Paige pulled out her mobile with a look of concern and confusion. "Hello?" The look hadn't disappeared when she passed the phone over to Walter a minute later mouthing 'it's the school'. She relaxed quickly when midway into the call the brightest smile she'd seen all week spread over Walter's face. "Of course I'd love to" Walter grinned "thank you I'll see you then. Bye".


Still grinning Walter passed the phone back to Paige and returned to the conversation he'd been having with his Father Sean "Using a Aquatech commercial bottle washer would be prefable but you could increase efficiency of the one you have by-"

"Hang on a minute" Paige interrupted "What was that about?" She asked raising an eyebrow. "Oh Ralph's teacher invited me over for lunch when we are back". Walter replied. Paiges eyes went wide and her stomach turned over as a wave of jealousy hit her "What?" She exclaimed shocked "that's rather inappropriate isn't it?" She continued, glad she kept her voice steady. Walter blushed when he realised what she'd assumed and realised he should probably elaborate "Not like that. For the Fathers day lunch." He explained.


Paige breathed a silent breath of relief but instantly felt her boyfriend tense beside her. Glancing over at Walter (who'd resumed his conversation with a suprised looking Sean) Tim pulled Paige out to the hallway beside the kitchen where Louise was preparing the midday meal "What is he playing at?" He hissed quietly at Paige "I'm sorry what?" Paige asked "You know what" Tim growled at her "If anybody should be going to the Fathers day lunch it should be me". Paige took a couple of breaths to calm herself. It would be disrespectful of her to scream in Louise and Sean's house, and though she didn't shout when she replied to Tim, she wasn't quiet. "Excuse me?" She began "We have been dating what 2 months? I've known you 3? Walter has been in his life for years. He brought him out of his shell- Ralph couldn't even hold my hand before Walter came into our lives, he couldn't even speak to anyone but me. Walter changed that. Dispite thinking that elementary school is a waste of Ralph's intellect he goes to every parents evening, every school event, and he pays for his college classes. He goes to every forestry braves meeting and camping trip even though we both know Walter isn't fond of that sort of thing. He mentors him, he encourages him, he takes him out to places he enjoys, he has him overnight. He's risked his life to protect him. Tell me who was it that tore after Ralphs kidnapper at Christmas? Because it wasn't you!? Walter is Ralph's surrogate Father. The sooner you get over this petty jealousy the better" she snarled.


Tim bit his lip so hard he thought it might bleed trying to keep from shouting at Paige. He felt emasculated by her reply and though he knew her points were valid he couldn't resist a little dig "Let's face it Paige. You know why he does it and it's not for Ralph. He wants to get into your knickers." Growled Tim.


Paige laughed at him. "Is that what you think?" She replied "Do you want to know why I said yes to you when you first asked me out? Because Walter turned me down and dated Linda instead. He told me that even though he does feel something for me that he was afraid of our relationship affecting the company if it went badly. He treats Ralph as his own dispite the fact that it was HIS decision not to pursue a relationship. Whether or not he's changed his mind about that is irrelevant"

"It is relevant!" Tim raised his voice. "Tell me now that if he asked you to leave me for him you wouldn't!" Paige gave him a stoney glare but didn't reply. "There's my answer" he finished, just before he felt Sean's strong hand grip his shoulder tightly, turning him around. "I think you'd better leave" he stated threateningly. Tim looked back at Paige, whose expression hadn't changed. "Yes I think so too."


Tim grabbed his suitcase from the lounge where Walter was coding from his Laptop. "Exspect my resignation in the post" he snarled at him. Confused by the sudden resignation Walter could only reply with a stunned "ok" before Tim huffed and left.


Sean had his arm round Paige's shoulder as he walked her back to the Lounge. She was so stunned by her own reaction to Tim's question that she had yet to say a word.


Louise followed soon afterwards with a plateful of sandwiches. "Well I'm disappointed with both of you" she stated sternly having heard everything from the kitchen. Walter who'd heard nothing was totally lost but flinched anyway, before his mum continued "You mean to tell me you've been raising that little boy for years without letting me know, so I could spoil him like a grandma should?" She continued cheerfully.


Walter shook his head as he reached out for a sandwich. He'd obviously missed out on a lot. He choked on it however when his mum finished with "How about you take Paige out to dinner tonight? That nice fancy place in Kilkenny. You'se best be quiet when you come in though. I don't want to hear my next grandchild being conceived." She smirked as Walter spluttered and Paige laughed.