AUTHORS NOTE: Two for one today although don't get used to this! But these two chapters are closely linked and explain everything there is to know about Gideons family so I felt they should be posted together.

CHAPTER 15

"Well, that was interesting," I say as we leave the house and make our way to the bus stop.

Gideon reaches for my hand and grips it tightly. "It was, I thought they were nice though" he says almost as if he is looking for my approval.

"Yeah they are, I felt for your mum when Ricky kicked off, but you can't blame him" I say.

Gideon nods, "You can read people very well, you must be a witch like your gran" he says with a grin.

I snort and shake my head, "I don't think so, gran had Nathan's number straight away but I failed to see what he was really like till it was too late". I pause and reach for my phone, "Which reminds me I want to call gran – I need to check on Maisie, I've never been away from her for this long".

Gideon nods, "Of course you do" he says and he reaches for his own phone. "While you are doing that, I'll call my dad. We won't bother going there today. I'll take you out for dinner and we can have an early night and then go and see my father in the morning before we return to Stoke, it appears the only reason he wants me here is to sign the relevant paperwork so he can be in full control of Cross Industries". He looks at me questioningly and I nod.

"Sounds like a plan" I say and I return my attention to my phone.

"Hello". When I hear my Gran's voice it makes my heart lurch.

"Hi Gran it's me, how's Maisie?" I ask.

"Hello love, she's fine. Tez took her to the park to feed the ducks when he finished work and she's been as good as gold".

I smile as I hear this, "Can I talk to her?" I ask.

"Well, actually your mum and Vic came round after your mum finished work and she's at your mum's with the boys at the moment, she wanted to play with Dec. So she is going to give her, her tea and then bring her back in a while, that's ok isn't it?"

"Yeah that's fine gran, I was just missing her that's all. I might give mum a call so I can talk to her" I say.

"You're a good mum, Evie and this is the longest you have ever been away from her so it's only natural" my gran says. There is a pause before she speaks again.

"So, how did things go in Manchester, did Gideon meet his mum?" she asks.

I sigh, "Gideon met his mum and his brothers and sister and he also met his grandparents. It was a bit intense at times and quite emotional for everyone, but they seem like good people and its early days but it was all pretty positive" I say.

"What about his dad?" my gran asks.

"He called while we were with Gideon's mum and if looks could kill Gideon's dad would have dropped dead at the other end of the phone! Gideon is calling him now to let him know we will go round tomorrow before we head back home" I say.

"Well, be careful and try and keep your mouth shut when you do go. Remember he is grieving at the moment so reign it in a bit and don't react if he says something you don't like" my gran says.

I snort again recognising the warning, "I will" I assure her, we speak a few moments longer and then end the call. I call my mum and get to speak to Maisie as well as Declan who insisted on shouting hello whilst I was talking to Maisie. She was happy and content and wasn't missing me in the slightest, which hurt me a little considering I was missing her like mad, but I was also relieved.

When I push my phone away I look up to Gideon to see him wrapping up his call with his dad and he too pushes his phone into his pocket.

"Is Maisie ok?" he asks.

I nod and smile, "She's fine, not giving me a second thought" I say and Gideon smiles and wraps his arm around me offering me some immediate comfort. I look up at him, "How's your dad?" I ask.

"He's ok, very apologetic for interrupting my meeting with my mum, and he's fine with us going tomorrow, but he said my grandmother will be there. Apparently, she is staying with him at the moment" he says watching my reaction closely.

I shrug, "and?" I say.

He smiles but its brittle, "My grandmother wasn't a huge fan of my mother and her view has always been good riddance and she was also less than happy when her other son was convicted of child abuse and rape and there has always been somewhat of an atmosphere since. You see, both she and my grandfather were of the opinion that it shouldn't have gone as far as it did, that we shouldn't have aired our dirty laundry in public the way we did, in short, my father shouldn't have had him arrested and charged" he says.

I stare wide eyed, "So let's get this straight, she isn't happy with you because you were raped and your dad believed you and supported you and helped you get your justice to put said paedo away?" I say angrily.

Gideon shrugs, "Pretty much" he says, "My grandfather even threatened to cut my dad out of his will for a while over it, but in the end he realised if he did that he wouldn't have anyone to leave Cross Industries to considering Uncle Hugh was in prison at that point and was never interested in Cross Industries. So his need to have the company stay in the family overrode any vindictive feelings he may've had. Plus my dad called his bluff, told him he didn't care and getting justice for me and for Adam was more important than a company. You wouldn't think that now though the way he is so desperate to get all the paperwork signed so he can get his hands on it!"

I don't hesitate, I turn in his arms and wrap my arms tightly around him and hold him, and I feel his arms tighten around me in return, and once again I marvel at how he willingly accepts my overtures of affection.

"Ok…" I say then I pause thinking and trying to control my rising indignation on Gideon's behalf, and my gran's words ringing in my head. "Ok… I promise you I won't cause any trouble tomorrow or start anything. But if she starts and says something, I can't promise that I won't finish it" I say adamantly.

I feel Gideon press a kiss to the top of my head, "I have no doubt you will and I was hoping you would say that… I like it when you defend me, it makes me feel loved" he murmurs.

I swallow hard at that and squeeze him tighter.

We ride the bus into the city and it drops us off near Piccadilly Gardens and then we take the short walk back to Gideon's flat. We stop off at a small shop for some fresh milk and bread on the way and when we get back Gideon takes them from me and I follow him into the small but immaculate kitchen.

"What do you want to do for dinner?" he asks as he pushes the milk in the fridge, "I don't really have any food here" he adds apologetically.

I shrug, "I have no idea" I say.

I watch him think and then a smile fills his face, "Would you like to go to a restaurant, or do you just want to get some takeaway and eat here?" he asks.

"I'd sooner have a takeaway and just relax here" I say.

Gideon nods and pulls a number of takeaway menus out of a drawer and places them on the table. I pick them up and see menus for a kebab house, pizza place, Chinese takeaway, an Indian, and also much to my surprise a chippy, my eyes linger on the chippy menu and Gideon grins.

"They don't do deliveries, if you want fish and chips we will have to go and fetch it, I'm not sure why they even have a printed menu, everyone knows what a chippy has to offer, but there was some kind of award they won a while ago and to publicise the fact they won it this came through the door!" he says as he points at the menu.

I am feeling tired now and really can't be bothered to go out to fetch anything so my eyes wander over the other menus and they linger briefly on the kebab house menu, a picture of a doner kebab on the front makes my mouth water but then they settle on the Indian takeaway menu.

I open it and the first thing I do is check out the prices. Gideon comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me.

"Let me treat you, please. I know you like to pay your way, but you have gone out of your way to come with me and support me today, leaving your daughter behind which I believe has been harder for you than you are letting on, so please, let me get this" he says as if he knows exactly what I am doing.

I look at the menu and then slowly nod, "Alright, thank you, I'd like a chicken tikka masala and a garlic nan bread please" I say as I pass him the menu.

He stares at me in shock, at my easy capitulation but quickly recovers and smiles at me.

"You don't want any rice?" he asks and I shake my head.

"No thank you, just a nan" I say.

"Any starters, like onion bhajis or anything?" he asks and I shake my head again. He nods and quickly makes the call and places the order, "they said about ¾ of an hour," he says and I nod and pull him close.

"I'll go and take a shower while we are waiting then" I say looking meaningfully at him.

"Ok then" Gideon replies, "I'll show you where it is" he adds.

oooOOOooo

I am in the large shower with my eyes closed as the water cascades over me, when I hear the door open and then I feel Gideon behind me.

"I thought I could join you" he whispers in my ear before he wraps his arms around me. I shiver at the feel of him and turn in his arms so that I am facing him.

I grin up at him "An excellent idea" I say.

He grins back, "I'm known for them" he retorts.

"Smart arse!" I say and shove him gently on his chest.

He responds by gripping me tighter and nuzzling against my neck, his hands find my breasts and he lovingly touches them and takes my nipples and pulls them gently, making them harden to his touch. He lowers his mouth on to them and sucks gently and almost immediately a warmth spreads through me and a desperate need for him starts throbbing between my legs. He is moving with purpose now his hands and mouth are all over me tasting me, touching me and I respond by running my hands all over him, and pressing sweet kisses on his chest. I am exploring his body, my hands move lower until they find what I'm looking for, as I touch him and wrap my hand around him he moans and thrusts his hips towards me.

"Oh god Eva…please" he moans.

I run my hand rhythmically up and down his now hard cock. "I want you" I whisper, "now" I add.

I watch as instinct takes over and he lifts me into his arms, I wrap my legs around him and hold on to him tightly.

"I've never done it like this before so have patience with me" he mutters as I feel him fumbling slightly as he reaches between us to grab himself and then I feel him at my centre, I moan and he thrusts his hips entering me.

"Oh Jesus Christ" he mutters and he pins me against the tiled shower wall and starts to move.

I close my eyes and give myself over to the rhythm we have established, Gideon continues to moan and his sounds of pleasure have an effect on me making me grip him tighter.

"Fuck Eva, you'll make me come" he gasps.

"I'm close" I say as I feel the pressure building, Gideon responds by picking up the pace a little, I shift a little and immediately I feel him hitting that bundle of nerves deep inside me that only he has ever been able to reach. The feeling pushes me over the edge and warmth and pleasure wash over me and I feel myself gripping him like a fist. I call out his name as the pleasure consumes me.

"Oh shit, oh Christ… fucking hell!" he gasps as I feel him start to twitch and then he rams into me and holds himself rigid, then I feel the scorching warmth pulse into me as he reaches his climax and empties himself. He throws his head back, gripping me to him so tightly.

"EVA" he roars and then he stills, still holding me to him he spins us so he has his back against the wall and he slowly slides to the floor. As we both come back to our senses I notice he is trembling, I lift my head and to my horror I see he is crying.

"Gideon?" I ask, "What is it, what's wrong?"

He shakes his head, "Nothing… happy tears, overwhelmed" he mutters and I respond by holding him tighter.

Not a word is spoken as we eventually get up and Gideon gently washes me and I wash him. We leave the shower and I watch Gideon pull on a pair of shorts and a t shirt, I decide to put on my pyjamas as we are not going anywhere else this evening. As I am getting dressed I hear a buzzing sound.

I listen and hear Gideon telling whoever it is that he'll be right down.

A moment later he calls out to me, "Curry has arrived I'm just going to get it".

"Ok" I call back and I grab a towel to dry my hair.

oooOOOooo

We are driving in silence towards Gideon's father's house; I am watching as we have entered a neighbourhood with distinctly bigger and flashier houses, I shift in my seat feeling a little uncomfortable.

Gideon hasn't said a word all the way here and I know he is worried about this, the only things he has said this morning are comments about his grandmother. I'm not sure whether or not he is trying to prepare me for the worst, but I have promised him I will try and keep my wayward tongue under control, but also pointed out I won't let her walk all over me.

I remember the events of last night, how happy Gideon was, after our shower we had sat in companionable silence eating the nicest curry I have ever tasted and afterwards we had sat in each other's arms watching TV and chatting about nothing in particular. Gideon had told me how much he loved me and how I had totally transformed his life and I had responded by kissing him and telling him I loved him as well.

That content and happy Gideon is now gone and in his place is a tense and sombre man and I don't like it. It's setting me on edge, and I realise with a sudden clarity why, he is worried about this meeting and I want to protect him from any more hurt and pain inflicted by his family.

I am pulled from my thoughts as the car pauses and a huge white gate opens, Gideon drives through and I see the gate close behind us. A few moments later Gideon brings the car to a halt on a wide driveway. He turns to face me reaching out his hand towards me.

"Ready?" he asks as he squeezes my hand.

I nod my head and we simultaneously get out of the car, Gideon walks around to my side and reaching for me once more, grasps my hand tightly and I feel the tremor in his hand.

"Are you ok?" I ask.

Gideon nods, "I just don't like this house very much" he says staring up at the imposing building in front of us.

"Why?" I ask and when Gideon looks at me with bleak dead eyes I know the reason immediately and want to bite off my tongue. "Oh shit" I gasp and wrap my arm around him, "Your uncle… here?" I ask and I feel him nod against my shoulder.

I pull away from him and look him straight in the eye, "Nobody is ever going to hurt you again, you can do this, face your fears. I'm right here and I will follow your lead. You want to go, we go. You want to stay, we stay" I say firmly.

Gideon nods and I see determination fill his face and he turns and leads me towards the huge front door. He pauses and rummages in his pocket before pulling out a key, but before he can get to push it into the lock the door opens and standing there is Geoffrey Cross, he looks nothing like the man I met back in Stoke, he looks… broken.

He steps forward and embraces Gideon, which clearly startles him but to his credit he responds and hugs his father back. I wait patiently and then Geoffrey turns towards me and smiles kindly at me.

"Hello Eva, it's good to see you again" he says.

He takes a step towards me and I thrust out my hand. "Hi" I say and Geoffrey smiles again and accepts my handshake.

We follow him inside and through an enormous hallway and into an even bigger living room, my eyes take it all in and Gideon never lets go of my hand.

"Come and sit down here with me Angel" he whispers gesturing towards a sofa and I let him lead me towards it.

"Would you like a drink?" Geoffrey asks us and Gideon nods.

"I would, tea would be nice" he says and turns towards me, "How about you Angel, what would you like?" he asks.

I shake my head, "I'm fine" I say, "thank you" I add quickly.

Gideon's father vanishes into the kitchen but as he does so I see a figure appearing in the doorway and Gideon stiffens before standing up to greet the elderly lady in front of us.

"Grandma" he says as he walks towards her.

"Hello Gideon" she says stiffly and I notice she doesn't attempt to reach out towards him.

Gideon turns and holds out his hand towards me and I immediately get up and walk towards him and place my hand in his.

"Grandma this is my girlfriend Eva, Eva this is my grandmother, Ursula Cross" he says I can hear the nerves in his voice as he introduces us, I wonder why as I have promised I will behave.

"Hello, pleased to meet you" I say politely and I offer her my hand. I watch as she doesn't even move. She just looks at me as if I am something she has scraped off her shoe and she snorts derisively.

"I wish I could say the same" she spits.

"Gran please!" Gideon exclaims and I reach out and put my hand on his arm.

"It's ok baby" I say calmly, but inside I am thinking bring it on bitch you have no idea who you are messing with!

My eyebrows rise defiantly and I feel a number of come backs just desperately trying to surge from my mouth, but instead I look her up and down equally derisively and reply with one word.

"Why?" I ask with more calm and restraint than I am feeling.

I see the surprise… no shock on her face and I realise she never expected me to call her out on her insult; she expected me to be stunned into silence and cowed by her barbed remark.

She stares at me and I realise she doesn't know what to say so emboldened by her hesitation I step forward. "I said why? It's a simple question which surely you can answer? I came here, I was polite to you and you insulted me. You don't know me, you have never met me but yet you have established that in, what… a minute, if that. That I'm not worthy of common courtesy, so I ask again, why?"

I watch as she snorts derisively and then turns to walk away, as quick as a flash Gideon reaches out and grabs her arm.

"Grandmother, Eva asked you a question and I would also like to hear the answer to it. Eva is my girlfriend. I love her and I expect her to be afforded the same courtesy as anyone else who visits this house" he says.

I watch as the woman glares at Gideon and yanks her arm away, "You know very well why!" she snaps and leaves us.

"What was that all about?" I ask, Gideon shrugs and I can tell he is as mystified as I am.

Geoffrey Cross returns with a tray with a teapot and mugs on it and he looks between me and Gideon before setting it on the small table.

"I heard" he says directing his words towards Gideon before looking at me, "I'm sorry for my mother Eva" he adds.

I shrug, "It's ok" I mutter.

"No, it's not" Gideon says, "What on earth has got into her?" he asks.

Geoffrey sighs, "I think it is probably my fault. She wasn't very pleased when I told her about our meeting in Stoke, she was less pleased when I told her you had found your mother and that Eva had been instrumental in bringing you together". He pauses and then looks at me and smiles before continuing. "In short, I believe she is bitter and jealous because in the short time you have known my son you have improved our relationship immeasurably and made me see things which I was previously blind to, and made me re-evaluate a number of things. Things which she would have liked to have seen buried and forgotten".

I watch as he turns his attention to the teapot and pours two mugs of tea, he looks up at me and points to the third mug, "Are you sure you won't join us Eva?" he asks.

I nod, "Ok then, thanks" I say and he smiles and pours tea into the third mug.

"How do you take your tea?" he asks gesturing towards the milk and sugar.

"White - Industrial strength, no sugar" I say with a grin.

I watch as he splashes a small amount of milk and stirs before handing me the mug.

"Thanks" I say as I take it from him.

I watch as he prepares Gideon's tea and his own and then settles on the sofa opposite the one we are sitting on. I take a moment to look around this huge room, the walls are painted a cream colour, and long heavy navy curtains hang at the huge bay window, and the navy leather sofas dominate the room. There is a mish mash of old fashioned and modern in the room but it works. My eyes rest on an old-fashioned sideboard and I see many photographs of Gideon through the years as a boy always with an identical boy next to him, and my eyes linger on one picture, which looks out of place. The frame is totally different to the other pictures and it stands out, which is what first drew my attention to it. The two boys look about 12/13ish and they are posing with another man standing in the middle who has his arm slung around them. I recognise him as the paedo and I see both boys have haunted eyes, my heart lurches as I see this and I quickly put down my mug before I spill my tea. How could he display a photograph like that, knowing what that man did to his sons? Gideon notices my reaction and follows my gaze and he too immediately picks out the photograph.

He stiffens and then glares at his father, Geoffrey looks confused and walks over to the sideboard to see what has caused the upset, he gasps and yanks away the offending photograph and opening the sideboard door he pushes it inside and slams the door.

"I didn't put that there" he protests, "I swear, I didn't do it, I wouldn't do that to you" he says earnestly.

"No, I did" another voice says.

I turn and see Gideon's grandmother once more. Fury fills me and I stand up, Gideon grabs my arm but I pull it away from him and stalk towards the woman.

"You taunted your grandson with a photograph of him and his dead brother with their abuser, what kind of sick piece of shit woman are you?" I spit, all pretence of calm and politeness leaving me in a rush.

"I don't believe it is any of your business" she says coldly.

"Oh yeah? Well wrong, because I love Gideon and I won't let anyone ever hurt him again, you vindictive old cow" I yell as my anger boils over.

"Eva" Gideon pleads.

"No Gideon, she's right, she is totally and completely right, and I should have taken the same stance when she made it clear how she felt when we pressed charges against Hugh" Geoffrey says and I perceive him standing next to me almost vibrating with fury.

"This is my home, mother. While you are here you will treat my son and his girlfriend with courtesy and respect if you are unable to do that you are welcome to leave and go back to your own home" he says slowly and clearly.

I watch as her eyes widen, she didn't expect him to do that.

"I'll go and pack" she says coldly and turns to leave, I can tell immediately that she is calling his bluff, but Geoffrey doesn't say another word.

I look at Geoff, "Sorry about that, but she made me mad" I say lamely.

I see a twitch of a smile and he shakes his head, "Not at all Eva, it's about time someone put that woman in her place".

I am slightly shocked at his description of his mother as 'that woman' but don't say anything and sit down again next to Gideon. I am also quite shocked to note at Gideon's lack of reaction to what has just happened, is this all normal to him?

"Are you ok?" I ask Gideon as I sit down beside him, inwardly cringing slightly as that is all I seem to be saying to him recently.

He nods, "I'm fine, unfortunately this is normal family life for me" he says bitterly confirming what I had just thought and then he snorts and shrugs "Now you see why I love spending time with your family" he adds.

My heart breaks for him and I don't hesitate I wrap my arms around him and hold him tightly.

The moment is broken by the doorbell ringing, I see Geoff frown and go to answer it and it is obvious that he is not expecting anyone else. Moments later I hear raised voices and I see and feel Gideon freeze.

"What is it?" I ask in confusion.

"Uncle Hugh is here" he whispers, I see the reaction that man has had on him, Gideon is trembling and yet rigid at the same time and the fear in his eyes breaks my heart.

I can't bear to see him like this and I sigh and pull away from him giving one final reassuring squeeze, "Gideon, I'm sorry but I'm going to break my promise to you not to start anything" I say and stand with purpose and move towards the raised voices.

The anger from earlier is still lurking beneath the surface and building rapidly once again, I go out into the hallway and see Geoffrey Cross holding a tall thin man who I recognise from the photograph of his Facebook profile trying desperately to get past him.

"Oy, are you thick or something? Get the fucking message paedo man, you are not welcome here!" I shout, both men stop instantly and turn to face me, Geoffrey Cross has an odd look on his face a sort of cross between amusement, pride and something else… it looks like gratefulness, and as for Mr Paedo he is staring at me with ill concealed fury and indignation not to mention a hint of total confusion.

"How dare you!" he splutters eventually, but he now looks confused as he has no idea who I am.

I step closer, I'm not scared of him. I take him in he is weak and cowardly, "How dare I what?" I snap as I keep advancing on him the anger continuing to build and feeding my confidence.

"Who the hell are you?" he asks ignoring my question but I notice he takes a step back, yep he's a coward alright.

"I'm your worst fucking nightmare, dickhead! If you don't turn yourself around and get the fuck out of here" I spit viciously, I glance at Geoffrey and he nods and I see a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"I want to speak to my nephew, I want to know why he plastered my name all over that social media site, I saw he had set up a social media page and I wanted to approach him and build bridges and that is how he repaid me" he rambles angrily.

I stare at him, unable to believe he is actually offended, and he really believes that Gideon should have accepted him.

I shake my head, "Well you need to get your fucking facts straight first. Your nephew – you know the one who you raped and abused for years, didn't do any of that. He was so distressed when his abuser – that is, you. The piece of shit who raped him, approached him on there that I took your details and gave your name and the details of your crimes to the paedo name and shame page, because you deserved it. You have no right to feel slighted you have no right to want anything because you are a dirty, perverted paedophile who doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as everyone else and just for the record you really must be out of your tiny fucking mind if you think Gideon wants to have anything to do with you. You are either totally thick or fucking deranged to even think that". I stop and fold my arms glaring defiantly at him.

"How dare you? And who the hell are you?" Hugh asks again.

I smirk at him and take another step forward and lean towards him, "I dare because Gideon and I fucking despise rapists!" I spit.

I watch as he flinches again, every time I have called him a rapist or paedo he has flinched, "But…" he begins but I hold up my hand to stop him.

"But, nothing! I don't give a shit and I don't want to hear anything you have to say. You don't have the right to speak, you pervert! Gideon is nothing to do with you, you lost the right to call him your nephew when you betrayed him by abusing the trust he had in you, when you fucking raped him" I say and turn to Geoffrey, "Do you want this piece of shit here or not?" I ask.

Geoffrey grins at me, "No" he says clearly and firmly and I hear Hugh gasp.

"Geoff, please" he says staring at his brother.

"You heard him now get the fuck out before I do something which will severely inhibit you using your dick for anything for a long while, and I'm not bluffing. Although in your case it would probably be a gift to humanity if I do what I am thinking of doing at this moment" I say and I take another step towards him.

"Get away from my son!" I hear the cold voice of the old woman behind me and I spin on the spot to face her, I am sick of her and with how I am feeling at this moment she is going to get it as well.

"Or what, you old bag?" I shout, glaring menacingly at her. "I can't believe you, you condone the fact that…that," I gesture dismissively towards Hugh who is now standing with his mouth hanging open in shock, "that thing sexually abused and raped your grandchildren and caused one of them to be so affected that he felt the only way out was to take his own life. You lost your grandson for fucks sake, your son lost his son and your other grandson lost his brother, what kind of fucking monster are you if you can't feel any shred of humanity towards any of them and blindly shield, defend and condone what that perverted tosser did?"

"Gideon is just like his mother, and so was Adam, she made allegations against my husband and they made…" she begins but is interrupted by Gideon who has appeared in the doorway.

"I WAS RAPED" he shouts, "I was raped Gran, and so was Adam" he says his fists are clenching and he is trembling violently. He raises his hand and points at his uncle. "That monster violated me and abused me for years and I don't want him anywhere near me" he says. I don't hesitate I push past the old woman roughly and go to him, I wrap my arms around him and pull his head down on to my shoulder, he is so rigid it takes him a moment to register what I am doing but when he does his arms go around me and he holds me tightly.

"I was raped" he mumbles desperately into my shoulder, almost as if he is trying to convince me.

"Shhh I know you were baby, I believe you and so does your dad" I say and I feel tears leaking from my eyes as I comfort him and as I say it I feel Geoffrey Cross come slowly forward.

"Gideon" he whispers, as he hovers awkwardly beside us. I feel Gideon move and I step back but he clings on to me.

"I think your dad wants a hug too" I say and gently try to remove myself from his arms. Gideon looks up at his dad and I hold my breath hoping that Geoffrey does the right thing.

Geoffrey takes a shot look at me and then turns back to Gideon and smiles weakly "Come here son" he murmurs in a cracked voice and I watch as he holds open his arms.

Gideon looks at me and I nod my head and then I see the moment when father and son embrace and more tears build in my eyes. I hear slow clapping behind me and turn to see Gideon's grandmother with a sneer on her lips. I glance to where Hugh was but now there is nobody there, and the front door is still ajar, he has gone. My attention is drawn to Geoffrey who turns, while still holding Gideon in his arms.

"Get out!" he hisses at his mother and I have to control myself not to fist pump in celebration. She stares at him in shock.

"Surely?" she stammers.

"You heard him" I say, unable to hold my tongue, nor the smug note of triumph in my tone as I step to his side, "He told you to get out, and don't let the door hit you on your way out" I say with an evil smirk.

I hear Gideon snort and I turn to look at him he has tears pouring down his cheeks but now he also has an amused grin on his face.

"Geoffrey, please?" she says in the politest tone I have heard since I arrived here.

"No, you were going to suggest my sons were lying. You were going to suggest that my sons lied and that they lied because they were like their mother. My wife never lied to me, and yes I know what my father did. Your husband tried to grope her, and he made a pass at her. Your husband, my father tried it on with my wife, and yet I let him install doubt into my mind as to her fidelity when she told me".

I glance at Gideon and he is looking at his father with pride. But that quickly turns to shock when Geoffrey drops a complete bombshell.

"He didn't believe anything was wrong, in his mind our family was perfect and he believed his total dominance of us all was the key to that perfection whereas in reality we were a fucked-up mess. My grandfather – your father abused me and he abused Hugh when we were children. We never told you that, we never told anyone and we never exposed him for the monster he was. We never told you because we knew that you and our father would never believe us, and even if you did you wouldn't do anything about it. You have no idea how much I regret that decision over the years, especially as history repeated itself and I lost my own son as a result, because Hugh never got any real help for what he went through and he repeated on Adam and Gideon what had happened to him. This needs to stop, this needs to stop right now" Geoffrey says and I see he is trembling violently.

"Dad" Gideon gasps and he reaches towards his father and touches his arm, I turn my attention back to Gideon's grandmother and see a look of total horrified shock and pain on her face.

"I… I had no idea… my father?" she says eventually.

I sigh, this is one fucked up family. I turn towards Gideon's grandmother, "You need to sit down with your son and you need to talk to him, you need to listen to him and believe him and you need to get all this out in the open so you can all start to heal" I say carefully.

She looks at me and for the first time it's not a look of derision or dislike and she simply nods, I don't know if it is genuine or just the fact she is in shock. She then looks at Gideon and Geoffrey and as I watch all three of them, I suddenly feel like I am intruding on something very private.

I glance at Gideon, "Will you be ok, because I need a moment baby?" I say diplomatically and I move towards the front door, Gideon nods and I let myself out and sit outside on the door step collecting my thoughts.