Suburbia - Part III - Desire

Welcome to Part III of Suburbia.

In the previous part Tom wrote a song which Mark said would be a huge hit on the radio, Clarissa cut herself and had a flashback giving us some insight into her days at school.

The ringing phone shrilled loudly through the silence.

Juliet, being flustered and sweaty enough from slacing over the hot stove, banged pots and pans together as she turned the temperature gauges down. She brushed her hair hurriedly out of her sweaty face with her wrist to avoid her dirty hands as she rushed past the dining room and into the hallway where she could not avoid using her hands to answer the phone.

"Hello? Cooper residence. Juliet speaking." Juliet sighed happily as she thought of herself one day becoming Juliet Cooper.

"Yes. Hi, Juliet, it's me, Andrew. I won't be home till late. Me and Julian are going out for a bite to eat, I hope you don't mind looking after Alexis for a few more hours." Juliet's disappointment filled her gut as she thought of the wasted time she had spent on the surprise dinner for Andrew. She sighed again, still heavy, but with more emphasis.

"No, Andrew, I don't mind. See you later honey." Juliet put the receiver back on its hook without waiting for a reply, and leant her head against the wall, annoyed at the wasted meal and effort.

Juliet trod gravely up the stairs, almost fearful of telling Alexis that she was going to have to spend even more time in the house alone with her. She walked hesitantly up to Alexis' bedroom door and knocked sharply before speaking through the door.

"Alexis. Can we talk?" Juliet hoped that Alexis would get up and open the door so that they could speak without the irritating door blocking communications.

"Whatever you want to talk about you can say it there, there's no need for you to come in." Juliet leant back against the wall and refrained from banging her head against it, infuriated by Alexis' arrogance.

Alexis leant back contentedly on her pillows and fiddled with her pigtails all the while smirking at the continuous effort Juliet was going to when she received nothing in return. Juliet's voice made its muffled way through the door again and Alexis listened and brushed a stray wispy hair away from her face.

"It's your dad." Alexis' heart skipped a beat as she thought the worst. "He won't be home till late tonight, he went out with Julian. But the dinner I have worked extremely hard on is just about ready... do you want to eat?" Alexis listened to Juliet's uncertain and quivering tone and laughed to herself at the fear she heard.

"I'm not really hungry..."

"Come on Alexis, you have to eat, it's not healthy... your father won't be very happy with you if you don't eat." Alexis heard the slow turning of the doorknob and quickly rolled over and lay face down on her pillow.

The door opened gently and Juliet poked her head slowly round the door.

"Alexis?" Juliet caught sight of Alexis, her face buried in her pillow. "Are you crying? I know you wanted to spend as little time as possible with me today and your father is making it impossible for us to be apart from each other, but..." Alexis pushed herself away from the headboard roughly.

"I'm not crying, Juliet. I just want to be left alone." Juliet sighed once more and edged around to the other side of the bed and sat down.

"Alexis, trust me, you don't want to be alone."

"Why should I trust you? I barely know you!" Juliet could feel Alexis weakening to her, at least she was talking, and felt a small pang of relief; a heat around her face and a dampness in her eyes.

Alexis felt Juliet's light form weigh down the other side of the bed as she brought her legs up to rest. She turned away pointedly as she felt an emotional conversation coming on.

"Alexis, will you please listen to me? Even if it's just this one time... I won't ask again if you don't want me to..." Alexis felt Juliet's eyes on the back of her head and took a deep breath.

"Yes all right." She said with emphasis so that Juliet could tell she was annoyed.

"I know that your father didn't really give you any breathing space when he asked me to move in right after your mother walked out - that is why we have never really made friends, but I wasn't the reason..." Juliet felt the lump in the back of her throat and the stinging in the back of her eyes, but continued. "When I met your father I didn't know he was married." Juliet took a deep rasping breath as the tears overwhelmed her and came pouring down her cheeks. "When I found out I wanted to break it off... your father wouldn't let me, he told me that he loved me. He told me that it was almost over with his wife and that I had nothing to do with it." Alexis looked at the ceiling, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry that you feel this way about me. I'm sorry... for everything: your mother walking out on you, your father not paying as much attention to you... I'm just sorry for everything." Juliet buried her face in her hands and began to sob. Alexis crawled off the bed and watched Juliet tentatively, she had never seen an adult burst into tears in front of her before. It wasn't what adults did, and it frightened her. Juliet dragged herself from the tangle of bedclothes and stumbled bleary-eyed towards Alexis.

"Alexis." Juliet held out her arms and leant in to Alexis for comfort and to comfort.

"No..." Alexis waved her hands in front of her face as she began to sob harder. "Juliet... I c-can't... I don't l-like you... I don't need you." Alexis covered her face with her hands and ran from the room, leaving Juliet to collapse on the bed.

Alexis ran to the bathroom, her vision blurred by the tears streaming down her hot face, and slammed the heavy door shut behind her before she swiftly turned the key in the lock and absorbed the bue coolness of the room which reflected her mood. The tiles were cold under Alexis' numb feet and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other to avoid the chills that kept shooting up the backs of her legs. She ran to the sink and turned the taps so that the water flowed thick and fast into the palms of her sweaty hands. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and caught sight of the raw redness of her face as she scrubbed the tears from her face furiously. She splashed the cold water against her hot face and almost saw the steam issuing from the contrast. It wasn't fair. She wanted to hate Juliet, blame Juliet. She wanted loads of horrible things to happen to Juliet for pushing her mother away. It wasn't fair that Juliet insisted on making it so hard to hate her. It wasn't fair.

Juliet stumbled bleary-eyed into hers and Andrews bedroom closing the door with a definitive 'click' and leaning against it before letting out a deep breath as her body trembled and shivered. She stepped towards the bed wiping the tears from her face with the soft cotton of her sleeve and picked up one of Andrews discarded shirts from somewhere she didn't even notice. Juliet peeled her clothes off, her delicate fingers fumbling with the edges of the fabric and felt the chillness of the air as the heat escaped her body. She wrapped the shirt tightly around her slim body, not even considering the bothersome buttons and clambered swiftly into the bed, almost collapsing into the soft, velvety bedsheets and slipping away into a dream.

As she slept, Juliet relived the minutes that she spent explaining things to Alexis and one thing sprang to her dreams over and over again. "Alexis, trust me, you don't want to be alone." As the words floated over and over again in her mind, her dreams strayed away from the argument and to her past when she was surrounded by people and still felt extremely alone.

It had been one of those long, hard days and Juliet chose as she did most nights to sit in a bar and unwind with her friend Sarah - Juliet wasn't exactly friends with Sarah, but she was with her most nights in which they hopped bars looking for guys to go home with. They stopped bar hopping when they found a homely place quite close to where the lived, it was quite popular and never failed in providing a guy to go home with. It was called The Grange and, due to its sophistication and expensive prices, Juliet could only afford to visit the bar because she got discounts from the barman for being a regular and because she had a relatively well paid job as an entertainer in another bar, quite a while away.

Juliet sat at the bar wondering why she did what she did. It wasn't as if she was sleazy, she would never let the men touch her and she was very adamant about keeping her clothes on. She wasn't desperate for money and could sustain a more socially accpetable job if she wanted, but she strangely enjoyed the sensation of everyone's eyes being on her, she liked to be thought of as beautiful, as someone to be admired.

Sarah's voice penetrated her thoughts and awoke her to her surroundings.

"Do you want another drink, you've finished your first?" Juliet nodded in reply and glanced quickly at the good looking barman as Sarah called him over to order the drinks. Juliet always took a strong drink, something that would losen her up quickly and make her more willing to leave with a random guy. She wasn't like that, she didn't like doing it; it was just habit.

Sarah tapped Juliet on the shoulder and looked at her intently, Juliet looked back and took in all of Sarah's features. Sarah had jet black short, choppy hair which was pulled back away from her face in a scruffy ponytail apart from a stray sweep of hair which covered her right eye, her facial features were unique and she had to be the most beautiful person Juliet had ever met in her life, but Sarah was eccentric and liked to over-indulge with make-up which only drew away from her attractiveness.

"So how was work tonight, busy?" Once again Sarah's voice penetrated the fog in Juliet's head and awoke her to her surroundings and the present conversation.

"I suppose, but business isn't as booming as usual, I think too many people are getting married, and the ones who aren't... just don't know about us." Sarah nodded interestedly, Sarah had a good job, she was a secretary in a prostigious law firm, Davis and Davis, but she had never been able to settle down, she was too restless, always wanting something else to do.

Juliet turned back to her drink, only just realising what the dwindling popularity of her bar meant - she could be out of a job soon. She began to think of possible career prospects, ones that would interest her, ones that would provide her with a satisfacory life, ones which would ground her and show her the proper place for her in this world.

"Well, I'm sure business will pick up soon." Sarah stated brightly. As if reading Juliet's mind she added: "They won't sack you, you're one of the main attractions." Juliet looked once again into Sarah's striking face, still thinking of her possible future; of marriage and children.

"The thing is," she stated quietly. "I kind of want to be sacked... I want to get a proper job, I want to be accepted in a community. I don't want to be ashamed of who I am." Sarah cleared her throat, not really knowing what to say, did Juliet need words of comfort or encouragement? Instead she looked behind her into the relaxation area and smirked.

"Yes, well, you have an admirer." Juliet glanced quickly at Sarah, who was still smirking, with a confused look on her face and her eyebrows raised.

"What? Who?"

Sarah nodded in the direction of the relaxation area, her smirk more evident as Juliet turned around to glance behind and blushed a deep crimson, as she too caught sight of the guy watching her.

"I don't know if he followed you from work, or if he noticed you the moment you walked in here, but he has had his eye on you the whole time. I've been watching him too." Sarah threw her head back with a peircing laughter and looked quickly back to the barman who was listening idly to their conversation as the guy headed over, his friend following closely behind him.

The barman grinned as Juliet turned around and came face to face with his naked chest which was right at her eye level. Juliet blushed again as she looked down at her empty glass.

"Er, the same again please." she stuttered shyly, as she thought of the relief it would provide when it came to talking to the fast approaching fellow. The barman put her glass down in front of her, still smiling.

"There you go, Juliet." Juliet looked up into his beaming face and smiled politely back. "If any of those guys give you any trouble, just call on me alright?" Juliet knew it wouldn't come to that but nodded in reply.

"Yeah, thanks Doug."

"It's no problem, here they come now." Doug whispered and quickly turned away from Juliet. 'They'? What did he mean by 'They'? She found out soon enough.

Sarah glanced back behind and quickly struck up a fake conversation with Juliet, so that things didn't feel too awkward. The conversation was actually going somewhere when they were interrupted by a rather posh, English accent.

"Hi, may I get you two ladies a drink?" Juliet could already see the tactics this man so eagerly played, ordering both her and her friend a drink so that it didn't look like he was just targeting her.

"Sorry, but we already have a drink each right here." Juliet replied smartly, holding up her half empty glass.

"Well, perhaps when you are finished, I might buy you another?" Juliet smiled, so this man was intelligent.

"Sure, I'm Juliet and this is Sarah."

"I'm Joey and this is my friend Luke."

Joey seemed harmless enough, Juliet thought, he was extremely charming and he was very likeable with his queen's English accent and his polite manner. He was well educated and an interesting conversationalist, he was different when compared to other guys Juliet normally hooked up with in this bar.

"So, do you want to start getting your things together, then we'll head back to my place?" Juliet frowned in confusion, she didn't understand what he wanted, she would have had it been a less polite man, but it didn't seem right coming from Joey.

"What for coffee?" Juliet asked hopefully.

"Yes. For coffee." Joey repeated as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"I don't think that would be appropriate Joey, I think it might be better if we were just friends." She saw a flash of anger behind Joey's eyes and she felt suddenly fearful, she looked away as Sarah called her name, and when she glance back the anger was gone.

Sarah approached and stopped in front of them with a smile on her face, she stumbled slightly in her heels from the amount of alcohol she had consumed, but managed to remain in an upright position.

"So, me and Luke are heading out and back to his place." She smiled impressively. "Will you be alright making your own arrangements?" She asked with a wink. Juliet glanced back at Joey quickly and gave Sarah a worried look, before smiling.

"Yeah, I think me and Joey will be fine won't we?"

"Yes, we will be fine." The accent that once could have been used as a seduction technique, now repulsed Juliet. She watched as Luke picked up Sarah's coat and wrapped it over her shoulders, leaving his arm there as comfort on their way out of the door.

As soon as Srah left Joey swung round to face Juliet once more.

"So back to my place is it?" He snarled with a fury burning deep inside his pale blue eyes which now felt as cold as they looked. Juliet screwed her face up fearfully as Joey wrapped his hand tightly around her wrist and pushed himself onto her. Juliet pressed her palms up against his muscular chest defensively and tried to haul him off of her, but he was stronger and had had less to drink. He smothered her mouth with his own and knocked his teeth and gums against hers as he pushed his tongue into the warm haven, that was Juliet's mouth. Juliet fought and squealed as Joey pushed her up against the wall, hoping to get someone's attention.

"Oi! What do you think you are doing? Get off of her!" Joey pulled away quickly to acknowledge and confront the intruder.

The woman approached with a furious look on her face, but Joey did not seem ashamed at what he had done, in fact he seemed to welcome the confrontation, thinking that his accent and charm would let him get away with it.

"She did not want you to kiss her! She does not want to take this night any further with you! Leave her alone! BOYS like you should not be walking the streets!" The woman breathed heavily like a stampeding bull. Joey seemed relaxed, his shoulders were back, not raised in offense or defense, he grinned at her incoming attack and fought not to laugh.

"Juliet wanted me to kiss her. Didn't you Juliet? Tell this woman that everything is alright... go on." Joey continued to smile, but Juliet continued to look at him in fear, her heart was racing and she was confused, what did he expect her to say?

"Thank you, Joey will be leaving now. Won't you Joey." Juliet stated firmly with a quick glance at Doug who was fast approaching, Joey raised his eyebrows in surprise and slowly and quietly left the bar.

Juliet turned to face the woman, she seemed well off, her hair pulled away from her face revealing her high cheekbones and expensive make-up. Juliet looked at the expensive clothes that adorned the slight frame of this intimidating and powerful woman, who also shared the queen's English accent.

"Thanks again... but who are you?" The woman held out her perfectly manicured hand politely for Juliet to shake.

"I'm Tara, Tara Banks. Pleased to meet you, I'm glad I could help you, seriously, I am sick of men who think they can get away with doing what they like to a woman." Juliet let go of Tara's hand and smiled.

"Perhaps I might be able to return the favour sometime, do you come here often, maybe I can buy you a drink sometime?" The experience Juliet had just been through; having to be rescued by this woman, made her realise just how much her life needed sorting out, and vowed she would find a 'proper' job immediately. But she knew that she was going to be entirely alone.

Juliet opened her eyes as she heard Andrew close the door behind him and begin to take his clothes off hurriedly. The smell of alcohol wafted up her nose as he tore at his clothes drunkenly trying to keep upright, he eventually layed his clothes in an untidy tangle on the floor and slipped under the duvet. Juliet felt his warm body invade the cold sheets as he wrapped an arm around her waist and rested his chin against the back of her shoulder, snuggling his nose into the back of her neck. He sighed heavily with his mouth open as he found a comfortable spot for his body and closed his eyes. The smell of strong licquer wafted once again up Juliet's nose making her feel nauseous, she closed her eyes again, trying to ignore the stench on his breath. She opened her eyes almost at once as he began to snore, his mouth open, his breath constantly billowing against the side of her face. Then and there Juliet promised herself she would never let him go out with Julian again unless she was invited too.

Juliet closed her eyes once more, pushing Andrew away from her, so she could cover her head with her pillow to avoid the sound of his snoring and the stench of his breath. She thought once again of her past, how she used to get drunk like Andrew... but that was when she didn't have responsibilities... well, except for herself. Andrew had Alexis; He had HER. Surely he shouldn't be going out and drinking like this, especially since he only just went back to work. How was he supposed to get up in the morning? Juliet's face began to get hot with anger and with the added heat from being under a pillow she found she could no longer stand being in the same bed with someone as irresponsible as Andrew. She pulled herself off the bed, and quietly made her way out of the bedroom, snapping the door shut behind her.

Juliet tiptoed down the stairs, managing to avoid the one that creaks extremely loud, and made her way into the living room. 'If Andrew wanted to behave like this, he should never have had a child.' Juliet said to herself, her rage overcoming her, Juliet was usually a calm, shy person. She was not the type to get angry at anyone; but the situation of the household was a tender one, and Andrew should not be abondoning his family to go for drinks with his friends. Juliet shivered as the chill in the living room gave her goosebumps on her bare legs, she stumbled blindly in the darkness looking for the couch where she would rest her head for the rest of the night. When she found it, she slumped down into the soft cushions and closed her eyes, relieved for the silence and clean smelling atmosphere.

Upstairs, Andrew rolled over in his sleep and opened his eyes, staring at the tangled mess of his clothes on the bedroom floor. A guilt flooded his stomach as he realised he may have disrespected Juliet by staying away late, and now he had forced her out of her own bed. Andrew's head span and his vision blurred as he looked at the canopy above the four poster.

'I'll sort it out in the morning.' he told himself, before closing his eyes. But even after closing his eyes, Andrew wasn't peaceful, the guilt continued to overwhelm him and he began to sweat as he panicked. He had lied. Lied to the woman he most cared about in the whole world. He had lied to Juliet. As his eyes remained tightly closed he relived the night he had just had.

Andrew stepped lightly out of the frame of red which was his car and brushed a stray hair from his face as the wind blew roughly overhead. It was cold outside and Andrew pulled his suit jacket tighter around him to stop the invading chill that the wind caused.

Andrew thought of Juliet at home, eating dinner with Alexis, hopefully bonding with Alexis, he had to give them both this chance... otherwise it would be impossible to live with.

A pang interrupted Andrew's thoughts, a twist in his gut. Was he doing the right thing? He knew he wasn't and realised that the pang was of guilt, if what he was doing was right, he never would have lied to Juliet about who he was going to dinner with. 'Yes but I only lied because I didn't want Juliet to become needlessly suspicious - there is nothing going on, I am just getting to know my new business partner.' Andrew reassured himself before turning back and dipping his head through the door.

"Are you coming?"

Andrew and Clara stepped into the warm orange glow of The Grange and felt the chill leave him as the warmth of the room immediately soothed the cold spots.

Andrew looked to his right as he politely waved someone away who had just offered to take his coat. A married couple were sat in the corner, seemingly celebrating their anniversary, their hands were clasped and they were both enjoying one anothers company.

"After a year together, I'm still madly in love with you, Tina. I couldn't have imagined someone more perfect than you to walk into my life the moment you did." The woman, Tina, smiled, her glistening diamonds and rubies tinkling around her neck and ears as they looked into each others eyes lovingly.

"Me too, Matthew I couldn't possibly love anyone as much as I love you." Andrew felt another pang of guilt as he watched the happy couple, he was reminded of Juliet at home without him, he should be there for her but someting was stopping him. What was it?

In another part of the restaurant Andrew caught sight of a family, a happy family, they weren't well off but they were treating their little girl to a meal out, presumably for her birthday. They were sat comfortably, looking at each other, the conversation flowing freely between them.

"So, are you having a good time, Gemma? We know how you like to go out for dinner on your birthday." The large woman, apparently Gemma's mum asked with a slight strain in her voice and Andrew realised just how much this meal was costing them and was jealous that even though they could barely afford this meal, they were still extremely close.

'Just shows money doesn't buy happiness.' He told himself.

"Yes, mum. But you didn't need to, I would have been happy still if you had just cooked a nice meal at home..." The girl was smart and knew of her parents financial situation, she just didn't let on.

"Yes but you know how we like to treat you." Her father chuckled as he stroked the back of her head, feeling the softness of her hair.

As Andrew watched them he was reminded of his family, his family which was seperated in all areas, and it was his fault. He had not gone home at the normal time tonight, if he had things might be different. He might have been able to fix it. As the girl blew out the candles on her birthday cake, Andrew couldn't help but laugh and clap with the rest of the restaurant and a sudden revelation hit him and he smacked his forehead in horror. It was Alexis' birthday at the weekend, that meant that he had two days to get her a present and organise something.

Andrew and Clara were politely seated by the host, Andrew placed his hands on his lap as his eyes fuzzed over and he stared at the different patterns the flickering candles caused on the red tablecloth, as he thought about what they could do for Alexis' birthday, something that would bring the family closer together.

Clara saw the distant look in Andrew's eyes and was confused as she had just seen him clapping and cheering along with the rest of the restaurant.

"Andrew, are you Ok?" Clara watched Andrew as his eyes slid back into focus and looked up into her eyes. She adopted a concerned look and continued to watch him. "Do you want me to get you a glass of water?"

"No, thankyou." Andrew clicked his fingers as a waiter approached. "Can I get a whisky over here please. And whatever the lady wants." Andrew said acknowledging Clara with a wave of the hand. Clara was frightened, she had spent all day with Andrew as they worked on the case and he had seemed calm and nice, but now he was acting strange; rude and inconsiderate.

"Oh, I'll just have a glass of water please." The waiter turned away and Clara turned to Andrew again. "Do you think it wise to be drinking when you're driving and we have work tomorrow."

Andrew looked at Clara as if it was the first time he had ever seen her, she had seemed really shy earlier; reserved and slightly elegant. But now she was different, she was nervous and unattractive.

"Relax, Clara, it's just one drink." Clara raised her eyebrows questionably as she doubted very much that it would just be one drink, but she let the situation drop anyway and let Andrew have his way.

"So anyway, the case." Clara said as she tried to get Andrew's mind back on work and remind him of his responsibilities. "I've been thinking, could it possibly have been a racial attack?" Clara was blunt and always suspected the most obvious things, she rarely took in all of the details and was not very analytical about things. She watched Andrew as he downed his whiskey in one, clearly she needed to talk about something else to stop him drinking.

Clara was about to open her mouth to say something else, when Andrew screwed up his eyes in deep concentration. He could already feel the alcohol beginning to have an effect on him - he wasn't a very heavy drinker, actually he rarely drank at all after Alexis was born.

"I think that it could quite possibly been a racial attack, Clara." Andrew said as he opened his eyes again. "But I have a reason to believe that it wasn't a racial attack..." Andrew appeared to be keeping that piece of information to himself, Clara thought, and so she pressed on.

"What, er, reason do you have for believing that?" Clara tried her best to be polite, but found it difficult on account of Andrew's arrogance and the distant look in his eyes.

"Well. Tracey was strangled." Andrew stated this simply and matter-of-factly as if it answered Clara's question, but she looked at him confusedly.

"And why does that mean it wasn't a racial attack?"

Andrew rolled his eyes at Clara's simplicity, and took a deep breath before leaning forward creating a dramatic effect and making Clara hold her breath in anticipation.

"Because, Clara, a racial attack is normally planned, so the death tends to be more gruesome. But strangulation..." He stated waving his fork about. "Strangulation is usually taken as a last resort, strangulation is usually an emotion filled murder. That is why I do not suspect that this was a racial attack." Clara raised her eyebrows in revelation and opened her eyes wide as she realised what Andrew was saying was true. "So shall we go home now? I'll give you a lift." Clara nodded and began to pick up her things ready to leave. "Wait." Clara looked up into Andrew's face still fiddling with her handbag clasp. "One for the road?" Andrew called the waiter over again and ordered a refill which he downed as soon as it reached his hands, spilling a lot down the front of his shirt and suit jacket.

Andrew paid the bill and they walked out of the warm restaurant and back into the chilly wind. As they headed out to the car, the air began to get crispy as the biting wind blew against them, causing them both to pull their jackets tighter around them. Clara knew that a storm was getting closer, the clouds filled the night sky covering the light of the moon, snow was coming even though it was only autumn.

Clara worried as she watched Andrew, although he had only had two drinks, he wasn't as steady on his feet as he should be and she wondered if he would be Ok to drive her home. But Andrew wasn't waiting for her to figure it out; he pulled open the door of the car against the fierce, biting wind and forced himself into the driver's seat and preceded to start the engine with Clara still standing outside in the cold.

Clara quickly followed suit and only just managed to secure herself in the car with a seatbelt before Andrew pulled away.

Andrew pulled into the driveway of his home, he had dropped Clara off at her home ten minutes ago. She had practically launched herself out of the door as soon as Andrew was slowing to a stop, fearful of his reckless driving, when Andrew did eventually stop he rolled down the passenger window and called out to her as she hunched her shoulders against the cold and falling snow and bent over to peer into the darkness of the car.

"See you at work tomorrow, perhaps we should do this again sometime." Clara's face went a stoney white and she nodded her head reluctantly as Andrew rolled the window back up, waved and pulled away again, leaving her standing there momentarily stunned before she quickly turned and made her way through the delicate snowflakes, being forced into a blizzard by the cruel wind, and into her warm and cosy house.

After Andrew had parked his car, he stepped out into the snow which was falling harder and harder with every step that he took. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets as they turned a pale blue colour and he lost all feeling in them. His cheeks and nose turned a rosy red as the cold wind bit at his bare skin, the snow landed in his hair and quickly melted from the heat sending droplets of freezing water down the back of his neck and chills down his spine.

As he stepped into the flooding light of the house, he could smell burning, not the burning that comes from a house fire, but the smell of burning food. The alcohol that had reached his bloodstream could have impaired his judgement and he could have ignored the smell and gone straight to bed.

But he didn't. He sniffed at the pungent, smokey air and over-enthusiastically followed the burning smell into the kitchen. Once there, he found the remains of Jluiet's painstaking effort at creating a nice meal for the family to share and hopefully bond with one another; understand each others situations. The knot in his stomach, which had been tightening all evening as he was reminded of his family, gave an almighty twinge as he once again found that all of his decisions he had made today were the wrong ones and he should have stayed home to supervise and encourage a good relationship between Alexis and Juliet. He knew what he had to do now. He knew what was right. He had to stay at home as much as possible, and what better day to do it than on Alexis' birthday. Andrew had a brainwave as he scraped the black, smouldering mess from the pan into the bin... the boat! He would take Alexis and Juliet to the boat for a birthday celebration!

Andrew stepped over to the sink and stuck his greasy hands under the cold, refreshing water that streamed out into his awaiting palms and quickly down the swirling plughole. He quickly dried his hands on a nearby towel leaving his hands still damp from the wash, left the towel on the counter by the sink and left the kitchen, staggering from the tiredness that alcohol comes with. He stumbled slowly up the stairs chuckling to himself at his clumsiness. He made his way into the bedroom, trying diligently not to make any noise but failing as it often does when you try your hardest not to, he closed the door behind him but he pushed too hard and it clicked into place with a loud echo across the bedroom.

He tiptoed, in his shoes, over to his side of the bed and began to fight with his clothes as he tried to take them off as quick as he could, the smell of the spilt whiskey lingered on his clothes and made him feel rather nauseous. He yanked at his tie, loosening it from its strong tether and ripped his shirt off taking the tie off with it. He undid his belt and let his loose trousers fall to the floor and he tripped up on a leg as he tried to reach the bed, he chuckled nervously to himself, fearful of waking up Juliet and lifted the covers before clambering underneath them.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he could still smell the lingering whiskey but managed to ignore it as he moved closer to Juliet and wrapped an arm around her waist cuddling her into him tightly. He rested his chin on her shoulder and snuggled his nose into the back of her neck, showering her with his affections. He sighed deeply as he got comfortable, still persisting with the cuddles.

A short while later and he was at that point where you aren't conscious of what you are doing, but still slightly awake, when his sinus problems kicked in causing him to start snoring.

Andrew woke up suddenly groggily and confusedly as he felt Juliet's palm on his naked chest as it forced him back onto his side of the bed. He lay there with his eyes open, just watching Juliet as she lifted her head gently, her hair cascading over the pillow, and lifted the pillow up and bringing it forcefully back down over her head. Andrew frowned in confusion and waited a while, before realising that his breath stank and the whole room smelt of whiskey. He shrugged his shoulders slightly, hindered by the fact that he was laying in bed, and decided he could do nothing about it at the moment, turned over and layed on his back. He was just about to fall asleep again when he was jerked awake by Juliet who suddenly threw her pillow from her face and sat up straight in bed.

Andrew lay there, awaiting her next move, but she just lingered on the edge of the bed for a while, presumably to wake herself up, then, as quickly as she had thrown the pillow from her face she was outside the door snapping it shut and on her way down the stairs.

Andrew rolled over and opened his eyes staring at the tangled mess of his clothes on the bedroom floor. A guilt flooded his stomach as he realised he may have disrespected Juliet by staying away late, and now he had forced her out of her own bed. Andrew's head span and his vision blurred as he looked at the canopy above the four poster.

'I'll sort it out in the morning.' he told himself before closing his eyes. But even after closing his eyes, Andrew was not peaceful, the guilt continued to overwhelm him and he began to perspirate as he panicked. He had lied. Lied to the woman he most cared about in the whole world. He had lied to Juliet.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

The next part will contain another flashback on another characters past, I'm just deciding which one. I'd like to hear any theories you might have, who the murderer is, what you think might happen in future parts, just anything really.

Thanks again for reading and please come back for Part IV