Jasper knew he had to get this over with. It was quite clear this awful woman wasn't going to go quietly. He looked at the mug of tea in his hand; Ellie's mug, her unique mug she always used for her tea. She said tea always tasted better out of bone china. He loved her little quips and foibles; she made him laugh with the silly things she said sometimes. It was all part of her innocence and why he loved her. He looked up again at the woman in front of him; her perfect figure was dressed in Chanel. Her face immaculately made up, elegant cheekbones and soft pink shimmering pouting lips. He shuddered inside."Let me take this, and I'll be back," he said, not waiting to answer as he went up the stairs. He stood outside the study door, taking breaths, trying to slow his heartbeat down. He gulped and opened the door."Here you go, love." He said to Ellie, "You might get something worthwhile out of her when she has had her tea." he told Molly."Oh, you are an angel." Ellie s

It was early when Ellie opened her eyes; she had been waking up very early just lately, and she was glad it gave her time on her own. Just recently, there seemed to be people around her all the time, and while it was nice to have company, she sometimes wished that they would all disappear so she could enjoy a bit of peace.This morning she glanced out of the window to find the early morning mist still there. She knew it would burn off later. It had been hot over the past few days, a heatwave. The news was full of packed English sea-side beaches, one teenage girl missing presumed murdered, train fares going up, and photographs of the Prime Minister on holiday in Portugal.Ellie got up and pulled her shorts and T-shirt on; she would go for a run. No one would be up for ages yet, and Betty had today off. She strapped her phone to her arm and put her headp

Kylie ran down the road. She could see the top of Grant's hoodie in the distance. He was walking faster than usual, and there were a few people in between them. A group of about five Asian tourists were right in front of her, then a gap and a couple pushing a child in a buggy, then one chap with a briefcase and then Grant. Kylie was about to move past the tourists when she felt a hand on her arm."Just hang on; you don't want him to see you if he looks this way." Sandra White said. "We're ok here. Have you any idea where he's going?"Kylie shook her head. "No, as far as I know, he's never lived round here. I once saw him here before, on the day that I made friends with Ellie when Suki fell over. We were crossing the road, and he was tagging onto a bunch of tourists walking past their house." "So what do you think he's doing over here?""I have no idea, watching Jasper, I expect, he wouldn't have any idea that Suki or I would be here." Grant turned his head

Ellie was still sleeping when Jasper walked into the bedroom. She had been asleep all afternoon, which was good because he had been able to finish his phone calls about things for the wedding."Say something, don't just stand watching me." She said, looking at him with one eye open."Are you hungry?" Jasper said, laughing, "Would you like a drink?""What time is it?" she asked, stretching her arm out to him. He took her hand and began to grin. His darling Ellie was in for a shock on Thursday Jasper was determined everything would be a complete surprise for her."What's so funny?" she said, pulling him to her.Jasper straightened his face. "Nothing, I'm just happy to see you. Do you want a drink?""Yes, please, but a kiss would be nice too.""Hmm, you want a kiss?" Jasper ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "You are very tempting, my love." he said, dropping a kiss to her lips and pulling away."Ellie scowled, "What is that it?""I love it

Richie watched for a few seconds, he was appalled at what he was seeing, and his lungs refused to work, to take a breath in or give one out. He moved away from the doorway to flatten himself against the wall. His fists curled so tight that it hurt, his knuckles bone white. All he could hear was Margaret's breathing, as it was getting faster and louder with every second and the slight squeak of the bed as she moved, rocking on the mattress. His head rested against the wall, and his eyes screwed up tightly.Suddenly her gasps turned into his name. "Richie." Richie froze against the wall; surely she didn't know he was here?"Oh, Richie!" The squeaking of the bed got louder. The sweat trickled down his shirt collar, and nausea in his stomach roiled."Oh my God, Richie!" Margaret screamed.Richie clamped his hand over his tightly sealed lips to stop the vomit from erupting as he flew down the hallway. He took the stairs three at a time, and fortunately, he