�Frank!� Jim remarked in amazement at the sight of his old Governor walking towards him. �What are you doing here?�
�I always said that I would come back to see you didn�t I?� replied Burnside with a twinkle in his eye.
He moved in and gave Jim a bear like hug. Jim held on slighter longer than Frank was anticipating, raising his awareness that not all was well. Jim aware of this moved away quickly and started playing with his car keys, avoiding Frank�s concerned gaze.
�So, so we go inside and you can tell me all about it kid?�
�Sorry?�
�Well, why your car is packed full of your stuff for a start. I know that you haven�t been living here for a while; I have been trying to get in touch with you. I have been intrigued about who you have been with. Not worked out I take it?� questioned Frank placing a comforting hand on Jim's arm.
�No� laughed Jim ironically, �You could say that.�
They turned and moved in the direction of the house. A million and one emotions were running through Jim's mind. It was amazing to see Frank again, his old Governor. Sometimes he wondered whether he would ever get that privilege again. No, he knew that he would, deep down, he just wasn't sure when. But at the same time he still had this painful aching feeling running through his body, and at the same time was exhausted from all the emotion of the night before. He shook himself suddenly, he had to snap out of this and make the most of their reunion.
�So, you and June. Hmmm, cant say that I am surprised, you always had a thing for her, you could see that a mile off. I can�t understand why it hasn�t worked out. You two are made for each other, anyone can see that. Surely you can work through it?� remarked Frank eagerly; taking a sip of the tea which he had made for the two of them.
Jim sighed and leant back on his sofa, punching rhythmically at the cushion he was holding.
�We tried, believe me. Splitting up was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but it was destroying us both. I love her too much to put her through this pain. It was right to finish it, right for her sake.�
Frank sat at considered this statement for a second and then jumped forward in his chair, giving Jim a reassuring smile. �Well, it seems to me that I have got back just in time then.�
�Sorry?�
�I know that I haven�t been around much lately Jim, but I mean what I say, I love you like you were my son, and I am glad that I can be here now to help you, at least I hope I am helping you?�
Jim chuckled. �Believe me, I wouldn�t rather have anyone else than you here right now Frank! Yeah, its going to be tough, we are working together in the CSU now��
�CSU?� interrupted Frank, looking puzzled.
�Community Safety Unit � June�s in charge of it.�
�Ahh, and you were working there with her. Cosy.� He chuckled, then seeing Jim�s pained reaction, �Sorry kid, that was insensitive of me�.
�Nah, that�s ok, its true after all, it was great. Seeing her whenever. We kept it quiet for a while, so there was a lot of sneaking about I guess, but to be honest although it wasn�t ideal, it made it all the more exciting.�
�Maybe when you told everyone that you were together you didn�t properly adjust to the situation. Maybe you need to work on living your relationship with others about.�
�Yeah, there�s probably some truth in that, but its too late now. It almost killed me splitting up this time; I don�t want to go through it again, especially for June�s sake. Anyway, enough about me. What about you, what are you doing here? Its great that you have come to see me, but I know you, there is always an ulterior motive!�
�Ok, ok, you�ve got me� chuckled Frank, holding his hands up in mock surrender. �I have got a case down here, illegal immigrants coming in; we are particularly interested in a group of men from the Sunhill area. I wasn�t originally on the case but pulled a few strings so that I could come. Actually, we need a few people from the nick to help out on the case, you fancy it? Will give you and June some breathing space for a while which sounds like a good idea to me, plus we can work together, just like old times �eh?!�
�Yeah, that sounds like a great idea to me,� replied Jim smiling, a sudden glimmer of hope in him. Maybe there was something else to his life other than June. Maybe just maybe he could salvage something from this mess. But then his heart fell as he thought of June. How must she be doing, did she have someone else there with her like he had Frank. If only he could just see her, just check that she was alright�
�Jim? Hello?! You were miles away.� Pause. �Thinking about her�
�Yeah, I cant help it. June is just, sorry, was, such a part of my life. I cant function without thinking of her, that�s how I work now.�
Frank observed as Jim visibly shook, the reality of their split hitting him once more.
�Oh kid, we really have a job on here sorting you out. I promise that I am not going out of the city before I help get you up on your feet again. I owe you that. However, I'm sorry, but I really do have to leave you now, I have a meeting at Scotland Yard with some 'superiors�. Honestly, it�s going to be torture! I will be debriefing the station tomorrow at 9.15, but any chance of a coffee in the canteen before that, chat more about how you are doing?�
�Yeah, sure, how about say quarter to nine then?�
�Sounds good to me,� grinned Frank, moving towards the door. He grasped at Jim�s hand and held it, looking up and smiling at him. �Its great to see you kid. Its not like me to get emotional or anything, but you are a part of me, and when you aren�t there my life just isn�t complete somehow.�
Jim nodded, understanding perfectly what he meant.
�And if you ever repeat what I have said, I will have to kill you! I don�t want people thinking that Frank Burnside has turned into a softy since he has been out of Sunhill.�
�I am sure there is no danger of that Gov� laughed Jim, moving to see him out of the door. �I will see you tomorrow then�
�You certainly will.�
TO BE CONTINUED�.