The Journey 'Home'

Ros started the car and slowly backed out of the gravelly school courtyard as Harry turned around in the passenger seat to talk to Wes, whose eyes were wide and lost, but remarkably dry. And remarkably like his father's. Ros shook the thought out of her head and forced herself to listen to the conversation.

"Wes, I've spoken to your headmaster, and we've decided that it's probably best if you stay home from school for a while, and perhaps go back after the Christmas holidays, if you want to. It's up to you, and we can talk about it to figure out when it's best for you to return. We just thought it might be better for you to be home for a week or so, at the very least."
"Home?" For an instant, Ros saw those eyes fill with excitement in the rear-view mirror. Then reality hit the child again, his expression dropped completely. "But-" And then, after a few seconds, a shadow of hope returned. "Is Jenny coming back?"
She made sure to give Harry a sharp, reproachful sideways glance, and the older man sighed.
"No, Wes, we haven't contacted Jenny yet. You'll be staying with Ros, at least for a week or so, until we get things sorted."
Wes nodded slightly.
"I see," he said softly, and then he turned to look out of the window. Harry turned back around in his seat and pinched the bridge of his nose for a few seconds.

"Harry, I don't know whether you've noticed, but I don't currently have a house."
"I've arranged a safe-house."
Ros sighed slightly, but kept driving in silence for another few minutes before she spoke again.
"Look, I really don't see-"
"You're the closest to his next of kin," this surprised Ros, and she turned to stare at Harry for a few seconds before coolly regaining her composure.
"As flattering as that is," the truth, behind a veil of sarcasm. Just Ros' style. "I think you'll find I died first, so technically-"
"He's not deaf, Ros," Harry cut her off, quiet but sharp.
"Oh, so he's not all his father then-"
"Rosalind!"
The car pulled to a stop.
"You drive," Ros hissed, unbuckling her seat-belt and walking round the car, getting back in on the other side. As Harry switched into the drivers' seat.

The rest of the drive progressed in silence, with Ros fixing her gaze on the scenery outside as she forced herself not to cry. She couldn't lose control here. Not in front of Harry, or Wes.