Gwen sat in her kitchen nursing a headache and a coffee. She contemplated switching to tea. How very British that would make her feel. Just like the stereotype. As chance would have it, she had yet to come across a store that kept Earl Grey and without that hint of bergamot, tea didn't taste the same. She also could not deny that like any other caffeine junkie, when she needed her fix, tea would just not cut it.

Yes, today that caffeine fix was a necessity. She couldn't see how she would face the day without it.

Two main tasks sat in her mental 'to-do' list. The first, she needed to speak with James. As much as she disliked being wrong, her realization that Tilly could have a genuine reason for doing what she did showed her just how harsh, irrational and obstinate she was being.

The second task, although a little less daunting was just as challenging. She could no longer ignore the dreams she was having. The images of the house burning, the day of the wedding and of late, last night's dream of Gwen's predicament and pregnancy.

Why was she having these dreams? Who were these people? Was there something more supernatural and ominous about her reveries? She refused to believe in ghosts. She just couldn't fathom the thought that ghosts floated around the world, invisible to all and yet in some way, they affected the lives of the living.

As her coffee mug emptied, Gwen stashed away the thoughts about the dreams; her first priority was to figure out the Tilly situation.

It then dawned on Gwen that it had been almost a week since her brief abduction and not once had she asked about Tom or Steve. What had become of the two? How had James and the others handled that?

Embarrassment flooded Gwen. In her determination to run away from the unpleasant situation, she had literally, left her problems to others to sort out. Others, who had no business shouldering with her burdens. Her 'ghosts'. She would have smiled at the quip, but being haunted by things she didn't yet understand, the situation lacked humor.

Even more humiliating was the fact that she thought a simple dinner would be gratitude enough.

Pushing back the chair, she reached for her handbag and keys. Gwen marched to the front door but stopped when she saw it gently swaying in the wind.

She cursed herself. Had she forgotten to lock it again? What was the point of all the security measures James had taken if she continued to be so careless? Then a more worrisome thought crossed her mind. What if someone had broken in?

She disregarded that last thought. The only person who wanted to hurt her wasn't free to walk around, at least that was what she knew as per her last update by James. She was downright hopeless, she saw that now. There was just no denying it.

Ensuring the door was locked, Gwen walked past the boys' latest project. She hadn't contemplated buying a car yet, but the boys did make a point – one day she would. At the very least, during their visits, all their motorcycles would need a space away from the elements. To her, it seemed as if the boys needed an excuse to feel 'helpful'. And so she had agreed to the project.

She pulled out her phone and texted James enquiring about his whereabouts

"At the shelter", came his response

"Be there in 15", Gwen replied

The walk to the shelter felt shorter than usual. Gwen had spent the entire time rehearsing her little apology and speech, finding and replacing anything she thought might come across as a negative.

As she approached the gate to the shelter, a sudden female laugh caught her attention. She turned around looking for its source and was dismayed to see Tilly and James on the bench overlooking the mountains.

Their bench

Their kiss

That one sublime moment that was still a source of hope and comfort to her.

A burst of jealousy filled Gwen and she tried to squash the feeling, reminding herself that James was not hers. She could lay no claim on the man. She had therefore, no right to feel this way.

Oh who was she kidding? She had more than a passing crush on James and no matter what he did or who he did it with, possessiveness would certainly follow.

She briefly contemplated two options; the first to confront James, once and for all, about May and about them. At the same time she could accomplish what she had set out to do, resolve the whole Tilly, Tom and Steve situation.

Gwen turned and looked back at the path she had taken to the shelter. Her second option looked very inviting. Very inviting indeed. It would be so easy to just walk away. She had done it before, right?

What you don't know, can't possibly hurt you. So what if she didn't know what happened to Tom and Steve and Tilly? So what if the puzzle about James' relationship with May was never solved? All she had to do was burry all her thoughts and save herself more heartache.

Self-preservation, right?

As her feet took the first step away from the shelter gates, a familiar voice halted her.

"You barely got here and you're leaving already?"

"Aunt Jasmine", Gwen breathed. Her eyes fluttered several times of their own accord and she fought back the urge to fall in the older woman's arms and cry like a baby.

Her own mother had passed while Gwen was still in college. And Aunt Jasmine was the closest thing she had to a maternal figure in her life. After all Aunt Jasmine had openly welcomed Gwen, given her a home when she needed one, and offered her shoulder and support so many times before, even if Gwen hadn't taken her up on the offer

Alone in an alien country, without family and friends who else was Gwen supposed to lean on? Confide in? Find human connection with?

No, she couldn't, she told herself. Like James, she had no claim on Aunt Jasmine and she refused to put the older woman in an uncomfortable position.

Instead, she hugged Aunt Jasmine warmly and offered to stop by and catch up once she had done what she had initially come here to do.

With Aunt Jasmine safely inside the shelter and away from the conversation she was about to have, Gwen took a deep breath and prepared herself to face James and Tilly. She turned and almost bumped into James who had quietly snuck up behind her.

"Go easy on Tilly", was all he said before he marched through the shelter's doors.

She peeked at Tilly whose ashen face and uncomfortable stance allowed Gwen to feel a tiny but more at ease. She didn't know what to expect, but it was comforting to know that they were both not looking forward to this confrontation.

She looked back at the shelter. This was a conversation she really did not want to have alone, but she supposed on some level it made sense. After all her procrastination meant that she would be one of the last to hear of Tilly's excuse and why should others hand around and listen to what they already know, and more importantly, believe in?

She walked up to Tilly and sat at the farthest end of the bench.

Mutual discomfort was high and tension filled the air. After what seemed like an eternity, Tilly took the lead and broke the silence

"I would ask you to tea, but knowing how well that went last time, I'm not sure you'd accept".

Her poor attempt at humor did nothing to put Gwen at ease.

"I suppose not", Gwen replied. "Say what you must Tilly. I'm sure whatever your excuse it must be good if everyone is already so quick to forgive you".

"Alright", breathed Tilly as she placed her hands on her knees and began.