Jake sat in the clinic, trying to soothe Charlie who was getting grumpy. Looking up at the clock he saw he had been waiting to see the doctor now for nearly 40 minutes.
"I'm sorry son, but it looks like we are going to be in for a long wait", he muttered a little disgruntled about being kept waiting.
"I'm affraid you could be in for quite a long wait, one of the doctors has gone out on a call out", the woman next to him stated.
Jake turned and found himself looking at the woman beside him, with a little girl perched upon her knee and cuddling her mother.
"Been here long?", Jake enquired.
"My appointment should have been an hour ago", the woman sighed," I'm only here because my daughter has an ear infection".
At that moment the receptionist called out over the tannoy, "Miss Matthews and Natasha to room 3".
"That's us", the woman stated, picking up her daughter.
As the woman exited the waiting room, Jake couldn't help feeling he had met her before somewhere.

Jake strolled through the park, pushing Charlie in his push chair towards the lake to feed the ducks when he spotted the woman he had seen in the clinic earlier sitting on a bench.
"Hello again" Jake said.
The woman smiled and replied, "You don't remember me do you Jake".
Jake was caught off guard for a moment at the thought the woman knew him. His first though was she had seen him in the papers but he was suprised when the woman introduced herself, "I'm Julie. I use to be friends with Debbie for a while and got her the job in Gnosh Village".
Jake gave a little sigh of relief thinking the woman was going to bring up his past.
"I'm suprised to see you here. I thought Tony would have run you out of town for fleecing him", was all he could reply.
"Tony is history for me", Julie answered, "I don't suppose you would like to join me".
Jake sat himself down and place Charlie on his knee.
"I haven't seen you around for some time", Jake spoke.
"I've been busy with my daughter and my business", Julie answered, "They take up a lot of my time, and I don't get much time to go out. I don't mind though. So what about you ?".
"I guess you must have seen what happened to me the past year in the papers".
Julie looked down for a moment, felling a bit awkward before looking at Jake again.
"I did read something in the papers but it was an accident, you cannot help that happening no matter what. I know that from losing my father in a car crash", Julie sighed.
"I'm sorry to hear that", Jake answered sympathetically.
"So how are you coping with your son", Julie enquired.
"Oh he can be a bit of a handful at times, but he is OK. I just don't know though what I will tell him when he is older about what happened to Becca". Jake mused, looking at Charlie.
"It's hard, but as long as you are honest, it's should be too bad. I know from experience over Natasha, when she first asked me about her father". Julie offered.
"Is he not around", Jake asked, then adding, "Sorry I shouldn't have asked that".
"It's OK, I just don't know who the father is",Julie started to explain," You see after I had left Hollyoaks after Tony I got a job in a hotel. I was there for a few months when I attended a conference looking after the guests. They found me the next morning in a room drugged on a bed".
Jake feel silent for a moment in embaressment.
Seeing Jake's expression, Julie continued," It's alright. I don't think all men are evil, and from what I remember of you, you were an OK sort of person".
Jake turned to Julie and without thinking he said, "I don't suppose you would like to go out for a drink sometime".
Jake suddenly went red for a moment realising what he had just said.
"That would be nice", Julie relpied smiling", My mother is always telling me I should get out more and she is looking after Natasha for me. How about tomorrow night at The Dog".
Jake was taken aback abit how easily Julie had answered him.
"About 7ish". Jake asked nervously.
"That will be fine", Julie beamed, "See you then".
With that she bid Jake farewell and left him sitting on the bench with Charlie.
"Well son, It looks like thinks may be looking up for us". Jake murmered to himself......

Brilliant Start!