1 week later
Jim was sitting in the canteen on his own, no one would sit with him, he was being blanked by everyone. 'Look at him he's pathetic.' Tony snapped 'Why doesn't he just do us all a favour and leave.'
'I know, you would have thought he would have wouldn't you?' Cathy added as they went and sat next to June.
Jim got up and went to the bin. 'Excuse me Sarge, can I pass please?' Jim said.
'Did you hear something Des?' Matt said.
'No.'
'No, nor me.' Matt replied.
Jim sighed and went to walk out. 'No Jim stop.' Nick shouted. 'Wait.'
'Nick just leave it.' Jim replied.
'No this has gone on long enough, I can't allow it any longer it's not fair.'
'Nick please we agreed.'
Nick turned to face everyone. 'Look you lot stop having a go at Jim he hasn't done anything.'
'What do you mean he hasn't down anything he cheated on June.' Tony snapped.
'No, no he didn't. Over the last few weeks Jim has been helping me.'
'Nick you don't have to do this.' Jim said.
'I do.'
'Look we don't want to hear it.' Matt said. 'He cheated on her.'
'No you are not listening.' Nick shouted.
'He's a cheat and a liar and was never good enough for June.' Tony snapped.
'Jim is the nicest, kindest man I have ever met, he has been through a lot himself but still always puts others before himself.' Nick said.
June put her head down and Tony placed his hand on her back.
'Nick that's enough you are upsetting June.' Matt said.
'No, I have to say this.' Nick said trying to hold back the tears. 'If it wasn't for Jim I would probably have lost my job by now, over the last few weeks Jim has been helping me fight my addiction.'
'What?' Kerry said.
Jim walked up to Nick and placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. ' You don't have to say anymore.' Jim whispered.
'I do, you see you have all been ignoring him, shouting at him calling him names for something he hasn't even done but does he stop it, no, he could have oh yes but he didn't.' Nick cried. 'I should have said something earlier I shouldn't have allowed him to take the rap but he asked me not to say anything so I didn't.'
'Nick what addiction.' Kerry said looking concerned.
'Drugs.' Nick replied putting his head down. 'Jim found me in the toilets the day of your wedding and he has been helping me since. So when he told you Sgt Ackland that he was late home because he was helping a friend he was telling the truth, he was helping me.' Nick broke down.
'Come on Nick.' Jim said.
'No I haven't finished, Jim took me to a clinic and a support group and he has attended every session with me.' Nick said. 'He has been a tower of strength and I know it must have been hard on him with him fighting his own addiction but he still stuck in there for me.'
'Yeah well this is all very nice but what about the woman in reception?' Tony shouted.
June looked at Jim with tears in her eyes.
'That woman in reception wasn't Jim's bit on the side it was a woman from the support group. I had left my coat at the group and she had come to give it to me, but when I saw her I freaked out. I thought everyone would find out so I turned to Jim and he said don't worry I will sort it, so he went to tell her that no one at the station knew about my addiction and that I wanted it kept that way. So what ever you thought you heard was wrong Jim was once again helping me out.' Nick cried 'I even watched Tony beat Jim up because Jim didn't want to let my secret out, so now you know I am a drug addict and Jim is not a cheating monster he was just trying to help me.' He continued.
Everyone went quiet. Jim squeezed Nick's shoulder once more. 'Thank you.' he said before he walked out.
Tears flowed down his cheeks as he entered the male toilets.
June was also crying. 'How could I have been so stupid?' she said.
'This is all my fault.' Tony added. 'I am sorry June.'
June got up and ran out. She went to find Jim
Kerry and Luke went up to Nick and hugged him
End of part 3
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