(Will's office. He looks at his watch. Rachel has been sitting across from him in silence for a full minute which felt much longer than 60 seconds. She seemed nervous but he was growing impatient. He fit her in, but he had other things he needed to be doing. He shifts in his seat and she closes her eyes knowing she's being ridiculous.)

Rachel: I need a new therapist. (She opens her eyes after blurting this and looks to Will who still seems bored of the encounter.)

Will: We talked about this yesterday.

Rachel: Yes but. I-(she chews the inside of her lip) I wasn't fully honest with you.

Will: Oh?

Rachel: Because, I was too embarrassed to tell ya. (She sighs. It was awkward, it was uncomfortable, but if she was going to do the right thing, she had to just spit it out.) My therapist, Dr Karen, she has made sexual advances towards me. (She pauses and looks to Will, expecting judgement but his face is still blank. She treads carefully.) And I'd like to say they were unreciprocated but I can't.

Will: (sighs) Rachel. (There it was. The disappointment. She looks up at the ceiling because it hurt her a little and she didn't want to see it on his face. The few months that they dated, Will had filled her with confidence, he held her in high esteem. She looks at his eyes quickly and then casts her gaze downward. Now, he was looking at her like everyone did, like she was a fuck-up.) Are you telling me, you've had sexual relations with your therapist?

Rachel: Yes. Initiated by her. But I'm only saying it because, well, it's unethical. Isn't it? Consensual or not. It's an abuse of power.

Will: It's malpractice.

Rachel: And I haven't got hard evidence. Just uh, (she grabs her mobile and scrolls through the missed calls from Karen.) And I got a few, (she shows him the text messages. Asking her to dinner, Saying that she could "still taste her", and begging her to call her back.) So, I would like to file a formal complaint.

Will: Certainly. (He begins fishing through a filing cabinet for the correct form.) Start with this. (He slides her a paper and takes a pen from his shirt pocket.) I will need screenshots of what you've shown me.

Rachel: (She takes the pen and begins filling out the form.) I know sometimes all anybody needs is to know they're not alone in something. So, I wanted to speak out because I think her working with victims of sexual crimes is on purpose. I think it's prime hunting ground for her. If you ask any of her previous patients, male or female, I doubt strongly that I'll be the only one who she's tried it on with.

Will: This is a very serious allegation.

Rachel: I know. (He's quiet as she writes.) Her pulling me out of work, sending that email. Was retaliation for me rejecting her.

Will: Oh?

Rachel: And I know, I...(She begins filling out the form) I know that I didn't take it well yesterday, you telling me to go home. But I do reckon that I should stay on leave until the trial is over and I know I can come back and give my team a hundred percent. (She peeks up from the paper and sees that he's smiling. Maybe her maturity in handling the situation has gained her back some goodwill.) In the meantime, I would like another counselor. I wasn't sold on the idea when you lot were first forcing me into it, but I think it does help a bit, you know, to say things out loud.

Will: You'll have a new selection by tomorrow.

Rachel: (smiles) Thank you.

(To celebrate the closing of a successful do-over day, Rachel takes Charlotte to McDonalds for lunch. They eat in the restaurant and then take two vanilla cones to go. The rain was relentless and so Charlotte had to choose an indoor activity for fun. The two of them end up at FlipOut, an indoor trampoline park. Rachel pays for two hours and gets good footage of Charlotte going wild only interrupting her unbridled fun for regular intervals of hydration. While sitting at the table, Rachel receives a call from Gill. Gill says that she decided to make it a "Family Meal" and has invited Sammy and Orla over for the evening. She thought it'd be nice to celebrate Sammy's first 'rescue'. Gill told Rachel that meant she needed to arrive at least an hour earlier so that they could get their "talk" out of the way. Everything about the call made Rachel anxious.

Now, Rachel carries her daughter's exhausted little body into the lobby of Gill's posh hi-rise building. Rachel's stomach was doing flips as if she'd been the one who just spent hours bouncing around. She wasn't sure what terrified her more, the word "talk" or the word "family". Gill seemed in a genuinely good mood over the phone, but Rachel was fairly certain she was in for a good bollocking. Her reward of enduring it, would be being allowed to have dinner "as a family". Two home-cooked meals in one day? She takes the lift and as it rises to Gill's level, the little she ate today lurches around inside of her. She sucks in her cheeks and bites down on them fighting her nausea. How was she meant to behave at this "family meal"? The only times she recalls ever being in the same room as Gill and Sammy were at big parties where all she had to do was smile, be polite, laugh at other people's jokes and she could easily fade into the background and simply enjoy being. If this was going to be just the five of them surely she couldn't just sit there? She has a flash of memory of her father, gripping her face and telling her off for speaking out of turn. "You speak when you're spoken to. Otherwise, shut it." Maybe that was still the best advice. She got awkward when she tried too hard to make jokes. She shifts Charlotte's weight when the lift doors open and begins her way down the corridor to Gill's flat. Maybe she'd just let Charlotte do all the talking. Charlotte was effortlessly likeable. Rachel stops in front of the flat door. Her mouth is watering. She wanted so badly for the talk and dinner to go well but if the earth opened up and swallowed her whole right now, that would also be fine. Unfortunately the contents of her stomach weren't going to wait for a natural disaster. Rachel knocks. It's only a few seconds before Gill answers with a smile.)

Gill: (softly) Hiya. C'mon in.

Rachel: She had too much fun.

Gill: No such thing. (Gill places a gentle hand on Charlie's back and another on Rachel's) Want to lay her down in the room?

Rachel: (swallows hard) Yes please. (Gill opens the door to the spare room and Rachel carefully places Charlie down on the bed. She drops the Batman bag beside her and points.) Her blanket is, if you could- (Rachel rushes past Gill and races to the toilet. Gill stands still, surprised at her mad dash, but refocuses on the sleeping toddler. She carefully tucks the pink blanket around Charlie. When she's done she heads to the entrance of the great room and waits, not entirely sure where Rachel disappeared to. Rachel eventually emerges from the bathroom looking a little paler than normal.)

Gill: Are you alright?

Rachel: Yes, funny stomach. Must've been the McDonalds.

Gill: I'm making lasagna. It's Sammy's favorite. Are you going to be able to handle it?

Rachel: I think so.

Gill: What's your favorite? We can do that next.

Rachel: Uh…(shrugs and laughs) Dunno.

Gill: Ok. Well, c'mon have a seat. I'll bring you a tea.

Rachel: Cheers Gill. (Rachel goes and takes a seat on the settee. She rubs her palms together and looks over her shoulder, watching Gill prep the tea, sitting in expectation of the earful she's about to get. Gill walks across the room to the settee and places the tea on the coffee table.) Thank you. (Gill takes a seat on the opposite sofa. She looks over Rachel's body language. Her shoulders are rounded forward, her knees are pressed together, her hands are clasped. Gill spent years as a detective and reading people was part of her job. She could easily dismiss these telltale signs and put it down to Rachel feeling ill, or simply submitting to the natural fear Gill has instilled in her subordinates. However, she sees so clearly now that this is a long learned submissive habit, Rachel's body naturally curls in to protect her vital parts from any blows that might be thrown her way. It was obvious things she would have noticed in seconds about someone being interviewed but it wasn't something Gill was necessarily looking for in an employee. Rachel sips the tea and smiles and nods but doesn't keep eye contact for long.)

Gill: Well, I'm ready when you are.

Rachel: For?

Gill: This chat we're having. I'm ready to listen.

Rachel: Right. (They sit in silence for a few seconds. Rachel looks around the room and when her eyes land back on Gill, she is still avoiding direct eye contact and focusing more on her shoulders than anything. Rachel rubs her own knee and then puts her hand out palm up. Shrugs,) Well, uh, I haven't really got anything to say.

Gill: You had plenty to say yesterday.

Rachel: I know but I was upset. I said sorry. (Gill sighs. It wasn't quite a disappointed sigh but Rachel wasn't sure exactly what was expected of her. They're quiet again and Rachel bites her plaster and then sips her tea.)

Gill: Alright, let's try something else. (Honestly, Gill was struggling a bit, trying to treat Rachel more delicately. Clearly, neither of them were very sure of this new approach.) Yesterday, you said you feel like I do things, nice things, just so that I can remind you of how little you deserve it.

Rachel: Sorry.

Gill: Rachel, stop apologizing. I'm just trying to understand you. Alright?

Rachel: Okay. Sor- (she catches herself and smiles sheepishly. She sips her tea again.)

Gill: Do you really feel like that?

Rachel: Um, well. Not really. Not with you specifically. I think, I guess I feel that way about most people. That they've got a motive. But that's just me. Not you. I've got some trust issues obviously. It's something I've got to work on.

Gill: Ok, well, you've worked with me for how many years?

Rachel: Only 4. I wish it'd been longer.

Gill: In our time working together, did I ever come across as a person who liked to waste time?

Rachel: No m-(she catches herself again.)

Gill: So if I choose, especially now that I'm not being paid, to spend my time with you, helping you, chatting with you and hopefully never again, washing your hair, do you not think it's because I care? Or that I think you are worth my time? (Rachel smiles letting out a little laugh.) And comparing me, to that bastard, Nick bloody Savage-

Rachel: I shouldn't have. It's just what you said about my funeral. I-

Gill: Remember what I told you, when we were in Bristol? About how after Janet got stabbed I went home and I cried my eyes out?

Rachel: You've known Janet for almost 27 years. She's Sammy's godmother. It's…(shrugs)

Gill: Different? (Rachel nods) Yes, it is. But it doesn't mean I care less for you. It's just a different type of relationship to what I have with her. But we're still mates. (leans forward and gently touches Rachel's knee) I wouldn't bin your ashes. (Rachel twists her lips to the side and nods.) If I had had a daughter...(Rachel struggles to swallow the knot in her throat) I'd hope she'd have a bit more sense about her than you. (Rachel laughs and a tear escapes.) But otherwise, you're alright, kid.

Rachel: (wipes a tear) So, we're good?

Gill: Yeah. But next time you've got something to say to me, do not barge into my flat, shouting nonsense and stinking of fags.

Rachel: Promise.

(MMP station. Janet walks in to Will's office.)

Will: Janet. (He smiles upon her entry) Congratulations on finding the Parson children.

Janet: Thank you.

Will: Have a seat? (She does so.) What is it you'd like to talk to me about?

Janet: I would like to talk about the SIO position.

(Gill's flat. Rachel asked if she could help and so Gill is allowing her to mince the garlic.)

Rachel: You know, at the shops, they sell lasagna with all the stuff already in it? You just defrost and stick it in the oven.

Gill: You've not had lasagna until you've had my lasagna.

Rachel: Just saying, there's none of this cutting onions business.

Gill: That's garlic, Sherlock.

Rachel: I know. But I see what you've got laid out here. (She gestures to the onion on the counter) And I think I can guess what's coming next. (They both hear the door to the spare room shut and tiny feet thudding at an almost unnatural speed down the hall.)

Gill: You'd better tell her about that running. People live downstairs.

Rachel: Right. (Charlotte turns the corner into the large open room.) Slow down there. People live downstairs. (Charlotte does her best to slow down but doesn't quite and rushes to Gill, wrapping her arms around Gill's legs.)

Charlotte: Aunt Gill! (Rachel beams seeing the way Gill looks down at her daughter with such affection in her eyes.)

Gill: Hiya. (She hugs the little girl and pets down the bits of frizz on her head.) Good to see you too.

Charlotte: I woke up and I was surprised because I was at your house.

Gill: What a nice surprise!

Charlotte: I'm having the best day!

Gill: Your mummy told me. You went jumping.

Charlotte: Yes. That's why I got shattered. (looks to Rachel) Whatcha doing Mummy?

Rachel: I'm helping cook.

Charlotte: Again?

Rachel: Yes. (laughs) Now go on and get your tablet and stay out the kitchen 'til we're done in here.

Charlotte: But can I have some water first?

Rachel: Sure.

Gill: Uh uh! (They both look to her.) How do you ask? (Charlotte peeks out the corner of her eye at Rachel for backup, and Rachel raises her eyebrows as if to say, you're on your own.)

Charlotte: May I have some water please Aunt Gill?

Gill: (claps her hands together) I love it when I hear those manners. (Gill stops what she's doing, wipes her hands, and stands in front of an open cabinet looking for the most child friendly cup.)

Charlotte: (funny voice) Alright, darlin', you gonna buy us a drink then?

Rachel: Shh. (Charlotte laughs)

Gill: (Turns around) What was that?

Charlotte: (funny voice) I'll have a white wine spit-zah.

Rachel: Shh. (Gill raises her eyebrows, appalled and tilts her head at Rachel, waiting for what surely would be an inadequate explanation. Rachel makes a 'yikes' face.) It's a song. (One of Gill's eyebrows lower and her lips are tight.)

Charlotte: It's a funny song, Aunt Gill, except for the naughty words. (Rachel laughs nervously. Gill keeps her eyes fixed on Rachel as she hands Charlotte her water.)

Charlotte: Thank you, Aunt Gill.

Rachel: Go on, get out of here before you get Mummy in trouble. (Charlotte laughs at the idea of her mother being in trouble with anyone.)

Gill: Too late. (Gill uses a tea towel and swats Rachel's backside. This makes Charlotte laugh louder.)

Rachel: (blushes and laughs before putting on a joking pout) Sowwy Aunt Gill.

Gill: Charlie, your dolly is on the settee where you left it. Go play so I can give Mummy a talking to.

Charlotte: Mummy got me a new Tiana.

Gill: Well, I guess you've got two now. (Charlie squeals and then runs toward the livingroom) No running.

Charlotte: (this time she immediately slows down) Sorry Aunt Gill.

Gill: Good girl. (turns back to Rachel who has gone back to food prep. Gill folds her arms.) What have you got our Charlie listening to?

Rachel: Well-

THE END

Thank you all so much for reading! If you're interested there could be a PART 3. Let me know.

Regardless, there is going to be a "Fic-let" or a short "One-Shot" Christmas Special coming up shortly since it's that time of year! Hope you enjoyed this kind of loopy journey with me.