Chapter Twelve

"I think about you baby, and I dream about you all the time."

Tom stepped out of the yellow cab, and slammed the door before the cab sped away. The sound of automobiles chugging along the crowded streets filled his ears. He pulled his hat down and headed to inspect his new hotel room. The last one was way below standards. The streets were crowded with people.

London was worse than he remembered. Everything seemed dingy and somewhat broken. In Kembleford every thing had its own place. Cursed little parish. He was ill-suited there from the start! He knew it. Every one knew it. He broke his own rules and got comfortable there.

And look what it cost you...

Too much.

It cost him things he swore he wasn't willing to give. But he had given hadn't he? Now here he was, back in a place he had no desire to be and awaiting his new assignment from Scotland Yard. He wanted to go to some tiny little village where no one knew his name. He wanted to run as far as he could. It would all depend on what his bosses said today.

His mind went to Emma for the hundredth time that day. All the old familiar thoughts funneled their way through. What was she doing? How was her hair styled? Probably in a bun, he thought to himself. Newer thoughts came as well. Was she still in the hospital? How was she healing? Did she miss him? Did she know?

He considered asking Sergeant Goodfellow to relay the information to him, but it was easier to make a clean break. No contact with anyone from his former life. He wasn't doing well, but then again he'd seen darker times than this. He couldn't remember when, but surely he had.

He made his way to his hotel room and shut the door. This was much better than the last place. He glanced at his watch. He had enough time to shower before his meeting with his boss. Once more his mind went to her...

Emma used her cane to help steady herself as she made her way home. After two weeks in the hospital she was finally well enough to be released. She had longed for this day. The road to recovery was more rocky than she ever imagined. A few terrifying setbacks had almost driven all the hope from her.

Still she persisted. She turned the knob to the B&B and stepped into the foyer. It didn't smell the same. She went straight down the hall and headed for her bedroom where she saw a note taped to the door. She took it down and carried it with her to the bed where she sat and opened it.

Emma,
I've kicked myself a thousand times for this, but it's not use. By now you know I am a coward. I'm bound for a new job and I don't expect I shall return to Kembleford. I hate myself for this, but I know it's for the best. Just know I'll think of your green eyes often...and I wanted to say that I love you. Right now you probably wish I was dead, but I do hope that someday you'll see I really did care for you.
Sincerely Yours, Tom.

Emma calmly folded the letter back into its envelope. He was correct in assuming she knew of his departure. When he didn't come back to see her, and when all the nurses began whispering around her she had guessed it. While her heart was truly broken, she put all her energry into healing. Heartbreak could come later, or if she was lucky...never.

She tossed the letter on her desk. There was only one thing left to do...she would start the process of moving on. For over a year she hadn't lived alone. She and Tom may not have shared the same bed, but they shared a home. He was gone now and it was all she could do not to break down.

She hoped that where ever he was now he was happy.

A short chapter to end our story. A bitter ending I'm afraid.

Lyrics- 3 Doors Down