optimistically.
“I guess , the police body language was hard to discern”
Just then I heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Look Sarah, I'm going to have to go a s someone’ s on their way downstairs”
“Understood, I'll ring you later. An d Step h if you need me just say”
We said goodbye before James appeared in the doorway, looking tired and older than his years. He trudged past me and poured a coffee before finding the seat next to me. Our normal morning kitchen kiss forgotten in the myriad of emotions he was battling with. I placed my hand on his thigh and he looked up at me.
“Has Rob called yet?”
“No, but do you really think it’s a good idea to be out searching with him?”
“Yes, I can't stay here and just wait. I'm going crazy with worry”
The phone rang and James picked it up. After a quick conversation with Rob he got up from the table.
“Do you want any breakfast?” I asked
“No, I just don't think I can stomach anything at the moment”
At the door he turned and a small smile played at the corner of his lips.
“Thank s Steph, just having you here helps”
Once James had been picked up I hurried to get showered and ready for my afternoon stint on the radio. I paused by Charlie's door and tapped lightly.
“Charlie, Juli a ar e you awake?”
“Yeah Mum” Charlie said.
“I'm off to work in half an hour so just hel p yoursel f downstairs. James has gone out with the police search but has promised to contact me if anything comes up”
“Thanks Stephanie” Julia said, as she opened the door and stepped out.
“How is she” I asked, quietly.
“Not good, but I'll try and keep her spirits up. I can always stay a couple more days if you think it will help”
“That's kind of you , let’ s see what happens wit h today' s search”
In a way I felt relieved to walk into the studio. Naomi was off so there was no one on reception. In fact apart from Jack currently on air the place was deserted. I grinned in at him when I walked past the glas s window , he waved back before continuing his show. I stepped into my office and fired up the pc to check the emails. I responded to the ones I could and then forwarded the sales follow ups to Lesley and Amy. Then I went into the staff room and made coffee for me and then took one in to Jack.
As the commercials played he leapt up and wrapped me in his arms.
“Happy New Year to my best looking friend”
I swallowed, suddenly facing the reality of the situation at home. My hesitation made him draw back.
“Hey what's up?”
“It’ s a long story for another day” I muttered, my body still trembling “I just need to switch off in here for a couple of hours”
“Tell you what why don't I hang around and we'll go for a quick drink at the wine bar when you finish”
“Deal” I said, going quiet as Jack finished his show with his usual flourish.
My show passed without hiccup and it felt good to play other people's requests and share in their joyfu l New Yea r dreams. I kept checking my phone but ther e wereno message s from James. Handing over to Mickey at the end I saw that Jack was waiting with my coat and bag draped over his arm. I linked my arm through his and we left the building. The wind funnelled down the street and we were blown quickly into the welcoming warmth of La Figaro's. Jack ordered us a couple of drinks and sat down beside me.
I recounted all the events of New Year's Eve, watching as his facial expressions fluctuated from shock and sadness to disbelief.
“As usual, my world can't handle too much happiness so this happens” despondently picking at the scar on my wrist.
Jack reached for my hand.
“You shouldn't think that every time you're happy something bad is going to happen”
I tried to smile at Jack's optimism but at that moment my world felt like the glass wasn't just half empty it was about to shatter into smithereens.
We finished our drinks and I checked my phone, still
“I guess , the police body language was hard to discern”
Just then I heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Look Sarah, I'm going to have to go a s someone’ s on their way downstairs”
“Understood, I'll ring you later. An d Step h if you need me just say”
We said goodbye before James appeared in the doorway, looking tired and older than his years. He trudged past me and poured a coffee before finding the seat next to me. Our normal morning kitchen kiss forgotten in the myriad of emotions he was battling with. I placed my hand on his thigh and he looked up at me.
“Has Rob called yet?”
“No, but do you really think it’s a good idea to be out searching with him?”
“Yes, I can't stay here and just wait. I'm going crazy with worry”
The phone rang and James picked it up. After a quick conversation with Rob he got up from the table.
“Do you want any breakfast?” I asked
“No, I just don't think I can stomach anything at the moment”
At the door he turned and a small smile played at the corner of his lips.
“Thank s Steph, just having you here helps”
Once James had been picked up I hurried to get showered and ready for my afternoon stint on the radio. I paused by Charlie's door and tapped lightly.
“Charlie, Juli a ar e you awake?”
“Yeah Mum” Charlie said.
“I'm off to work in half an hour so just hel p yoursel f downstairs. James has gone out with the police search but has promised to contact me if anything comes up”
“Thanks Stephanie” Julia said, as she opened the door and stepped out.
“How is she” I asked, quietly.
“Not good, but I'll try and keep her spirits up. I can always stay a couple more days if you think it will help”
“That's kind of you , let’ s see what happens wit h today' s search”
In a way I felt relieved to walk into the studio. Naomi was off so there was no one on reception. In fact apart from Jack currently on air the place was deserted. I grinned in at him when I walked past the glas s window , he waved back before continuing his show. I stepped into my office and fired up the pc to check the emails. I responded to the ones I could and then forwarded the sales follow ups to Lesley and Amy. Then I went into the staff room and made coffee for me and then took one in to Jack.
As the commercials played he leapt up and wrapped me in his arms.
“Happy New Year to my best looking friend”
I swallowed, suddenly facing the reality of the situation at home. My hesitation made him draw back.
“Hey what's up?”
“It’ s a long story for another day” I muttered, my body still trembling “I just need to switch off in here for a couple of hours”
“Tell you what why don't I hang around and we'll go for a quick drink at the wine bar when you finish”
“Deal” I said, going quiet as Jack finished his show with his usual flourish.
My show passed without hiccup and it felt good to play other people's requests and share in their joyfu l New Yea r dreams. I kept checking my phone but ther e wereno message s from James. Handing over to Mickey at the end I saw that Jack was waiting with my coat and bag draped over his arm. I linked my arm through his and we left the building. The wind funnelled down the street and we were blown quickly into the welcoming warmth of La Figaro's. Jack ordered us a couple of drinks and sat down beside me.
I recounted all the events of New Year's Eve, watching as his facial expressions fluctuated from shock and sadness to disbelief.
“As usual, my world can't handle too much happiness so this happens” despondently picking at the scar on my wrist.
Jack reached for my hand.
“You shouldn't think that every time you're happy something bad is going to happen”
I tried to smile at Jack's optimism but at that moment my world felt like the glass wasn't just half empty it was about to shatter into smithereens.
We finished our drinks and I checked my phone, still
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