Nick's injury earned him five stitches and some sick leave from work which suited him as it gave him some precious time to spend with Katie.

As he predicted Maxwell's father produced a psychiatrist who declared Maxwell to be suffering from severe depression causing the balance of his his mind to be temporarily disturbed. With a bit of help from the Chief Constable Maxwell swerved charges on the condition he attended hospital as an inpatient. His parents backed the decision, as they were extremely upset and concerned by what had happened and of course this was a better option than prison which otherwise is where Maxwell would have ended up.

Jo herself had been distraught and Maggie had contacted her father who came to pick her up and take her home. She was still there so far as Nick knew.

So this afternoon Nick was curled up on the sofa with his daughter, reading her a story. It has to be said that he was not impressed when someone knocked on the door. Eileen went to open it and found Maggie on the step.

"Sorry," Maggie said as she came into the sitting room and found Nick and Katie comfortably ensconced. "Its sort of important."

Nick gave a rueful grin. "I'm on sick leave!" he said

"Rubbish there's hardly a scratch on you!" Maggie retorted robustly.

"Tea Maggie?" Eileen called through.

"Yes please!" Maggie focused on Nick. "Seriously, I won't stay, I don't want to spoil your story, Katie!"

Katie smiled at Maggie and reached out for her. "Come on then terror!" Maggie said putting the little girl on her knee as she sat down and giving her a toy off the floor to keep her amused.

"So," Maggie said, as Eileen joined them with cups of tea, "its about Jo."

"When's she coming back?" Nick asked.

"Well that's just it. I mean, she is coming back tomorrow but to pack up Nick. She said she isn't staying in Aidensfield."

"But, why!" Eileen exclaimed. "I mean Maxwell is out of harm's way now and she could have a lovely life here."

"Its total madness," Maggie replied. "I spoke to her on the phone last night and all she seems to see is that she has caused so much trouble by coming here. She said she doesn't want to go back to her parents permanently but she is looking to move on again as she puts it."

"What's happened has hardly been her fault," Nick muttered.

"Well of course not. I just thinks she is so shaken and shocked she can hardly see a way past all this." Maggie looked directly at Nick. "Would you talk to her Nick? Try and make her see she doesn't need to go anywhere. I think as well as everything she feels guilty because you got involved and you got hurt. You speaking to her and putting her mind at rest might help I think."

"I can try I suppose."

They looked up as the phone rang. "Busy afternoon!" Eileen said brightly, getting up to go and answer it.

Maggie leaned forward and said to Nick in a low voice, "Nick. Don't think its not been noticed. You feel something towards Joanna don't you?"

"I don't know Maggie. I mean, yeah, but I don't know if I can, if its right."

"Oh Nick, of course its right!" Maggie took a breath. "And I'm telling you now, if you feel anything for Joanna and you want her to stay around, tell her for God's sake!"

Nick digested Maggie's words, thought about them and then decided to go up and see Jo the following afternoon Maggie having confirmed she was back in the cottage.

Jo came to the window when she heard the car pull up and then came out of the cottage to meet him.

"Hi there!" she said giving him an impulsive hug. "I'm so pleased to see you. How's your arm?"

"Its fine. I'm surprised I got any sick leave out of it to be honest," Nick admitted. He looked at her closely. "What about you?"

"Oh I'm fine," she said evasively. "Come on into the house," She nodded at her car. "Look, this was dropped off whilst I was at my parents. Bernie Scripps has done a fantastic job on it. Looks like new! And Maggie has been so kind, cleaned the cottage for me herself and everything."

As Nick stepped into the cottage he noticed fresh flowers and cards in the window. He looked at Jo. She smiled. "From the school. They have been so kind given I've been there less than a week."

"They must have really taken to you. See, its not all bad is it?"

She said evasively, "I'll make some tea."

When they were drinking tea in the cosy sitting room, Nick said to Jo, "So, how have you been? Be honest Jo."

"Well I've been looked after at home, as you might guess. Mum and Dad were so shocked by what happened. Mum felt guilty for letting Max know where to find me but he would have found me anyway so that's neither here nor there. Do you know Lady Cotesmore came to see me? She was very shocked, said they'd no idea about this side of Maxwell."

"The least she could have done I would have thought," Nick said.

"She didn't have to come Nick."

"All right. Sorry." He looked at her. "How do you feel about Maxwell avoiding prison?"

"We knew that would happen didn't we?" Jo shrugged. "I don't think I'll see him here again and that was all that was bothering me."

Nick nodded. "There is something else of course." He hesitated. "Maggie told me you were planning on moving on again."

"What else can I do Nick?"

"Stay here!" Nick leaned forward. "Why would you go Jo? You've got friends here already, you've made a great start at the school. You'd be letting those kids down if you move on again."

Jo gave him a grin. "That's low Nick Rowan!"

"Well its true. You've nothing to run away from have you?"

"No, I suppose not."

"At least give it a try and then maybe if you feel the same in a few months think about moving on then. But I think you should stick around for now." Nick took a deep breath. "I'd like you to."

She looked at him. "Really?"

He nodded.

"Nick, I nearly got you killed!"

"I'll get over it."

She looked closely at him. "What are you saying?"

"I don't know Jo. I really don't. But I'd like you to stick around not least because I owe you a dinner don't I?"

"Well there is that!" She relaxed a little. "All right, I'll put any ideas about moving on, on hold - how's that."

Nick nodded, satisfied. "That'll do - for now."