Thank you to Gillian Kearney Fan and Emlouisex for reviewing - it's really appreciated! Hope you enjoy the next chapter - and even if you don't - please review, it's the only way this story will get any better!
Chapter 4 - Changing plans
Kirsty felt better as she left the on-call room. She had been dreading seeing Adam - he was the only person other than the police officer in charge of her case who had actually seen the physical results of Warren's abuse. Also, he'd thought she was capable of murder. When she realised that he thought she had killed Warren, it had felt like he'd stuck a knife into her and twisted it. But now it was alright, he knew she was innocent, and he didn't blame her for what Warren had done to her.
Her phone rang, and her heart lurched. She automatically checked the time, before remembering that Warren wouldn't be on the other end shouting at her, demanding that she come home straight away. She looked at the display - it was Nita.
"Hey darling, are you alright?" Kirsty asked, concerned. It was unlike Nita to ring her at work.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Look, you can say no if you want, I'll understand if you want me at home, but it's Cassie's birthday today, and she's having a sleepover, she didn't ring because she didn't want to bother us what with everything that was going on, but she's asked me if I want to go, and she said her mum will pick us up after school, and I can get stuff from home first if I want, but I really don't mind if you want me to stay home tonight…" Nita had barely paused for breath. Kirsty felt an overwhelming feeling of love for her daughter, who was prepared to miss out on one of her closest friend's parties if her mother didn't want to be alone in the house.
"No, sweetheart, you go. You deserve a treat, after the last few weeks. I'll see you tomorrow, have fun!"
"Thanks mum, that's great," Kirsty could hear squeals in the background.
"Right, I'd better get back to work, bye," Kirsty said, smiling as she ended the call. Spotting Adam emerging from the on-call room, she called, "Nita's going to a sleepover tonight, so would it be alright for me to join you at the pub?"
Adam's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Definitely. Well, I'll see you there!"
As he turned his back, Kirsty's face fell. She'd acted on impulse, and regretted her words seconds after they'd left her mouth. She was nervous about being around her colleagues again, and despite knowing that Warren wouldn't be waiting for her to return home so he could punish her for daring to have a life, she still felt guilty, as though she had agreed to something terrible.