‘Oh God, what have I done?' That was one of the many questions going through Comfort’s mind as she sat in the car, staring blankly out of the window on the drive back to Fin’s flat.

She had felt so sure, all along, that she would stay with Rob and was kidding herself all this time that this mess would sort itself out. Up until his car pulled up, she was determined not to give in to temptation, but as soon as Rob’s car appeared around the corner, she wished instantly that it was Fin.

Then it was. He had come for her. seeing the two men side by side was heart wrenching for her, knowing that she would break one of their hearts. But she knew who she had to choose.

She had to choose Fin.. However much she thought she loved Rob, she knew, deep down that if she was truly happy with him, nothing would’ve happened with Fin. But it did, and now she had made a decision that would change her life, more than it was changed already, and she was already beginning to wonder if she had made the right one.

But whoever she had chosen, she’d be wondering the same thing. She told herself not to think about the ‘what ifs’ and concentrate on the choice she had made and where to go from here.

The journey from the ambulance station had been a silent one. Neither of them had felt like saying anything and she was glad they hadn’t. She had sat in the passenger seat in a state of shock and the smallest little thing could’ve pushed her over the edge and just make her loose it completely.

Now, as they stood in the hall, waiting to go inside, still no sound was uttered. She could tell that he was longing for her to say something. She didn’t want him to think she was regretting choosing him.

As Fin unlocked the door and they stepped inside, she finally broke the silence.

“Fin”, she sobbed and broke down into tears.

He pulled her in close and hugged her, his strong muscular arms comforting and reassuring, washing away all the stress she felt in an instant as they stood in their tight embrace for what seemed like hours.

***

Relief. That was all Fin felt at the moment. After all these weeks of the anxiety and pain of not being able to be with the one he loved, he was relieved that, for now anyway, the whole situation was at least partially resolved, even though they still had a lot to work at.

After standing there for an eternity, savouring every moment of each other’s company, they now sat on the sofa, her head in his lap, him stroking her hair. She had fallen asleep some time ago and however much he wanted to stay with her and watch her sleep, he didn’t want to disturb her any more.

He gently rested her head on a cushion and draped a blanket over her peaceful, sleeping form and smiled as he kissed her forehead and made his way to his bedroom It was late and they both needed rest. They had to work in the morning.

***

“Good morning!” came an enthusiastic call from across the room.

As Comfort opened her eyes, a familiar face loomed into view. He welcomed her with a huge, beaming smile and that cheeky glint he always had in his eye weather he meant to or not.

She smiled back half-heartily and sat up yawning.

“Coffee? Toast?”

“No thanks.” She paused. “Fin?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked, somewhat taken aback.

“For being you.”

He smiled again. “Hey, that’s what I’m best at.”

A small tear escaped the corner of her eye. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“Shh. You didn’t hurt me.”

But she knew she had. By not choosing sooner. She had hurt him deeper than he would ever admit to by going back to Rob every night after being with him.

She knew he lied. He knew she knew he lied. But they didn’t say any more on that matter.

He sat down next to her and wiped away the tear running down her cheek.

“I love you so much, do you know that?” he said, holding her close.

“I love you too.”

Then they shared a deep, passionate kiss. Finally they pulled apart, and went through the rest of the mornings routine without saying much else. They left so many things unsaid, but each felt sure the other knew exactly how they felt.

***

“So, what are we going to tell people at work?”

They were sitting in a traffic jam on the way to work, in a much better state of mind than they had been yesterday when they made this journey in reverse.

“The truth? About us, I mean” Comfort replied.

“Sounds good to me.” Fin sighed and put the hand break on in defeat. He leant back in his seat and turned to Comfort. “Only Josh and Colette know about our relationship so far, right?” he asked.

Comfort cringed. “And Nikki.”

“When...” he started to say but then just chuckled and shook his head. “She was bound to find out sooner or later.”

“Everyone will figure it out soon, you know. We can’t keep it a secret for ever” she said.

Fin turned to face her. “Shhh, don’t worry, everything will work out. But I think there’s one person we should tell about us, even if we do leave out the most important part.”

They turned to face each other and nodded.

“Maguire!”

***

“Mr. Newton! So nice of you to join us!”

They were greeted by their boss as they walked through the door. He did not seem to be in a good mood.

“Morning Jeff”, Fin replied and went into the locker room.

“You too!” he said sarcastically when he spotted Comfort, “I am privileged!”

“There was traffic”, she scowled and also stepped inside.

“Comfort” he called after her, “would you please inform your husband in future what time your shifts start?”

“What?” She poked her head out of the door and stared at him.

“I’ve only been here an hour and he’s already called seven times. Something I should know?”

She turned to Fin, who had also emerged and was now standing next to her. He shrugged. Now was as good a time as any.

“Yeah actually.” She hesitated, unsure of weather to carry on. “I’ve left him.”

“Fair enough” he replied, and walked towards the office.

“That’s not all.” Fin stepped forward. “We’re together.”

“What do you mean?” their boss asked but he got the answer for himself when he turned around and saw the expressions on both their faces.

Their boss skulked off into his office, shaking his head and not having the faintest idea about what to say.

***

“So, who do you think she chose?”

Josh and Nikki were sitting in a lay-by, drinking their midmorning coffee, waiting for their next shout.

“I reckon she’ll stay with Rob” Nikki replied. “The way she was when we got off work, I’d say she was determined to be a good Catholic, judging by the whole scenario yesterday morning.”

Josh put his empty paper cup on the floor under the passenger’s seat and shook his head in disagreement. “Nah! Fin won’t give up just yet.”

She turned to face him. “You think?”

“Absolutely! Once he’s got his mind on something, he’ll keep going until he gets his way.”

“See, but I don’t think Comfort will give in to him if she wants to stay with Rob.”

“If.” He thought for a moment. “Five quid says they’ll be all over each other the next time we see them.”

OK, you’re on!” They shook on it, then they went back to speculating about their co-worker’s fling.