Mark and Sarah sat eating lunch the next day with Ben and Heather. "Why couldn't Paul join us?" Sarah asked as she spooned some salad onto her plate.
"He's gone shopping then he's going to the hospital straight after," Heather answered, her heartbeat rising as she spoke of Paul. All she had on her mind was the night she had spent with him.
"It was wrong," she said to herself as she went into the kitchen to fetch some mustard and salad dressing. "I can't do this to Ben and Helen,".
Ben sat eating lunch and chatting with Mark and Sarah. Their wedding was soon and they were both very excited about it.
"We've been engaged for two years now," Sarah said, looking at her diamond ring. "And now the wedding is finally arriving,".
"And I'm the best man," Ben smiled, feeling proud of the fact Mark had chosen him over the others.
Heather returned and went back to eating her lunch. "I'm tired," she yawned.
"I expect you would be, looking after poor Jamie last night," Ben said sympathetically.
"Yeah," Heather muttered, remembering the lie she had fed him when she had returned from Paul's that morning. She had told Ben that Jamie was sick so she had to take care of him as Paul couldn't cope alone. She felt awful about lying. "Are we going to visit Helen today?" she asked, desperately trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, I think we should, her operation should be taking place right now," Ben agreed. "But we have to leave before four because I have that interview to do for MTV,".
"Oh yeah," Mark remembered. "It's not fair, you get loads of interviews to do on your own without the rest of us!".
"That's because I'm the most popular member!" Ben joked with a smirk.
"Mark has a lot of fans too!" Sarah added in Mark's defence.
After lunch, Ben and Heather got ready to go to the hospital. "Me and Mark could babysit Nicole for this afternoon if you like," Sarah offered as Nicole bounced into the room with a pretend microphone in her hand.
"Thanks, that would be great," Ben smiled as Nicole came and sat on his lap.
"Daddy, I'm going to be a singer!" Nicole announced before singing into the microphone.
"Awww, she's adorable," Sarah gushed. "I want a daughter one day,".
Mark looked at Sarah. "So do I," he smiled.
Heather and Ben sat in the hospital waiting room impatiently. "Hurry up!" Heather said as she bit at her nails nervously.
Finally, Dr Batney came and led them to Helen's room.
"Well?" Ben asked. "Did the operation go well?".
"Yes," Dr Batney said, to their relief. "It went as well as we'd hoped, but she's still in a serious condition,".
"Can we see her?" Heather asked.
Dr Batney agreed and let them into the room.
Helen lay in the bed looking very much like the previous day, still linked up to machines and covered in bandages. Heather felt sick, feeling it was her fault that her friend was like that.
"Those are nice flowers," Ben noted as he pointed to the table by her bed which had lots of bunches of flowers in vases.
"Yes, a lot of people have been sending her support," Dr Batney smiled. "A group of her husband's fans sent that big bouquet of roses for her which was very kind,".
"That's really sweet," Ben smiled. "Our fans are the best,".
Soon Ben had to leave to go to the interview. "I'll be back about nine," he told Heather. "Want me to drive you home before I leave?".
Heather was about to agree, when she saw Paul walking up the corridor. "No, I'll stay a little longer, it's OK. You go,".
Ben left just as Paul entered the room. He was happy to hear the news from Dr Batney. "Visiting hours are over I'm afraid," he told the pair of them.
"Can I come and see her tomorrow?" Paul asked as they left the room.
Dr Batney agreed and they left. "How are you getting home?" Paul asked.
"Ben's got the car so I was going to catch a bus," Heather said.
"No need, I'll take you," Paul told her as they walked out into the car park.
Heather got into his car cautiously. "Back to my house?" Paul asked.
"I don't know..." Heather didn't know what to say. She didn't want to go home because no-one was in so she'd be alone. But if she went to Paul's she knew they wouldn't be able to resist each other.
"I know what you're thinking," Paul told her. "You're feeling guilty about what we did,".
"Yeah," Heather nodded. "I can't do this to Ben, I love him! And Helen's my friend. I feel awful,".
"So do I," Paul told her. "I've been feeling so guilty,".
"I'll go home," Heather said, determined to put a stop to her affair with Paul.
Just as they were approaching Heather's house, Paul remembered something. "You left your mobile at my place last night," he told her.
"Oh, I wondered where I had left it," Heather said.
"Let's go and get it now," Paul said, turning the car around and heading in the direction of his house.
When they arrived, Paul offered Heather a coffee. "OK then," she agreed since she was thirsty.
They sat drinking coffee in the living room. Paul flicked on the TV and they watched MTV Select.
A girl had phoned up requesting the new a1 video. "I think they're all so sexy!" the girl cried.
"Who's your favourite member?" the presenter asked.
"I used to like Ben but I've gone off him," the girl said. "Paul is much nicer, he's so fit!".
Heather laughed. "Wait until I tell Ben about that!".
"I don't know why they think I'm fit, I'm not the most gorgeous man alive," Paul said.
"Don't be stupid, you know how cute you are!" Heather exclaimed.
"Do you mean that?" Paul asked, looking her in the eye.
"Yes," Heather said as she looked into his eyes. Those thoughts about him were coming back, she couldn't help herself...
Paul couldn't resist her either. Both forget all about Ben and Helen and started kissing.
That evening, Heather's mobile started ringing. She climbed out of Paul's bed and picked it up. "Hello?".
"Hi honey, I'm on my way home," Ben said, sounding cheerful. "Have you eaten yet, we could go out to a restaurant tonight,".
"OK then," Heather agreed.
"Great, I'll be home in about half an hour so be ready to go straight out!".
Once they'd hung up, Heather turned to Paul. "I'm really sorry but I've got to go,".
"OK then," Paul said sadly. "When can I see you again?".
"Soon," Heather said, looking dreamily into his eyes. "I'll let you know when Ben's out for the day,".
"Do you think he suspects anything?" Paul asked, getting worried.
"No," Heather replied. "Don't worry, what Ben doesn't know can't hurt him!".
.