LINDSEY'S POV:

"Morning, love" Sandy greeted me as I walked into the kitchen that morning "any plans for tonight?"

"I think me and Joe are doing to The Dog. See the New Year in together" I informed her

"Oh, love, I forgot to tell you. When you went upstairs to get sorted, Joe had to leave. A job was called in and he's had to go out in the recovery truck. He said he'd try and be back for tonight though" she admitted

"Oh" I sighed "I'll just be alone on New Year's Eve then"

"Lindsey, you okay?" Sandy questioned worriedly, raising an eyebrow at me

"We're out of milk" I replied as I heard Freddie make his way downstairs. I couldn't see him, not now, I'd probably cry if I did… "I'll go get some"

"Morning" he greeted me as I hurriedly pulled my coat on "Linds?"

Mumbling that we needed milk, I made my way out of the front door and to the village. Arriving at Price Slice a few minutes later, I saw Sinead inside, a basket full of things in hand. She was just what I needed. I thought about waiting until she was done and then going in but it was too cold to stand outside. Inhaling and exhaling a breath, I walked inside. Smiling at her as she noticed me, she began to rearrange her basket of things quite quickly, dropping something from the basket as I made my way over to her…

"I'm all over the place today, thanks" she sighed as I handed her the box

Glancing at the box as she placed it back into her basket, I saw that they were tampons… "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, why?" she questioned

"The tampons. Are you bleeding because if you are, you should really get to the hospital" I informed her

"Oh no, they're for my Mum" she proclaimed, chuckling nervously "she sent me out to do the shopping"

"Thank God" I replied, placing my hand on her arm "see you in The Dog later, yeah?"

She nodded her head and smiled at me. Paying for the milk I left the shop and all the way home I thought something wasn't right…

"Wow, Linds, you look amazing" Sandy proclaimed as I walked into the living room later that evening

"Thank you" I replied "have you heard from Joe yet?"

"Sorry, sweetie, no" she admitted "why don't you go and I'll send him over when he's back? I'm sure he won't be too long"

I shook my head, signalling no… "Maybe I should wait for him?"

"It's New Year's Eve, Lindsey, go and enjoy yourself. You could be waiting for Joe all night" she replied

"I guess" I sighed "has Freddie left yet?"

"Yeah, he had something to do before he went to meet Sinead" she informed me

"Okay, see you later. Oh and Sand, happy New Year" I proclaimed

"You too, love" she mirrored, smiling at me warmly as I walked out of the house

I made my way over to The Dog, feeling pretty stupid for being all dressed-up to walk through the village on my own. It was pretty busy when I arrived but I managed to locate Sinead with some girls from sixth form. As I got closer I could see she was drinking. Watching in horror she downed two consecutive shots of bright green liquid and then Jack placed a bottle of wine down in front of her. I could feel the tears building inside of me. If she did anything to harm that baby, Freddie would be devastated. Walking out of the pub, I stood against the railings and dialled Freddie's number…

"Alright, Linds" he greeted me

"No, Freddie, I'm not" I admitted

"What's the matter? Where are you?" he questioned

"I'm at The Dog and from where I was standing a minute ago, Sinead was about to down her third shot of what looked like absinthe" I informed him

"What?" he asked

"I'm sorry, Freddie" I whispered, but it was too late, he'd already hung up…

LINDSEY'S DRESS:

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