i have endured

“Hey.” Pippa opened the door, surprised because she didn’t really expect to see him. Bethany was watching a movie in the next room. “You’re back?” She paused and then shifted aside after realising she’d been blocking the door instincively. “Sorry, want to come in?”

Brent wanted to make sure this way real. She was really here and she was and he wasn’t dreaming. Like he often did of her. Looking back at her, his hand moved to start going through her hair. “What happened? What did Allan do? Is Bethany okay? Are you okay?” 

Brent honestly missed her. Every day, even if some days were busy ones she always came into his mind. Pippa. Which is why he was taking a walk right now. He was doing his best to get into the right frame of mind of his patients this afternoon. But he stopped the moment that he saw her. At first he thought she was in his head. Closing his eyes, he rubbed them for a moment before moving his hands and reopening his eyes. That was when he realized she was real. Back in Baberton. And not with Allan. He met her half way. Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her lips briefly. Pulling away slightly after a few moments. “Pippa…”

As startled as she should have been by the sudden appearance of a person, honestly Liz was numb and could have cared less if Pippa had been a murderer. Nothing really mattered anyway right now. She gave the smallest of smiles and shook her head slightly. “You are sweet… but what I need cannot be given…” She tossed her shoulder up into a shrug. She looked Pippa over, taking her in. She barely knew her, but she knew that she had worked for the newsagent and had disappeared. She didn’t know what had happened there because she hadn’t been involved enough in the business. Now, she imagined she would need to be a little more involved. Maybe it would give her an outlet? “–you are back in town.” 

“Do you think anyone would noticed? I mean, it’s a good idea. I just don’t want a big ordeal with my neighbour.” She chuckled. 

“Sounds like your neighbour is the problem if they’d take issue to one little nail.” She chuckled. “But no I’m sure it wouldn’t be noticeable at all.”

“Thanks, I’m glad I’m not the only one putting them up late. I’m just trying to figure how and what I’m going to do to get that one piece to not be lingered down.” 

“Maybe you could try putting a nail underneath a bit in a way where it could sort of rest on top and not be so down? I dunno.”