Thank you everyone who is reading this, and I wanted to thank Rusty Typewriter for checking through this update for me.

This is a topic I came across recently and it upset me a lot, so I've chosen to include it to help me. It's a sensitive subject containing domestic abuse. It's only used mildly but I do not wish to offend, if it might please don't read. Thanks.

Caroline waited as Beverley sat the cups down and left, deciding to sit directly next to Lauren once again. Handing her a cup.

"Sugar?"

"2" was the reply.

She heaped two sugars into the tea and one for herself. Eyes meeting once again, she felt the girl's composure twitch at their close proximity.

"Tell me," Caroline asked gently.

Eyes locked, the tears slipping down her face once again. "I deserved it. I should know better. Sometimes he gets angry," she sighed, her gaze loosing focus.

"Who gets angry?" Caroline asked.

"Since mum got better things were good, he's different now.…. He won't hurt her he hurts..."

"You," Caroline finished.

A silent nod from the vulnerable teen curled up in a ball hugging her knees.

"Oh Lauren how long has this been happening?" She stroked her hair.

"A few weeks; mum's getting worse again, more bad days. He takes it out on me sometimes, only when I deserve it. I haven't been going home or doing what I was supposed to, I asked for it really."

Caroline moved to sit closer to Lauren forcing her gently to face her. "It's not your fault, do you understand Lauren. You're the child he's the adult, nothing you can do makes him hurting you ok."

Caroline watched the eyes of the young girl in front of her glaze over at her words.
"He said if I told anyone mum would get ill again, and be taken into hospital again and I don't want to lose her again Caroline. I can't Caroline do you understand? I can't." The tears stripping down her face.

"I know sweetheart I know." Caroline soothed her "We can work this out together, we can. Where is your step dad now?" Caroline asked softly.

"At home with mum, he's working nights at the moment."

Caroline nodded.

"So does your mum know? What's happening?"

"NO!" The high pitched cry ripped from her throat, her body defensive withdrawn. "She can't, it will send her over the edge," Lauren pleaded. "She went back to work a while ago and she's holding on by a thread. Nothing can upset her, she can't go backwards we have to move forward".

"Oh Lauren you've got an old head on those shoulders, this isn't all down to you, you know I can't let this go on Lauren".

"Caroline I'm fine, it doesn't happen often and if I listened it wouldn't happen at all. Josh says he doesn't mean it. That he's sorry we get on most of the time, he's good to mum."

Caroline ruffled her hands through her hair, taking a breath. How did these smug b*** excuses of men always manage to manipulate their victims, make them believe they're to blame? So they feel guilty rather than angry; their secrets stay hidden. It's disgusting.

Caroline motioned for her hip.

"It looks worse than it is." Lauren sat up.

"Can I see Lauren?" She saw Lauren's unease, "Trust me," she whispered. As she began to lift her shirt again Caroline saw the savage purple marks that were clear, 3 close together they looked sore, the bruise around them black.

"Lauren firstly they look like they may be infected, can I ask Miss McKenzie to come in here?"

Pulling her shirt down in panic. "No why? They are fine, I don't want anyone else to know."
"I know you're scared but I'm the head teacher and my job is to make sure you're safe.
So firstly let me get Miss McKenzie. She has more training than me and she was the one who first noticed something. You can trust her, I promise," Caroline soothed.

A submissively silent nod, "Beverley can you get me Kate McKenzie and get Sarah to cover her lesson please."

"Yep no problem Dr Elliot."

"Hello Lauren" Kate said smiling as she entered the office.

"Hi Miss McKenzie," Lauren said shyly watching her feet.

"Miss McKenzie, I've been talking with Lauren. Is it OK for me to tell her Lauren?" Caroline asked again.

"Okay," Lauren whispered.

Caroline took Kate to the side and briefly filled her in out of ear shot of Lauren, Kate turned to face the lovely girl she knew.

"Okay Lauren, not to worry now you have Dr Elliot on the case, she's superhuman didn't you know!"

Kate winked at the girl who released a small involuntary chuckle. Somehow here with everything she felt safe.

"So is it OK if I have a look?" Kate asked. Kate pulled the first aid box from behind the chair to her left and settled on the floor on her knees.

Kate eased her shirt up and tried to ignore the sickening feeling rise inside her as she saw the deep lashes that seeped.

"OK Lauren these do need to be cleaned, is it OK for me to do that?" Kate asked stroking her arm, she nodded silently again. Kate set to the task quickly cleaning the wound and placing a large bandage across to keep it clean.

"Thanks," the girl shrugged. "So what now? You're going to tell my mum aren't you?"
Caroline stood walking towards the window.

"Lauren I think we need to think carefully about this, we can't leave you in the harm of your stepfather."

"But if he finds out I've told you, who knows what he will do, or what will happen to mum. I told you I won't tell anyone else, I'll deny it, you can't make me". Lauren stood heading for the door. "Thank you. I'm sorry, I know you wanted to help. But if you want to help me leave it alone". She opened the door and before either of them could stop her she was gone.

Caroline made to run after her but Kate held her hand back to stop her.

"Let her go she needs to think about what you've said. We need to think about a plan."

"Yes your right, it's just I'm so worried for her", "I know give her some time."

Kate reassured her. Caroline welcomed Kate's warm embrace.