Don’t forget to help build the Alborford community in the Forum. You can help influence the plots with your own discussion threads…and look out for topics that I’ll put there to get things moving!

 

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Finally, ‘Rex Road’ does not charge a subscription at the moment, but if you’re feeling generous and would like to show some appreciation for the new look with your currency, feel free to donate something via Paypal (DanAlborough@aol.com),

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Now, I’ll stop waffling…back to Alborford we go….

 

Sunday in Rex Road, and at Number Four Rachel was feeding Harry on the sofa, as the news of the Pope’s death played endlessly on Sky News. She wasn’t totally paying attention, but she felt miserable, so a bit of death felt just right at the moment. Richard had moved into The Headless Pint for the time being, and all she could picture was him being glad to be away from her, enjoying free pints with Jack.

 

There was a knock at the door and, after wondering whether to open it or not for what seemed like ages, Rachel let Ros in.

 

‘How are you feeling?’

 

‘Oh, never better!’ Rachel snapped sarcastically. ‘I’m sorry, Harry’s been playing up a bit today…’

 

‘Well, tell you what. Why don’t I drop Harry off with Sam and Holly, and we can have a girlie lunch together?’ Ros beamed.

 

‘If you mean going to the pub, I’m not up to it thanks.’

 

‘We don’t have to, we can get a takeaway and have it here if you like. No kids, no blokes, just us and food and drink! Sound good?’

 

Rachel smiled, thinking about what a good friend Ros had always been to her, always ready to pick her up when she was down. She was lucky to have her as a friend, now more than ever.

 

‘Yeah, it sounds great…’

 

 

 

 

 

Laura and her friend Natalie Jordan were wandering through Alborford Park, watching traffic in the distance going towards Hamborough.

 

‘I honestly don’t know how you put up with him, he doesn’t sound like he’s ever going to give up on Lisa to me!’ Natalie was always trying to make her friend wake up to herself.

 

‘I know it’s stupid, but I just can’t stop myself getting involved, he is something special,’ Laura smiled a dopey smile, while thinking about him.

 

‘He must be, to be able to string you along and for you to be happy about it!’

 

‘I never said I was happy about it! I suppose I’m just hoping that he’ll choose me over her sometime soon,’ Laura replied defensively.

 

‘Hmmm, let’s see…He lives with Lisa, and he’d have to contend with your mother if the truth came out. I think he knows where his bread is buttered Laura! He’s having his cake and eating it alright!’

 

Laura laughed loudly ‘Can you fit any more clichéd expressions into this conversation, Nat?!’

 

Then they both laughed.

 

‘I just worry about you, Laura. He made a fool of you once before, I don’t want it happening again…’

 

Laura stared into the distance again and nodded carefully.

 

‘He won’t hurt me again, don’t worry…’

 

The Headless Pint had closed after lunch and Jack and Richard were in the restaurant on their own, tucking into theirs at last.

 

‘Thanks for this mate, it’s great,’ Richard said between mouthfuls of roast lamb.

 

‘You don’t have to keep saying thank you! It’s what mates are for, I might need your help one day!’

 

‘I doubt it! You’ve got it sussed Jack, no woman, therefore no hassle. Trust me, you’re better off alone! You never pull, so you’re fine!’  Jack flinched at Richard’s insensitivity, but let it pass. He’d been so wrapped up in his problems with Rachel, he wasn’t exactly going to worry about making Jack feel like a lonely saddo. Besides, he had ‘pulled’ recently, not that he was going to tell Richard that!

 

‘Have you spoken to Rachel again? Or seen Harry?’ Jack asked.

 

‘Well, yeah, I popped around to see them yesterday in the evening. I don’t know how we’ll sort things out, because Rachel’s not wanting to talk properly..she doesn’t want to understand what the problem is…’

 

‘So, what is the problem? You haven’t really said?!’ Jack poured more wine.

 

‘I just get the feeling that we’re growing apart, I’ve been working hard and it’s been all for them until…well, it’s more for me now, because Rach just thinks I’m avoiding spending time with them!’ He was getting agitated now.

 

‘There’s more to life than work, mate. I think you need to work less and talk more!’

 

 

 

 

 

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