You Can't Run From Love by Kate Snowdon

consultant had been positive in his options for Uncle Jack’s palliative treatment. Yet she couldn’t get past the three to four months prognosis. He had again refused any invasive treatment and in her heart she understood why. It would only prolong the inevitable and not necessarily improve the quality of the time he had left. Pain relief had been covered in greater depth—this was going to be his major problem. She paid particular attention to this part to ensure Tom was fully informed of what lay ahead and may be required. She and Marie could hopefully manage with any care until the latter stages, when a nurse would be employed. It was her uncle’s wish to stay at home, unless it proved impossible or too difficult for those around him.
    After the consultant they had visited the mountain-rescued family, finding them all looking a hundred percent better. Even the father after surgery, leg pinned and immobilized, looked the picture of health. A far cry from how Jess felt, but it cheered her to see them.
    The afternoon she’d spent with Mark and Lewis, one of the volunteer coordinators, writing up a report of the night’s events and why Jess had been involved. She ended the session grateful for being purely a winter volunteer, where the job and not the politics were more important.
    Quietly entering the house, she stepped into the kitchen and glanced at the clock: nine thirty. Completely drained of any physical or emotional energy she leaned against the door frame. Marie was busy at the stove and hadn’t heard her come in. “That smells good.”
    Marie turned around. She gave a sad smile and pulled out a chair at the table. “Hi, come and take a seat. It’s a chicken casserole and you can be my taster.”
    Jess attempted a smile and slumped down in the offered chair. “Uncle Jack gone up to bed?”
    “Yes, he was a little tired.”
    Jess let out a heavy sigh. “Oh Marie, I’m so selfish. I don’t want Uncle Jack to die, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
    Marie placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I know. This isn’t easy for anyone. Things will get better though.”
    Jess turned quickly in her chair and looked at Marie with disbelieving eyes. “Better, how on earth can it get better?”
    Marie sat down and took her hand. “I’ve been through all that Jess, and we have to be strong for your uncle.”
    “I’m trying.”
    She sighed. “Oh Jess, he knows you’re suffering. He wants to leave everything in order, but above all else, he wants to leave knowing we will all be happy. He can’t know that without speaking about it.”
    “But…Happy, how the hell can I be happy?”
    “Not in the short term, in the long term. You have a life ahead of you. He just wants to know you will be all right.” Tears began to well in Marie’s eyes. “He doesn’t want to think of you spending the rest of your life alone.”
    Confused and irritated that everyone appeared to be worrying about her being alone, she snapped at Marie. “That’s not what’s bothering me. You will still be here, and I have friends. I won’t be alone. Why does everyone think that?” She sighed, knowing she was being childish. “I won’t have him. That’s what’s bothering me.”
    The reception area bell interrupted them.
    Marie quickly rose to her feet. “I’ll go.”
    Jess caught Marie’s hand. “No, I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
    Marie gave her a quick hug. “We’ll talk when you get back.”
    Jess looked at the pan on the stove. “Could I please have plate of that too and some crusty bread as well?”
    Jess walked into the reception area and frowned at the person standing in front of her. “Bloody hell, it’s you, isn’t it?”
    “Well, that’s a welcome if ever I heard one.”
    Jess quickly tried to rein in her temper and the urge to throw her out. “Alison.” Taking a very deep breath she positioned herself behind the desk. “Did you want something? It’s late and I’m tired.”
    Alison smirked then