Paul sang along to the radio as he drove over to Heather's house. He hadn't seen her since the wedding and needed to speak to her. He wanted to end the affair.
It wasn't fair carrying it on now that Helen had woken up. He parked outside Heather and Ben's big house and knocked at the door.
Heather opened the door. "Come in," she invited. "I'm just making a drink for Nicole,".
Paul sat in the lounge as Heather poured out some apple juice for Nicole. "Go into the playroom while I talk to uncle Paul," she told her.
"I take it Ben is out," Paul said as Heather came into the lounge and closed the door behind her.
"Yep," Heather replied. "He just went down to the supermarket, he won't be back for a couple of hours,".
"Good, I need to talk to you while he's not around," Paul said. "Do you know about Helen?".
"Yes, Tasha told me," Heather smiled. "She's going to be OK now, I'm so glad,".
"Yes," Paul said with a weak smile. "I'm glad too. Heather... I think we should put an end to our affair,".
Heather nodded. "Actually, I was thinking the same just a few nights ago. This isn't fair on Ben or Helen,".
Paul was relived that Heather agreed with him. "OK, so we'll go back to being just friends?".
"Of course," Heather smiled. But she couldn't help feeling a little upset, she had enjoyed her time spent with Paul.
Paul looked into her eyes and remembered the passion between them. "One last time before we end this for good?" he suggested.
"OK, one last time won't do any harm. Hang on, I'll just send Nicole up to her afternoon nap so she doesn't disturb us,".
Heather fetched Nicole from the playroom and led her to the stairs. "I want uncle Paul to play with me!" she protested, kicking and screaming. "Me not tired!".
"No, it's bed time," Heather said softly.
"Go and have a nice nap," Paul said to Nicole with a smile. "Me and your mummy have games to play,".
Heather shot him a warning look.
"Where's Kris and Jamie?" Nicole asked Paul.
"They're at Grandma Jan's house today," Paul answered.
Heather picked Nicole up and carried her upstairs. When she returned, Paul was waiting for her with a big smile.
"I'll miss spending time with you," Paul admitted as Heather dimmed the lights and put on some music.
"Me too," Heather confessed. "Let's make the most of this afternoon,".
Meanwhile upstairs, Nicole couldn't sleep, she wasn't tired. She got out of bed and sat by the window, looking out at the street below.
"Daddy daddy!" she cried excitedly as she saw Ben's car pull up. She skipped out of the room and down the stairs.
As she jumped onto the last two steps, she tripped and fell. Ben walked through the front door and saw her.
"Nicole, don't cry sweetie," he hushed her, scooping her up in his arms. He carried her into the kitchen and sat her on the worktop.
"Where's mummy?" Ben asked Nicole as he gave her a cup of ribina.
"In the lounge," Nicole said between sobs. "Playing games with uncle Paul,".
Ben was curious. Playing games with Paul? What did Nicole mean? He handed Nicole a biscuit and started walking towards the lounge. "Let's go and see what game they're playing,".
Nicole followed him as he went and opened the living room door.
Ben stood in shock as he stared at the sight in front of him. Heather and Paul were lying on the floor half naked, their arms wrapped around each other.
"What the hell is going on?!" he cried.
Nicole started laughing. Ben turned to her with a stern look. "Go into the playroom!" Ben shouted, making her cry.
When Nicole had gone, Ben turned and looked Heather in the eye. "How long has this been going on?" he shouted.
Heather was quickly pulling her clothes back on. She tried to avoid Ben's stare and looked at the ground.
"All the time you've been at his place?!" Ben exclaimed, switching his glare to Paul, who was looking at the ground with a red face.
"A couple of weeks," Heather muttered. She turned to Paul. "You'd better leave,".
Paul stood up and walked quickly to the door.
Ben caught up with him and grabbed him by the collar. "I thought you were my friend," he snarled, punching Paul.
Paul fought back, resulting in a fist fight between them.
"Stop it!" Heather yelled, pulling them apart.
"I deserved that," Paul said, looking Ben in the eye with an apologetic expression. "Sorry mate,". He turned and left.
Shaking with nerves, Heather stood facing Ben.
Ben turned his back on her and marched up the stairs.
"What are you doing?" she cried as she raced after him.
Ben grabbed a large suitcase and opened it up. "You're out!". He began opening wardrobes and cupboards, throwing Heather's belongings into the suitcase.
"I'm not leaving without Nicole," Heather stated. "She's coming with me,".
"Oh no she's not," Ben exclaimed. "I'll see you in court about this,".
"What?" Heather cried in disbelief.
"I want custody of Nicole," Ben said, slamming the suitcase shut and dragging it out of the door and down the stairs.
Heather followed him down. "But I'm her mother," Heather shouted.
"And I'm her father!" Ben yelled back, throwing the suitcase down at her feet.
Nicole came to the doorway with a sad face. "What's going on?".
Heather tried to pick Nicole up but Ben got to her first. He held her in his arms and turned towards Heather. "Say bye-bye to mummy," Ben said to her in a soft voice.
"Bye mummy!" Nicole said with a wave, not understanding what was happening.
Tears were spilling from Heather's eyes. "Bye sweetie," she said as she kissed Nicole goodbye. She then looked at Ben. "Sorry," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek.
Heather took her bags and left the house, while Nicole stood in the window waving.
.