Figuring it out

Ronnie sat at the kitchen table, ignoring the Staffordshire Terrier that had been watching him for the last few minutes. The rest of the house was asleep but he couldn't settle. Dappy yawned.

"It's alright, old boy." Ronnie acknowledged him. "Kids are all asleep, Alesha isn't as badly hurt as we thought. We have names to chase." He stared at his mug, not realising Natalie's youngest boy had entered the kitchen.

"You ok?"

"Can't sleep. You?" He looked up as the dark haired teenage boy sat opposite him. The seventeen year old was the image of his mother.

"Ron." The boy stared at him. "What exactly is going on?"

"Well." Ronnie looked at him. "Matt and Cameron were going ome but since the dozy sod fell asleep on the sofa I left im to it. Lou, Sarah and Lucy are all kipping in Sarah's room. You and Michael are in Lucy's room and your mum is in my room. Cameron and Matt are on the sofa and you and me, Daniel are sat ere. That's what I think is going on."

Daniel smirked, he liked Ronnie. Had known him all his life but knew when the older man wasn't telling the entire truth.

"I meant with you and my Mum."

"Ah."

"We aren't stupid. We know her and my dad are never going to get back together. He's treated her like dirt." Daniel stared. "She deserves better."

"She does." Ronnie agreed. He had never been a fan of David Chandler but he didn't want to talk badly of the man in front of his son. David Chandler knew what he thought of him.

"So." Daniel yawned. "Don't mess her around."

"Why this? Why now?"

"First chance I've had to talk to you without anyone earwigging." Daniel explained. "So? What are your intentions towards my mum?"

"I won't mess her about. Took long enough for us to get together. You know Dan, I've messed up loads of stuff in my life. I don't want to mess up now." He glanced towards the dog basket as Dappy turned into his back. Daniel nodded.

"Good. All I wanted to know. Matt told me what you said that day. When that Carl fella knifed her."

Ronnie ran a hand over his face. Three years earlier he had no intention of acting on his feelings. Natalie was his Guv, his friend. He hadn't even realised what he had said as they had waited for the paramedics- it seemed he had divulged more than he had realised.

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh. Her divorce came through." Daniel got up. "She won't have said anything- not with Alesha and Matt to worry about. Dad phoned me earlier."

"Oh, right. Yeah."

"Night Ron."

"Gnight Dan." Ronnie stared at the table, deep in thought. The dog carried on snoring. Deciding tea would help he set about finding milk and tea bags. Something about the attack on Alesha and Sally's murder nagged at his brain. The hot water hit the tea bag as he finally checked the messages on his mobile phone. Swearing he read the text message from Angie. The penny dropped. They had two assailants- two suspects. All they had to do was find them.

Xxxxxc

"Come to bed." James turned as his partner held out her hand. Bea Cardle was beginning to get annoyed with him and he couldn't blame her.

"Someone knew Alesha Devlin would be alone in that office."

"James." The Irish woman snapped. "Alesha's in hospital- she's going to be ok. You told me. Nasty wounds to her limbs but superficial to her torso. The doctors know what they are doing.

"Yeah."

"And explain to me how you destroying yourself is going to help. Sleep James. At least try." She bit her lip. James nodded. Rationally he knew she was right. It didn't stop his brain working overtime. He got into bed, letting Bea rest her hand on his chest. He wanted to sleep but knew the image of a battered and bloodied Alesha would haunt his dreams.

Xxxxxxx

Kate stared at the ceiling as Jake returned to the bedroom. Her husband slipped under the duvet as she turned on her side.

"Lottie is fine. One wet nappy sorted."

"Ok."

"Kate."

"I thought she was dead."

"I know." Jake nodded as she spoke. "All that blood."

"Seeing Matt today. At the hospital- devastated at the thought she had been hurt." Tears filled her eyes as she spoke. "Just made me think."

"Hey." He brushed her hair away from her face.

"I just thought about how I would react if it was you. How you were when I was hurt." Jake pulled her into his arms. His wife had been through so much - estranged from her family, the attack and court case had all been in the last two years. He held her tightly, letting her pour her fears out. He knew he'd do anything to protect her. Kissing her hair he felt her draw imaginary circles on his chest.

"I'm ok. Nothing is going to happen to me." He whispered. Kate closed her eyes as he spoke. "Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up." Kate smiled against his skin, lifting her face to look him in the eye.

"I love you." She whispered before kissing him.

Cxxxxxx

Angie got out of bed, the notion of sleep forgotten. Her ten year old daughter slept peacefully in the next room but Angie knew she wouldn't be able to sleep until Clare Thomas and Diane Fothergill were under arrest. Pulling her notepad from her handbag she began going through her notes. It was all too bizarre - too many unanswered questions. What she did know was if Clare Thomas and Diane Fothergill knew each other then they had some serious issues to deal with.

Xxxxxx