Disclaimer: All characters belong to BBC, except Erin who is my own creation
Leo looked up from the report he was writing on his laptop and couldn't help but smile. Erin was sprawled out on the floor in front of him completely absorbed in a paperback, her face the picture of concentration as she silently mouthed the words she was reading.
"Are you comfortable down there?" he said drawing the girl out of the little world she was in
Erin nodded and turned her concentration back to the book but Leo noticed the small smile that played across her lips.
It had been nearly been a whole year since Erin had first fallen into Leo's life and he was amazed at how she'd developed and how mature she'd been facing her past. Erin had settled well at school and aside from a few hiccups she was dealing with things well
"What are you doing?" Erin said getting up and sitting herself down next to Leo
"Writing up a report" he told her as she settled down
"What about?" Erin asked, her curiosity getting the better of her
Leo paused; he had always been reluctant in revealing too much to Erin as he knew how macabre his work could be. Erin had been through a lot despite her young years and Leo was very aware of how delicate she was despite the tough exterior she put on.
"It's too gory for nice young ladies like you" he said closing the laptop down
"Please…" Erin protested
"When you're older" he told her standing up and pulling her up with him
"That's what you said last time" Erin mumbled
"You're far too curious for your own good" he chuckled
"Einstein said we should never stop questioning" she told him in reply and he smiled at her
"Do you know how Einstein got so smart?" Erin shook her head "He always did his homework" Leo motioned to the textbooks and folders Erin had abandoned on the floor
"I can't do it" she whined
"No such word as 'can't" he teased
"Fine" Erin huffed "I cannot do it"
Leo shook his head at her but Erin had caught the smile on his face and she knew he wasn't really cross with her
"Let me put this away and then I'll come and help you" he said moving out of the room, laptop and case file in hand.
As Leo stored his work belongings away somewhere Erin was not easily able to get to, he heard the doorbell ring
"Erin, can you get that?" he called to her and moments later he heard her shuffle off towards the door.
He listened intently as he heard the front door click open and was alarmed when he heard a cry of shock from Erin. Leaving his work in a pile he made his way to the door where Erin stood rooted to the spot as she peered out into the darkness.
"Erin?" he gently tapped her on the shoulder and she shrank back behind him gripping onto his shirt tightly like a small child would
"Leo…" she mumbled and he could hear the fear building in her voice
He put a comforting hand on her back as he moved forwards to see who was at the door, with Erin clinging onto him.
"Hello?" he said as he saw a female figure standing outside
Bathed in the light coming from the house, Leo could just make out the figure was a middle-aged woman; she had bright red lipstick on and spots of blusher which did nothing to hide her haggard appearance. Her quite clearly dyed blonde hair was lank and un-brushed and Leo could smell the strong scent of cigarettes
"I want to talk to Erin" the woman spoke in a harsh tone and Leo felt Erin's grip tighten
"And who might you be?" he asked keeping his voice calm, so as not to alarm Erin any more than was necessary
"Nora Rhys" the woman croaked "I'm her Godmother"
Author's note: Short chapter to start off with but they will be longer when I get going. I just thought this was a good place to stop. What do you think, worth continuing?