One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 27 - June 25th 2002

Mary let herself in to Cavendish Ave. Since her father had been ill, she'd gone back to having a key again. She couldn't help but smile as she came through the hallway. She could hear Paul playing the piano and singing. The song wasn't one she'd heard before. She stopped and listened. It was a soft love song and he sounded so happy. Mary felt her heart sink, knowing she was about to spoil is happiness.

"Dad!"

The piano playing stopped. "In here Mary love!" he called back.

She walked through to him and gave him a hug. "I'm not interrupting you am I?"

He shook his head. "Nothing that can't wait," he grinned, "It's a song for Jo, to go with my wedding speech."

Mary tried to smile.

"Hey, love what's wrong?"

Mary sat down on the piano stool next to him. "Dad," she began slowly, "I've got some news for you. And it's not good."

Paul looked alarmed! "Sweetheart what's wrong? Tell your old dad!"

Mary looked up at him. He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and pulled her into a hug.

"I've had a really difficult phone call Dad. A couple of days ago."

Paul looked confused. "What about?"

"Joanne."

"My Joanne?"

Mary nodded. "Yes." she looked at her dad. She could see he was now more worried. "Dad, the call was from Grace."

"Why?"

"Joanne's ill dad," Mary said softly, "She's got to go into hospital for an op and then for tests. Grace said Jo didn't want to tell you because she didn't want to upset or stress you. Because you've been ill."

"What kind of op and tests? Did Grace go into details?" Mary heard the dread in his voice.

She looked at him. "Oncology dad."

She watched as he closed his eyes, fear etched in his face. "No!" he cried, "Not cancer! Not again! Life couldn't be so cruel to do this to me again Mary! Please God, not my Jo!"

Mary found herself sobbing now. "Oh dad, it's bad. Jo found a breast lump when she was here with you. They want to remove the lump then test it!"

"When?"

"They want her to go in on Thursday. Apparently Grace has said that Jo's terrified and really upset! Dad, don't be mad at her for not telling you! She was only thinking of you! She didn't want you to get stressed! You know what she's like!"

Paul shook his head slowly. "I'm not angry at Jo love. I'm angry at God, life, whatever it is that has done this to me twice before! First my mum, then your mum and now Joanne. It's wrong! I'm not going to let it take Joanne from me! Not matter what it costs we'll fight. Maybe this time, like you say, it's been picked up soon enough to do just that! I've got to believe that Jo will get through this love. I can't loose her!" He stood up.

"Where are you going dad?"

"To ring Grace," he explained. a look of grim determination on his face, "I need to know exactly what's going on before I go to see Joanne. I should be with her. She shouldn't be going through this on her own!"

Grace stood at the bottom of the driveway, waiting. Every so often she cast an anxious glance back at the house, worried that her mum would come out and see her. She looked at her watch. He'd said 4.00pm. It wasn't like him to be late.