ETWentHome, thank you for your review. The last chapter had lots of scenes that were difficult to write and what you said about them really reassured me that I didn't mess them up. Thank you so much. I agree Cal would do almost anything for Matilda.

Applealice10, thank you for your review. I want Cal to give Matilda a big hug too! So maybe he will. I like your ideas and I'll try to include at least one of them. It would be really exciting if Matilda found out in the way you suggested. Thank you!

Bonnie Sveen Fan, thank you for your review. Matilda's parents are awful. I didn't want there to be any doubt that she would be much better off with Cal.

X-Sammii-X, I'm sure Cal will do his best to help Tilly. I hope Ethan and Lily will sort their relationship out too, but Ethan needs to find out what's wrong! Thank you for your review. I'm so happy you're enjoying the story.

Tanith Panic, I'll keep your Louise and Honey request in mind! This story could probably do with a bit of comic relief. My mum insists on calling my support workers by the wrong names and it is maddening! Thank you for your review.

Elsieleo, thank you for your review. I'm trying to update every day at the moment, but I might not always manage it. I know what you mean - mental abuse can be just as bad as physical abuse, if not worse, but it's much harder to prove.

Thank you to Applealice10 for the favourite.

Louise placed a latte in front of Lottie and then took the seat opposite her. "There you are! Enjoy, and I'll try to remember not to ask why you're not at school."

Lottie laughed. "It's half-term. I'm a little bit disappointed, to be honest. If I'd got injured a week earlier, I'd have got an extra week off school! But I don't mind really."

"You're not spending half-term with your friends?" Louise was sure there was a more sensitive way of putting it, but if so, she didn't know what it was.

"Not so far," said Lottie. "Dylan's ill and I'm actually pretty worried as she usually gives us a rundown of her temperature, pulse and blood pressure, but she hasn't said anything this time. Ariana's depressed, so I'm worried about her too, and Tilly's phone's switched off, so guess how that makes me feel!" She smiled suddenly. "I'm glad I ran into you, Louise. It makes my day much better."

Louise was surprised by the glow that spread through her. It wasn't often that people were pleased to see her.

"So how's your day been?" asked Lottie. "If it's not rude to ask you."

"No, course not," said Louise. "But my answer might be quite rude! My stepdaughter's come to stay – indefinitely – and I can't think of many polite words to describe her at the moment."

Cal parked the car and jumped out, running to Matilda's side. "Matilda, darling, it's me. It's Cal. You're okay now. I'm here."

Matilda clung to him sobbing hysterically. She was trying to say something and it took quite a while for Cal to realise she was saying she wanted to go.

"Of course we can go, Matilda. Come on, darling. The car's just here."

He helped her into the front seat and hurried round to the other side. She was still sobbing and trembling hard. He could tell she was close to a panic attack and desperately tried to remember how to calm her down. It was something he'd dealt with hundreds of times, but it was different when it was Matilda and he was so terrified of what might have happened to her.

"There: that's better," he said in relief as Matilda finally became a bit calmer. "It's okay, Matilda. I'm here and I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He found a tissue and wiped her eyes and nose for her (after all, she was still his baby and always would be). "Can you blow your nose for me? That's right." He kissed her forehead. "I love…" He caught himself. "I love… the fact you called me. Do you think you can tell me what happened?"

"Can we go somewhere?" asked Matilda, her eyes pleading.

"Of course we can," said Cal. "I'll take you home."

Matilda paled and clutched his sleeve. "No! I can't go home!"

"Hey, shh, it's okay," said Cal. "I'm going to take you to my home."

Alicia closed the living room door and went to sit beside Sam. "Sorry, babe, can you switch that off for a minute?"

Sam grinned at her. "Why switch it off when we've got a pause button?" He paused his programme and put his arm around Alicia. "What's up?"

"It's the living arrangements," said Alicia. "I love having Lily here and I think it's great for Charlie to have Luke here. Even though they're both pretty miserable, it's nice having guests."

Sam looked confused. "Then what's the problem?"

Alicia sighed. "I kind of feel like I'm taking sides. I'm friends with Ethan as well as Lily and even though I don't see him much now, I really respect Dylan. He really helped me a lot when I was at Holby."

"Have you spoken to them about it?" said Sam, as he played with her pink-tipped hair. "Lily and Luke, I mean."

"I've spoken to Lily about it every day," said Alicia. "But she's determined not to speak to Ethan. I don't know Luke quite as well, but I think I'm going to have to say something if this goes on much longer."

Sam hugged her closer to him. "To be honest, babe, I'm not sure what else you can do."

"Well, I was thinking…" said Alicia.

Sam groaned. "Why do I get the feeling this is a very bad idea? Come on, Ali. Tell me the worst."

"I was thinking maybe we could have a dinner party and invite Ethan and Dylan."

Ethan raised a hand to ring Alicia's doorbell but let it drop by his side. He closed his eyes, squeezed his hands into fists and called himself a few choice names before trying again.

This time, he succeeded, but he was filled with the unaccountable urge to run away. It wasn't like him. He got scared a lot more often than anyone realised, but Cal was the one who always ran away.

Sam opened the door. He smiled at Ethan, then looked wary. "Hey, Ethan, mate."

"Um, hey. I was wondering, um, if I could possibly see Lily, please," said Ethan.

Sam hesitated, then stepped back and motioned Ethan into the house. "Come in. She's just in the living room."

As Ethan walked down the hall, he heard Lily's voice. "I don't want to see him, Alicia! Why can't you understand that?"

Her words filled Ethan with pain, but at the same time, it was so good to hear her voice again.

He pushed open the door. "Lily. Hey. Um, how are you?"

"Much worse since I saw you," said Lily coolly.

Alicia gave her a reproachful look. "Come on, Lily. Give him a chance."

"Why should I?" said Lily. She stood up and walked to the door. "Excuse me."

Ethan didn't move. "Lily, please tell me what I've done. I really have no idea and I miss you so much. I can't manage without you. I'm struggling at work; I'm struggling at home… Cal's still upset and I'm worried about Matilda and I can't cope with being acting clinical lead, but most of all I just want you back, Lily, because I love you with all my heart. Please tell me what's wrong. I'll do anything to make it right."

"Anything?" said Lily.

"Anything," whispered Ethan.

Lily's expression was cold. "Then please move out of my way so I can pick up our son from school."

Dylan K smiled as Dylan opened her eyes. "Hello, Dylan. It's Dr… I mean it's Dylan. I'm afraid your mum isn't here yet, but she's on her way."

"Hi, Dylan." Dylan looked pale and sleepy, but she was smiling. "It's nice to see you. Thanks for coming to see me."

"I... I didn't want you to be alone when you woke up. Er… how are you feeling?"

"Tired," said Dylan. "But still pretty talkative, I'm afraid. I was a bit shivery when I first came round, but I'm okay now. And I still feel a bit annoyed they gave me a general anaesthetic. I had a laparoscopy and I really wanted to watch."

Dylan K found he was smiling. "That doesn't surprise me! But there will be other opportunities, Dylan. You wouldn't have had a very good view anyway. Did your doctor tell you how to look after yourself while you're recovering? Assuming you didn't read up on it whilst waiting for the ambulance."

Dylan laughed. "Oh, Dylan, you know me so well! I actually knew already, but I thought there was no harm in checking. The anaesthetist said I mustn't drink and drive for forty-eight hours. I said I wouldn't have thought that was advisable at any time, particularly not for a fifteen year old." She sighed. "He tried to explain what he meant. It is annoying when people take jokes seriously, but I suppose they can't help it."

"I must admit I'm not very good with jokes," said Dylan K.

Dylan smiled. "That's okay. You're great as you are. How's Luke?"

Dylan K had the interesting sensation of soaring happiness at the unexpected and unusual compliment, followed by a complete drop in his mood. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" said Dylan, concerned. "Dylan, what's wrong?

"He's not actually living with me at the moment," said Dylan K.

Matilda's legs were shaking and she was grateful for Cal's arms around her as they left the car. She looked up at Cal's house and had a feeling she liked it, but she couldn't work out why. All she knew was that she was scared and she wanted Cal.

Cal kept one arm around her as he unlocked the door, then he helped her into the house. "Here we are, darling." He shut the door behind them. "Now you're completely safe. No-one knows you're here." They walked into the living room and Cal helped Matilda to the sofa. "I'll make you some tea."

"No!" Matilda called out in a panic as he started to walk away from her. Her whole body was trembling now and the tears were starting in her eyes. "Don't leave me, Cal. Please don't leave me." Cal at once sat down beside her, but Matilda, horrified by what she'd said, put her arms over her head to protect her. "I'm sorry, Cal. I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"

"Matilda, it's okay." Cal looked upset too, she realised, but not angry. He gently moved her arms away from her face and put his arms around her. "Come here, sweetheart. It's okay. You didn't say anything wrong at all. You've obviously been through something terrible and it's natural that you don't want to be alone."

"It's not terrible," said Matilda shakily. "They said they were nice."

Cal looked even more upset. "Who's 'they', Matilda? Can you tell me what they said to you?"

Matilda thought about telling him. She imagined how shocked he'd be and how tightly he'd hold her. The promises he'd make that he'd keep her safe forever.

But she'd told other people and their response had always been the same. They didn't believe her.

What if Cal didn't believe her either?