Chapter Ninety-Nine

Gabby was on her way to Henrietta's to see Leanna. Thankfully for her sake, Liv's already been there when she went to visit Jacob. So Gabby didn't need to bother Jacob with this (which she was grateful for, she wasn't his biggest fan despite what he went through). Putting the address into 'Google Maps'. She got the bus into Leeds and remained there until the street came into view. She didn't expect it to look as gritty as this, she knew Leanna must hate it deep down. She thanked the bus driver, removing her mask as soon as he feet hit the ground. Stuffing it in her leather jacket pocket and making her way down towards the right house number. Leanna was going to get a shock and a half very soon! A couple of teenage boys on bicycles rode past her, giving her a small beep. Making her give a small gasp, they just laughed as they rode on. She just tutted as she forced herself to walk further into this rough looking part of the city. Reaching the house a short while later was a relief as she began knocking on the door. Henrietta answered the door, she didn't know this girl from Adam.

"Yes?" Henrietta asked her with her arms crossed.

"Is Leanna in?"

"Yes...Are you a friend? Who should I say you are?"

"Gabby"

"Right, wait there a moment. She's probably got her earphones on or something...Give me a second" Henrietta replied.

Gabby just giving a small sarcastic cheeky looking smile as she told her that's fine. She couldn't wait to see Leanna's face. Henrietta retreating back inside as she was heard going up the stairs and onto the landing. Gabby just waiting with her arms crossed as she remained at the door, briefly looking at her surroundings. Children were back out playing outside on the small field across the road.

"Gabby?" Leanna spoke in shock as she reached the door. Making her 'friend' (or whatever she is these days) look back.

"Hi, Leanna"

"What are you doing here?"

"We need a chat, don't you think? Mind if I come in or do you wanna talk here on the doorstep?"

With an annoyed sigh, Leanna stepped back to let her come in. Gabby shutting the door behind herself. The hallway was rather cozy looking and there was a welcoming feeling to this place despite who previously lived here. Gabby briefly looking at the framed photographs and mass produced paintings on the walls and cupboard tops.

"I don't know what you want me to say, Gabby. I already told you everything last time we spoke on video chat" Leanna insisted.

Henrietta overhearing this short exchange as she came back into the hall. Asking them "Want a cup of tea, girls?"

Mainly because she could see this going somewhere nasty. When Maya was a teenager, she sometimes spat with her friend Stacy. So Henrietta knew how teenage girls could be and she wanted to break the ice.

"Yes please" Gabby answered with small smile; she didn't want things to get nasty either.

"Sure" Leanna chimed in.

The woman giving a slight pause before going into the kitchen to make said cups of tea. Leaving them both alone again. Gabby knew she had to be the first to speak, she came here for a reason after all. She hoped to come here for a proper conversation after all, she counted Leanna as a friend.

"Look Leanna...I tried calling you before I came here but I got no response. So that's why I'm here" Gabby finally explained.

"You do understand my point of view though?"

"Not really. You know my mum would never hurt you or your brother, she's a good person and she's missing your dad like crazy"

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really! Who do you think you are? You're not the only person here to have lost a parent, I lost my dad so don't go acting like I don't know how it feels. Me, you and your brother have all lost a parent so don't do acting like we wouldn't understand!" Gabby argued.

"This isn't about that" Leanna insisted (however the foundation for her argument has been shook).

She knows Gabby lost her father Ashley. So Gabby is very sympathy with regards to that but that doesn't change that Bernice is unreliable and may flee again. She's done it so many times in the past and not having lived through it, Leanna just expects her to do it again to them.

"My mum was there for me when my dad died, she helped me through so much. She helped Dee Dee through her dad's illness as well. She's a good person and she and your dad have a brilliant relationship, you know that" Gabby spoke softly.

"Alex is six years old and is in a wheelchair, he's Maya's son; do you really think your mum could handle all that?"

"Just give her a chance...She's willing to try and she wouldn't do that for any other man, only your dad. You and her got on really well"

"Yeah I know but I guess Maya's death and everything mashed my head up"

"So are you going to let them sort it out?"

Leanna just giving a nod. Henrietta calling the girls in by this point for their cups of tea. Making them come into the living room. As they both sat on the couch together, both giving a small thank you. Gabby felt very cosy in here, she understood why Leanna didn't completely hate it. It felt like your grandmother's cottage or something.

"Is your mum home now?" Leanna asked after a few moments of silence.

"You know she is"

"And she really is prepared to give us all a chance? Because it's no longer just about me and my dad, Alex is coming home in a few months or so"

"She knows that...We have talked it over and she's not saying it will be easy but she's willing to take a chance. She loves your dad and she cares about you too...whether you believe it or not" Gabby tried to assure her.

"It does sound very reasonable, Leanna" Henrietta chimed in.

Making the girl look towards her old grandmother-in-law with a shrug. She supposed it wouldn't be such a bad thing. If it worked out for the better then who is she to stop it? Liam and Bernice were so good together.

"Fine" Leanna finally caved in; adding..."If you think it's best"

"I really do" Gabby replied firmly.

...

"I'm going to give her the bill...Nasty bitch she is" Georgina muttered under her breath. Referring to her sister Henrietta.

She was in the middle of making plans for Ethan's very small funeral. Nobody besides her was even going. Rosa was far too ill to go out these days, the neighbour next door promised to stay in with her when the funeral was taking place. Which was in three days or so, she was going to have him cremated at the local crematorium.

"Hm?" Rosa asked as laid in her bed; barely able to move.

"Henrietta...I'm going to give her the bill, least she owes me" Georgina hissed.

This claim was of cause ludicrous, she was owed nothing from nobody. Especially not from her half-sister. Henrietta wouldn't pay for the funeral of the man who abused her daughter without being forced to. Georgina knew that and so she would have to come up with something.

"Give her the bill?" Rosa questioned in disbelief.

"Yes. This is all her and John's fault...So she should pay for the funeral of my son and your great-grandson, don't you agree?"

"No I do not, Georgina. You're the one who needs to pay for it, he was your son. Please make your peace with her. Both of you lost a child...I know you both dislike each other's children, I understand that but that doesn't mean you have to dislike each other"

Though Georgina just dismissed her attempt. They were way past that sadly, too much has taken place. Georgina couldn't even admit the truth and so she can never get on with her sister for that reason, she has too much anger against her. She doesn't know the truth and can thus never understand.

"Too late for that, gran" Georgina admitted to the old woman.

"Your dad would have told you to sort it out"

"Well dad's not here now, is he? He's another one gone from my life...I have next to nothing left" Georgina spat, feeling sorry for herself as always.

Rosa giving a small cough. She knew she was getting on and she hated seeing her family in such a mess. Knowing that she may not live to see it get fixed (if it's even possible to get fixed). So she just dropped the subject and thought about somebody else, she hated the thought of Georgina's going to his funeral alone (despite her granddaughter's nasty attitude).

"Ethan's father? Do you know where he is? He might help you out" Rosa suggested.

"Roger? Not a chance! I don't even know where is, gran. He could be dead and I wouldn't know. I don't think I seen him since Ethan was 16 years old...He could even be living elsewhere. Ethan's been in the papers anyway so if he's from this area, he would already know"

"It's a shame that you're going on your own"

"Kelly might show up. I'm not bothered anyroad if I go alone or not, I did pretty much everything else in my life alone" Georgina insisted, carrying on the self-pity.

She was waiting for Rosa to change her will and give her everything. All her savings and her house. That's why she was here and why she banned Henrietta from seeing Rosa, she didn't want to share the inheritance. Yet she still expected her sister to pay for Ethan's funeral because she was that entitled.

...

"I'm happy for her" David simply said; he just been told Tracy is pregnant.

He was hurt deep down but he had the same outlook at his father, Tracy had her own life to lead now. She couldn't stop for his sake and he knew that however he still needed a day or two to brace himself. Though he would be back to work soon, he promised his father that. It would just be hard to see Tracy and Nate all loved up and excited about their baby. That's what he was dreading to see.

"It knocked me a bit when she told me" Eric admitted.

"Yeah. Her and Nate haven't been going out very long, have they? So nobody was expecting this"

"You okay about it?"

"I'm going to have to be aren't I? It will be hard to see her for a few weeks but I'll get over it. I have Amba to focus on anyway"

Eric supposed that was true as he gave a small smile. Giving his son's shoulder a small squeeze. Retreating back inside to the shop (for they were talking outside). He would be alright soon. He's had plenty of time to think everything over now. In a way, he was happy Jacob was with Justin because they needed some time apart. Though their phone-calls were getting shorter he noticed and he's not called him 'dad'. Those days are over and he knows that, Maya destroyed the son and father relationship; that much was clear. Priya was walking close by as she spotted him.

"Hiya" Priya spoke in her usual happy tone as she walked over.

"Hey Priya...Dad's just told me about Tracy and Nate, can you believe it? Only been dating a few months" David replied with his arms crossed.

"I know right! I was surprised too...How are you taking it?"

"Like I told my dad, it's hard but I can't expect her to remain single forever. I'm getting over things, I just hit the self-destruct button for a short while but I know I have to be strong for Amba"

She just gave his arm a gentle stroke in a friendly manner. She hasn't seen him this well in ages and so she asked him...

"Want to come to mine in a couple days for dinner? Amba would love to see you"

"Yes...Sounds good. It's been ages since I had dinner at your dad's. I just hope I'm not a gooseberry between you and Al"

"No, don't be silly. He knows the deal, you're Amba's father and nothing will change that. Besides, I will be happy as the tension in the house is awful. Manpreet's sister has come now and she's a nightmare" Priya exclaimed.

"Oh?"

"Yes...Oh! Anyway, I gotta go; I will text you later"

"Alright" David replied with a small smile.

...

TBC