A/N Huge thanks to NiamhMcGrady-fanpage (with full credit to Allegra's involvement in this chapter from the suggestion in review!), Nemo, Pinklilyrock and Geml31 for your very kind and encouraging reviews! It's really lovely when writing to know that people are enjoying the story, so thank you! Also my stats have been really encouraging too, so I'd like to thank anyone who has taken the time to read so far
Many hours later Cara woke up to feel Allegra climbing onto the bed and she was delighted to see her. 'Hello baby girl' Cara smiled as Allegra held onto her for a hug. Cara held her close and as cheesy as it sounded, she didn't want to let her go. 'Oh sweetheart I've missed you' and she kissed Allegra on the cheek, which she reciprocated. They stayed holding each other when Cara realised that Allegra hadn't spoken.
'Darling, please say something' Cara started to worry and then Allegra shook her head before burying it into Cara's hair. 'Are you scared?' She asked and she nodded. 'Scared of...the hospital?' a shake. 'Me?' another shake. 'What happened to mummy?' She asked tentatively, and her heart sunk as Allegra nodded, and just as tears welled up in Cara's eyes, Serena, Raf and Arthur popped their heads around the door.
'How are you doing?' Fletch smiled as he sat down next to the bed and Cara nodded. 'Feeling better' she smiled weakly as she tried to reassure Allegra.
'How is she?' Arthur asked...
'She hasn't said a single word...she's usually such a chatterbox, but after seeing...you know...I just want to be able to make her feel better but she's so scared...' Cara wept, her eyes welling up. If only I had sorted this sooner, she thought, then maybe Allegra would be ok.
'She's been staying in the on-call room, she's been as good as gold.' Arthur added. 'She helped Morven play doctor on her teddy bear, and has pretty much stayed put, not like other kids we get on the ward' he laughed.
'Good girl sweetheart' Cara smiled but Allegra didn't reply.
'...and she's also been very quiet' Serena added. 'In fact, I don't think she's spoken at all since it happened' Serena looked on sympathetically.
'She must have been so scared' Cara cried. 'Why didn't I leave him? Why didn't I tell you sooner?'
'You've told us now, that's the main thing' Fletch smiled. 'What are you going to do?'
'Cara and Allegra are going to be staying with me until they're back on their feet' Serena smiled, not giving Cara the option to argue.
'Would you like me to go and pack you both some things from yours?' Raf offered, and Arthur nodded.
'I'll come too'
'No offence Arthur but I think if Cara's husband is there he would snap you like a twig. You're not exactly the most threatening-looking bloke I know' Fletch laughed as he and Raf jokingly flexed their muscles as Arthur pushed his glasses up his nose, and shook his head while Cara and Serena sniggered.
'Oh my god what if he's at home?' Cara panicked and Serena smoothed her hand up and down her arm reassuringly.
'He'll have us to answer to' Raf frowned as Fletch and Arthur nodded. 'Seriously, we'll go and get some of your things, where are your keys?'
'In my handbag' Cara pointed to the bag on the chair next to the bed. Fletch, Raf and Arthur left and Serena sat next to Cara, watching as Allegra lay still in Cara's arms. 'I can't put her through this again'
'No, he can't put either of you through this again.' Serena corrected and Cara smiled weakly. 'I think you need to think about what you're going to do now...whether you're going to go back, whether you're going to report this, what preventative measures you need to stop this from happening again.'
'I've heard about injunctions...the counsellor who came in to see me mentioned it as a possibility...it seems a little drastic though...'
'Cara what he did to you was barbaric, he put you in hospital needing surgery. An injunction doesn't mean a prison sentence, it is there to protect you, and after this, that's what you need' Serena pointed out sternly. 'It's time to put yourself and your daughter first'.
'But I'd have to face him in court' she panicked, and Serena nodded.
'Eventually you may, or may not, but you'd be safe' she reassured and then Serena's phone rang- it was Raf.
'Hello?'
'Serena, can you put me on speakerphone? I need to talk to you and Cara.'
Serena did this and then Raf continued. 'Cara, it looks like your husband has been home and cleared off, all his stuff is gone but the place is a mess- is there a chance he'll come back?' He asked.
'Yes, he's done this before but he always comes back. As long as I don't go back, Allegra and I will be fine.' Cara responded.
'Right, well we're all done here, we'll be back soon' Raf hung up, and Cara and Serena shared a nervous smile, and looked down at Allegra as she stayed holding onto Cara tightly, twirling her mother's hair in her fingers.
When Raf, Arthur and Fletch returned to Holby, they walked through the car park, discussing everything that had happened. 'I can't believe she's been going through this all alone with nobody to talk to' Fletch frowned as they walked. Arthur and Raf nodded sadly.
'I don't understand how any man can call himself a man if he hits a woman, it's completely unacceptable.' Raf frowned, and as they carried on discussing their colleague's unfortunate incident, they were completely unaware that from the darkness of the peace garden, Gabriel Martinez was watching, listening, and waiting...
