Someone from the Past Pt. 01

This is a Romance story in 3 parts, all written, which will be released to Literotica as each one is edited, so hopefully they will appear just a few days apart.

There will be some sex involved in later segments but if you are looking for something a little steamier, then, as I stated in previous parts, this might not be the tale for you.

All characters depicted as engaging in sexual activity are over 18 years of age.

As always constructive comments or criticism are welcome but please remember to enjoy it, it is just a story.

It isn't real. It's just a figment of my overactive imagination.

I hope you enjoy it.

Someone from the Past - Part 1

Chapter 1 - Gwen...

"Beep... beep... beep."

Yawning Gwen Davies reached out to slap the button on her alarm clock to turn it off and, trying to force her reluctant eyelids to open, groaned tiredly.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

She was awake early, just like she was most week days, as funeral or no funeral, she still had to go to work.

Pushing herself up out of bed she pulled on her robe and, putting on her large black-framed glasses, prepared herself to face what she knew would be a difficult afternoon.

She had changed her mind about attending the service several times over the last few days, at first she was going to go and then, a few minutes later, she wasn't. Even now, as she stood in her bedroom and stared out of the window at the leaden, overcast sky, she still wasn't absolutely sure of what she was going to do.

Part of her felt obliged to go, they had been a big part of her life for the last two years after all, while another, more secret part, was telling her to stay away.

Heading downstairs to the kitchen she turned on the light, the usual spark that always happened when she flicked the switch making her jerk her hand away. Shaking her head at the state of the electrics she made herself a coffee and, once again, debated on what her final decision would be.

'Would he be there?'

She asked herself the same question that she had every day for the past week, even though she knew what the answer would be.

Of course Robert Davenport would be at his parent's funeral.

Thinking about Rob brought his mother and father into her mind and sitting at the table, slowly sipping the hot liquid, she remembered George and Julie Davenport with a genuine fondness.

She had known them for years but, ever since her own mother had passed away, they had taken her under their wing and become more than friends to her, until she had eventually come to look on them as almost surrogate parents.

Sighing Gwen cradled her mug in both hands and sat back, looking around her somewhat dilapidated kitchen. Everything was falling apart and she knew the cottage needed a lot of work doing but there was no way she could afford it.

It had been that way when her mother was alive and they hadn't had the money then. Now that she had inherited it and was on her own, even though she was working at the school in the village as a newly qualified teacher, she had even less cash than before and the repairs were nothing more than a distant dream.

Taking the last mouthful of her coffee, she turned her mind back to the funeral.

She was very aware that her real problem wasn't if Rob Davenport would be at the church, it was what would her reaction to seeing him again be after all these years. Managing to avoid him since he had returned after the accident she knew it would be impossible not to see him at the service.

Staring wistfully out of the window she let her mind drift onto the subject of a boy she hadn't seen for several years.

Moving to the village with her mother when she was eight she had started at the local school. That's when it had begun, a friendship with a cute boy that turned into a silly teenage crush and then became so much more.

A shy skinny girl with big glasses, long black hair and a pale complexion she found it difficult to fit in, quickly becoming the subject of all the jokes the other children made.

Her first week was almost over when the class bully, Johnny Marshall, had stepped in her way as she was going to her lessons on the Friday morning. Trying to intimidate her; sneering and mocking her, she had been on the verge of crying when Rob Davenport had intervened and stood up for her.

She remembered like it was yesterday how she had looked up into his eyes and her heart had almost burst out of her chest.

From her first day she had thought he was cute especially as he had been the only one to talk to her.

He seemed to be everyone's friend and even though she didn't like boys he was just about the nicest one she had ever met. While she, on the other hand, was just a skinny girl, with no friends, from a poor one parent family.

However, unlike just about everyone else he had continued to be nice to her and, as the weeks and months had gone by he had stayed her friend and had even volunteered to be her partner on a couple of class projects.

Of course, as she got older she had started to realise that it was more than just a silly childish infatuation.

She was in love with him.

Not that she ever admitted anything like that to him.

Treasuring his friendship she had simply enjoyed being with him whenever she could, always dreaming of more but, at the same time, realising that it was never going to happen.

He was always nice to her, even when no one else was, and she continued to live without any hope when, just as school was finishing, he had asked her to go to the leaver's party with him.

Suddenly, at seventeen, her whole world changed and it had seemed like she might really become Cinderella and. going to the ball, would get the only boy she had ever desired.

Except that, by the end of the evening, her heart had been shattered.

Sighing inwardly, she knew that, regardless of her issues with seeing Rob, she owed it to George and Julie to be there.

Pushing it all out of her head for the moment she put her cup in the sink and got up, heading towards the bathroom to get ready. Whether or not she went to the funeral that afternoon she still had to get to work that morning and the first bus went past the end of her road at six-forty.

It was a rush to shower and dress because of her dawdling but she just about made it to the stop on time and had barely got her breath back when her ride arrived.

"Hi Chris." It was just after seven-thirty when she walked in through the main entrance into the school.

Fifty-one-year-old Christine Tomlinson, the head teacher, looked up from the papers she was reading and smiled, "Morning Gwen, how are you?"

"Fine." The younger woman replied, not meaning it.

"Have you made your mind up yet.... whether you're going to go or not I mean?"

Pausing Gwen looked back out of the window and across the small playground to the garage on the other side of the road; its locked doors reminding her that George Davenport would never be opening them up again.

'Was she going to go?'

Her stomach clenched nervously as she contemplated the one question she had been asking herself for days.

Staring miserably at the weathered 'Davenport & Son' sign over the garage's entrance she forced herself to smile, recalling the time when he had come in to the local bakery to get coffee and pastries for himself and his mechanic Tony.

Her mother had recently passed and, on her way to work as an NQT at the local school she had stopped at the store to get a cappuccino. When the bell above the door had tinkled someone's arrival she had looked up from where she stood at the counter waiting to be served.

Of course, she knew he was Rob's father but, except for the occasional hello or a smile as they had passed by each other in the street, she hadn't really spoken to him since before his son had left to go to university.

"Hello Mr Davenport." Her doleful greeting had been a total reflection of her mood.

"Smile sweetheart, it might never happen." He had winked cheekily at her.

"It's a bit late for that, it already has." She had said unhappily.

"You're Shelagh Davis's daughter aren't you?"

More than a little surprised that he recognised her she had spluttered, "What.... how did...."

"You went to school with my son Rob, didn't you?" George had smiled kindly at her, "I was sorry to hear about your mother. She was a lovely woman."

"Thanks, I....."

It wasn't so much about what he had said but more the genuine sympathy in his voice that had got through to her. All her pent-up grief had simply erupted in that moment and she had burst into tears at the kind words of someone she hardly knew.

Knowing he was Rob Davenport's dad just made everything worse and when he had simply held her, she had sobbed into his shirt for a good five minutes.

"S.. sorry." She said, sniffling and wiping her eyes, once she had stopped crying.

"That's alright, anytime sweetheart. Do you want to talk about it?"

Gwen shook her head, "No, there's not much to say. She.... she's gone and... and that's it."

"Well, if you ever do I'm just over the road at the garage."

"How... how's Rob?" Changing the subject to talk about her long-time crush created a flock of butterflies in her stomach, "I.... I haven't seen him for some time."

"He's doing well, he graduated from uni and took a job with a company in London." George told her proudly, "Not that we see that much of him either these days."

Continuing to talk for a while, about Rob mostly, meant that by the time she left the bakery heading to school, Gwen was feeling a little better about things.

They had bumped into each other again the following morning, and the morning after, then later that week he had introduced her to his wife Julie and Rob's little sister Alice.

It had been the start of a wonderful friendship that she had cherished for the last couple of years, thinking of them almost as a stand-in mother and father while falling in love with their precocious daughter.

"Earth to Gwen." Christine interrupted her thoughts, jerking her back to the present moment.

"Sorry Chris... what were you saying?"

"Have you made up your mind whether you are going..." The head of the school asked her again, "... to the funeral?"

"Yeah, I... I think I should." She hefted up the small bag she was carrying on her shoulder, "I'll just change into these things before I go though."

"If it's any consolation I think you've made the right decision."

"But what if he's...." Gwen bit her lip and asked hesitantly, her stomach tightening again.

"There's no what if.... Rob Davenport is definitely going to be there. You may as well accept that fact." The older woman interrupted her.

"I know." She sighed unhappily and started for her classroom, wondering just how she was going to react to seeing him.

Working with the children, the morning flew by for her as she helped them with the various tasks they had to do and before she realised it the clock was showing one o'clock.

"Time you were off Gwen." Christine Tomlinson stuck her head around the door, "If you're still going that is?"

"Yeah, I am. You're right. I've just got to deal with it."

"I hope it goes well?" Her boss smiled as she came in to take over the class, "Just take yourself off home when it's done."

"Thanks Chris. I'll see you tomorrow." Taking off the painting apron she had been wearing Gwen picked up her bag and went to get changed.

Searching through her limited wardrobe she had found a white blouse and a knee length black skirt which, along with a pair of black tights and her best shoes, was the best she could manage. She had worn almost exactly the same outfit for her mother's funeral two years prior and getting changed took her back to that awful day.

It had been the cancer that had finally taken her. Shelagh Davis had fought hard against the disease while her daughter could do nothing but stand by, a helpless onlooker as she slowly succumbed.

Just like today the weather for her burial had been much the same; dreary, cold, wet and miserable.

She recalled how she had stood by the graveside, alone apart from a couple of Shelagh's friends and the MacMillan nurse who had supported her. The overwhelming feeling of relief that her mother's suffering was over meant she had been unable to shed any tears.

They had come later, when she was at home by herself.

She had realised she was properly alone then. University had never been an option for her with her mother's illness and, shying away from boys after her experiences at school, she had gone to a local college to study. Even as she had developed, blossoming late on in her teens, she had become so used to her own company while she cared for her ailing parent that she didn't really have much of a social life.

Forcing her maudlin reflections away she slipped on her coat over the top of her clothes and stopped off at the staff room to say her goodbye's.

"You off then Gwen?" One of her colleagues, Mark Yates, got up from his chair, "If you fancy a drink afterwards maybe we could meet up at the pub."

"Err... Not really Mark, I... I think I'll just go home."

A dozen years older than her she had gone on a couple of casual dates with him, just as friends, soon after she had started at the school. He had turned out to be a rather egotistical pratt and, while she had quickly dropped him, he now had got the idea into his head that he wanted her as his girlfriend.

"Oh ok. Maybe at the week-end then? We could....."

"We'll see Mark. I have a lot to do." She cut him off and turned away as he went to kiss her cheek, keen to avoid any further discussion.

"Right oh, I'll see you tomorrow then." He said to her rather huffily.

'Perhaps he'll get the message one day.'

Walking out of school she pushed the obnoxious Mark Yates out of her mind and set out to walk the short distance to the local church, her stomach clenching nervously the closer she got to it.

Despite the fact there were quite a few people milling around outside in the churchyard it was impossible not to notice Rob almost immediately.

Pushing her thick-rimmed glasses up on her nose she couldn't help but stare at him.

He had put on some muscle since she had last seen him but otherwise he looked almost exactly as she remembered him; 6' 1" with the same untidy brown hair that always seemed to be in need of cutting. His appearance hadn't changed one bit either and he still had the cute, boy next door look that she had fallen for all those years ago and that she still saw in her dreams.

It was then that her courage failed her and she did her best to make herself as invisible as possible, hiding away amongst the other mourners and endeavouring to avoid his eyes. Fading into the background she kept her gaze on him though, her heart beating faster as she watched him, feeling sorry for his loss as well as being more than a little aroused by his closeness.

'Had it really been five years?'

'How was it possible that she felt exactly the same about him?'

That was when she noticed the redhead.

Gaping at the girl as she casually strolled up to Rob and took hold of his hand, Gwen found herself struggling to breathe. She knew it was unreasonable to think he would be alone after all this time but actually seeing him with another woman was virtually unbearable.

'Who was she?'

'Was she just a girlfriend or was she more than that?'

The girl looked like a model, tall, slim and incredibly beautiful, and Gwen knew there was no way she could ever compete with a girl like her.

Not that she thought Rob Davenport would look at her in that way. At least she hadn't until he had asked her to go to the leavers party with him all those years ago.

She shook her head hurriedly dismissing the memory.

The redhead was just like the girls that had looked down their noses at her when she was at school; with their fashionable clothes, superior attitudes and boyfriends.

Slipping in at the back of the church she remained unseen during the service, leaving just before it finished to watch George and Julie's committal from a safe distance. Standing outside the churchyard wall she could feel the wind whipping at her long raven hair, blowing it across her face, as she shed more than a few tears for the couple she had looked on as more than just friends.

Lost in thought she almost panicked when Rob, standing at the graveside, looked up and stared straight at her. For a moment she thought he had recognised her but then, fortuitously for her, young Alice distracted him and he turned his attention to his sister.

That was enough for her and, wiping her eyes, Gwen said a quiet farewell and hurried away, starting out for home before anything more happened...

Chapter 2 - Rob...

Ominous slate grey clouds filled the autumn sky, threatening rain and making the early afternoon seem more like late evening, as Robert Davenport stood motionless in the small churchyard.

Staring helplessly at the two coffins he watched them in silence, the gloom pressing in on him, as they were lowered into the grave sending a chill all the way up his spine.

'How long had it been since he had made the three-hour journey to visit his parents?'

Was it three months or was it four? He wasn't sure.

The casual indifference with which he had simply got on with his life, pandering to Jenna and making the obligatory once-a-week phone call home, now seemed almost like contempt. There had always been an excuse of some sort; sometimes work, occasionally a social engagement but mostly it was Jenna's needs and her reluctance to leave her precious career for more than an hour that had been the reason.

It was something he couldn't put ever right now they were gone, and he vowed to himself that he would be there for the one person that really mattered to him.

He was still brooding over things when something made him look up to see the lone figure, standing in the distance.

Squinting he tried to see them properly.

It looked like a young woman and although the person was a long way away they appeared vaguely familiar to him. However, done up in a coat and with her long black hair covering some of her face, it was difficult to make out any real details.

'Could it be Gwen?'

His heart skipped a couple of beats and for a few long seconds he stared, wondering if the figure could really be the shy, pale-skinned, skinny girl with an overbite and big glasses that he had known at school.

She had been nicknamed 'rag doll' or 'ghoul' by all of their classmates because of the worn, hand me down clothes she always wore and the way her complexion and dark hair made her look.

He tried to push the thought of her aside. It couldn't be her; she had to have moved away in the intervening years since he last saw her.

By the grave the vicar droned on and, forgetting where he was for a minute, he found himself remembering her starting at his school; and the moment when he had actually seen Gwen Davis for the very first time.

She had seemed so fragile and lost, gazing nervously around her as she found a seat in the classroom.

He had felt for her but did nothing to intervene when the other kids quickly found it funny to call her names.

However, he hadn't been able to stand by and do nothing when the class bully, Johnny Marshall, had threatened her on the Friday.

Next to Johnny the eight-year-old girl had appeared tiny as he stood in the corridor, his taller, bulkier figure looming over her and blocking her path.

"Can I get by please." She had mumbled, going to step past him.

"Why don't you wear something decent like the school uniform and take a shower four eyes?" The older boy said cruelly, moving to stand in her way.

He had watched the mis-matched exchange and, for some unknown reason, he had found himself compelled to intercede

Gwen had ignored the taunts and moved to the other side of the corridor but he had quickly done the same to get in front of her again.

"Did you hear me or are you deaf? You're a ghoul that's what you are."

She hadn't answered and once again tried to get past only for him to stand in her way and push her backwards.

"I asked you a...."

"Leave her alone." Rob had suddenly decided, against all reason, to intervene and stepped up next to her.

"What's it got to do with you Davenport?"

He moved closer to the bully, "Nothing, just leave her alone."

"Or what tough guy?" Johnny Marshall had sneered at him.

Grabbing him by his blazer lapels Rob pushed the other boy against the wall, shoving his face close to his and, speaking quietly, answered him, "Or I'll beat the hell out of you. Understand?"

It wasn't an idle threat. While Johnny Marshall was taller than the diminutive Gwen Davis, Rob Davenport was bigger still.

"Your girlfriend is she?" Johnny pulled away and retreated down the corridor as he replied, "Well, you're welcome to the weirdo. She's really creepy."

Watching him scurry away Rob had twisted his head round to look back to Gwen.

"You ok?" He had smiled at the girl.

"Yes.... T.... thanks..... he... he..." She had briefly looked up at him, her blue eyes brimming with tears behind her glasses, before turning away and scurrying off to class.

Watching her go he got a strange feeling in his stomach, although he had no idea why. He knew she wasn't anything like the other more popular girls at school but he also knew then that he liked her.

As much as he had defended her physically there was nothing he could do about her nicknames though. They had quickly stuck and been taken up by all of his classmates, just because of the clothes she wore and her appearance.

Over time as the weeks turned into months and then years, Gwen, the only child of a single mother, became the butt of a lot of nasty taunting, much of it extremely hurtful.

Unlike his supposed friends Rob, as well as having something of a crush on her, had felt sorry for her. On several occasions, he had stood up for her and had even offered to partner her in a number of class projects when no one else would.

It had resulted In him being ragged ceaselessly about being her boyfriend although, as much as he would have liked it to be, that was never the case. He was always too embarrassed to have admitted to her that he had feelings for her, simply remaining as her friend and, when all his friends had mocked her, he simply kept quiet.

'When had he last seen her?'

It had to have been the leavers party.

The night of the school ball sprang unbidden into his mind and he wondered, not for the first time, if he had done the right thing back then.

Despite his popularity at school Rob, as he got older, had never really dated any of the girls there and, taking a chance, had asked Gwen to go to the end of school celebration with him.

The fact she said yes had surprised him, she had never been one for social occasions, and it was with a heavy heart he took her.

Ignoring the looks and comments from his supposed friends they had enjoyed the evening, his heart racing the first time he held her as they danced. It was then that he realised his feelings for her went deeper than he had ever imagined.

Later that night, when he walked her home, and they stood outside the cottage where she lived he had kissed her. Tenderly at first it had quickly morphed into something deeper and more passionate, her arms about his neck while he held her to him.

When they finally broke apart he had told her he was going away to university and, in that moment, he began to have second thoughts about his decision.

'What if he had stayed? Would things have been different?'

Not that it mattered now.

Leaving school, he had gone to Durham university to study engineering, and then taking a job in London when he graduated, he hadn't seen Gwen or any of those so-called school friends over the past five years.

'Five years? Had it really been that long?'

Admittedly a lot had happened in that time and his visits home had been infrequent at best. He had lost touch with almost everyone he knew and even the closeness he had had with his father had gradually faded over the intervening years.

As a youngster he had spent a lot of his free time helping at the garage his dad owned and, in the process, he had learned all he could about cars and engines. It had fuelled his interest in engineering and eventually led to him going to university where the gap between himself and his parents had slowly grown, mostly due to his erratic visits.

Rob smiled; even now he couldn't resist the opportunity to tinker with a car. Whether it be replacing a faulty battery, changing a tyre or fitting a new head gasket it didn't matter, he simply loved getting his hands dirty.

"Rob..... I miss mummy and daddy."

The tearful whisper came from his eight-year-old sister standing next to him and jerked him back from his mawkish reminiscing.

Turning to the side he forgot everything else and knelt down next to her, gently squeezing her fingers, ignoring the fact he would get his suit knees dirty, "I miss them too Alice but they'll always be with us even though we can't see them."

She looked hesitantly around her, her eyes opening wide, "Really?"

"Yes sweetheart, really. I promise."

The little girl thought about it for a moment.

"But if I can't see them then who... who's going to look after me now?"

He could see the tears starting to fill her eyes as, her lip quivering, she asked him the question.

Fifteen years older than his younger sibling Rob had been the reason his parents had had to get married when they were barely out of their teens. Their attempts, over the years, to give him a brother or sister had been unsuccessful and they had given up when, much to their amazement, his mother had fallen pregnant with Alice.

"Don't you worry about that, I'm always going to be here for you, I'm not going anywhere munchkin."

"Do... do you promise?" She gripped his fingers tightly and gazed at him hopefully.

Rob smiled at her, "I promise. Cross my heart and...."

"Robert!"

Instead of finishing his sentence he got to his feet and glanced at the gorgeous redhead who was standing next to him, frowning at his answers.

"What do you mean you'll be here. I thought we were going back to London tomorrow?" The girl hissed angrily at him.

He sighed inwardly, he knew he was all Alice had now and he had no intention of deserting his younger sibling for anyone, least of all Jenna Marcom be.

They had been a couple for almost two and a half years, meeting just 10 months before his graduation and, for the last nine months, living together. From the very beginning of their involvement with each other, she had been high maintenance but her incessant demands had been getting worse in recent months.

Undeniably she was absolutely stunning, with long red hair and a fabulous figure, as well as being the most sexually enthusiastic girl he had ever slept with. However, she was also extremely self-centred and unwaveringly focused on her burgeoning career as a model.

He had already been considering how much longer their relationship was going to last when he had received the telephone call informing him that his mother and father had died in a car accident. Apparently a lorry driver had been over his legal hours when he had gone straight through a red light, hitting them side on, killing himself and Rob's parents instantly.

Dropping everything, he had immediately packed a bag to come home for his sister bringing a very reluctant girlfriend with him.

"We'll talk about it later Jenna." Rob told her with a finality that suggested the subject wasn't up for discussion, "Now really isn't the time."

"As long as we do. I have a photoshoot for the agency scheduled on Thursday." Huffily she turned away and pouted, her annoyance clear for him to see, "And I don't intend to miss it."

"You've told me a dozen times. I won't forget it."

"Just make sure you don't."

He stared at her for a moment trying to comprehend her self-absorbed attitude and then shook his head, wondering just how much longer he was willing to tolerate her.

Putting both his girlfriend and the covert stranger out of his mind for the moment Rob focused his full attention back on his sister, the vicar and the service.

It was almost an hour later when; after shaking hands with everyone, apart from the mysterious girl who had disappeared, he ushered Alice and Jenna into his car and drove them back to his parent's cottage.

"Rob we need to..." His girlfriend started as soon as they got out of the vehicle.

"Not now Jenna." He interrupted her curtly, cutting her off before she had the opportunity to start another argument, "We'll talk later when Alice is in bed."

"Well, as long as we do." Was all she said before, ignoring both of the siblings, she stalked into the cottage, her nose in the air and an expression of cold aloofness on her face.

Rob simply shook his head in disbelief and took Alice into the kitchen with him to make dinner.

The atmosphere over their evening meal was chilly at best and, once they had finished, he left Jenna to reluctantly clean up the dishes while he took his sister up to bed.

"She doesn't like me does she?" Alice stated bluntly when she came back from the bathroom and slipped under her duvet.

Her brother smiled at the eight-year-old as he tucked her in, "It's not that Alice she's.... well, she's a bit preoccupied with her work. It's an important time for her and she needs to be back in London so she doesn't miss this opportunity."

"Are... are you going with her?" She started to sniffle, a few tears escaping and trickling down her cheeks.

His heart went out to her; he knew he was all she had in the world now and, after his failings over the last few years, he intended to be there for her no matter what.

"No sweetheart. I told you I'm staying right here to look after you." Pulling her into his arms he held her, "And I need to think about what I'm going to do with the garage as well."

"But what about.... J... Jenna?"

"Don't worry about her, you come first, second and last."

"You promise?" Alice looked up at her big brother, her big blue eyes melting his heart, "You... you won't go?"

"Cross my heart and hope to....." He stopped before he said the word and grinned, kissing the top of her head, "Now go to sleep and I'll see you in the morning."

She gave him a smile as he got up and went to leave.

"Night Rob. I love you."

"I love you to Alice." Choking back the tears he leant over and kissed her again.

Turning off the light he closed the door and stood for a moment, trying to calm himself, knowing the discussion that awaited him downstairs...

Chapter 3 - Back to work...

Struggling out of bed when her alarm went off at 5.45 Gwen pressed the mute switch and putting on her glasses to see what she was doing she slipped on a robe. Then, just as she did most days, she made her way down to the kitchen to make herself a mug of coffee.

She hadn't slept particularly well, her dreams filled with memories of her school days and Rob Davenport.

Slumped at the table with her steaming drink in her hands she reflected on the previous day, the funeral and seeing her teenage crush again.

Her response to him had taken her by surprise.

Even though it had been several years she had expected to still feel something for him, but the way her heart had started to race and the butterflies that had fluttered around in her tummy had completely stunned her.

It wasn't like she was a teenager anymore. She was a grown woman and she should be over him but it was blatantly obvious to her that she wasn't.

Sighing she drank the last of her coffee and got up to head for the bathroom to get ready for work. There was no point in her fantasising about something that would never happen. He had been with a stunning redhead with whom she knew she could never compete, even if he was interested in her.

She was still reflecting on her feelings for him when she caught the first bus from the end of the road so that she arrived at school at her normal time.

"Morning Chris." Pushing open the door to the small staff room she greeted her boss.

"Hi Gwen." The head of the school looked up from the coffee machine when she entered, "So, tell me, how did it go?"

Taking off her coat Gwen frowned and took the mug that Christine Tomlinson held out to her.

"There were quite a few there and everything seemed to go off ok although I didn't stay to the very end."

"Great, but that's not what I meant and you know it." Christine said shaking her head, almost in despair, "Did you speak to him?"

"Umm.... no, I... I...."

"Speak to who?" Mark Yates enquired, coming into the room behind her and catching what had been said.

"No one. Just an old friend from school." She told him, not wanting to elaborate further.

"You mean Rob Davenport don't you?" He grimaced.

Gwen smiled wanly, "Yes, yes I do."

"I've told you to forget about him. He wanted nothing to do with you and, anyway, I heard he's here with someone else." Ignoring the older woman next to them he glared at her, "You need to come to your senses Gwen and start going out with me instead of mucking me about."

"Mark...."

"We'll have dinner this weekend. I'll book somewhere nice."

Having made his statement Mark turned on his heel and, without waiting for an answer, stomped out of the staff room leaving the two women staring after him.

"I don't think so...." She murmured quietly as he slammed the door, "You arrogant dickhead."

"Oh Gwen, why on earth not? Sorry, I meant Rob not him." Christine went back to what she had been saying moments before she had been interrupted, "You need to speak to him.".

"I... I couldn't. He... he was with someone."

"A woman?" Her boss enquired.

Gwen nodded, "You should have seen her Chris. She was absolutely gorgeous."

"So are you." The older woman responded quickly.

"Not like that. She has to be a model or an actress or something."

The head teacher looked at her sympathetically, "You still love him, don't you?"

"I know it's stupid. I know he would never be interested in me like that and, even if he was, I couldn't hope to compare with someone like her, but yes.... I still love him." She answered miserably, "I've loved him since... well since forever."

"And what about little Alice?"

For the first time that morning Gwen smiled, "She was there with her brother."

"Was she alright?"

"I... I think so. She was holding his hand."

"Do you have any idea what's going to happen to her? Is Rob going to look after her?"

She shook her head, her dark pony-tail flicking from side to side, "I don't know. Maybe he'll take her back to London to live with him and his girlfriend."

"You'll miss that little girl if he does."

"I... I know but she's.... she's not my responsibility."

"You need to talk to him Gwen. If you just let him walk away and take her with him you'll regret it."

She didn't answer and, picking up her bag, she started towards her classroom to start work, wondering how many more disappointments her life was going to bring her.

First he had left to go to university, then her mother had passed away and finally the Davenport's had gone. Now Rob had reappeared just for a moment probably to simply vanish again, this time taking his sister with him.

Concentrating on the mornings tasks it was close to a half past ten before she had a moment to herself.

"Angie did you...."

Starting to ask her assistant a question she stopped, staring out of the window at the open doors on the garage opposite.

"What the..." She looked at Angie and then back across the road, "Who's in there?"

"No idea. I spoke to Tony on the way in and he said he's having some sort of meeting with Rob so maybe it's them."

"Did he say what about?"

Her classroom assistant shook her head, "No, he just told me Rob had told him he wanted to look the place over properly and have a chat."

Gwen just stared out of the window even though there was no one to see, "Do you think he's going to stay?"

"I guess he might but, on the other hand, he might be intending to sell the business and go back to London."

Gwen's stomach clenched at the suggestion.

"I suppose so." She didn't take her eyes off of the garage as she answered, "You don't think he would, do you?"

Angie shrugged, "I really have no idea. I barely know him. Why don't you go over and ask him or Tony?"

"What! No, no I couldn't. I... I...." Turning around, red-faced, she stammered and went back to what she had been doing.

Even though she hadn't had an answer to her question it was patently obvious to her now, Rob was going to sell up, leave the village and she would never see him again.

Sending the children off to lunch with Angie at midday, Gwen popped into the staffroom to grab a quick coffee before she left to go to her appointment.

Mark was already there and, much to her relief, pointedly ignored her when she sat down, preferring to read his newspaper than pester her again.

"You can't avoid him forever you know, you're going to have to face him sometime." Christine said as she filled her mug and joined her.

"It's.... it's too soon."

"You haven't seen him for five years. How can it be too soon." The other woman leaned closer and put her hand on hers, "The longer you leave it the worse it will be."

"I know." Nodding Gwen agreed with her, but deep down she knew she hadn't got the courage to do it.

'What if he didn't even remember her?'

She knew it was stupid, of course he would remember her, he had taken her to the leavers ball.

And then he had.... shaking her head she forced away the unwanted memory.

She couldn't go across to the garage. As much as she wanted to see him she had suffered so much at the hands of her tormentors in school that her confidence was non-existent.

"Why don't you go to your meeting with the solicitor and then take the rest of the day off and go home."

"But what about my class." Gwen looked vaguely around her.

Chris grinned, "Don't worry about it. I called Maggie. She's agreed to come in to cover for you and is happy to stay longer if required."

"But..." She tried to protest again.

"No but's. You had a heavy day yesterday and I think you need a break, so go to your appointment and then go home. That's an order."

"Yes boss." Smiling ruefully Gwen finished her coffee and got up to put on her coat, looking out of the window at the garage opposite she once again contemplated what Rob Davenport's intentions were.

"I'll see you tomorrow Chris." She turned back to the head teacher and said goodbye, not bothering to even look Mark's way before closing the door behind her.

It seemed a little surreal to her that, after so many years, Rob was just a few yards away across the road and she kept her gaze on the open doors as she made her way towards the bus stop.

'What would she do if he came out?'

'Should she ignore him?'

'What if he spoke to her?'

Deciding to face the problem if it happened she continued up the road towards the bus stop.

The clouds were turning ominously from a light grey to a depressing charcoal colour and threatening rain, forcing her to button up her jacket, hoping her ride would arrive before she got a soaking.

"Gwen!"

Lost in her thoughts she was so busy studying the sky that she looked around more than a little startled when the familiar voice took her completely by surprise....

Chapter 4 - An Unexpected Meeting...

Just as Rob expected Jenna was waiting for him in the living room when he came down the stairs. Sitting on the sofa sipping a glass of white wine, with her legs crossed, she was staring intently at the wall opposite and he knew instantly that she was focused on having an argument.

"Do I get one?" He asked quietly, standing in the doorway.

"I put the bottle in the fridge, just help yourself." She looked around at him without smiling.

The tone of her reply made her intentions for the evening even clearer.

"Thanks."

Pouring himself a large glass he steeled himself for what was to come and walked back into the lounge.

"Alice doesn't like me very much does she?" Jenna stated brusquely before he had even had a chance to sit down.

He shrugged noncommittally, "She's just a kid, they pick up on things a lot better than we do. Maybe if you tried a bit harder with her."

"It really doesn't matter. I'll be gone in the morning." The redhead said stiffly, "There's no point in me tying to be her friend."

"For Christ's sake Jenna she's just lost her mum and dad. Can't you just show her a little compassion?"

She stared at him for a moment, her expression devoid of any pity, "I'm not looking to become some sort of replacement parent Rob, whatever you may think. I have my career to think about."

"Jen...."

"I'm not staying here. I told you I have a shoot on Thursday and I need to go back to London tomorrow." Jenna stated bluntly, "So, my only question is, are you coming with me?"

"I can't leave Alice, surely you can see that." He tried to remain calm and keep his voice even.

"Can't she stay with a friend or a neighbour or something?"

Rob took a long swallow from his glass, trying to control his anger before responding.

"For God's sake Jenna, she's my sister, she's eight years old and we just buried our parents."

"Exactly, she's your sister, not mine." The redhead snapped back, taking a mouthful of wine and pouting, "I have an appointment I have to get ready for, not waste my time here mothering some brat."

He sighed inwardly, he had had known this moment had been coming for a while, and bit back the angry retort he wanted to make.

Over the last few months, she had started to be more demanding and self-centred almost to the point of treating him with total indifference unless he did what she wanted.

"You're right she is my sister and she's not a brat, she's my responsibility now, so I'm staying here with her." The tone in his voice reflected his growing annoyance with his girlfriend.

Jenna stared at him, her eyes wide, as she considered the implications of his answer.

"What about me and your job? Are you going to throw it all away and stay in this.... this dump?" She finally asked him, waving her hand airily around her.

Ignoring her question, he contemplated what his future might hold for him now. It was much too soon to even be thinking about it but he knew for certain whatever he eventually decided Alice would always be his number one priority now.

"I don't know what I'm going to do." He eventually answered her, "Maybe she can come and live with us once I've sorted everything out but right now she needs me and I'm staying here to look after her."

"Fine, you do whatever you want but I'm going back to London in the morning." Jenna got to her feet and, swallowing the last of her wine, headed towards the stairs, "Maybe you should sleep on the sofa and think about it."

"Yeah, maybe I should." He said quietly to her back as she disappeared up the stairs.

Taking an age to drift off Rob slept badly that night, staring into the darkness his mind was filled with visions of Gwen Davis, rather than Jenna Marcombe, and thoughts of how things might have turned out if he had stayed.

It was later than he wanted when he woke the next morning, with a stiff neck, to a frosty reception from his girlfriend as she brought her bag down from the bedroom. Getting to his feet he stretched and, noting her expression of irritation, silently made his way to the kitchen.

"Do you want a drink before you go?" He enquired, looking up from the coffee maker when she followed him, dressed and packed, clearly ready to go.

Jenna looked at the expensive watch on her wrist, her Christmas present from him a few months back, "No, I don't have time. I have a taxi coming in five minutes."

"You're still going then?"

"Of course, I told you I was." She glowered at him, her frustration with him clearly evident, "There's still time for you to come with me."

"I have Alice to look after...." Was all he said by way of a reply.

"And I have a photoshoot to do."

"Yeah I do recall you mentioning something about that." He responded somewhat sarcastically, "So, where does that leave us?"

Opening the door, she turned to face him, "I guess that's up to you. We'll see what happens if or when you eventually come home but right now I have a cab waiting."

"I guess we will then." Rob murmured softly to himself as she closed the front door behind her.

He had no idea how long he stood there just staring at the empty space where she had been, wondering what had just happened, when a small voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Has she gone?"

Swivelling around he found his little sister standing in the doorway, looking up at him.

"Yes Alice, Jenna's gone."

"Are you going to?" A solitary tear ran down her cheek, her voice close to breaking, as she hesitantly asked the question, "Like mummy and daddy?"

Immediately Rob dropped to his knees in front of her and, gently taking hold of her arms, looked into her eyes, "No sweetheart, never. I'm not going anywhere without you, ever. That's a promise."

She flung her arms around his neck, "I... I thought you might not want me."

Sniffing back his own tears he hugged her tightly.

"Of course I want you, you're my baby sister." Holding her away from him Rob smiled, "Now what about some breakfast."

"She doesn't like me does she?" Alice asked a few minutes later, a spoonful of cereal halfway to her mouth.

"Who?"

"Jenna. She doesn't want me does she?"

"It's like I said to you, the only person Jenna really likes is Jenna." He told her with a rueful grin, "She's always been her favourite human being."

The eight-year-old giggled and, seemingly satisfied with her brothers answer, went back to eating her cornflakes.

"Now eat your breakfast, you need to get ready for school."

"Do I really have to go?" Alice whined, gazing at him wistfully with her big blue eyes.

"Yes, you do. You've missed to many days already. Now hurry up."

It was almost an hour later when, having dropped her off at the school gates, he unlocked the doors to his father's business.

He had got Tony to finish any outstanding work they had had and then closed the place up after the accident. Now, looking around the empty space he paused and thought, once again, about what he was going to do with it.

The tools had all been put back on the racks, the floor swept clean and everything tidied, although the familiar smell of grease and oil still hung in the air.

Smiling to himself Rob let his mind wander back to happier days, when he had been a teenager, helping his dad in the workshop.

"I bought you a coffee."

Turning around he found his father's mechanic standing behind him holding two take-away cups.

"Thanks Tony. Where did you..."

"The bakery across the road." The older man handed him one and indicated behind him, "They have a bit of a café thing going on. It's actually pretty good."

Lifting the drink to his lips Rob took a sip and nodded, "You're right, it isn't bad at all."

Tony did likewise and the two of them stood in silence for a minute before the mechanic asked, "Have you thought about what you're going to do with the old place?"

"As I see it I have two choices." Rob exhaled slowly, taking his time to reply, "Either I sell up and move Alice back to London with me or I keep the place open, stay here with her, and try to make a go of it."

"Well yeah, I guess that pretty much sums it up."

"What about you? What are your plans?" He asked the older man and took another sip from his cup.

Tony shrugged, "I like the village and I've been with your dad since he took over this place. Add to that the fact that I've known you since you were yay high I'd like to stay, if you decide to keep it going. If you don't then I have no idea, I'm too old to start over."

Slowly drinking his coffee Rob considered his situation thoughtfully.

He loved working on cars and had spent many hours as a youngster helping his father in the garage until he knew his way around them almost as well as Tony. If he stayed he would have plenty to keep him busy but he would be giving up the engineering career he had only just started

His other option would mean uprooting Alice, taking her to London with him and exposing her to what was rapidly becoming an extremely toxic relationship with Jenna.

That was without even considering the fact that they would eventually break-up which, he felt, was a foregone conclusion. Unless things changed it was just a matter of time and he didn't want to consider how unpleasant things would become between them when it happened.

Frowning he tried to reach a decision, "I think I'd like to stay Tony. Alice needs some stability and I... I think I do to but....."

"If it's any consolation I think that would be the right thing to do." The other man grinned and hugged him, "But what about that girlfriend of yours."

"Yeah that's another matter altogether. Before I finally make my mind up I think I need to go back to London and maybe give her one more chance." Rob stated solemnly before adding, "And take a proper look at our financial situation."

The mechanic nodded, "Whatever you think best but I hope you decide to stay."

For the next hour or so Rob and Tony wandered around the workshop, chatting about his father's plans for the garage and how the business had been doing as well as looking at all the tools and equipment. Once he was satisfied he had a decent idea of the operation Rob settled himself in the office and spent the remainder of the morning going over the accounts.

He had a meeting with the Davenport's family solicitor later that day and was trying to keep himself occupied, doing just about anything he could think of, wanting to avoid returning to his parent's cottage alone. With Alice at school the house would be empty and he knew he would find it to upsetting to be there on his own.

However, by the time he sat back in his father's chair he had a pretty good idea of the company's finances which, while not excellent, were still just about in the black. Making a call to Brian Talbot, the garage's accountant, he arranged to go and see him the following day before shutting down his father's old desktop computer.

'If I stay my first job will be to replace it with a laptop.' He thought with a rueful gin.

Running out of things to do and, still having a little time before his afternoon appointment, he was wondering what else he could find to occupy him when he glanced across the road and saw her at the bus stop.

Stopping he stood and simply stared at the slim brunette.

It was the same girl he had told that he was leaving to go to university at the school ball, without a doubt.

Like him she was now a few years older and had clearly matured into an attractive young woman. Her thick black hair was longer, way past her shoulders, while her pale complexion had some colour to it now, although the big blue eyes that he remembered so well were still partially hidden behind her black-framed glasses.

However, the thing he really noticed was her figure and how it had changed more than anything else.

She had breasts now, not large but they were certainly there, and a nicely rounded backside if the tight jeans she was wearing were anything to judge by.

There was no mistaking who it was and, without a shadow of a doubt, he recognised her as the Gwen Davis he had known in his younger years.

'Had it been her at the church yesterday?'

Studying her he smiled to himself absolutely certain she was the same girl he had seen the previous day. It was clear that she had grown up and gotten past the bullying and harassment she had endured at school to become a beautiful young lady.

'Did she have a boyfriend or even a husband now?'

He quickly decided she must have; she was certainly pretty enough not to be single.

As the thought that she might be with someone sprang into his mind he felt a totally unexpected spasm of jealousy in his stomach at the notion.

It took him by surprise and he paused for a second trying to make some sense of the feeling before, on impulse, he stepped out from the shadows and started towards her.

"Gwen." Rob called out as he got half-way across the street...