Chapter 1
It was New Year's Day 2012 and it was a sombre atmosphere in Pats house as she was bed ridden having been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer which had spread. She had been given just a few hours to live which had left the family and in fact the whole square devastated by this cruel turn of events. Charlotte, Bianca and Carol had all been frantically trying to phone David and let him know that Pat was dying so he could come and say his final goodbyes but neither could get through. They left tons of messages with no response leading them to assume David would not make it in time to say goodbye to his mum who he had recently crossed words with after she discovered his affair with his brother Simon's wife.
Everyone was sharing their final heart to hearts with Pat. Janine and Ricky were naturally devastated as Pat was the closest thing they ever really had to a mum and Janine particularly was able to mend her volatile relationship with Pat who she truly loved. Janine confessed she was pregnant and Pat reassured Janine and believed being a mum could be the making of her. Neighbours and friends had also come to pay their respects with Pat and Dot sharing a special goodbye as old friends. Bianca and Ricky also had shared a heart-warming goodbye with Pat together showing her that they were strong and reassuring her they would keep the family together.
"You two are special together. I always knew when you were younger you had struck sparks. I'm glad you're happy. Just promise you'll be happy" Said Pat
"We will. We love each other" Said Bianca as she kissed Ricky and then held Pat's hand. Ricky was feeling guilty about Mandy which Pat sensed but brushed off as now was the times to sort things out not break them.
"Ricky darling just leave me with Bianca for a minute will you" Said Pat as Ricky nervously exited worried that Pat would tell Bianca everything.
"Bianca darling, I'm so proud of you. I can't believe you're my beautiful little granddaughter. Carol raised you so well and you and the kids have made my last years so special. Thank you for everything darling. You couldn't be more different from your father if you tried" Said Pat
"Oh Nan, I love you and I'm really going to miss you. Thanks for everything" Said Bianca as she cried in Pats arms and they just cuddled comforting each other.
Bianca came downstairs shortly after Ricky and was clearly an emotional wreck crying in Ricky's arms. She had already accidentally told the kids Pat was dying through lashing out at Janine and was therefore grateful when tiff came to comfort her. Meanwhile Charlotte had taken the opportunity to go upstairs alone and spend a few last moments with her Nan who she loved so much. Charlotte slowly peered into pat's room and they both made immediate eye contact
"Charlotte sweetheart come in. I'm glad you're here" Said Pat as she held her hand out to Charlotte who came and sat next to her on the bed and held her hand
"Are you ok nan?" Said Charlotte nervously knowing she wasn't and not really knowing what to say
"Don't worry Charlotte it's still me. Any word from your dad yet?" Said Pat
"No not yet but Bianca says he will come" Said Charlotte tearfully
"It's alright Charlotte don't cry I want to see your beautiful smiling face before I go. Your dad does love you you know and he needs you more than you will ever know. Promise me that when he does show up you will look after him. Don't let him run away. I've ruined his life and I just want to make sure he's happy and I know you, Bianca and Carol make him so happy." Said Pat
"I'm not so sure. Why hasn't he come back nan?" Said Charlotte
"Because he's scared darling. I never told David enough how much I loved him and how proud I am of him despite his poor efforts at being a family man and father" Said Pat
"He's a great father when he's around" Said Charlotte
"Look Charlotte I'm so proud of you sweetie. I know you will look out for everyone when I've gone because you've got Carol's strength and loyalty and David's intelligence and talent. You're going to be great and have a bright future" Said Pat
"What makes you say that? I ended up 14 and pregnant just like my mum, it's like history repeating itself as Tom's just like dad: unreliable and selfish I mean he even ran away just like him. He doesn't even know about Holly. She's like my little Bianca." Said Charlotte
"Yeah but your back at school now and I know you love her and wouldn't be without her." said Pat
"Oh I do love her but what will dad think?" Said Charlotte worriedly
"He'll love her just like he will Tiff, Whit, Morgan and Liam. Charlotte he won't think less of you. Remember he knows exactly how it feels" Said Pat as Charlotte smiled in agreement
"Nan I just want to say thanks for everything. I'd have been lost without you and I promise you just like I promised dad I will look after everyone" Said Charlotte
"Thank you darling. I love you. Always and forever" Said Pat as granddaughter and grandmother both embraced with pure love for several moments. Charlotte was full of emotion after her heart to heart with Pat so decided to go for walk to clear her head and prepare herself for the inevitable. Just as Charlotte walked away from the house a black car pulled up outside and there appeared David looking extremely bewildered. He nervously rang the doorbell and was relieved and delighted to face Bianca who he felt at instant comfort with and as they faced each other they both smiled with such joyful relief for several seconds.
"Are you going to invite me in or what?" Said David walking passed Bianca into the hallway
"I knew you'd come, I knew it oh I've missed you so much" Said Bianca diving at David to hug him
"Hello darling. I've missed you too you'll never know how much. Hey don't cry" Said David as he hugged her tight and kissed her cheek trying to comfort her as she began to cry
At that moment David turned around and faced a little ginger haired girl who was the spitting image of Bianca
"Hello" Said David
"Who are you" Said Tiffany
"This is my dad. He's your granddad" Said Bianca as David looked at her
"Charming" Said David as Tiffany didn't seem to care and went straight back into the living room to cuddle Carol
"Oh take no notice, come through" Said Bianca leading David into the living room.
David and Carol gazed at each other as soon as David entered the living room and everyone just knew there was still something special between them.
"David" Said Carol
"Carol, how are you?" Said David
"Yeah not bad considering. This is Liam and Morgan your grandsons and your granddaughter Holly's asleep upstairs" Said Carol noting David would assume Holly was Bianca's and think little of it but she would eventually have to confess she was 14 nearly 15 year old Charlotte's baby girl. After saying hello to Ian and Janine David was clearly looking around for Charlotte and eventually said
"Where's Charlotte?"
"She's just popped out for a walk. She'll be back soon" Said Carol
"Right well I better go and see mum. How is she any better?" Said David to Bianca clearly unaware she was dying
"She's got cancer she's dying" interrupted Ian
"Hang on I thought she was very ill" said David confused
"Yeah she had heart problems and she went to the doctor and they found cancer which has brought on all sorts of complications" Said Bianca
"Right I see well I better go and see her then" Said David as he nervously approached the stairs and hesitantly paused to an on looking Bianca
"Go on she won't bite" said Bianca jokingly which gave David the courage to head upstairs.
David entered the room and Pat was so pleased and relieved to see him. David immediately shook Ricky's hand despite the fact they never really got on. Ricky quickly left as there was awkwardness as mother and son needed to be alone, but Pat loved Ricky and cared for him as if her were her own. However David was the one who needed Pat and had never settled and made peace with the past.
"Alright mum?" Said David
"I've been better" Said Pat as David looked at Pat's pictures on the dressing table
"Is this Charlotte?" Said David as he picked one up and pointed at a 14 year old girl who looked the spitting image of himself
"Yes can't you tell? Have you not seen her yet?" Said Pat
"No she's popped out for a bit. Is she ok?" Said David with genuine love and care for her
"She's fine David; a very clever little girl. A bit like her father but I'll let her tell you about herself when you see her" Said Pat wanting to talk about David and not Charlotte at that moment
David and Pat made polite chat as they caught up with each other until Pat brought up his affair with Simon's wife judging him for his selfish actions which upset David.
"All my life I have tried to keep you on the straight and narrow but you don't listen David" Said Pat
"My childhood memories consist of your knickers on the stair carpet; you at it with some salesman with the door open" Said David
"How many years do I have to spend saying sorry for that?" Said Pat
"What for leaving us night after night while you were out. 5 years old I was walking home from school on my own" Said David
"I was going through a difficult time. I was so young. I love you David, I do probably more than you deserve" Said Pat to a disbelieving David
"You never loved me, never. Not one moment in my whole stinking life. Not really mum not like a kid should be loved. Not when it counted. You can say it now. It's too late, too late" Said David
"I'm dying. Can't you say just a few words of kindness?" Said Pat
"I wanted to mum I really did. It started off alright but now it's gone wrong" Said David
"Come, come closer. Let me look at you." Said Pat
"Look at what?" Asked David
"Your face; your beautiful face. The face of my first born my little boy" Said Pat stroking his cheek
"Oh mum" Said David pushing her hand away
"That's what you are. If I could go back and change what I've done I would. I promise you I would" Said Pat emotionally
"You can't mum. You can't change anything with just one conversation. It's not possible" Said David
"Please, please don't waste your life. I know you David. I know you better than anyone. Ever since you were a little boy you'd make a mess and then you'd jump on your bike and run away. Disappear over the horizon and start again. You are a 49 year old man David. Where are you running too, where is there left to run too? You're running here to where I am right now to a lonely grave. Please don't waste your life because of me; because of what I've done. You can change I know you can you can change" Said Pat
"I can't mum I can't. I can't change. In fact I'm going to do what's expected of me and I'm going to run right now because I can't stand this. That's what I'm good at; I'm sorry mum" Said David as he rushed out leaving Pat yelping his name in pain.
"Where's my coat? Who's got me coat? I have to love you and leave you darling I've gat plane to catch. I have to go darling I'm sorry I hope you understand. Ta da" Shouted David as he ran downstairs taking his coat form Whitney and rushing out with no explanation followed by a confused and distraught Bianca
"DAD,DAD. What happened? What did she say?" Said Bianca confused
"She didn't say anything" Said David
"Please don't go" Said Bianca
"I've to go darling I'm sorry" Said David
"But I need you, Pat needs you; we all need you" Said Bianca
"You don't need me you've got a whole family in there you've got a whole life" Said David
"But your my dad. Please don't go" Said Bianca
"I've got to go darling I'm sorry" Said David as he kissed Bianca's cheek who wouldn't let him leave
"Bianca get back inside. Come on, Go on the kids are scared" Called Carol
"Go on go back darling" Said David to a sobbing and devastated Bianca who eventually went back inside
"Bravo you never fail to disappoint" Shouted Carol
"Oh change the record Carol I've heard it a million times" Said David
"She's a dying woman and her own son has just enough time to pay her flying visit before he runs off and dumps her" Said Carol
"It's not all on me I came back didn't I; I came. Do you think I wanted to see this place again? Be reminded of everything that happened .Do you think I want to feel that bad about myself?" Shouted David
"Yourself? What about your mum? What about Pat?" Said Carol
"I don't care" Shouted David
"I don't believe you I don't. You love her; you were just too afraid to show it. Just like you always were just like you are with everyone. Don't do this now, don't make this mistake go back in there before it is too late" Shouted Carol forcing David's car door to stay open. Carols words forced David to ponder and finally face the situation until they heard a voice
"Mum? Dad?" Said Charlotte who had just arrived back from her walk
"Hello darling, gosh haven't you grown?" Said David as Charlotte ran towards him and hugged him making Carol smile which David immediately noticed. It was a beautiful moment as the family felt reunited until Derek turned up
"Well, well, well, well. Ain't this a nice surprise after all these years? Come to see the grave have you. Well the corpse up there if you want to have a look. No, good because we've got some old business to finish me and you eh" Said Derek
"Just leave him alone Derek; leave him alone" Shouted Carol
"Shut up Carol please; please babe. Now where were we? That's it son plenty more where that came from" Shouted Derek as he punched David fiercely in the stomach causing Charlotte and Carol to scream
"Don't touch him again Derek. He's going now he's leaving. Don't you dare hurt him" Said Carol as she stood in the way to protect him
"Is that true is it are you on your way?" Said Derek smugly
"No dad don't go please. I love you. Don't let Uncle Derek scare you. I need you" Said Charlotte crying
"Go back inside sweetheart now please and take care of your sister and the kids" Said Carol to Charlotte as she reluctantly went back in
"I ain't going anywhere. Get out of my way" Said David angrily and determined as he punched Derek and ran back in the house
"This isn't over David, if I see you again you're a dead man" Shouted Derek as Carol pushed him back protecting David. As David took his coat off he smiled at Charlotte and just as they were about to have a proper reunion Ian came rushing downstairs indicating Pat was about to die. David looked at Charlotte and she signalled him to go and be with her Nan in the last few moments. Charlotte and Carol quickly followed and arrived just in time to see Pat die in David's' arms.
"Mum it's me David. I've come back; I'm not running this time. I'm sorry mum for everything; I forgive you"
"I don't want to die; I'm scared" Said Pat with every bit of strength she had left
"You're not going to die. I promise you you're not going to die" Said David as he held Pats hand and hugged her close as she slipped away
David turned to Carol and said
"Is she..?" and before he could finish his sentence Carol nodded leaving David in tears. Everyone stood there for several moments sobbing until Charlotte finally approached David hugging him saying
"Come in dad let's go downstairs and get a drink. She'd gone now and she's at peace". Charlotte's words comforted everyone and they all left the room knowing that their lives were about to change forever through the loss of Pat. Whilst holding David's hand though Charlotte noticed the chemistry had already reignited between her parents and she just knew they would give into their feelings sooner or later giving hope for the family life she has always so desperately craved. However explaining Holly to David would not be easy but Pat had made her realise that David would love her and Holly and may even want to stick around and be the dad she has missed since she was 4 years old.