Warning: Episode may contain strong language, violence and sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.

PREVIOUSLY…

• Emma moved to Glendale to assume the role as the village’s new G.P.
• Julia was horrified to discover that Emma was in fact Emily, the ex-girlfriend of her deceased brother, Michael, and the biological mother of Julia’s son, Nick.
• Natalie, having discovered a handwritten note from her late mother tucked in the back of her favourite book, vowed revenge on Julia after reading its contents.
• Natalie blackmailed Julia for £100,000 in order to keep about Nick’s biological parents.
• Natalie began an affair with her boss, James, despite him being married to Julia.
• Despite trying for a baby every month since she married Mark a year ago, Charlotte was disappointed to face yet another negative pregnancy test.
• James summoned Charlotte to Ashbourne House to tell her the truth about Nick’s parents. Charlotte was stunned to learn that Michael was Nick’s father, and ghosts of 2007 whispered in her ears.

2 SEPTEMBER 2007

Pineview House,
Glendale

The smell of frying bacon and the sizzle of eggs filled the kitchen of Pineview House as Jennifer Sinclair prepared a hearty Sunday breakfast for her family. Her eldest, fourteen-year-old Sebastian, set the table, while seven-year-old Sarah entertained her unsettled toddler, two-year-old Natalie – who Jennifer had no doubt would grow up to be a troublemaker.

On the kitchen bench near the refrigerator, the AM/FM radio crackled with a BBC Radio Kent bulletin. “Boris Johnson is to officially launch his campaign to become the Tories’ candidate for Mayor of London. The colourful Conservative MP for Henley will be fighting for the right to take on Labour’s Ken Livingstone in next year’s poll.”

“Like anyone would vote for that clown!” Mark, Jennifer’s husband, snuffled as he hurried into the kitchen, dressed in his cricket whites, and stole a freshly buttered piece of toast from the toast rack on the dining table. “God help us if that idiot ever gets anywhere close to having power!”

“Mum, can I have extra syrup?” Sarah asked, her eyes wide with anticipation as she watched Jennifer mix pancake batter in a vintage Mason Cash mixing bowl.

“Of course you can, sweetheart.” Pouring the batter into the griddle, Jennifer glanced over at her husband, who was hurriedly stuffing toast into his mouth and gulping down a piping hot tea. “Are you sure you’re going to make it on time?”

Mark looked at his watch and scrunched his mouth. “If I leave now, I’ll be fine,” he said with a mouth full of food.

Jennifer shook her head and playfully rolled her eyes at Sebastian, knowing how much cricket meant to both her husband and son. He smiled at her in response. “Once I’ve dropped the girls at Carol’s, I’ll come down and watch,” she reminded Mark, as tearaway Natalie tugged at her dress for attention. Jennifer scooped the toddler up and smothered her chubby cheeks with kisses that made Natalie screech with laughter.

“I’d better get going.” Mark walked over and kissed his wife tenderly on the lips before grabbing his cricket bag from the floor at the back door. “I’ll see you when I see you. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Jennifer replied with a smile, waving as he hurried out the back door.

As the family sat down to eat breakfast, Jennifer felt the familiar wave of morning nausea. She was eight weeks pregnant and had yet to tell Mark the news. Guilt consumed her. Jennifer took a bite of dry toast as she cut up a small pancake for Natalie and placed it on the tray of her highchair.

Meanwhile, the radio broadcaster continued to detail the latest headlines. “Turning to finance and the worsening banking crisis continues to rattle financial markets around the world.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

In the morning room of Ashbourne House, Julia Harrington-Jones sat on the blue chintz Chesterfield sofa, her fingers pressed against her lips in delight and her heart swelling pride as she watched her eight-year-old son, Nick, twirl around in his new school uniform. The crisp white shirt, neatly pressed trousers, and polished shoes made him look every bit the young gentleman he was becoming.

“Nicky, stand still for a moment, darling,” she instructed gently, reaching out to straighten his collar as she picked up the Sony Cyber-shot camera from the nearby credenza to take a photo.

Nick grinned up at her, showcasing the gap in his mouth from his recently lost front tooth. “Do I look handsome, mummy?” He was excited about the new adventure awaiting him at boarding school, but the thought of leaving home and everything he had ever known was terrifying.

“You look perfect, sweetheart,” Julia reassured him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “Very handsome.”

Nick beamed at his mother’s praise as he posed for the photo.

Dressed in his cricket whites, James, Julia’s husband, entered the morning room. “Oh my God! Who is this handsome chap?” he marvelled, feigning astonishment that made Nick’s little apple cheeks flush a deep scarlet.

“It’s me, dad!” Nick chuckled, fidgeting with the buttons on his blazer. “Nicky!”

James crouched down to Nick’s eye level and overdramatically clutched at his heart. “Oh, my little Nicky!” he cried out, delivering a hammy performance only “Footballers’ Wives” could rival. “I didn’t recognise you! You look soooo grown up! A proper little gentleman!”

Julia smiled as she watched father and son muck about. A pang of pride mingled with a twinge of sadness. Her little boy was growing up so quickly, ready to spread his wings and explore the wider world beyond the protective home she carefully curated and maintained for her precious prince. Boarding school had been a tough decision, but both Julia and James knew that it offered Nick opportunities they couldn’t provide locally.

“We’ll be there just after lunch,” Julia said with a smile, referring to the day’s cricket match, as her husband straightened and stretched with his hands pressed against his lower back.

“I wouldn’t bother.” James cast a look out the sash windows at the darkening sky. “I dare say it’ll be rained out. I’ll see you when I get home. Love you,” he said and kissed his wife on the lips.

Sweeping out of the morning room, James closed the heavy door behind him and let out a deep, silent sigh. The lies were beginning to get to him. They were becoming unbearable. He needed to put an end to everything – today.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Honeysuckle Cottage,
Glendale

Upstairs in Honeysuckle Cottage, the grey morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the bedroom where Michael Bancroft and Charlotte Harrington-Jones lay entwined in each other’s arms. Their romance, conducted in secret as their families would never approve, had been going for a few months, and as Charlotte’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze drifted over the familiar sharp lines of Michael’s dark features. She smiled softly. The stolen moment together was precious, as Charlotte would have to return to the Royal Veterinary College in London tomorrow to continue her studies.

Michael stirred beside her, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek as he blinked awake. “Good morning, sexy,” he murmured huskily.

“Good morning.” Charlotte shifted her naked body closer to him.

They lay there for a while, silent but comfortable. Two lost souls, drawn together by passion and seeking solace in each other. Charlotte, who often felt forgotten by her mother, Hazel, danced the tip of an index finger over Michael’s hairless chest. The sensation stiffened his nipples as goosepimples covered his skin. While Michael, a recovering addict who the world had seemingly turned its back on, wrapped a loving arm around the blonde beauty’s shoulders. While circumstance had brought them together – Charlotte’s brother, James, was married to Michael’s sister, Julia – it was a shared view of life and the world that had seen them become romantically involved. Michael saw Charlotte for the intelligent and beautiful woman that she was. He championed her intellect and supported her where others didn’t. While Charlotte felt she knew Michael better than anyone ever had. She understood the mechanics of his mind and challenged him in a way that made him want to better himself and keep his addiction demons at bay.

“I wish mornings like this didn’t have to end,” Charlotte confessed quietly, her eyes meeting Michael’s.

Michael gently brushed a strand of blonde hair from Charlotte’s face. “Me too.”

As they lay there, wrapped in each other’s embrace, Charlotte knew the morning was slipping away too quickly. She traced a finger along the curve of Michael’s strong, unshaven jaw, committing his face to memory. “I love you, Mikie.”

At hearing the words slip from Charlotte’s lips, Michael smiled a perfect smile and kissed her intensely. “And I you,” he replied, wrapping his arms around the young woman and rolling on top of her. He pressed his naked self against her as he nuzzled kisses into her neck. Their fingers interlocked and Charlotte gasped, surrendering to Michael’s touch and another round of clandestine lovemaking.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Greystone Downs Farm,
Glendale

Jennifer smiled as she watched her daughters run down the gravel driveway as fast as their little legs could carry them towards Carol Spencer’s front door. Little Natalie trotted along with stiff legs, like toddlers do, as she struggled to keep up with big sister Sarah. Bringing up the rear, a backpack for each girl slung over each shoulder, Jennifer tried to ignore the uneasy feeling that gnawed at her. She knew she should feel relieved; after all, Carol was a trusted friend, and the girls adored her, but the knowledge that this would be the last time she would see her daughters for quite some time killed her.

As Carol opened the front door, Jennifer forced a smile, desperate to keep up appearances.

“Hello, my sweeties.” Carol crouched down and hugged independent Sarah and troublesome little Natalie in turn. The two girls hugged their Aunty Carol – an honour bestowed upon her by Jennifer – and rushed inside in a fit of giggles. “Uncle Richard is in the kitchen,” she called over her shoulder. “He has Smarties!”

Jennifer waved goodbye to the girls as they disappeared from sight, promising herself it was just a temporary separation.

Carol sensed the sadness that cloaked Jennifer as they stood together on the porch. She took the backpacks from her friend and closed the door so the girls wouldn’t overhear their conversation. “Is everything alright, Jen?” she asked, her eyes scanning Jennifer’s face for any hint of trouble.

Jennifer hesitated for a moment, struggling with the truth of what she was about to do. She wanted to confide in Carol, her dearest and most trusted friend, that she was pregnant to a man that was not her husband, that they planned to run off together, and that she didn’t know if she would ever see Carol again. But the words caught in her throat. Instead, Jennifer forced out a small, brittle laugh. “Of course! Everything’s fine. Just a busy day ahead, you know how it is.”

Carol wasn’t convinced. She had known Jennifer long enough to recognise the mask that she sometimes wore, but Carol respected Jennifer’s privacy and understood that some things were not easily shared. “If you ever need anything, Jen, you know where to find me.” She placed a reassuring hand on her best friend’s arm.

Jennifer managed a nod. “Thank you, Carol. I appreciate it.” As she prepared to leave, a solemn expression crossed her face. “Promise me something.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Promise me you’ll always look after the girls,” Jennifer requested. “Promise me you’ll always be there for them and love them like I do.”

Carol felt a pang of worry ricochet through her body. She understood that this request wasn’t just about today – it was about something deeper, something that Jennifer couldn’t bring herself to say. “I promise,” Carol replied sincerely, her eyes locked with Jennifer’s. “The girls will always be safe with me.”

Jennifer managed a small, grateful smile and a thankful squeeze of Carol’s arm before turning away and walking back towards her car with heavy steps.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Honeysuckle Cottage,
Glendale

Charlotte stood by the mantelpiece wrapped in a fleece dressing gown with a mug of steaming tea in hand as her fingers traced a word carved into the wooden beam.

men

She didn’t notice as Michael tiptoed into the living room and sidled up behind her, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend’s waist and nuzzling a warm kiss into the side of her neck. Charlotte giggled as she surrendered to Michael’s embrace. “I wonder what it means,” she said, reaching back behind her head and running a hand through Michael’s dark, floppy hair as he moved his attention to nibble at her earlobe.

“Hmm?”

“Men.” Charlotte nodded towards the carved word in the mantelpiece. “I wonder what it means.”

“Probably just someone’s initials or something,” Michael mumbled without really listening, his attention unwavering from her soft skin as his hands slipped inside her dressing gown and explored her body. The truth was, they were initials, carved into the wooden beam two years earlier by Michael himself on one of his down days. Michael. Emily. Nick. A constant reminder of the family unit he had lost and missed greatly.

Charlotte’s gaze swept across the row of framed family photos that adorned the mantelpiece, and her eyes settled on a snap of Michael holding their shared young nephew, Nick. “Can you believe he’s already old enough for boarding school?”

Michael’s expression darkened, and he stepped back, disentangling himself from Charlotte. “What?” he snarled in response, fury instantly igniting within as horrible memories of his own experiences at boarding school burst inside his mind like fireworks. “Since when?”

Michael’s sudden change in demeanour concerned Charlotte. She placed her mug down on the mantelpiece with a gentle clunk and turned to face him fully. “James and Julia are taking him to Holdwick this week. I assumed they’d told everyone.”

Michael ran a hand through his hair as he began to pace back and forth, muttering something indecipherable under his breath before running a hand over his mouth. “Yeah, well, they didn’t.”

“I’m sorry, I just thought…” Charlotte’s voice trailed off and gave way to concern. She knew Michael well enough by now to know that the revelation threatened to derail his sobriety and send his mental health spiralling. She glanced at the clock on the wall and realised the hour. “I’m going to call mum and tell her I can’t make Sunday lunch.”

“No, don’t do that,” Michael replied, practically wearing away the carpet underfoot. “Go. You should go.”

“Mikie…”

“Go!” Michael’s booming voice filled the room, his arms flying about as a mix of anger, hurt, and fear flared in his eyes.

Charlotte nodded understandingly, not wanting to agitate her boyfriend more than she already had. She didn’t fully understand his reaction to their nephew’s change in circumstance, but, then again, Michael had always been very close and protective of the young boy, and Charlotte knew that the unresolved trauma that Michael carried from his childhood still impacted him all these years later. “Okay. I’ll just go have a shower.” She smiled and ran the back of her hand tenderly over her secret boyfriend’s unshaven cheek. “I love you.”

Michael didn’t respond. He didn’t even flinch.

Charlotte looked into Michael’s brown eyes one final time, desperately hoping to reach him before heading upstairs to the bathroom.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

Having packed a few essential items into a duffle bag, Jennifer hurried downstairs. The decision to start a new life together had been made weeks ago, yet the reality of it all weighed heavily on her heart. She glanced down at her belly and smiled, holding a hand against the curveball life had thrown her. She hadn’t meant to have an affair or fall in love, but the promise of a new life was exciting, and Jennifer couldn’t wait to start afresh. She dropped the duffle bag on the floor by the dining table and ran through the checklist in her mind. Jennifer took her favourite novel, a well-thumbed copy of The Bridges of Madison County, from the bookshelf and placed it on the table. She simply couldn’t leave without it.

Taking a deep breath, Jennifer sat down at the table, pen in hand. She needed to leave a note for Mark to clear her conscience, but how do you tell your husband you’ve run off with another man and never plan to return? What do you write to let your children know you felt horrible for abandoning them for your own selfish needs and desires? Sorry didn’t seem to cut it, but what more could she say?

My darling Marky Mark,
I am sorry. I regret the hurt I have caused more than you know. May you forgive me in time.
If anything happens to me, know that it was Julia Harrington-Jones. She will kill me for what I have done.
I am forever sorry.
Your Jenny xx

Tears blurred Jennifer’s vision as she signed her name, and the gravity of what she was about to do hit her. A sharp knock sounded at the door. Jennifer froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Mark wasn’t due back for hours, and it wasn’t time for her to leave just yet. There was another knock, this time harder.

Jennifer slipped the handwritten note into the back of the novel, hiding it away until it was time to leave. With cautious steps, she approached the door, her hand hovering over the handle. She glanced back at the living room, at the packed bag and the life she was about to leave behind. Should she pretend she wasn’t home?

Summoning her courage, Jennifer opened the door, and relief washed over her. It was her boss. It was her future. “James,” she said warmly, greeting the father of her unborn child with a loving smile.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Honeysuckle Cottage,
Glendale

Michael sat perched on the edge of the sofa in the living room, wringing his hands and anxiously rocking back and forth as he stared at the bottle of whisky on the coffee table. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol in over two years, not since that awful night when everything fell apart and he’d been arrested for punching an innocent man in the Oak & Vine, a conviction his family had conveniently made disappear. But today, the news he had received from Charlotte had shaken him to the core and threatened to unravel all the progress he had made.

The copper-coloured liquid inside the bottle seemed to call out to him and the promise of temporary oblivion was tantalisingly close. Michael picked up the bottle and traced the black Johnnie Walker label with his fingertips. Memories of days, sometimes weeks at a time, spent drowning his sorrows flooded his mind, reminding him of the haze he had fought so hard to escape.

With a heavy sigh, Michael placed the bottle back down on the table. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for his Sony Ericsson phone. He clicked through his contacts, hesitating for a moment before finding her name.

Emily

They had been through so much together, and she knew him better than anyone else. While Michael knew Charlotte felt she understood him, it was really only Emily who actually knew and understood him – the real him. Michael had no doubt that Emily would be just as upset as he was about what Julia and James were planning for Nick, and together they would protect their son from the tortures that Michael himself had endured at boarding school.

He pressed the call button. The phone rang once, twice, and three times before clicking over to an answering machine. Michael took a deep breath and began to speak.

“Hey, Em. It’s me, Mikie. I… I know I shouldn’t be calling, but we need to talk. Something happened today, and I’m struggling. I bought a bottle of whisky, and it’s staring at me right now. I don’t know what to do. I thought maybe… maybe hearing your voice would help. Also, it’s about Nick. James and Julia are packing him off to Holdwick, and, well, we need to stop them. Please call me back when you get this. I could really use your help right now. I miss you so much.”

Michael ended the call and returned his attention to the bottle. He licked his lips and ran a hand roughly across his mouth, trying ever so hard to fight temptation.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

James stood in the living room of Pineview House and surveyed the room of domestic banality. A scattering of framed family portraits covered the mantelpiece, bookended by candles in oversized glass hurricane candleholders filled with white sand, and a Live, Laugh, Love decal was fixed to the wall above the fireplace. It was the sort of suburban décor that James loathed.

“I didn’t think you were getting here until twelve,” Jennifer said with an air of excitement, glancing down at her wristwatch as she entered the living room. “Never mind, you’re here now. That’s all that matters.” With a warm smile on her face, she watched her boss study the photographs on the mantlepiece. For eighteen months she had been James’ personal assistant, but six months ago their relationship shifted and became physical. The thrill of a steamy and clandestine affair with her boss invigorated Jennifer and freed her from the mundane boredom that had become her life. She was no longer a wife and mother; she was a woman that someone desired. The sex was fervent and unconventional, something Jennifer had not experienced before. It opened her eyes and unlocked something deep within that she never knew she wanted.

Turning to meet his assistant’s hopeful eyes, James spied her duffle bag on the floor beside the dining table. He paused for the briefest of moments, allowing reality to sink in. “Look, Jen—”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve got everything.” Jennifer patted the pockets of her cotton floral dress, almost as if she were checking she had her keys, although she would no longer need them. “Actually, I might just nip upstairs and—”

“I can’t do this,” James interrupted bluntly, his expression cold as he watched Jennifer’s face contort with confusion. “I’m not leaving my wife, Jennifer. This… this was a mistake. I never meant for it to go this far.”

Jennifer’s face fell as disbelief and hurt washed over her features. The words rang true. She could tell from the serious expression on his face that James meant every word. “What? After everything we’ve talked about, after all the promises you made?”

James’ expression hardened. “Promises? You really think I was going to give up everything and leave my family for you? A pathetic housewife? You’re delusional, Jen. You were just a distraction.”

Jennifer staggered back at James’ cruelty, tears welling up in her eyes. She had turned her back on everything and everyone she loved and risked everything for a future with him, and now he threw it all back in her face, twisting the knife with nasty taunts to add insult to injury. “How can you be so cruel? I thought… I thought you loved me.”

James scoffed, shaking his head. It was pathetic really, like some fanciful juvenile romance. “Love?” His voice was laced with bitterness. “Don’t make me laugh. This was never about love, Jennifer. You were just there. You were convenient, and you were gagging for it.”

Each word landed like a heavy blow. Jennifer shook her head, trying to process the betrayal unfolding before her. “But… but we talked about a future together. You said—”

“Talk is cheap,” James interrupted. “Why would I leave Julia for someone like… ” His eyes looked over her coldly. Jennifer, all of five feet two, plain and pudgy, didn’t hold a candle to the elegant beauty of Julia. “I never had any intention of leaving my Julia. Did you really think I would leave her for you? You were nothing but a fuck, Jennifer. An easy, unforgettable fuck.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by Jennifer’s stifled sobs. She wiped at her tears, trying to gather her composure. Every nasty word spat her way cut deeply. She felt stupid and humiliated. How could she have been so willing to give everything up? How could she have believed James loved her? Jennifer knew what he was like; she dealt with him every day. He was nasty, narcistic, and cold. How had she fallen for his Hugh Grant looks and charm so easily?

“Unpack your bag and get on with your pathetic little life, Jennifer.” James nodded in the direction of the duffle bag lying on the floor. “And don’t bother coming in to work tomorrow. You’re fired.”

James brushed past Jennifer, knocking her shoulder with a purposefully hard shove, as he crossed the living room and headed towards the door, ready to walk away from the wreckage he had caused.

“I’m pregnant.”

James stopped in his tracks. Tension mounted, and the room began to crackle with pulsating energy as the revelation hung in the air. Slowly, James turned back to Jennifer. “What did you say?”

As humiliation gave way to anger, Jennifer set her shoulders and steeled herself for battle. She wasn’t going down without a fight. “I’m pregnant,” she repeated. “And you’re the father.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

In the lavish drawing room of Ashbourne House, Julia and Nick sat on a plush beige velvet Chesterfield sofa, the young boy snuggled into his mother and her arm wrapped lovingly around his shoulders as they watched his favourite Cartoon Network show, “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.” Julia cherished every snigger and giggle, knowing that their time together would soon come to an end as Nick went off to Holdwick and these sweet moments would be nothing but a distant memory. She brushed the chestnut brown fringe from his eyes and kissed the top of his head tenderly.

Julia’s gaze moved to the large sash windows that lined the north wall of the room. Outside, the sky grew darker, and a light drizzle fell over the immaculately maintained gardens. In the distance, movement caught her attention as Michael’s unmistakable silver Aston Martin Vantage hurtled down the gravel driveway. She winced at the speed at which the car was travelling along the uneven and slippery path and knew it meant only one thing – her younger brother had fallen off the waggon.

“Marta, will you take Nicky upstairs, please?” Julia said to the young nanny in a calm and measured voice, not wanting to alert her young son to the chaos that was hurtling towards them.

As Nick and Marta headed upstairs without question or hesitation, Julia turned off the television with the remote control, straightened herself, and braced for impact. The gravel under the tyres of Michael’s car crunched and rumbled as the car skidded to an abrupt stop. A car door slammed. Julia took in a long, deep breath. Then there came a forceful and frenzied pounding at the heavy oak front door. The noise was so deafening and constant that Julia knew her brother was bashing away at it with both hands.

“Mikie,” Julia greeted with a mixture of feigned politeness and genuine concern. Her brother stood swaying slightly on the doorstep. His normally neat appearance was dishevelled, and the stench of alcohol leeched out of him, confirming her worst fears.

“What the fuck are you doing to my son?” Michael snarled with a slight slur. His brown eyes, usually bright, were bloodshot and glazed over. Without being invited in, he shunted past Julia and stumbled over the threshold, unsteady on his feet.

With a look of shock, Julia closed the door behind him and swallowed the lump in her throat. She couldn’t deny that part of her had been expecting this confrontation for months, and she knew it was only a matter of time before Michael had learnt about their plans for Nick’s schooling. While she had suggested to James that they should tell him sooner rather than later, her husband thought he knew best and had decided that they would wait until Nick was safely away before dropping the bomb. At the time, Julia had believed it was a mistake, and now her instincts were confirmed. Seeing the state her brother was in, she realised that she had underestimated the considerable impact the news would have on her troubled sibling. “Oh, Mikie,” she sighed, attempting to keep her voice steady and show concern but instead coming off as patronising. “Look at the state of you. Maybe we should talk another time.”

“No!” Michael’s voice rose sharply. “We need to talk now! Why the fuck are you going to destroy my son, Julia?”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

“You’re lying!” James choked out the words with disbelief as his hands clenched into fists and he tried to absorb the shock of Jennifer’s revelation.

“No,” Jennifer replied defiantly as she stood in front of him. “This is your baby.” She held a hand to her stomach.

James ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. This couldn’t be happening. He had a family, a powerful reputation, and a successful career – all of which would be shattered if the truth got out. Panic gnawed at his insides, but he had to maintain control. “Get rid of it!”

Jennifer recoiled. “What?”

“You heard me! Get an abortion. Terminate it. Get rid of it!”

Jennifer’s eyes flashed with anger, and she shook her head in disbelief. “You really think you can just order me to do that? This isn’t work, James! You can’t tell me what to do to my own body!”

“It’s the only way,” James insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. “Think about what this will do to my business. Think about my family. Think about how this will impact me!”

There it was. The repugnant selfishness that Jennifer had long ignored. James didn’t care about her or how their affair and subsequent pregnancy would impact their families; he only cared about how it would impact him. Jennifer’s face twisted in scorn. “Your family? What about mine? What about what this does to me?”

“This is why you need to GET RID OF THAT THING!” James roared, his tone sharp and every word enunciated with clear precision. A sudden flush of scarlet washed over his furious face as he charged towards his assistant, stopping centimetres from her face.

The feelings that Jennifer felt for her boss dissolved in an instant, and she refused to capitulate to the demands of his childish tantrum. She had been a fool for thinking James loved her. She had come so close to turning her back on everything for him, and now, in the cold light of day, with the truth out in the open, she could see exactly what a horrible, vile, and nasty monster he truly was. “I am not getting rid of my child,” she hissed, holding his glare and meeting his hostility. “And it will be a cold day in hell before you ever get to tell me what to do again!”

James seethed. His lips twitched and curled with a snarl. His eyes narrowed to slits. “I will fucking destroy you!”

Jennifer laughed bitterly, unphased by James’ threats. “You forget that I know where the bodies are buried, boss,” she taunted. A smile played on her lips, and her eyes sparkled with a sense of freedom as Jennifer realised that she had nothing left to lose. “I know every dodgy deal, every illegal transaction, and every disgusting indiscretion that you’ve ever done.”

James stiffened. “You’re mentally ill.”

Jennifer inched closer, their eyes locked and their noses practically touching. “No, I’m not,” she hissed with a lethal glare. “But if I’m going to lose everything, then it seems only fair that you should too. You’ve destroyed my life, James, and now I’m going to destroy yours.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

“Answer me!” Michael’s bloodshot eyes burned with tears as he unsteadily loomed over his sister.

Julia could smell the alcohol on Michael’s breath. It was obvious he had been on a bender. “Michael—”

“FUCKING ANSWER ME!”

Julia gulped heavily. She had never seen her little brother in such a state, and it terrified her. There was a nastiness and a hatred that burned bright in his glassy eyes. “We’re not destroying Nicky,” she said in a calm and measured tone, trying to retain control of the situation. “I love my son.”

“HE’S MY SON!” Michael bellowed and lashed out an arm before pounding heavily on his chest. Julia flinched instinctively. “HE’S MY SON!” He ran a hand through his dishevelled dark hair and broke down in heavy tears that made his shoulders heave with each sob. “He’s mine.”

Julia’s heart ached for her brother. She understood it had to be hard for him to be so close yet so far from his offspring, but it was for the best, and Julia refused to apologise for giving Nick the life he deserved, the life he never would have had with Michael and Emily. “You know this is for the best,” she began, struggling to find the right words. “We love him and—”

“I love him! Emily loves him! We love him!” Michael shot back between sobs as he pounded on his chest and then wiped his nose on the back of his hand. “You stole him from me, and now you’re sending him away! You don’t know what those places do to a kid, Julia! You don’t fucking know!”

Julia felt an irritated anger rise within. “We never stole him!” she hissed, trying to remain calm but feeling the mask slipping. “We saved him! We gave him the life you never could!” Julia jabbed a finger into Michael’s shoulder. “And you know what? Seeing you like this just proves that he’s better off without a crackhead like you in his life!”

Julia’s words were a gut punch, and Michael could see the genuine disgust in her eyes as she looked him up and down. His heart tore in two, and there were no words he could utter that would convey the pure heartbreak and hurt his sister had inflicted on him.

“Fuck you, Julia,” he whispered breathlessly before shoving past her, opening the front door and staggering out into the heavy rain that began to fall.

Julia stood in the open doorway and watched her brother’s Aston Martin screech off down the driveway. An unfamiliar feeling of guilt settled over her, and she let out a deep sigh, promising to make things right with Michael in the morning when he was sober.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

“Oh really?” An obnoxiously smug smile played on James’ lips. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

Jennifer’s mouth tightened, and her glare narrowed. The heady passion that had once united them gave way to a deep, mutual hatred. “I’m going to go and tell Julia all about us,” she warned and arched an eyebrow, realising the ace up her sleeve. “I have all the evidence I need to prove what a disgustingly vile man you really are.”

James hesitated, taken aback by Jennifer’s confidence. As he watched her rub a hand over her stomach, he quickly realised he had grossly underestimated her. Jennifer wasn’t playing. She had him backed into a corner. Every secret, every lie, every little thing that could ruin him both professionally and personally, Jennifer knew. She had witnessed it first-hand, and she had everything she needed to destroy him. In the heat of the moment, James realised that Jennifer was a dangerous threat that needed to be neutralised.

As his eyes clouded over in fury, James suddenly reached out and clamped his hands around Jennifer’s throat. The attack made her whimper in terror as she struggled to break herself free from his vicelike grip. With a terrifyingly cold stare, James looked into his employee’s eyes as he began to strangle the life out of her. His hands trembled as his grip intensified. He had no other option. He had to kill her to keep his secrets safe.

Jennifer thrashed about, her eyes bulging in fear as she struggled to free herself. She dug her nails into James’ fingers as hard as she possibly could and cut into the skin in a desperate bid to escape. It only seemed to make him squeeze harder. She struggled, her body making gasps and grunts as her airways were beginning to be crushed under the immense force of James’ tight grip. Jennifer could feel her chest straining and her body jerking as it battled for an unrestricted oxygen supply. Her face grew redder, and she fought as hard as she could, never losing eye contact. If James was going to kill her, she wanted to make sure her final moments haunted him for the rest of his days. With one final attempt at freedom, Jennifer kneed him in the testicles.

A deep cry escaped James as he buckled and fell to the floor. With a sudden gasp, Jennifer held her throat. She was free. Her chest heaved as she resumed breathing, the rush of air filling her lungs in ragged bursts, and adrenalin surged through her veins. As James writhed in agony on the floor, Jennifer watched him, shocked at what he had just done. The man she had risked everything for, the man whose baby she was carrying, the man she loved, had tried to kill her.

“I’ll fucking kill you!” James bellowed with a gravelly malevolence as he grabbed hold of her ankle.

Fear and panic gripped Jennifer as she frantically tried to kick him off. In the frenetic movement, she managed to break James’ strong hold, striking him in the stomach and face as she did. “Help!” she screamed in desperation, running through the living room and out into the hallway, taking advantage of James’ temporary immobility. She snatched her keys from the wooden key hook and pulled open the front door. “Help me!”

Scrambling to his feet, James gingerly chased after her, determined to silence Jennifer by any means necessary. Running outside into the rain that started to sweep over the village, James saw Jennifer’s ruby-red Volvo V70 screech off down Queen Victoria Street and set off in the direction of Ashbourne House.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

London Road,
Glendale

Michael gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as the rain grew heavier and pounded against the windscreen of his Aston Martin Vantage. Julia’s cruel remark played on repeat in his mind like a broken record, each word a sharp arrow piercing his heart while the wipers swept back and forth, trying to clear his vision.

As Michael turned onto the slick, winding road that led away from Ashbourne House, tears streamed down his face. He had never felt so misunderstood or so alone.

-:-

Jennifer’s hands trembled on the steering wheel as rain lashed against her windscreen, blurring the familiar sights of the village that she left in her wake. Turning onto London Road from Queen Victoria Street, terror gripped her heart as she spotted James’ black Jaguar XJ in the rearview mirror, roaring up the road behind her. The headlights of his vehicle pierced through the downpour, illuminating the fat raindrops like shards of shattered glass.

Jennifer’s pulse quickened, and as she pressed harder on the accelerator, the engine of her sedan strained to keep pace. She stole another glance in the mirror, her breath catching as James’ car drew closer. The village faded into the distance behind her while ahead, Ashbourne House rose up from among the hills.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

Mark trudged through the front door. His cricket gear was soaked through from the rain that had abruptly ended their match. He kicked off his muddy shoes in the hallway and cursed under his breath. They had been winning when the umpire decided the field was too soaked to continue.

“Shotgun first shower!” Sebastian said as he bundled inside after his father, dripping wet and looking like a drowned rat.

As Sebastian hurried upstairs, stripping off his wet clothes as he went, Mark made his way into the living room and immediately noticed something out of place – the duffle bag sitting on the floor. Frowning, Mark glanced around, expecting to see Jennifer bustling about preparing lunch as she usually did on a Sunday afternoon. But the house was quiet, almost unnervingly so.

“Jen?” he called out, setting his cricket bat against the wall. There was no answer. Mark walked over to the bag and crouched down, unzipping it curiously. Inside were clothes and toiletries – things Jennifer might pack for a short trip. His mind raced. “Babe?”

Mark stood up, his heart beginning to pound a bit faster, and he noticed the well-thumbed copy of “The Bridges of Madison County” on the dining table. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands before returning it to the tabletop. Mark checked his phone – no missed calls or messages. This wasn’t like Jennifer at all. She was always meticulous about letting him know where she was, especially if she was going out for any length of time. Mark stared at the duffle bag as a worrying anxiety began to consume him.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

London Road,
Glendale

The rain that had initially started as a drizzle was now a torrential downpour. As Michael’s silver Aston Martin Vantage hurtled down the slippery and winding London Road, rain lashed the windscreen as the wipers struggled to clear away the water. Michael was travelling fast – far too fast for such a hazardous stretch of road in such dangerous conditions. As he barrelled towards the treacherous hook turn known to locals as Devil’s Elbow, his Sony Ericsson buzzed insistently on the passenger seat.

-:-

The rain-slicked road blurred beneath Jennifer’s speeding car, and the tyres hissed on the wet asphalt as she pushed the accelerator harder. Her heart pounded with adrenaline. Behind her, headlights pierced through the torrential rain as James’ car pursued her relentlessly and the gap between them closed.

-:-

The familiar robotic chimes of his phone continued to remind Michael of the incoming call. He had so far ignored it, but curiosity got the better of him. With a hesitant glance, he reached for the silver device, and the screen displayed a name he was excited to see.

Emily

Glancing back at the road, Michael’s mouth dropped open as he saw a pair of headlights headed straight for him.

-:-

Jennifer’s focus was split between James’ vehicle that was gaining on her rapidly and the slippery road ahead. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the steering wheel tightly while the rain continued to pour relentlessly. The world outside her windscreen was a blur of water and mist, until suddenly, through the downpour, she saw headlights approaching directly in her lane. Her heart leapt into her throat as she realised that the car wasn’t swerving – it was heading straight for her.

-:-

The headlights of Jennifer’s Volvo lit up Michael’s face, and his eyes widened in horror. There wasn’t time to brake, and even if there was, the rain had made the road as slippery as ice, so there was little chance of stopping in time.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl, and each raindrop hung suspended in the air like a diamond.

Jennifer jerked the steering wheel instinctively, but it was too late.

The impact was deafening, a violent symphony of twisted metal and shattering glass. Their cars collided head-on with a force that reverberated through Jennifer’s body while Michael, not wearing a seatbelt, was catapulted through the windscreen, his lean body tossed about like a rag doll before slamming into the roadside with a bone-crushingly brutal force. He tumbled several metres before coming to rest in the bracken and bramble of the verge. The airbags exploded into existence, and Jennifer’s Volvo spun several times before coming to a stop.

Following close behind, James slammed on his brakes, stopping a few metres away from the horrific scene he had just witnessed.

Silence.

Rain fell like tears from a weeping sky.

Silence.

James sat in his car, his breath short and sharp as he looked at the scene of carnage and devastation before him. His mind struggled to comprehend the reality of what he had just witnessed. With trembling hands, he opened the car door and stepped out into the rain.

Steam from the mangled wreck of Jennifer’s vehicle twisted into the sky. Shattered glass glistened in the light like twinkling stars. Pieces of crumpled metal and broken plastic littered the roadway. A thick trail of smeared blood stained the asphalt and led James’ eyes to the crumpled and broken body lying at the roadside. He winced and looked away, unable to absorb the horrific sight. The driving rain had soaked James’ cricket whites, and his sopping wet hair hung over his face. He turned his attention back to Jennifer’s car, and through the fractured windscreen, he caught a glimpse of her motionless body, illuminated by the flickering dashboard lights. Tentatively, he approached the driver’s side of the vehicle as the sound of broken glass crunched underfoot. The driver’s window was shattered, and Jennifer’s body was slumped over the steering wheel, her broken and bloodied face angled towards him. Shaking, James reached inside and pressed two trembling fingers against Jennifer’s neck. There was a pulse.

Jennifer’s eyes fluttered open. “Help… me,” she croaked in a voice that was barely above a whisper. Unable to lift her head, Jennifer gingerly reached for her boss with a bloodied hand. She grabbed hold of the sleeve of his knitted white jumper but was unable to maintain her grip. James instinctively took a step back. “James… help… please.”

James gulped and licked his lips. His heart thundered against his ribs like a trapped bird desperate to flee its cage. “I’ll get help,” he stammered, looking back to his car stopped in the middle of the road. “I’ll get help.”

-:-

Michael lay sprawled on the cold, wet road as the relentless patter of raindrops fell around him. He could taste the metallic tang of blood; his body ached, and each breath was laboured and painful. Critically injured, Michael managed to pry open his eyes. The world around him blurred, the headlights from the crashed cars shot beams of light into the sheets of rain, and, off in the distance, he recognised James as he walked back towards his black Jaguar. Michael tried to call out for his brother-in-law’s help, but he couldn’t move or speak. It hurt too much, and his body was unwilling to cooperate. With every fading heartbeat, a pulse of agony shot through him.

-:-

The rain grew heavier, and as James walked back towards Jennifer’s crumpled vehicle, his heart hammered in his chest. Soaked through, James’ breath steamed in short, sharp puffs. He approached the driver’s side and again saw Jennifer’s pale face. The breath caught in his throat.

Jennifer’s eyes fluttered open, and she met James’ stare one final time. “The baby…” she managed to whisper softly. “The baby…”

James let out a deep exhale of breath and his hands trembled slightly. In his right hand, held flat against his side and out of Jennifer’s view, was a wheel wrench. “Forgive me,” he said coldly and lifted the heavy tool.

-:-

Barely conscious, Michael’s bloodshot eyes trained on James, and he watched his brother-in-law deliver the two violent blows that ended Jennifer Sinclair’s life. His breathing grew shallow, and his pulse weakened. Just as Michael felt himself slipping away, his phone, damaged and lying on the road only a few short feet away, rang once again. Weakly, he tried to move, to reach for it, to answer the call, but his body refused to obey. A tear pooled in the corner of Michael’s eye as he could just make out the name on the screen.

Emily

The ringing persisted, and Michael silently willed his broken body to move. But it didn’t. It couldn’t. Then, as suddenly as it began, the ringing stopped. Silence enveloped him once more, broken only by the steady drumming of raindrops on metal. A single tear rolled down Michael’s cheek as his own mortality dawned on him, and he realised he would never again hear Emily’s voice, never again hold Charlotte close, never again share another moment of laughter with Julia, and never again see his son.

“Emily…” Michael whispered so faintly that it was drowned out by the rain. With a final, shuddering breath, he let his last word be carried away on the breeze and slowly closed his eyes for the final time.

-:-

James stared at Jennifer’s lifeless body with a weird feeling of horror mixed with relief at what he had just done. Amidst the eerie silence, a shrill ring pierced the air. James turned and looked towards where the sound was coming from. It was only then that he noticed the crumpled wreck of his brother-in-law’s car. James froze, a wave of disbelief washing over him and a knot tightening in his stomach as he looked back at Michael’s body lying in the bracken and bramble of the roadside. He rushed over and immediately clasped a hand over his mouth, as, up close, the sight of Michael’s horrifically broken body was almost too much to comprehend.

“Mikie?” James said in a breathless whisper as he knelt beside his brother-in-law and felt for a pulse. There wasn’t one. James recoiled in horror, and his body trembled uncontrollably. A few feet away, Michael’s phone flashed up again with another call.

Emily

A heavy frown settled over James’ brow, but suddenly, headlights glared in the distance. They were approaching fast. Panic surged through him, and without another thought, James dashed back to his own car and adrenaline pushed him to flee the scene before whoever was coming arrived.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

Mark paced back and forth in the living room of Pineview House, his phone pressed against his ear as he waited for Carol to answer. Each ring felt like an eternity, and with every passing second, his worry deepened. Finally, on the fourth ring, Carol picked up.

“Hello, sweets.” Her usual cheerful greeting came down the line.

“Carol, have you heard from Jen?” Mark blurted out, unable to hide his urgency.

There was a brief pause on the other end. “She dropped the girls off a couple of hours ago, but besides that I—”

“What?” Mark interjected, his forehead crumpling into a heavy frown. “What do you mean she dropped the girls off?”

“She asked the other day if I could watch Sarah and Natalie for a few hours. Of course, I don’t mind and—”

“Did she say why?”

“No,” Carol replied. “I just assumed she was going to watch the cricket match.”

Mark hesitated for a moment, trying to piece everything together. “She never showed, and then when Seb and I got home, there’s a packed bag but no sign of Jen. I’ve been trying to call her, but she’s not answering.”

“Oh,” Carol replied softly. “Come to think of it, when she dropped the girls off earlier, she seemed a bit off.”

“Off? How so?”

“She made me promise to always look after them,” Carol said, scrambling to collect her own thoughts as she began to share Mark’s concerns. “It was all a bit strange, really.”

Mark felt his heart fall to the pit of his stomach. Something was seriously wrong.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

The sound of the front door opening made Julia’s heart skip a beat. She had been sitting on the couch, her mind racing with worry and regret over her heated argument with Michael. Julia’s initial relief at hearing the door swing open, thinking her brother had returned, quickly turned to confusion when she saw her husband James step into the foyer.

“James?” She exclaimed, standing up abruptly. “You’re back early! Why are you so wet?”

James glanced at her with a forced smile, trying to appear nonchalant despite the beads of water dripping from his hair onto the floor. “The game was called off because of the rain, and I got a flat tyre on the way home,” he lied. “I got soaked trying to change it.”

Julia frowned, eyeing him suspiciously. “Did you see Michael on your way back?”

James hesitated, his gaze flickering away for a moment. “No. Why? What’s he done now?”

Julia followed her husband to the base of the staircase. “We had an argument earlier. He stormed out, and I haven’t heard from him since.”

“I’m sure he’ll turn up,” James replied, forcing the horrific scene of carnage and death from his mind. “He probably just needed some time to cool off.”

Julia nodded in agreement, but as James held the bannister and started up the stairs, her eyes narrowed as she noticed a faint stain on the sleeve of James’ cricket whites – a dark, reddish-brown smear that stood out against the crisp white fabric. “What’s that on your sleeve?”

James glanced down and immediately pulled it back, as if suddenly self-conscious. “Oh, it’s probably just mud or something from changing the tyre,” he said, his face paling slightly, and for a moment, guilt flashed across his features. “I’ll just go have a shower.”

Before his wife could say another word, James turned and hurried upstairs. Julia eyed her husband suspiciously. They had been married long enough for her to know when he wasn’t telling the truth, and right now, James was lying through his teeth.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Glendale Hall,
Glendale

In the lavish drawing room of her mother’s stately sandstone Georgian manor, Charlotte reclined on the rather uncomfortable Chesterfield sofa and clicked through the photos on her Samsung GX-10 camera as she waited to be called to lunch. She smiled with affection as she looked at the pictures that she had shot earlier that morning while she and Michael lounged about in bed.

As she continued to click through the photos, Charlotte stopped when she came across one that made her heart melt. The two young lovers, wrapped in each other’s arms, smiled back at her and looked like the picture of happiness. Charlotte ran a finger across the screen of the camera, tenderly tracing Michael’s chiselled features, and felt a warmth envelop her. She loved him and couldn’t help but be excited about what the future held for them. Michael was, without doubt, the love of her life, and she quickly decided that they should no longer hide in the shadows. They should tell their families about their romance, no matter what the consequences.

“I love you, Mikie,” Charlotte whispered sweetly as she continued to look at the photo. “With all my heart.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

The minutes stretched on, and with each passing tick of the clock, Mark felt more and more anxious. Carol had arrived with his daughters, but the absence of Jennifer continued to worry him. He had paced the living room, checked his phone repeatedly for any missed calls or messages, and even considered calling the hospitals in the area.

Just as Mark decided to contact the police himself, there was a sharp knock on the door. When he opened it, two uniformed police officers stood before him. One was a portly, middle-aged man, while the other was a younger woman whose expression seemed a mix of nerves and sympathy.

“Mark Sinclair?” The older officer asked with a gentleness to his voice that was alarming.

Mark nodded, his throat suddenly dry. “Yes, that’s me. Is everything alright? Is this about Jennifer?”

The officers exchanged a look before the older officer spoke again. “Mister Sinclair, may we come in? We need to speak with you about something.”

It was bad news. There was no doubt in Mark’s mind. He stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Carol, who had been in the kitchen with the girls, appeared in the doorway.

“Is everything okay?” She asked, mirroring Mark’s concern.

The officers exchanged another glance before the older one spoke again, addressing Mark directly. “Mister Sinclair, I’m afraid there’s been an accident.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

In the master bedroom, James hurriedly stuffed his bloodied cricket jumper into a black bin bag. With calculated calmness, he placed the bag in the darkest corner of the cupboard behind old winter coats and forgotten shoes and closed the door. He let out a steadying breath and silently confirmed his plan to destroy the evidence later, once the initial panic subsided and everyone was distracted by the enormity of the tragedy.

Downstairs, there came a knock at the door, and James knew what was next. He held his breath as he heard the muffled greeting as Julia answered. Cautiously, James moved out onto the landing and stayed close to the wall as he watched the police deliver the devastating news to Julia that Michael was dead. He sucked in his lips and fought back tears as he watched Julia cover her mouth with her hand before her legs gave way, and she sank to the floor, her sobs echoing in the empty hallway as she let out a heartbreaking wail from the darkest depths of her soul. The pain was raw, and James knew that from that day on, life would never be the same again.

NEXT TIME…

• With the secrets mounting, Nick and Jasmine’s engagement party gets underway.