Detective Constable Jenny Lord - When the past & present collide

Chapter 5 - One Heart to Love

May 2019 - Broadchurch

Jenny woke with a start and stared at the blank white wall in front of her. Where the hell were they? A soft persistent beep and the gentle swoosh brought the horror and the pain in her heart crushing back. She sat upright on the cot and scanned the hospital room. Adam, snoring softly, still slept in that miserable chair and Alec still lay in that damnable hospital bed. She swallowed a sob at all the tubes and wires still stuck in his beautiful body. She swallowed hard, eased off the cot and moved to her husband's side. God, how could you be any paler? She thought when she picked up his limp hand, pressed her lips against the palm and gently kissed him.

A little finger moved against her lips.

Jenny's stomach flipped; her heart thudded against her ribs. Her voice cracked; her words came in a rush "Alec? Alec, it's Jenny. You are in the hospital. Doctor Jones says you need a heart transplant and she is looking for one. But of course you had to have rare blood, that is making the search harder. Now you listen to me, lover, you hang on to life until we find one. I love you and can't live without you, Adam Robert needs his father around to teach him how to be a man. Now you stay alive or I promise I will make your eternity hell."

Adam coughed and spoke in a gentle voice, "I thought you didn't believe in eternity, and I wonder how you are going to make good on that promise. Sweet girl, you would do better praying rather than making empty threats. You need to eat something to keep your strength up." Jenny turned to Adam, " Not sure I can keep anything down. My stomach has been in knots ever since this started."

Adam slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close."I understand that sweetheart, but for him, right now – you are his anchor to this world."

Jenny leaned tight against Adam, felt his strength seep into her. She should be used to the tears that burned her eyes, the fear that threatened to swallow her whole. She should be stronger than this but the truth – she wasn't, "The waiting is killing me; all these terrible thoughts keep jumping into my head." A moment of panic filled her eyes. She glanced up at Adam and said, "What happens if they can't find a heart? Alec would hate being hooked up to machines indefinitely. I mean he hates being behind a desk and not out in the field, let alone being kept alive by machines. He would give up just to keep that from happening. What do I do without him?"

Adam pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "You are not losing that man! My Ruthie says he will come back to you and you know she is never wrong. Now you go and get something to eat, you'll focus better with food in your stomach."

Adam watched the door close behind her and then pulled his mobile out, He hesitated, then assured she wouldn't dart back in, he made a call.

"Adam is something wrong? Please don't tell me any bad news."

"No, Ellie, everything's the same but I need a favor."

"Whatever I can do for any of you, I will do, you know that. How is Jenny holding up? Let her know we are doing our best to bring the bastard who did this to justice."

"That is the favor I need. Can you give Jenny something to work on? She is going crazy just sitting here watching Alec slip away. Maybe some paperwork; anything she can do here to help keep her mind busy?"

"That is a great idea Adam, and to be honest it would really help me out on this case. I will drop by in a while with a laptop and some names for her to investigate."

Adam let out an audible sigh. "Great, but don't tell her it was my idea."

"Alright Adam, I understand and thanks for the call. I can really use her brains on this."