Leah sat beside Brendan on the small sofa as she watched In the Night Garden.
She looked up at him every so often and smiled at him sweetly. She was always fascinated by Brendan, the hair above his lip, the way he was always close to her Daddy, though not so much now, the other man – Doug, had seemed to have filled that role.
She wasn't keen on Doug, he reminded her too much like her Daddy and found it strange how they would always giggle and cuddle up on the sofa before she was put to bed by either one of them, or her Mummy.
Doug was a nice man, though; she liked how he made her Daddy smile, how he would bake her and Lucas buns and the way he would read her a story before she went to sleep on the nights he stayed over.
It still didn't feel right though, seeing Doug with her Daddy instead of Brendan. She had asked her Daddy why Brendan had stopped coming over, she didn't just miss him because he'd buy her a new doll and Lucas a new action figure, but because she felt a strange feeling she couldn't really work out. And she would feel even worse when she was told not to worry about Brendan anymore and that he wouldn't be coming over again.
So she was happy to see Brendan at the door. Doug had answered, thinking it was Amy or Ally. Leah watched on has Doug tried to shut the door on the man, but Brendan was much stronger and he calmly forced the door open and entered the flat.
She stood to wave at Brendan and smiled.
"Hey you," Brendan greeted, leaning down to wave back.
Her smile broadened and she asked. "Where have you been?"
Brendan looked at Doug as if he was the answer to him staying away, but he soon began to snap on his gum again and looked back down at Leah. "Been busy darling," and she seemed to accept this and smiled at him again.
"Okay," she sat back down on the floor and lifted her Barbie up to Brendan, one he had bought her, "still my favourite."
"Ste will be out of the shower in a minute, I think you'd best go." Doug snapped.
"Stephen, just out of the shower, ye say? I'd rather stay and watch the show I think."
"Seriously, just go. You have no right to be here!"
Leah looked up at the two of them, startled to hear Doug shout. She'd never heard him shout before and she didn't very much want to hear it ever again.
"Carry on playing, Leah," Doug told her, the aggravation evident in his voice.
She scrunched her face up at him slightly and looked to Brendan instead. Her face quickly smoothed out again when he smiled at her and nodded at her to carry on playing.
"I need to talk to Stephen. Alone," Brendan spoke much quitter, turning to face with window in front of the sink.
"I don't think so," Doug almost laughed. "He doesn't want to see you, and you have no right to be here."
"Is that so?" Brendan turned his head slowly to face Doug. "I'm the landlord remember, Douglas. I have every right to be here," he bit back.
Doug bit his tongue, seemingly lost for words. But soon found his voice again, "well I'm staying put, he's not being left alone with you."
The men stared at each other, Brendan wanting to punch Doug and Doug wanting to drag him out by hand. Their gazes dropped to their sides when they felt small taps on their hands.
"Can I have some milk before bed, please?" Leah asked.
"Sure," Doug stroked her hair as he opened the fridge. Shit he thought. He closed the fridge door, "there's no milk. Do you want juice instead?"
She shook her head.
"Ye heard the girl, she wants milk, Douglas. Milk," Brendan repeated slowly.
"You'll have to wait till Daddy's out of the shower then," Doug said hopeful, ignoring Brendan.
"I want it now," Leah's bottom lip stuck out slightly.
"I'm sure if you ask Brendan nicely he'll-"
"No, you, I want you to get it for me." She cut in.
Brendan couldn't help but grin at the little girl. Bingo.
She looked up at Brendan, "you stay and look after me, won't you?"
"Of course, run along Douglas."
Doug stood defiantly, "I'm not leaving you here with Leah. Ste wouldn't be happy-"
Brendan fished £10 from his trouser pocket tucked it underneath Doug's shirt, "keep the change."
Brendan was soon sat on the sofa, Leah following him closely behind and sat beside him.
Doug grabbed his jacket and decided if he was quick, he'd probably be back in time before anything started.
And this is how Brendan had found himself watching In the Night Garden.
Leah sat up on her knees so she could see Brendan's face better, "I didn't like Doug shouting at you," she looked down and played with her pyjama top.
"Doug's just silly. Don't ye worry about me."
"Daddy needs to hurry up! I bet he'll be so happy to see you again, like me," she changes the subject happily, and beams at Brendan.
The sound of the bathroom door opening makes them both turn their heads to see Ste toddling in to the living room, with just a towel hung around his hips and his body still dripping wet.
"Brendan!" Ste gasps, folding his arms across himself to try and hide himself. "What do you think-"
"Look whose come to see us Daddy!" Leah claps her hands together.