Thank you, thank you, thank you. I appreciate all of your feedback. I'm feeling in a better mood than I have done all week, perhaps a little to do with my recently acquired grades, so here is an update for you all and if I can type up the next for Snapshots, that too will be posted tonight, either before or after I go to work. :')

FLESH NOT STONE

Chapter Twenty One

Karen awoke the next morning, an unhealthy coldness lingering as her arm dropped onto the side of the bed usually occupied by Rob. She sighed heavily, courtesy of the alcohol induced headache as well as the memory of their argument the previous night. Had it not been for the alcohol, she admittedly would not have snapped in the way she did, and quite possibly they would not be in this situation right now. Waking up without him felt strange, however she was adamant it would not be her to concede and admit fault. His words had pierced her; the realisation he saw their relationship as a mistake. She had hit back venomously, only to protect herself as she remained aware there was no truth, for her, in the comment.

She was awoken from her thoughts by a sharp knock at her bedroom door. They did not wait for a reply, and the person in question entered slowly. The identity of the knocker soon became apparent as Rob shut the door behind him, a look etched across his face that contained no revealing of emotion.

They looked at each other for a few moments, shooting daggers as some would refer. It was Karen who finally snapped. "What?"

"I've come to get changed," he answered coldly. "That's if you haven't thrown my clothes out already."

She narrowed her eyes at him, disbelieving. "You're so immature." She threw back the covers and stood up from the bed.

"Me?" He shouted. "I was the one attempting to have an adult conversation last night!"

"I was aware that we'd both drank too much, and any conversation would have been futile."

"Don't you dare hide behind that excuse," he shot back. "You knew exactly what you were saying. And I know where I'm not wanted."

At this, Karen made for the door, and before leaving turned back. "Well you know where the door is."

She slammed the bedroom door behind her, storming downstairs and crashing about with the highest level of volume she could muster. The children, who had all overheard the heated exchange upstairs shared worried glances as they approached the stairs together. As all three of them entered the living room, keen to avoid the furious adults, they came across the disarray of pillows on the sofa and the clearly used blanket. It did not take any of them long to figure what had occurred last night.

An hour later and Rob had left the house wearing a clean set of clothes. Karen, who had eventually been able to use the bedroom to get changed called to the children as she was set to leave. As Aiden and Harry bundled into the back, Jess joining her mother in the front, the boys looked eagerly at Jess to initiate conversation. "Mum?"

She knew this would come eventually, and she prepared herself to answer their questions. "What is it, Jess?"

"What's happened?"

She sighed. "Just an argument."

Aiden spoke up. "I see dad slept on the sofa last night."

"He did," Karen swallowed. Quickly, she changed the subject. "So where do you two want dropping off?" She asked the two elder children, as it was their prom tonight she would be dropping them off in town so they could sort a few last minute arrangements.

"Just in town will be fine," commented Jess, who was going to the hairdressers. "Will you and Rob be OK?"

"What are you getting done with your hair?" Karen ignored the latter of her daughter's questions.

"Mum…"

Karen pulled up just in town, smiling at the teenager. "Right, here you are." She kissed her daughter's cheek. "I'll see you later, love. Aiden."

Once they were out of the car, and it remained just herself and Harry, silence descended. The younger teenager sat in the back seat, twiddling his fingers whilst his mother drove slowly throughout the streets. He wanted to speak to her, he wanted to understand, however he could sense the reluctance to speak and therefore remained silent himself.

-WLR-

The entirety of the day had been spent rather awkwardly. The staff could sense their relationship was on the rocks, despite all the numerous hangovers from the previous night. When Rob had entered the staffroom, completely ignoring Karen and walking to chat with Daniel, many confused looks were exchanged. As the population of the room dispersed, Daniel remained behind and sought to speak with his friend.

"What's up?" He asked, standing in the centre of the room as he relished in the prospect of a free first period.

Rob looked at him. "I don't really want to talk about it."

"You need to talk to someone," he commented wisely, having grown in confidence over the months.

"Just," he began, screwing up his face as he recalled that morning. "Not now. Please." Daniel patted his shoulder in a friendly manner, smiling softly as he smiled in reassurance.

-WLR-

Karen entered the house late that afternoon, worried when she realised Rob had not yet returned home. Prom was tonight, and he would almost certainly be returning for his suit. Albeit for Harry, the house was empty and therefore the headmistress made her way upstairs and prepared for the night ahead. She opened the wardrobe, pulling out the dress which she had chosen a month or so back for tonight. She remembered the day ever so clearly, and how as soon as Rob had laid his eyes upon the dress he had prompted her to consider purchasing.

"You need to wear a suit too!"

Karen's protests seem to fall upon deaf ears as Rob's arm remained wrapped around her waist as she dragged him through the numerous shops in the centre of town. It was a rare occasion for them to go shopping, other than the compulsory food shop, so Karen was relishing in the experience of heading around and occasionally picking out clothes for her partner.

"But I'm only the site manager!"

She turned to him. Delicately tracing her finger across his chest, she smirked playfully. "And I want my site manager there, in a suit. That way I may find the courage to dance with him."

"I don't dance."

"Neither do I really, but-"

She was cut off as his eyes averted, taking her hand and pulling her to the next aisle where he stopped beside a row of dresses. There were numerous colours to choose from, all of the same design. The dress itself was beautiful. It finished just above the knee, and the straps would wrap around the neck leaving half of the back bare. There were a few white, decorative flowers embroiled across the front and Rob immediately picked up the purple dress.

"What?" Karen asked indignantly.

"It's perfect!"

"Well," Karen deliberated, eying the dress. She could not deny, the dress was stunning, however she felt a slight nervousness wondering how she would fit in its appearance. "It's not the type I'd usually go for."

"Try it?" Rob asked, hoping.

Karen had tried it on that day, and Rob had clearly been struck by her appearance. Slipping it over her frame, she powdered her face with a small amount of make-up and finished off the outfit with a small pair of black heels and a clutch bag she had acquired a few years ago for a family wedding.

Unable to resist, Karen opened his wardrobe and ran her hand across his clothing. The typical t-shirts and shirts, some were hung and others scattered across the bottom. She rolled her eyes at his impatience and inability to put clothes away neatly. As she did not come across his suit, she frowned, however soon came to the conclusion that he had most likely taken it with him this morning to avoid returning home.

Closing the wardrobe door, she sighed and slowly made her way down the stairs, going out to the car and heading back towards the school.