Chapter One Hundred and Twelfth

"Is she?" Diane asked in slight surprise.

Liam just rang Bernice to let her know what happened back at home. So naturally Diane and Gabby found out from her. Henrietta's in hospital due to alcohol poisoning, she's currently in a coma. This was the last thing they all needed to hear, life was hard enough already without the extra stress of this.

"Yes. Leanna's gone to bed he said, they can't catch a break. He feels really bad because he was the one who left her alone" Bernice explained.

"Why does he feel bad? She's a grown woman, it's not his fault if she's stupid enough to drink herself into a coma" Diane stated.

"He thinks she did it on purpose"

"Oh, I see. Well my point still stands, I have sympathy for the woman. Of cause I do but another part of me thinks that she's a bit selfish because her poor little grandson is expecting to meet her" Diane admitted.

This response made Bernice and Gabby both go silent. That was something people didn't say a lot these days. Diane knew what she said, she does have sympathy for her but the woman knows who's she leaving behind.

"Gran...That's harsh" Gabby spoke up.

"Is it? Well maybe it is but I can't help how I feel. I hope she pulls through for the little lad's sake"

"Yeah. Let's hope"

Bernice giving a sigh in the background. She couldn't cope with this herself, Liam has a lot of baggage. A lot more than what he let on with her previously and she wasn't best pleased because she went into this relationship thinking he had a dead wife and a daughter. Which she could handle but she was finding everything else very hard indeed. She was just grateful she had her daughter and mother on side.

...

Staying in hospital overnight, Henrietta had thankfully regained consciousness. The doctors and nurses had kept her stable and removed the alcohol from her system. She looked around the room, she felt rough as expected. Today was Boxing Day, the Christmas season was over for another year. One of the nurses noticed she was awake, they expected her to come back round again and she has. She was very lucky to have got in just in time due to her age, sixty-two wasn't exactly a young age to go through this sort of thing. Not like there is any good age to go through this.

"Miss Stepney? Can you hear me?" the nurse asked in a gentle tone. Walking over as she stood by the bed.

"Yes...How long have I been here?"

"You only came in last night"

"What time is it?"

"It's half past 2 in the afternoon, it's Boxing Day now. You been asleep for quite some time but we managed to remove the alcohol from your system. We just think you should stay in for one more night of observation"

Henrietta didn't like being fussed over. Though she supposed the last thing the nurses and doctors need is her not taking their good advice. So she just gave a nod as if to say 'Okay, I understand'. She didn't mean to drink so much last night but she felt so lonely and once she started, she couldn't stop. She knew it was stupid because she seen how John is after he got drunk (and by Jove, did he get drunk a lot).

"I didn't do it on purpose, just so everyone knows. I just kept on drinking and before I knew it, I blacked out" Henrietta quickly explained, she was worried they would think that.

"Do you black out often?" the nurse asked; she had to ask really.

"Not at all. My ex-husband was an alcoholic and I know how bad it is. I don't know why I did it. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. May I ring my son-in-law? Let him know I'm fine, I don't want him to think the worse"

"We will do it, don't worry. He rang already today, he really is worried for you. We will let him know and when you're feeling up for it, you can ring himself yourself"

"Alright, thank you" Henrietta replied.

Watching as the nurse just gave a smile and left the room to update Liam. When she was alone though, her professional facade just dropped. She did do that on purpose but she wanted to make everyone think she didn't. As she just began sobbing quietly into her hands, wondering why she woke up. She didn't want to wake up, that was the whole point. She really thought it would work.

...

"She's awake" Liam announced to Leanna.

The girl giving a sigh of relief. They were both happy to hear that, she was awake the nurses said. Henrietta claimed to them it was an accident and she drank too much however that wasn't the case. She just made them think it was and they seemed to just buy it hook, line and sinker. It was just the easy thing to do, wasn't it? Taking somebody's word when they claim it's not as bad as what it sounds.

"She should know better" Leanna stated.

"I know but she was lonely, wasn't she? Let's not give her a hard time over it. She's been through a lot. The main thing is that she's awake and she's alright, she's coming home tomorrow"

"She's seriously depressed, isn't she?"

"Probably"

"More like definitely. Look, I heard you speaking to Bernice on the phone last night. You think she did it in purpose, don't you?"

"That was before she woke up and explained"

"Explained? You mean lied, right? Look dad, I don't want to sound awful or anything but do you seriously buy into that? She has lost her daughter and her nephew in the space of like a year and a half. Her ex-husband who...let's face it, is the love of her life; is in prison and won't get out until his 80s. Do you see what I'm saying?"

"Yeah I do...I do, Leanna and I will make sure I keep an eye on her. I know she's down, we know how it feels to be heartbroken"

"Okay. I'm sorry for being blunt but it's how I am"

"I agree with you but I hate to think the worse. Let's just take it easy on her, yeah?"

"Of cause" Leanna replied quickly.

Liam just breathing in and out. This was going to be difficult but he knew his daughter was right really. This was done on purpose but he didn't want to let her know that he knew that because she closes up. The minute Henrietta thinks you're being too inquisitive, she goes all quiet on you and he didn't want to risk that.

...

TBC