This is hella short, but it made more sense (in my head) to split this and the next chapter up. Really hope you're all still enjoying this - there will be more soon! xx

Song for this chapter: As the World Falls Down by David Bowie

Although I didn't realise it at the time, looking back now I can see a clear divide, a turning point in our relationship which set us off on this miserable path.

Connie had long ago planned for Grace to come and stay with her for a week in April. I knew how she missed her dearly, and couldn't have been happier at the fact they were being reunited, no matter how briefly it was. We decided between us that it would be best that I stay out of the way for the visit, however difficult that may be, as Connie really needed to concentrate on her daughter and remind her how much she loved her so that maybe next time she would want to stay for longer. Connie had taken the entire week off work, shifting many of her duties over to Zoe for the duration. Everything was set up perfectly.

That was until the third night of their reunion, when she had rung me in the middle of the night, her words barely coherent over the sobs that consumed her.

"Connie, what the hell's going on?" I had almost yelled down the receiver, my heart racing in panic.

"It's Grace," she stammered. I had never heard her like this before, nor have I since. "She's… going… back to New York… in the morning."

"Oh, shit," I had replied, running a hand through my hair. I felt helpless, useless, and all I wanted to do was to go round there and sweep her up into my arms, protect her from all this forever. Maybe I should have done.

"What happened?"

I could hear her sharp intake of breath as she gathered the words, and the fresh sobs as she recollected the day's earlier events.

"We were in the middle of baking some of Grace's favourite muffins," she began, her voice uneven and her breathing jagged. "We'd just put them in the oven... I got a call from Henrik... I couldn't not take it; I knew he wouldn't ring unless it was an emergency." I heard her take a deep breath, in an effort to compose herself. "He was raging, Rita, really, really furious. The CQC inspection report came back, and the ED was at the bottom of the list. 'Inadequate'. So, naturally, he wanted a full account of what had happened the day of the inspection. And when I was done, I came back and I'd… I'd burnt Grace's muffins. She went ballistic, like I've never seen her before, said that still after everything I don't love her enough to leave my work alone for one week." A deep sob escaped her lips. "She said she hated me, Rita, and she… she says that after this she'll never want to see me again. I can't deal with that, I can't. I love her so, so much, I..."

"Oh, Connie," I breathed, my heart aching. I felt quite tearful myself, just hearing her in so much distress and not being able to help her, to wrap her up in my arms and tell her over and over that it would be okay. In all honesty, I was at a loss for words. I didn't know how I could comfort her, in this state, and it was terrifying. To tell her it would be okay seemed pointless, irrelevant, impersonal, and I knew that she wouldn't believe me anyway.

"Maybe she'll feel differently in the morning," I said gently, my heart hammering. "Once she's had a decent sleep. She's bound to be jet-lagged, maybe that's what's made her grumpy."

I heard her sniff. "Audrey is coming to pick her up in the morning. She'll fly out in the afternoon. Sam texted me. He thinks I'm a waste of a parent too." A fresh sob burst out.

"You're not," I reassured softly. "You're not. I promise you. I would never tell you a lie, you know that. I think you simply do your best in a difficult situation. It doesn't always go right, but it will one day, I promise." I paused tensely, waiting for her reply.

She took a deep breath. "Maybe you're right," she said, her voice expressionless, monotone. She sounded utterly resigned in a way that broke my heart. "I'm going to go pack some of her things."

"Okay. I'll come round tomorrow afternoon straight after work. Try to get some sleep," I said warmly, steadying my own breathing. "I love you," I added.

But she had gone.

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