Standing Strong Read Online Free Page B

you’ve worked so hard to get where you are. All those years of study just to …’
    â€˜Hey, it’s okay, we’ve still got each other. This way there’s no problem.’ Jacqueline didn’t like the look that crossed Damien’s face. What was it – scepticism?
    â€˜But what if Doctor Squire accepts your resignation and doesn’t ask you to stay on as an unregistered counsellor?’ It was the one option they hadn’t discussed, as if voicing it might make it too real, or make it come true.
    â€˜I’ll cross that bridge when and if I get to it.’
    â€˜But what about the town? We need you.’
    â€˜I’ll still be here – nothing will change.’
    â€˜Only if Doctor Squire offers to keep you on.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜You’re putting an awful lot of faith in him thinking of something out of the box.’
    Jacqueline stayed silent. She knew that all too well.
    â€˜And you’ve said you’ve already been in trouble with him before …’
    â€˜Yep.’
    â€˜I think you should be upfront about what you want. As it is, you’re leaving far too much to chance. What does Auntie Ethel say?’
    â€˜I haven’t had a chance to ask her. She’s gone to visit her new granddaughter, Tilly.’
    â€˜Oh, that’s right. But you could call her mobile.’
    â€˜I don’t want to bother her with my problems.’
    â€˜Jacqueline, this isn’t just your problem. This is potentially the whole town’s problem – the whole district’s .’
    It was on the tip of Jacqueline’s tongue to tell him he was being a bit melodramatic, but she could see how it might look to him. They’d never had a dedicated psychology service in the area before and now they were coming around to the idea of seeking help, discussing their problems – they wouldn’t want it taken away.
    They both sat silently for a few moments, Damien so deep in thought she could practically see cogs turning beneath his skull. She wondered what was churning there.
    Finally, he looked up. ‘Okay. So this is what I think,’ he said boldly. ‘We have to stop seeing each other.’
    â€˜What?’ Jacqueline was engulfed by a mixture of fear and disbelief.
    â€˜I’m serious. We’re no longer an item.’
    â€˜You’re dumping me?’ Jacqueline almost laughed. It was almost laughable. He was playing some kind of game. She wanted to tell him the room wasn’t bugged – they didn’t have to pretend in case someone was listening.
    â€˜Yes. We’re not together. We’re not doing anything wrong with regards to your ethics. I’m not going to be partially responsible for this town losing their psychologist and you losing your career after all the hard work you’ve put in.’
    Jacqueline gaped at him. ‘But …’
    â€˜We’ll just have to hope no one dobs you in. And then, in two years, or twenty three and a half months – or whatever it is – we’ll be okay to take up where we left off.’
    â€˜Are you serious? You’re prepared to wait two years for us to be together.’
    â€˜Jacqueline, I would wait a lifetime for you,’ Damien said tenderly – so tenderly Jacqueline’s throat constricted. ‘In fact, I think I already have,’ he added.
    Tears filled Jacqueline’s eyes and her throat swelled. Shit. He’s serious. Oh, my God, I really am being dumped.
    Damien shook his head sadly. ‘You mean so much to me. I love you. But so does this town. Look what everyone’s done for me. How can I repay them by taking you away?’
    â€˜But … Surely …’
    â€˜Surely there’s another way? There isn’t, not to keep you as a registered psychologist and here in town – you said so yourself. Please don’t cry. We’ll be okay. Just … not right now.’
    Jacqueline was