"It's none of my business..." my Mom speaks with her usual tone that informs me immediately that even though whatever she wants to say is none of her business, she has every intention of letting me know her opinion in any event.

"But..." I raise my eyebrows when I look up at her from my office chair. The sheer amount of decisions that we have to make has threatened to overwhelm us while we are still sleep deprived with the twins. Even though I feel like snapping at her, I desperately try to keep my tone even so I don't upset her.

Mom stands in the doorway to my office rolling her hands in front of her. "You had twins eight weeks ago, Lizzie. Although I'm very proud of what you are doing, and the speed you are doing it at... I can't help but feel.... Erm... that you need to bloody well slow down! With the date for Ed's trial being set this week, the interviews you and Daniel have done, setting up the charity... Daniel about to abandon you to finish filming!! Well, it's all too much! I don't know how you are keeping going at the moment!" Mom takes a great big gulp of air when she has finished speaking as somehow she managed to say everything in one single breath.

In return, I make sure to take a deep breath. The persistent urge to snap at her would only make everything ten times worse. "Firstly, Daniel is not abandoning me! He has to fulfil his contract, and he's only going to be away a few days. Secondly, there is not a lot I can do about Ed's trial being set. All I've been told is that his solicitor was due to sit down with him this week to discuss the evidence and my interview." I shrug with my face neutral, ensuring I keep my voice steady. I don't want another fight about taking on too much. "Thirdly, we are going to employ a team of people to develop the charity. Neither myself or Daniel have a clue about the logistics of making it a reality, so Chris and Helen have been kind enough to agree to put together a shortlist of candidates that we can then interview to help us. We know we can't do it all, Mom. We're aware that we are out of our depth with the never ending list of things to do. But, soon there will be a very competent team in place to make sure our charity is a success. I promise things will slow down."

Her expression alters to one of relief that I'm not trying to take everything on alone, while having babies at home. "Well, that does sound like a very good plan."

As if sensing that an argument has been avoided, Daniel appears behind my Mom. "I've got to get going if I'm going to make the flight." His voice is full of sadness and regret.

Frowning, I wonder whether he's heard my Mom's misplaced accusation of him leaving us. "OK." I respond brightly, trying not to show how nervous I am of him leaving when it is likely we will find out the date of Ed's trial.

"I'll leave you to it." Mom says quietly before she pats Daniel on the arm like a silent apology just in case he heard her.

Once she is gone, I walk around my desk to stand before him. Standing on my tiptoes, I kiss him softly. "Please hurry home." I practically whisper, not trusting my voice not to break.

He wraps his arms around me without a second's pause. "I will. I promise you." He presses his nose into my hair and breathes deeply. "The babies are asleep. I've kissed them both goodbye and told them to be good for Mommy while Daddy is away." He sighs loudly. "This is going to be so hard!"

"Well, don't worry about us. You just focus on getting these last takes done as fast as you can." I lean back to look up at him, but I don't release him from my embrace. "Although I wanted to do this on my own, Mom and Dad are staying in the guest house. They've promised to give me my space, but they're there if I need them." I roll my eyes remembering her dogged determination to stay here while Daniel is away for the first time.

"She wants to help... and to be honest... I'm glad you will have help these next few days. You've got a lot on your plate." He steps back, but kisses my hand before he lets go.

"So everyone keeps telling me." I can't help by mutter as I follow him out into the hallway. I watch with a heavy heart as Daniel picks up his small case. "I bloody love you." I say as I practically throw myself at him.

Daniel holds me tight before leaning down to kiss me. "I love you too, and those little monsters upstairs."

"Be gone with you!" I laugh and kiss him one more time. Leaning against the threshold to our home, I watch him get in Lawrence's car. I wave energetically at Lawrence, who returns my gesture with a big smile.

Standing still, I stare at the driveway long after Daniel has gone. But as I turn away to close the front door, I hear a car engine. Squinting in the cool February darkness I see headlights approaching the house. Before long I recognise Detective Phillips' Volvo and without warning my heart sinks, taking my breath with it.

Watching Detective Phillips kill the engine, he slowly gets out of the car. He smiles towards me, but it does not meet his eyes. Immediately, I notice just how melancholy he looks.

"Detective Phillips. What are you doing here?" I ask nervously before I realise how abruptly I have greeted him. "Sorry, long day. Would you like to come in?"

"I'm sorry to appear on your doorstep unannounced again. Is Daniel in? I have some news that I thought you would want to hear in person." Detective Phillips makes no attempt to enter our house, he stands frozen to the spot an arm's length away from me. I watch as his breath leaves a smokey trail in the cold evening air.

My heart pounds so loudly in my chest that I can hear it. "No, he's just left for filming. What is going on?"

"There is no easy way for me to say this-"

"Please just tell me!" I snap, desperate to know what the hell could possibly have gone wrong now.

"Edward Mathers was found dead in his cell this morning." He says simply.

I feel as though the ground is coming up to hit me as my knees begin to buckle. Dead... he's dead... after everything he has put me through... he's dead. "How?"

"Suicide is-" Detective Phillips abruptly stops talking when headlights begin to drive up our driveway at speed.

Before I can catch my breath Daniel jumps out of the car and runs towards us. "I saw your car pass us." He quickly explains to Detective Phillips. "I knew it couldn't be good news. What's going on?" Daniel stares towards me and his eyes widen when he sees how totally bewildered I look.

"He's d..d..dead." I stumble over my words.

"Whose dead?" Daniel shouts with his head rotating between me and Detective Phillips repeatedly looking for an answer.

When I am unable to respond, thankfully Detective Phillips answers him. "Edward Mathers was found dead in his cell this morning. It appears to be an apparent suicide as we believe he had hung himself with his bedsheets. He had met with his solicitor on the afternoon and had been presented with all of the evidence against him."

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Daniel exclaims wildly. He then notices that I haven't moved an inch and wraps his arms around me. I lean into him gratefully taking comfort in his strength.

"I'm afraid not. As it's going to be all over the press by tomorrow I wanted to let you know directly. We will be in touch more formally about it, but I felt that I wanted to break the news myself." Detective Phillips speaks sincerely, and I understand that he did not have to drive all the way up here to inform me... he could have just called.

"Thank you." I say as clearly as I can. For some reason I am trying but failing to hold back tears. The fact that I feel tears roll down my cheeks makes my blood boil with anger at my reaction. "Does Willow know?"

"Her liaison officer was visiting her this evening. I'm going to leave now, let you process that he is gone... and there is no need for you to put yourself through attending Court." He shakes Daniel's hand before resting his hand on my shoulder. "He's gone for good." He nods with a sad smile. "I'll speak to you both soon."

We both say goodbye, and silently enter our home. We check on the twins before returning downstairs to sit in the living room. Without warning a gut wrenching sob escapes my mouth, taking us both by surprise. I begin to shake uncontrollably causing Daniel to kneel before me. "Hey, it's going to be OK. It's understandable you're upset, he was your husband for a long time. You loved him. Talk to me?" He asks emotionally.

Still trembling, I look into Daniel's blue eyes. "I'm not upset that he's dead!" I confess. "I'm fucking livid... I'm so beyond angry." I confess bitterly. "He always had the last say, and finally when I thought I was going to be able to face him and speak my truth... that bastard has took it away from me!" I let out a muffled scream into my hands. "And now he's gone on his own fucking terms!"

Daniel embraces me firmly, clutching me to him. "Baby, don't let him win! You have already told your truth. My humble opinion is that Ed was a fucking coward who could not handle that the truth was about blow up in his face in Court and he was going to spend years in prison."

"But what kind of person does that make me if I'm glad someone is dead?" I cry desperately against his chest.

"It makes you human, Lizzie." He says simply, kissing my forehead.

-
Hey guys! I hope you are all safe and well.

What did you think of this chapter?

So, Ed is dead - what do you think?

Is Lizzie justified in her reaction?

Thank you for the continued support - we are entering the end of the trilogy now! Love T x -