And I was half asleep so.” "So you reacted?" "Yeah. "So tonight I'd gone to bed and she came in, got into bed with me and started, started touching me. He doesn't want to know about Nick's sex life - or lack of it - with Adalind. So I keep saying no, I don't want that, not yet, maybe not ever." Sean is not at all sure he wants to hear any more of this. She can be cute and funny and she loves Kelly, sometimes I want us to be a proper family." "But?" "But every time we get close, you know physically, I think about Juliette, about what happened to, to get Kelly. And sometimes it seems like it's heading that way, you know. "Adalind, she wants us to have, uh, a 'proper' relationship. "Nick, what's happened." He's still not sure if Nick is angry or upset. After a few seconds of watching Nick's rising frustration Sean takes the phone out of his hand, completes the message, presses send. Sean is startled to see how much he is shaking. I don't somehow think Adalind will react well to not knowing where he is." Nick pulls out his phone, starts to type a message. "Do you think you should let her know? At least that Kelly is safe and with you. "And does Adalind know where you are? Where Kelly is?" Nick shakes his head. "Nick, is Adalind alright?" "Oh, she's fine." So Adalind is the cause, not the victim. Sean wonders, has something happened to Adalind or has Adalind done something? He puts the hot mug in Nick's hands, sits next to him on the couch, takes a sip of his own drink (he hates tea with honey) and is pleased to see that Nick mirrors, takes a drink from his.Īfter a few minutes Nick is visibly calming and puts down his mug, looks around as though a little surprised to find himself here. He makes both of them a drink, adds honey and a little cold water, takes it back through to Nick. Sean contemplates the whisky decanter for a moment but then goes to the kitchen and finds tea at the back of the cupboard. Nick might recognise the putting-a-witness-at-ease-101 tactics but they're working anyway, Nick is sitting back a fraction further, looks like he's actually in contact with the cushion now. He turns up the heat, switches on lamps, keeps up a bland running commentary on what he's doing. He's sitting on the edge of the couch, eyes scanning the room, seems poised to launch himself up and away. Sean would like to go and get dressed but he doesn't want to leave Nick: he's interviewed enough nervous witnesses and uncertain complainants to know from Nick's body language that he could quite likely be straight back out the door. After saying Adalind's name he seems to have run out of words. Nick puts the car seat and the bag he's carrying down, adjusts the blanket covering Kelly, sits on the couch. When the first word out of Nick's mouth is 'Adalind' he guesses the latter. Something has happened, that's clear, but what? He thinks he's fairly far down on Nick's list of supportive friends so either they are all out of town or this is something more specific. He's carrying Kelly in a car seat, the baby is fast asleep. Nick is there, looking pale and as though he got dressed in the dark. He goes straight down, even though he's only wearing sleep pants, unlocks the door. At first he can't quite make out what Nick is saying, "Nick, calm down, where are you?" "I'm at your front door." He sits up, runs his hand over his face and answers the call. It's quarter to one in the morning when Sean's phone rings. Age 3 months: Laughs, smiles, recognises your face and scent