"Jes..? My head really hurts..." Jade whimpered slightly as she allowed Jesy to bathe her. She wasn't embarrassed nor self-conscious. It was Jesy. Her best friend of over 20 years. However she was aware that she was covered in cuts and bruises. Jesy carefully finished rinsing her hair with the shower head and pulled the plug from the bath tub, wrapping a smaller towel round her gorgeous locks of caramel hair before helping her stand and engulfing her in an oversized bath towel.

"I know Poopey... We'll get you some pain killers okay? Let's just get you warm and dry first darling then Lee-Lee can braid your hair for you when she gets here..."

Jake had kindly unpacked Jade's belongings into the spare room for them so Jesy easily found out some comfy clothes for Jade before leading her down to the living room once ready, allowing her to cuddle up in the corner of the sofa with Jesy's favourite blanket. She made her a hot chocolate and took her pain killers, noticing again how thin she was.

"Babe, when did you last eat?"

Jade looked down into the mug of steaming chocolate, knowing Jesy wouldn't like the answer she was about to give her.

"I... I'm not sure... Last week maybe.."

"Oh Jadey... You know that isn't healthy... Are you hungry?" Jesy slowly placed her hand on Jade's and made her look her in the eye. The petite girl shrugged, knowing deep down she was starving but she didn't want to be anymore of a burden than she already felt. The front door opened and slammed shut before a frantic Leigh walked through into the room, gasping as she clocked Jade. Jesy looked at Leigh then back to Jade, smiling softly at her.

"Tell you what, Poops, I will go get you all the biscuits I have in the house yeah? Mind if I let Lee in on what's happened today?

Jade nodded and looked over at the blank tv, wishing there was something on to keep her mind off the day's events. Jesy picked up the remote as she read her mind and instantly selected Aladdin from the movie section, placing a delicate kiss on the side of Jade's head before pulling Leigh into the other room.

Leigh looked at her, tears in her eyes.

"Jesy?"

After filling her in and grabbing biscuits, Jesy told Leigh that unless Jade spoke about events that have happened, they weren't to push her because otherwise they may lose her. Leigh stopped Jesy before they left the kitchen, gasping slightly.

"It's her fucking Birthday Jesy... What do we do? I mean, I have a present for her in the car... I got her the new UGGs she had wanted but wasn't allowed... I doubt she's wanting to celebrate..."

Jesy frowned. She'd remembered earlier that it was Jade's 24th Birthday but still hadn't thought on what to do. An idea popped into her head and her eyes lit up as Leigh looked at her a little wary that she'd just had a thought.

" I have all her Disney movies and other Disney bits that Dani salvaged up in a Disney box in my room... Why don't you go braid her hair and give her the biscuits? I'll grab them and the boots from your car?"

Soon Jesy was walking through the living room door to smile widely at the sight of Jade in Leigh's arms, a small smile on her face as Aladdin played and Leigh stroked her arm gently, letting her get biscuit crumbs all over her. Leigh cutely scrunched her nose up at Jesy as she entered the room and silently sighed, hoping this went well.

"Poopey? Jesy and I have a few things for you, from both of us..."

Jesy silently asked Leigh if she minded her having partial credit for the UGGs and Leigh smiled a yes in return. Jesy passed her the boots first, watching her slim face light up sweetly.

"They're beautiful... I can't have these, they cost so much..."

"Darling it's your birthday... You deserve them... You'll like this better though," Leigh smiled as she helped Jesy put all the other bits within Jade's reach. Jade let tears slide from her eyes as she realised it was all of her Disney collection, not just any old copy of the dvds and items. She beamed with pride as she looked up.

"How?"

"Dani found it all in the bin the day she got her mattress and delivered them to Jesy before she left for Cornwall..."

"What if he comes for me?"

Jake shook his head as he appeared, deciding it was his turn to speak up.

"He'd be a fool to come here, Poopey okay? Jesy, Lee and I aren't going to let him within a five mile radius of you if we can help it let alone metres."

"Thanks Jake... Other than my brother I think you're about the only man I can trust..." Jade stood and leant forward, letting Jake hug her tightly and allow her to feel just as protected as Jesy and Leigh made her feel.

"Oh and Jade? You're more than welcome to stay as long as you need,okay?" Jake ensured her as he looked her in the eye, softly.

___________________________________________________________________

*January*

It was the middle of January and Jade was slowly and surely getting back on her feet. Jesy and Leigh had been the equivalent to her back bone throughout the process of healing. She'd spent the last week dipping in and out of work again, checking up on the accounts of the chain of restaurants and the patisserie that the girls and herself owned.

A business opportunity had come along 5 years ago when all three had been able to pursue their dreams of their own business, just with the added bonus of doing it together. They started with a patisserie named "Pinnock's Patisserie" and then after a successful year, followed by three Italian restaurants, named "Lee's", "Jesminda's" and "Badwi's". All were located around Chelmsford and Central London. Leigh took on the role of anything that included maintenance and designs, including the menu at each establishment, Jade the accounts and Jesy controlled every other aspect with the help of the other two when needed.

It wasn't a hard job; Jade knew everything there was to know about handling money, thus being one of the main reasons for the businesses to become so successful. However over the past week she had found it particularly difficult to find her mathematical rhythm again. Jesy helped as much as she could, telling her to take it slow and that she didn't need to be working yet but Jade welcomed the distraction from her personal life with open arms.

After what had been a tiring day of taking care of the payroll for all four businesses for the month, Jade shut her laptop in Jesy's office at home, rubbing her eyes as she walked through to the living room, slumping down on the sofa next to Jesy.

"Hey Poops, you finished now?" Jesy questioned as Jade removed her thick-rimmed glasses, setting them on the coffee table. Jade smiled lightly, amused by how relaxed Jesy was.

"Yeah... Jes?"

"What's up, Buttercup?" Jesy smirked as she read her magazine. Jade shifted on the sofa, slightly uncomfortable. She'd been dying to talk to Jesy about something all week, unsure of her reaction. Jesy noted her change in demeanour and rose her head to look Jade in the eye, giving her her sole attention. Jade gulped slightly.

"Jes um... I want to find my own place again..."

Jesy smiled, resting her hand on Jade's knee.

"I knew it was coming. Are you definitely sure? You know you don't have to right?"

"I need to. I've lived on my own for 6 years."

Jesy nodded and sighed slightly, knowing she'd miss Jade's company when Jake wasn't there. She pulled her laptop onto the coffee table and brought up the search engine. Jade smiled slightly, a smile of relief as Jesy began the search with her for a new apartment.