It was a long wait until Caroline finally heard her phone ring; she leapt across the table to answer it.
"Lauren, are you OK? What's going on?" Caroline spoke quickly, anxious to hear the reply.
"I'm OK, it's mum," she sobbed a little.
"Where are you? What's happened?" She asked, starting to panic.
"He went for her when she told him to leave, he hurt her. She OK we're at the hospital and he's gone." Lucy finished.
"Oh Christ, Lauren I'm so sorry. I'll come now, if you want me too," she felt so bloody awful, she felt sick.
"Well only if you want I'm OK, really."
"No were coming, I'll bring Kate. I'm with her now."
"Okay. I'm at St. Mary's."
"OK which ward?" She asked, as she was digging through her coat looking for her car keys.
"Umm...intensive care."
"Jesus Lauren," She paused, "We're on our way."
"Which hospital?" Kate asked, pulling on her shoes.
"St Mary's. I'm guessing you got the gist."
"Sounds bad," Kate grimaced.
"Well her mum's in intensive care, so it sounds pretty bad."
"Jesus Caroline, what a monster," she said angrily as they climbed into the Jeep.
Caroline couldn't help feel guilty, some part to blame. While she and Kate were… No don't get distracted, she thought. Poor Lauren and her mum, he really is a piece of work.
"Lauren," Caroline caught sight of the disheveled girl, still in her pajamas, sitting in the chair at the end of the hall. She looked up at her with her tear stained face, she looked so vulnerable, so young.
Caroline threw her arms around her, "Oh Lauren I'm so sorry," she whispered pulling her in close.
Caroline held her tight for a long time before they drew apart, to look at each other.
"Are you sure you're ok?" She asked, stroking her arm.
"Yes just a few cuts and bruises. Hopefully mum's going to be OK, and the police will find him. He won't come back will he?".
"I doubt it darling but you're not on your own, we're here to look after you, try not to worry."
Caroline helped her sit down and sat beside her, "What is wrong with your mum?."
"I don't totally understand, but I think they said a punctured lung, broken ribs and a fractured wrist. She took most of it; protected me. He took her by surprise. I've never seen him so angry. He tried to deny it when she asked him and she wouldn't accept it, the more she asked him the angrier he got that she wouldn't believe him. When she said the police were involved and the school. That I'd told her.
"He just lost it went for me, said I'd made it all up, and mum defended me and we'll he… Went mad." She looked down at the floor. "Throwing things at her, punching her, he threw to the floor, kicked her over and over. I tried to stop him but I couldn't and then when mum didn't get back up, he packed a bag and left.
"By the time the ambulance and police arrived I don't know where he was. They said mum will be OK just needs to be monitored, she's on the ventilator to help inflate her lung to help her breathe.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have rung you, I just didn't know who else to call."
"Don't be silly of course you should have rung, I'm just so sorry I wasn't there for you last night. Have you been here on your own all night?"
A gentle nod. "I'm OK I wanted to stay with mum."
"The police just left you here?" Caroline asked shocked at the harshness of the situation.
"They tried to get me to go with them, but I wanted to be here. There wasn't really anyone I could go to, I'm old enough so I was allowed to stay.
"I've given my statement this morning, so now I have to hope they find him. Mum will be OK she's just fragile."
The slim teenager, with her long scruffy hair turned to glance into the window where her mother lay. Caroline took reassurance in a gentle hand from Kate, placed on her back.
"First of all you must be freezing, I'll go and get some clothes for you from the shop across the high street. You can't be comfortable in your pajamas," she smiled softly at the young girl and then at Kate.
"Then we are going to sort this all out, and you can come and stay with me while you get better. I've got the room and you can't be left to fend for yourself. Your mum would want to know your safe," Kate said firmly smiling.
"That's very kind, but honestly I'll be fine," Lauren shrugged. The last thing she wanted was to be a nuisance to anyone. This whole situation was here fault if she hadn't said anything this wouldn't have happened.
Caroline leaned forward, "Well it's either Kate's or with the head teacher. Whatever you would prefer," she said, smiling warmly.
Sensing her reluctance Kate stepped a little closer to them both, "Hey, I asked her first Caroline!"
"Well yes technically Kate but…"
A small laugh from the young girl, drew them from their silly playful exchange. Which achieved its goal and lightened the mood.
"Kate, Perhaps I could stay with you. It's less complicated," looking at Caroline, "as You have William and Lawrence. I don't want everyone knowing. Is that ok?" She asked facing of them.
"Yes of course whatever you want," Caroline smiled.
"Good that's sorted then," Kate agreed.
"Right well I'll go talk to the doctors" Caroline said in her authoritative headmistress voice, "Do you want to come?"
"Lauren why don't you go with Caroline and I'll go get you some clothes," Kate suggested.
Lauren nodded as Caroline started walking down the corridor, she held out her hand for the brave teen.
She felt her grasp her hand and hold it tight as they walked. She knew she was brave but Lauren definitely had some amazing powers of holding it together in a crisis.
"You're doing amazing, you'll be OK. Everything will be OK." Caroline smiled squeezing her hand tighter, watching her bottom lip tremble before stiffening again.
"Yes I know it will. Thank you for coming here."