?’ He replied, in the middle of a mouthful of Lamb Madras.

 

‘I found out something that may change things, that will make our relationship more serious…I’m pregnant.’

 

 

Sam couldn’t think of anything to say, he was stunned.

 

‘Are you OK?’ Ros asked.

 

‘Erm….excuse me?’ Sam called the waiter over to their table.

 

‘Yes, sir?’

 

‘Er, could we have another couple of pints please?’

 

‘Sam!’ Ros could feeling herself forcing back tears as he acting like nothing was happening….

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