All Chapters of HEAVEN & HELL: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Jessica Elwood looked around her bedroom at all the posters of Nick Henderson, she would be sorry to leave them all, but she knew which one she had to take with her. His smile was so familiar to her. It felt like it had been part of her all her life. His was the last face she saw when she closed her eyes at night and the first face she saw when she opened them the next morning. She listened to Nick singing all the time, especially on the way to her Saturday job. She had lied to Mr Bashir, who owned the local corner shop and newsagent about how old she was. She'd told him she was fourteen, well it wasn't a lie anymore, today was her birthday. Her mum had forgotten, but that was nothing new, half the time she couldn't remember her name. Tonight, she would cook something nice for them both she just hoped that none of her 'uncles' would be at the house. Still, if one of them were at home, she would, nip out and get a Chinese.She kept the house as clean as she could, but it was difficult

Claire Henderson looked at the pictures on her desk. In the back of her mind, she knew this was going to happen. She was surprised that it hadn't happened sooner. Nick looked so young in the photo, eighteen, still a child in many ways. Though he was sensible most of the time, and she knew that he was a good man. The package pushed through the letterbox contained letters and photos, but the message from Jessica was heartbreaking. A child was looking after her addict mother and only running away because she was in danger of being a sex slave. If any of this were true, even if she weren't Nick's child, she would make sure she was safe.****They walked back through the gardens to the house, Gabriel and Millie walked, Nick took off at the speed of sound back to the house. Gabriel pulled his phone out talking and reached for Millie's hand. He squeezed it gently, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. Gabriel finished his call. "Hey I'm sorry

The next morning everyone seemed to be up early for a Saturday morning. When Millie walked into the kitchen, Gabriel was slaving away, making bacon sandwiches for breakfast. Jess and Lucy were sitting at the table with an iPad looking at clothes.  Claire was over on the sofa, talking on the phone. Now that she was here, the only one missing was Nick."Morning everyone, " she said, walking over to the coffee machine.Gabriel gave her a stunning smile "Good morning darling, did you sleep well?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around her waist and planted a kiss on her lips.She watched the slow grin on his lips. She blushed, fancy kissing her in front of the girls and Claire, "Gabriel. don't do that" she said through gritted teeth."What? Why not? I love kissing you." She shook her head and moved away from his arms, "I just feel bewildered Gabriel, am I a housekeeper? Am I your girlfriend? Or," she searched for the words, "am I just someone

Nick sat at the breakfast table the next morning, inhaling the mouthwatering aroma of grilled bacon while he sorted their post. Millie didn't always cook breakfast. They started most days with cereal and toast. But Gabriel had finished the Coco pops as a midnight snack and so this morning Nick was sorting out the mail to the sound of sizzling bacon.He put Gabriel's letters on the table in the place where he usually sat just as the kitchen door opened and he entered the room."Oh God, that smells delicious!" Gabriel said, lifting his face and breathing in. He looked at Millie and grinned at Nick."Millie, if we have bacon, can we have poached eggs as well, please?"Make that two please Millie," Nick said.Gabriel stopped behind Millie on his way to the coffee pot. She had her hair up, and he wanted to slip his arms around her and kiss her neck. He glanced at Nick, wondering if he could get away with it. Nick watched him knowingly, with one eyebrow

Millie didn't dare open her eyes when she woke up.She couldn't believe she'd fallen asleep on Nick's lap. This was insane! What was she thinking, sitting on his lap anyway?She kept still, listening to her surroundings. The TV was tuned to a football channel as usual, with the sound on low. Nick was quietly talking to Gabriel, who was stroking her ankles and massaging her feet against his thighs.She tensed up. Gross! They'd been ensconced in her sweaty boots all day.Nick knew she was awake, and he felt her body stiffen. Was she embarrassed at falling asleep on him? He didn't mind. She felt lovely in his arms. He might just have to kiss her to shut her up. Though, maybe he'd leave that to Gabriel. Perhaps he'd let him explain how they felt about her. He was persuasive, and his smile infectious. No one could say no to Gabe."Millie? Sweetheart? Wake up."She knew she had to open her eyes now, however awkward.She was still contemplat