Quick note: So there's two chapters this week. 7.1 and 28. I felt the need to add some 'tension' so to speak, in the middle events of the book. So these additional chapters will be published as and when they are ready. Do go back and read these and let me know if they truly fit in, or if they feel awkwardly placed.

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"So what you're saying, is that Tom took your son hostage? And he forced you to play a role in his barmy plans?"

Tilly nodded.

Gwen blinked rapidly before narrowing. "Are you having a laugh?"

"No", Tilly dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "You have to understand. I didn't want to. But I had no choice".

Gwen tossed her hands up in the air. Her expression soured. "That biscuit arsed tosser!"

Tilly giggled. "Chav!"

Mischief twinkled in Gwen's eyes as she continued the insults."Eejit!"

"Wazzack!"

"Wanker!"

With nothing else left to say, the women grew quiet. It had been almost an hour since Tilly began replaying every last sordid detail of her brief affair with Tom and how he had crept into her life and turned it upside down. She felt knackered. The name calling had helped, a little. But now, the silence underscored the tension between the two women.

She sniffed. "I'm so, soo very sorry."

Gwen raised her hand to brush the sentiment aside. "You've apologized numerous timesTilly. I can't blame you, not after what you've just shared with me." She looked at her former friend. Her voice came softer now. "Why didn't you come to me? Why listen to Tom?"

Tilly rolled her eyes. "You've met Steve right?"

"True. He can be... a dodgy codger."

"Plus you had left London. How was I to contact you? I didn't think many options were available to me."

A boy's voice shrilled through their conversation. "Mommy, look what I've got."

Both women turned towards the source. Gwen's jaw dropped. Even though she had seen pictures earlier, the resemblance still surprised her. There was no mistaking that the voice belonged to Tilly's son.

She turned to Tilly for an explanation.

Tilly jumped off the bench and ran to hug the little boy. She kissed his face till all Gwen could hear was a whine. "Moooooommmm! I too old for kissies".

Tilly laughed before standing. She took the boy's hand and guided him to the bench. "Frank, I'd like you to meet an old friend". The word brought with it a degree of uncertainty. She looked at Gwen for some sort of unspoken permission.

Gwen smiled and extended her hand to Frank. "What's up Ace?"

When the boy hid behind Tilly's legs, she sat down and pulled him onto her lap. Both women watched as he unwrapped his ice-cream.

Tilly broke the silence when she said with reverence in her voice, "James arranged for this. He spoke with Tom and Steve, and had them release Frank. He even paid to have Frank flown here from London."

Gwen's eyebrows shot up. "Dumb and dumber just.. Agreed? I find that hard to believe."

Tilly chuckled. "You've met James, right? He is a resourceful man." She shrugged. "His argument was foolproof. With their plan compromised, Tom and Steve didn't have any choice. Holding on to Frank would have gotten them nothing, not without you."

"Why did they want me?"

"Oldest reason in the book? Money. Tom ran up gambling debts that he couldn't pay off. He had envisioned using your inheritance to smooth over his cock-up."

Gwen shook her head and looked out at the mountains. "I still don't see it Tilly. They returned Frank but what did they get in return?"

"Money," sighed Tilly. "James arranged for it. He didn't give me the details. He refuses to." She dabbed the ice-cream off of Franks chin. "I owe him so much. I don't know how I will ever repay him. He says I shouldn't bother myself with it. But I can't help it. Frank is all I have and James..." a tear slid down her face.

She sniffed and ruffled Frank's hair. "Anyway, what I do know is that James offered Tom and Steve money and a paid flight home in exchange for Frank. And here we are."

She smiled and hugged Frank hard. The boy wriggled out of her lap and took off for the shelter.

Incredulity filled Gwen, "So, what you're telling me is that dumb and dumber have left the country? They've gone home?"

Tilly nodded.

"And they won't bother you or I again?"

Tilly shrugged. "I can't be certain." She looked at Gwen. "For now at least, they have other problems to worry about. Whatever money James gave them couldn't have been enough. Not entirely, no. I don't see how." Her eyes fell to her lap. She fidgeted with the hem of her handkerchief. "You've been here long enough to know standards of living in these parts, and with the currency exchange? They aren't millionaires, are they?" She looked at Gwen, her lips trembling. "How will I ever repay James for what he's done?"

Culpability and shame kicked in. Gwen swallowed. "It's not for you to repay James. Tom has and will always be my cross to bear".