Chapter 52
Chris became even more determined to prove to his family that Michael was evil and setting up Ronnie after Ronnie's necklace containing a picture of Danielle was found in Tommy's pram. Everyone, including Roxy and Jack, had now turned their back on Ronnie – Chris was the only one who knew the truth. He had hated Michael already but now more than ever; Amber thought Chris was being stupid and she said she was willing to give Michael a chance. Chris had now told all his family his theory on Michael but they didn't want to hear it and accused Chris of double crossing
It was the day of Ronnie's trial and the press were in the square again so Chris, Amber and Caitlin had spent a few nights in the Vic. Kat wanted Chris there for added protection if Ronnie was to break in and try to kidnap Tommy again. Chris thought his whole family was being ridiculous thinking Ronnie was insane and he was more determined than ever to prove how evil Michael could be
"Eddie" said Chris approaching Michael's father in the Vic kitchens the morning of Ronnie's trial "You don't believe what Michael's saying about Ronnie do you?"
"Why shouldn't I" said Eddie somewhat distantly staring out of the window
"Surely you can see how manipulative he is" said Chris "He's turned everyone against Ronnie – she didn't break into the Vic and she certainly wouldn't try to take Tommy again"
"Look" snapped Eddie "What Michael says or does is none of your buisness little boy! Why do you care so much about this Ronnie Branning, eh? What's so special about her?"
"I know what she did was terrible" said Chris through gritted teeth "But I just everyone needs to realise she isn't solely to blame and now your son is trying to stitch her up for things"
"Just leave it, Chris" said Eddie "Keep your nose out". Chris walked away from Eddie feeling unsatisfied he had hoped Eddie would be able to talk some sense into his son but it didn't walk. As Chris turned the corner to the Archers he was shocked as he saw Ronnie holding Tommy infront of a defiant looking Kat and Alfie
"What's going on" asked Chris approaching Alfie who raised a hand to stop Chris speaking. Chris was utterly confused by what was going on. What if he'd been wrong about Ronnie all this time? She was standing there with Tommy for god sake and Michael was nowhere to be found. Kat made Alfie, Tommy and Chris leave the scene leaving her with Ronnie
"That's the woman you've been sticking up for" spat Alfie venomously at Chris looking livid. He pushed past Chris who fell against the wall of the Vic. Kat soon came around the corner and gave Chris a look of anger and disappointment. As Ronnie turned the corner of the Vic Chris grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him
"Tell me, please, tell me you didn't take him" said Chris barely wanting to here an answer. If Ronnie said yes then he had made his family despise him for no good reason "Ronnie, my name is dirt in their for sticking up for you. Kat hates me now"
"Chris I swear to you it was Michael" said Ronnie "He put Tommy in his pram and just dumped him there. He started crying and I went over. I didn't know it was Tommy"
"Right, I believe you" said Chris putting his hands on Ronnie's shoulders "I'm gonna get him to admit everything"
"How" said Ronnie "Even if you manage it it'll be too late. I'm going to prison Chris and I'm going to prison for a long time". She began walking away from him
"But it's not fair" said Chris catching up with her "You lost a kid"
"Chris" said Ronnie putting her hands on his face and smiling kindly at him "I know we didn't get off to the best of starts – you calling me the queen of darkness and everything – but you're honestly the sweetest kindest boy I've ever met. You need to stop focusing on me and Michael and start focusing on your girlfrie- sorry wife – and your kid"
"But you shouldn't be going away" said Chris "It aint fair and it aint right"
"Christopher Brian Slater" said Ronnie her voice rising a bit now "You need to forget me, forget what's happened and focus on your new family. I'm so great full you've stuck by me but you can't do anything. Promise me you won't go after Michael"
"I can't" said Chris
"You can and you will" said Ronnie "I need to be in court soon". Taking in a deep breath Chris turned to go back into the Vic. He'd made a complete wreck of his life for Ronnie Branning. Kat and Alfie weren't speaking to him, Amber thought he was stupid and Jean, Mo and Caitlin were angry with Chris for not sticking by Kat and Alfie
"Oh let me guess who you've been with" said Amber rising from a seat in the Vic with a worried looking Lauren and Whitney "Ronnie Branning; I saw you in the square. Her telling you how sweet and kind you are and how great full she is you've stuck by her. You must be stupid Chris"
"Oh just shut up Amber" snapped Chris "You don't know anything alright. Michael has been setting Ronnie up. He's responsible for the break in – well Abi and Jay are but anyway – the necklace in the cot and what happened with Tommy this afternoon"
"Don't you talk to me like that" said Amber following Chris as he left the Vic. She turned him towards her "Where are you going now"
"To get changed and go to court" said Chris
"If you go to court we're over" shouted Amber. Chris stopped dead in his tracks
Xxxx
"Hi Caitlin" said a surprised Liam as Caitlin turned up on his doorstep "Whatcha doing here"
"Just fancied some space" said Caitlin "I don't know if you've noticed but The Moons are a bit bonkers"
"Hi Caitlin" beamed Tiffany "Have you come to flirt with Liam again"
"Shut up Tiff" said Liam blushing
"I reckon Liam likes you" said Tiff innocently "He talks about you all the time"
"Oh no I don't Tiff" said Liam ushering Tiff inside the living room he turned to face Caitlin who was also blushing "I don't honestly"
"its fine" said Caitlin "So, you all alone with her and Morgan"
"Yeah" sighed Liam leading her into the kitchen "Whit's off with Lauren, Nan's gone to court, Nana Pat's gone off with that Norma fella and my dad's in Dubai"
"Well I can give you a hand if you like" said Caitlin "Do Tiff and Morgan like baking"
"Err, yeah I think so" said Liam giving her a smile. Caitlin smiled back, she was over Chris that was for sure
XXXXX
"You made the right choice" said Amber cuddling up to Chris's chest as they lay in bed together "I'd hate to finish with you"
"Well, I'm so sorry I've been ignoring you" said Chris yawning and putting an arm round her shoulders "You know what I'm like when I get an idea in my head"
"Stubborn as a camel" said Amber kissing his chest. Chris looked at her and grinned "What" she said
"It's mule you dope" said Chris laughing "I've missed you Amber"
"I've missed you two" she said kissing him. They smiled at eachother then she went back to lying on his chest
XXXXXX
"Thanks for your help today" said Liam following Caitlin to the front door
"Yeah it was fun" said Caitlin "Bye Tiff, Bye Morgan" she called into the living room. Pat had arrived back twenty minutes before and had gone made at the amount of mess the kids had made
"Bye Caitlin" said Tiff hugging the older girl "Can you come around more often" she asked as Caitlin released her
"Well it's up to your brother" said Caitlin
"It's up to her Nan actually" said Pat taking a pile of washing upstairs. Tiff went back into the living room
"I don't mind you coming around more" said Liam "I had a lot of fun today Caitlin"
"I did too" said Caitlin kissing him on the cheek. They both went scarlet red "Oh by the way, I was thinking of seeing the new Harry Potter at the weekend if you fancy it Liam"
"Yeah I'd love to" said Liam "I love Harry Potter but I can't read them well because of my dyslexia so I still don't know what happens"
"Saturday, 1 ish" said Caitlin
"It's a date" said Liam opening the door for her "Well not a date, you know, two good friends going to the cinema"
"Well I hoped it'd be more than that" said Caitlin turning back around and giving Liam a short kiss on the lips "I'll see you then"
"Bye" said Liam closing the door and turning round to see a highly amused Pat, Whitney and Tiff "What" he said
"Liam's got a girlfriend" teased Tiff sticking her tongue out
