Milk

Tom drove towards Mared's house as he tried to work out what had happened. Mared had appeared to be fine at work. She had been joking with Siân and Lloyd as usual; avoiding their new stand in boss and generally getting on with things. Now something had happened - he knew Mared wasn't the type to panic over something trivial. He had kept her on the line until she had appeared calm and hung up on him. Now she wasn't answering the phone and he couldn't help but worry.

Xxxx

Mared wiped her eyes on the back of her shirt. She felt stupid as she looked at the carton of milk that had emptied its contents all over the kitchen floor. She took a shuddering breath, trying to anchor herself to the present. She was safe. Elin, Tom and everyone she cared for were safe. A sudden knock at the door made her jump but she couldn't bring herself to move. Her limbs seemed as paralysed as they had when Evans had captured her. Blinking back more tears she swore.

"Mared! Mared! Open the the door. It's me." She smiled slightly as she heard his voice. "I'll kick the door in." She got to her feet as the door opened. Moments later Tom was stood in front of her.

"Hey."

"I'm sorry." Mared mumbled. "How?"

"I remembered your Mam keeps a spare key under the doorstep for you and Elin. I told her not to. Apparently not everyone in Aber is a psycho." He watched as she smiled slightly. It didn't reach her eyes. "Come here." He pulled her into his arms as she shook. He kissed her hair, finally seeing the upturned milk carton. Suddenly he realised what had happened.

"It's ok. You're safe." He mumbled as she began to relax in his arms. He hated Prosser more than ever. "It's ok."

"It's not." She stepped back, crouching to clean the mess up. "I'm sorry, I think I called you on reflex. I didn't mean to scare you." She watched as he grabbed a cloth, clearing up the spilled fluid.

"You call me. Anytime, any reason and I'm here. Ok. No arguments."

"I didn't think that would happen. I was only making tea. How can a mug of tea cause so much drama? This isn't me." He reached out brushing her hair away from her face.

"Flashbacks are nasty. I'm not A counsellor but I'd have thought after everything they were a normal response." He threw the paper towels and milk carton in the bin.

"The trial."

"Evans pleaded guilty. He won't go to trial. I found out ten minutes before you called me. There's a sentencing next month but he's looking at multiple life sentences."

"Good."

"Prosser is pleasing not guilty."

"I expected he'd lie. It's what he's good at." She glanced at the clock. "Shit!"

"What?" Tom watched her face as she tried to wipe the remains of tears from her face.

"Elin. I'm picking her up from netball. I better get a move on." She bit her lip, holding in a curse. Tom shook his head.

"You are not driving in this state."

"Tom."

He kissed her, effectively ending any protests.

"I'll drive. Where's this netball thing?"

"Her school."

"Ysgol Dewi Sant?"

"Yeah."

"Cmon then. She'll be waiting." He held out a hand wondering exactly what had happened to her at the hands of Prosser and Evans. He knew she hadn't told him everything and he didn't want to push her. He knew there was a chance she'd never tell him; he just hope it didn't keep eating away at her. Mared Rhys was too good for that scum to have a lasting hold on her.

Xxxxx

Prosser stared at the wall. The meeting with his lawyer had gone just as he had expected. The man was an idiot - a tool in the grand scheme of things. He would serve his purpose. Prosser smirked. He accepted he wouldn't get his job back - misconduct in a public office could stick but he didn't think anything else would. He'd almost broken Mared Rhys and Tomos Mathias once - this time he'd succeed. He'd make sure of it.

Xxxxxc