Part 3:- Love and Marriage. (Part 3. Complete.)

Chapter 10

Jo's fury kept her driving for half an hour then suddenly she began to shake. She pulled over as soon as she could and began to weep. In despair, she hunted for her phone and rang Helena.

"Jo!"

"Help me!" she whispered. "I don't know what to do....please Helena. Help me!"

After working out where she was and making Jo promise to stay there, Helena came to her aid. Finding her friend in total despair and in such distress was a massive shock. She climbed into her car and hugged her as she sobbed. Eventually Jo calmed down and Helena took control.

"Do you think you can now drive safely Jo?" she asked her gently.

Jo nodded. "Probably."

"No, not probably," Helena smiled, "I need to know if you can do it. I want my best friend safe!"

Jo gave a watery smile. "Yes. I'll be fine."

"Good. Then we'll drive to my house. You can follow me then once there we can talk properly. How does that sound?"

Jo nodded, her eyes filling with tears again.

"No more tears now Jo! Come on, you've got to drive or we can leave your car here until tomorrow."

Jo shook her head. "The press know my car. If the police find it and do a number plate check then people will think something has happened to me. I'll be able to drive."

They made the journey to Helena's house and Jo parked her car in Helena's garage to keep press away. Sighing with relief, Jo sank down onto Helena's sofa and closed her eyes. Helena came into the room, carrying them both  cup of coffee. Jo accepted hers gratefully.

"Right McCartney, spill." said Helena after a moments quiet.

Jo looked at her friend. "I've left Paul," she whispered, "I've told him it's over and that I want a divorce."

Helena looked at her in amazement. "Why? What's happened?"

Jo's eyes filled with tears. She began to explain what had happened when Mary came to see her then finding out Mary had been to her father before he himself thought of his wife. Jo sobbed once more.

"He's hurt you deeply hasn't he?" asked Helena softly.

Jo nodded. "I feel cheap, dirty, used even. It's horrible."

Helena nodded. "But it strikes me," she said softly, "That you wouldn't be so hurt and upset if you didn't love Paul as much as you do. I know you still love him Jo. Leaving him isn't the answer."

Jo looked at her friend. "So suddenly you're the expert on how I feel?"

Helena shook her head. She gently took her friends hand. "I wouldn't presume that Jo but you're my best friend and I've seen you go through some  major life events. Getting married, having Grace and James then the hell that was loosing Rob." Helena paused. "But Jo, I also know how you came alive again when you met Paul. I know how you helped each other to move forward and how much you and he shared grief with each other. You can't do that without trusting and loving someone implicitly Jo, especialy someone like Paul who has to be so careful about who he opens up to. Remember Jo, you've been in a relationship with Paul for almost 4 years now. Neither of you rushed into marriage. Jo, no man is perfect, not even Paul."

The last comment made Jo smile. "I used to think he was." she whispered.

Helena smiled back before continuing. "And Jo, I also remember how Rob used to drive you to despair sometimes too....it's a man thing not just Paul.

I also think that when Mary spoke to her dad, it was with good intentions love. She cares about you and him. She sees what you give her dad. She seen him through the times of grief and despair, like I have with you. I know it's impossible to sit back and do nothing when you see someone you love is throwing away the one thing in their life that is the best thing they have. That's what Mary was doing. Getting her dad to see sense...in the same way I'm hoping I can do that with you now. I'm sure if Grace and James knew what you were considering they would do the same with you.