More from Within These Walls.

I Had No Choice

…

Liz Clarke pulled up outside Stone Park Prison, going around to the passengers side of her car and bringing out the other occupant. They made their way in to the building, Liz walking as quickly as possible towards Peter Mayes quarters, ignoring the strange looks she was getting as she went. Peter was sitting at his desk, going over some blood work when Liz popped her head around the door, hiding the other person at first.

"Peter, are you busy?"

"Ahhh Peter now, see you're learning."

"Yes okay, are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Busy?"

"Oh, well I can always make time for you, what can I do for you?"

Liz took a deep breath before she walked further in to his office, the other figure appearing. Peter looked at Liz oddly as he saw the young boy holding on tightly to Liz's hand.

"Liz, what is all this?"

Liz knelt down in front of the young boy, making him look at her.

"Sammy, why don't you go and sit down over there and do some more drawings while I talk with Dr Mayes alright?"

The little boy nodded and went to sit at the table in the corner as Peter came to stand in front of Liz.

"I think you'd better explain yourself." He said.

"You know I was telling you about the mother, Louise Pritchard?"

"Yes, she's in for…petty theft wasn't it?"

"That's right, she still doesn't want anything to do with the boy, his aunt is…was looking after him but she told me in no uncertain terms that she couldn't handle another child in the house. She called him odd, can you believe that. Just because he doesn't speak a lot, likes his own company…she thinks it's strange."

"Well she has a point."

"Oh Peter."

"Most young boys his age are outside in the fresh air playing football with his friends, not sitting in his room day after day drawing pictures, that's not normal for someone his age."

"Everyone is different, I wasn't always outside with my friends at his age."

"What were you doing?"

"I liked to read a lot."

"Mm-mm, why doesn't that surprise me." He joked.

"There's nothing wrong with reading books."

"There's also nothing wrong with going out and getting some adequate fresh air."

"He's shy, he needs patience, understanding."

"And his Aunt can't do that."

"Let's juts say she doesn't have much time for him, she barely makes the time for her own two."

"So why is he here?"

"She began talking about foster care, she more or less said he'd be better off as someone else's problem."

"You've spent a lot of time with the boy, haven't you?" He stated, looking over at Sam.

"He feels at ease with me, I don't normally have that effect on children but with him…he's so gentle, wouldn't hurt a fly. He just wants someone who wants him, loves him."

Peter saw the sad look in Liz's eyes, his hand coming to her arm.

"What are you going to do?"

"I've already done it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've been in touch with a few of my contacts, and I've applied for temporary guardianship."

"You've done what?"

"Oh for goodness sake Peter, his mother doesn't want him, his aunt and uncle don't, all that boy has right now…is me." She whispered so that Sam wouldn't over hear them.

"I knew this case had affected you but I didn't realise just how much."

Liz looked over at Sam, who's head was down as he continued to draw.

"He's such a sweet boy, I couldn't bare if he fell through the cracks. I know this isn't the ideal situation, and I know you and I are just beginning but I can't let that boy down, he needs me."

Peter drew his arms around Liz as she lay her head on his chest, placing a warm kiss to her head, Sam watching them.

"If this is what you want to do then of course I will be there too."

"You mean that." She asked, looking up at him.

"I do, it's taken me far too log to break your barriers, I'm not going to give up on you now, and if Sam's a part of that then, we'll do this together."

"Thank you, I really do mean that." She smiled.

"You do realise you're going to have to inform Mrs Boswell?"

"Mm-mm, that won't be a fun discussion."

"Would you like some moral support?"

"I wouldn't mind actually."

"I'll get matron to keep an eye on Sam for us."

"Thank you for doing this, especially when you could have ran a mile."

"I would never do that, this may not be what you want too or are either ready to hear from me just yet, but I'm going to say it anyway…"

"Oh, and what might that be?" She asked curiously.

"That I Miss Clarke, love you."

"You…."

"Love you, yes. As I said, it may not be what you want to hear but I…"

"No no…I do…I want too…needed to hear that, very much."

Liz wrapped her arms around him, giving him a kiss before she pulled back.

"I love you too, just in case that wasn't clear." She added.

"We'll be fine, we'll all be fine, and as for Mrs Boswell, I don't think she'll be quite as hard on you as you're probably imagining."

"You really believe that?"

"We have too try." He smiled.

…

To Be Continued…