Walking back from the bathroom, Daniel stopped, convinced he'd heard a noise. He listened carefully. It was coming from Lucy's room. He went to her door and listened again. She was sobbing. He knocked softly.
"Lucy?"
There was no reply.
Daniel slowly pushed the door open. Lucy was huddled under her covers crying. He sat on the edge of her bed and waited. After a few minutes Lucy emerged from the covers, her faced red and tea stained. She immediately reached up and hugged her father.
"Hey now," he said softly, "What's upsetting you so much? You've been so happy lately. Want to talk to your old dad or do you want me to leave you alone?"
Lucy moved away from her dad's hug and gave him a watery smile. "It's Paul."
"I guessed it was something to do with him when you came home this evening."
Lucy nodded. She explained to her father what her friends at work had said and then what John had told her.
"I don't know what to think dad," she told him, tears rolling down her face, "It scares me. I don't want it to be like me and Hugo all over again!"
"Does Paul know about Hugo and that you were engaged?"
She nodded. "And what happened afterwards."
"How did he react?"
"He said it was a appalling thing to do to someone. But dad, that's exactly what he did to his girlfriend except she walked in and found him in bed with another woman!"
Daniel shook his head. "So what's going through your mind now?"
"I'm not sure dad," Lucy began to cry again, "I keep thinking I should end it now, before he can hurt me but..." She stopped, shaking her head.
"But what sweetheart."
"I love him dad. I know we've not been together long but, well there's just something about him, we just click." She wiped the tears from her face, "I want to be with him!"
"Maybe you need to slow things down a little," her father suggested, "Take more time. Maybe not spend so much time with him so things don't seem so intense. It might help you be sure before you take things further Lucy."
Lucy started sobbing again. "Oh dad! It's too late for that!"
"What do you mean sweetheart?"
She looked at her father and gave him a grim smile. "We've already taken things further dad. He's had what he wanted so what do I do now? End it before he dumps me or wait to be dumped?"
"How can you be sure he'll dump you?"
"But dad..."
"Lucy love, Paul seems very keen on you. When he rang last night, he was very concerned that you walked out. He was worried. He said you were really out of sorts."
"Last night?" Lucy asked eagerly, "When did Paul ring last night?"
"It was about ten minutes after you arrived home. He wanted to be sure you were safe...you promised to phone when you got in but didn't."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"You were in the shower love. He called back again but you were already asleep. I tried calling you. Anyway, Paul said to tell you he love you and he'd call tomorrow...or, looking at the clock, later today. I don't think a man planning on ending things would behave like that Lucy, do you?"
"So what do you think I should do dad? If you were me?"
"Well, being a humble man, I can't proclaim to have the complex emotions you have Lucy, however I do recognize when a man is in love. Anyone can see that Paul loves you Lucy. Talk to him. Tell him what you've been told, especially by his so called friend and see what he says. You can't make any decisions until you've done that."
Lucy hugged her father once more. "Oh dad, thank you! I know you're right! I love you!"
"And I love you Lucy." He kissed the top of her head, "How many times have I held you and comforted you like this at night? I think I've lost count! I know you're a grown woman Lucy love, but you'll always be my little girl. I want you to be happy and it means a lot that you talk to me. Don't ever be afraid to tell me things love."
"I won't dad." Lucy smiled up at him, "It means hell of a lot to me to know I can tell you things and you don't judge or criticise me."
Daniel gave Lucy one last hug. "Now, try and get some sleep so that you're fresh for talking to Paul tomorrow."
Lucy nodded. "Night dad."
"Good night sweetheart."
Daniel was sat in the kitchen enjoying the morning newspaper and a cup of tea. He heard the doorbell ring. As it was only 7,30am, he assumed it was the postman. After hurrying down the hall, he opened the front door.
"Paul?"
"Hi Daniel," he gave the man a quick smile, "I'm sorry it's so early but I wanted to catch Lucy. You know, to see if she was OK after last night? I wasn't sure if she was working today. Is she here?"
"Yes, she's here but she's still in bed."
"Oh. OK." Daniel saw Paul's face sag with disappointment, "In that case I'll go. Sorry to disturb your morning. Would you tell Lucy I called round please?" He turned to leave.
Daniel felt sorry for the young man. Clearly he was as desperate to see Lucy as Lucy was to see him. "Paul, don't go!" he called
Paul turned, looking hopeful. "Oh?"
"I heard Lucy moving round a few minutes ago. Why don't you go up to see her?"
"Now?"
Daniel nodded. "Her room is the third door on the left." He stepped to one side to allow Paul into the house.
"You're sure?"
"Yes, go on. Before she nods off again. I'm sure she'll be delighted to see you."
Paul stammered his thanks then took the stair two at a time. Counting the doors, he reached Lucy's room. He knocked but there was no answer. Suddenly Paul heard the sound of running water in the bathroom and guessed that's where Lucy was. After deliberating for a few seconds, he slipped into her room. He looked around the bright pleasant room. Lucy's nurse uniform hung on the back of the door. A collection of photographs hung of the wall. There was a lovely one of a young Lucy with a woman whom Paul assumed was her mum. He perched carefully on the edge of the bed and waited. The bathroom door opened and, hearing the soft tread of her feet on the landing, Paul stood up to greet her.
"Hello my love." He said gently as she came into the room.
"PAUL! What re you doing here!"
He smiled as she stood tousled haired and pyjama clad. She looked adorable. "I called to see if you were alright after last night. You weren't yourself. Your dad sent me up. I hope you don't mind?" He stepped forward to kiss her but was stunned when Lucy stepped back from him. "Lucy, what's wrong?"
She climbed back into her bed. "I'm tired."
"Lucy please, I know it's more than that. Please talk to me!" He sat on the bed facing her, "Please!"
She stared at him, fighting back tears.
"Oh Lucy, what is it?"
"Why didn't you tell me about Jane?"
"Jane?"
"Yes Paul!" she snapped, "Jane, your fiancée!"
"My engagement to Jane ended six months or more before I met you Lucy." He began, "What is there to tell you?"
"Why did it end?"
"Lucy, I told, she dumped me."
"Why?"
"Does it matter?"
"To me it does."
"It just fizzled out."
"LIAR!" She cried, "You lying bastard Paul!"
"Lucy...?"
She rounded on him, telling about the discussion with her friends and John's treatment of her the previous evening. "So when is it Paul?"
"When's what?"
"When's it my turn to be dumped? You've already had me in your bed so surely dropping me like a stone is on the card fairly soon? Well?" She wiped the tears from her face. "Tell me!"
Paul took her hands, "Lucy, I don't ever want to end things. I love you in a way I never loved anyone else...including Jane! Please, you have to believe me!"
"How can I!" she cried, "How can I believe you when even your own so called friend says that's how you treat women? Paul, I want you to leave. We're done with. I don't want you to come near me ever again!"
"Lucy no!" Paul begged, tears beginning to roll down his cheeks. "Don't do this to us!"
"I have to! I can't go through what I suffered with Hugo all over again! Now leave!"
"OK, OK. I'll go but just listen to me once more then I'll leave."
"But.."
"Please Lucy, Just let me have my say."
"OK but it won't change anything!"
"Do you remember that evening when you found me sat in the back of the church?"
She nodded.
"Well, we came here and we talked. You told me I seemed depressed and I did something I've never done before."
"What?"
"I opened up to you Lucy. I never open up to anyone...ever...not since loosing my mum. I hold everything in."
"So?"
"Lucy, I told you how disillusioned I was in life. That I'd made some bad choices and hurt a lot of people. Do you remember?"
She nodded.
"I admit I've never treated women well. I don't know why then when I realized how much I'd hurt Jane, I felt wretched. Not because she'd dumped me...I deserved that but because I'd treated a fellow person I was supposed to care for so terribly. But Lucy, do you remember what you said to me?"
She shook her head.
"You told me that I didn't have to be the same person as I was when I hurt Jane. That I should leave my guilt behind and make small changes."
"I remember." whispered Lucy.
"Well Lucy, that's what I've done since meeting you. I've changed. I'm not the selfish shallow man who treated people like that. Not any more. I've fallen in love with a remarkable woman whom I want to love and cherish for the rest of my life. I don't want to go to night clubs and sleep around anymore Lucy. I want a warm home filled with the love of a wife and a family. And I want you to help me make that dream come true Lucy." He wiped the tears from his face once more. "I love you so much Lucy. I'm a better person since meeting you. You taught me to see that I have a second chance at being a better person. Please Lucy, give me a second chance to prove to you that I mean what I say. I am committed to you. You and me. Nothing more." He kissed her hand he was still holding. "Thank you for letting me talk Lucy. I'll leave now. I'm home all day if you want to contact me. Bye Lucy."
He stood up and walked from the room. Lucy watched him go, her heart breaking. She listened for his footsteps on the stairs. Suddenly she jumped from the bed, grabbed her dressing gown and went after him. Paul hadn't left the house though. He was sat half way down the stairs, his head in his hands crying. Lucy felt her heart yearn to hold him.
"Paul." she whispered, sitting on the step next to him. She put her arm around him.
He looked up. "I'm sorry. I'm going." He made to move.
"Don't go."
"What?"
"Don't leave." She whispered, kissing him softly, "I don't want you to go."
"But everything I've done..."
"Like you say, you deserve a second chance." She told him gently, "It would be hypocritical of me if I can't practice what I preach wouldn't it?"
"Is that the only reason?"
She smiled and kissed him fully on the lips. He responded. "Does that answer your question Paul? I love you very, very much."