Lola had messaged Katy on Sunday evening to say that Callum was still missing and Ben was really struggling. Knowing that things were really tough for them, Katy had offered to do the school run for her the following week. It was her way of showing support without actively getting involved in whatever was happening.

On Monday morning she had bundled the children out of the flat – picking up Amy, Ricky and Lexi on the way – and herded them towards Walford Primary. Thankfully they managed to get there in one piece, excited about seeing their friends and exchanging gossip. Katy had already laid down the law about what they were and weren't allowed to say about the events of the boat party and Dennis' death. Ricky was quieter than usual, but the others didn't seem to have fully taken in the fact that they were never going to see him again. Katy was worried that Ronnie and Roxy's 'death' and then reappearance might have confused them more than they'd initially thought.

Pulling Ruby and Ricky's teacher aside when she dropped them off, she gave her a quick overview of the situation, requesting that she passed it on to other members of staff who might need to keep an eye on the children. Katy was wary of saying that they might play up, but she knew that it was a possibility and didn't want them to get into trouble unnecessarily.

"Katy?" Alex jogged towards her on the playground, concern written all over his face. "I've been trying to get hold of you all weekend. Are you OK? Weren't you going to that boat party?"

"Yeah… yeah, I went." She sighed, pushing her hands into her pockets and shrugging. "It was… possibly more terrifying than it sounded. My step-cousin… he was the kid that died… Dennis."

"Oh, god. I'm so sorry."

Apparently not knowing what else to say, Alex pulled her into a tight hug, wrapping her in his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head. Katy squeezed her eyes closed, fisting her hands into the back of his coat and clinging on. Somehow it was more comforting than any of the hugs she'd had from people who'd been in the situation with her.

"Come on… let's go and grab a coffee. The caf on Bridge Street?"

Nodding slowly, Katy trudged through the gates and along the road. She didn't know what to say and, apparently neither did Alex, so they walked in silence.

When she went to order their coffees, Kathy excitedly told her that Peter had agreed to stay in Walford for a couple of nights, explaining that her grandson had told her they'd bumped into each other at the hospital. Forcing herself to smile, she told her business partner how pleased she was, before Kathy rushed away to meet her son and Katy carried the coffees over to her table.

They chatted for a while, deliberately keeping the conversation away from topics that Katy didn't want to talk about. She briefly considered whether she was being fair to him and that perhaps she was leading him on. It wasn't intentional; she really did just want a friend, particularly one who was removed enough to not be involved in any of the drama that went on on the Square. Then Alex offered to get more coffees and she dismissed the thought from her mind.

"Hey!"

Katy frowned up at the clock as Isaac dropped into the recently vacated chair opposite hers. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Inset day; I don't start until tomorrow."

"It's alright for some, init?" She teased lightly. "Some of us work everyday."

"Yeah, yeah… wanna grab some lunch to make up for it?"

"I'm actually having coffee with a mate at the moment." Katy replied quickly, glancing over to where Alex was talking to Marie by the counter.

"Ahh, a mate, is it?" Isaac chuckled, following her gaze. "So it's not just the ex who's competition?"

Katy rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. "Alex is a mate and Tyler is not competition. Besides, I thought this was easy, no strings. Why would you make it–?"

"I'm kidding." He assured her with a cheeky grin. "Nah, you enjoy your coffee date… maybe we can get drinks later?"

"On a school night?"

"I'll behave if you do."

Laughing, Katy accepted the kiss on her cheek he bestowed as he left, turning to watch him walk out. Her eyes fell on Alex, watching the exchange, although he quickly forced a smile onto his face and made his way through the tables towards her. She exhaled sharply, expecting some questions about Isaac, but nothing came.

"So, what are your lot dressing up as for World Book Day?" Alex asked once he was settled. "Charlie's desperate to go as a Pokémon."

"How would you even manage that?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrows. Then she shrugged. "Costumes are Gran's department to be honest… I didn't even know they needed one. She's probably got them all organised and sorted already."

"Katy?"

"Peter!" Standing up, she hugged him tightly. "You alright? How's Bobby?"

"He's home… he's gonna be OK."

"That's great. I bet everyone's relieved."

"Yeah… look, d'you fancy a drink later?"

"Over the Vic? About five?"

Nodding, Peter squeezed her upper arm for a minute, before turning and heading outside. Katy settled herself in her seat, raising her mug to her lips and sending Alex an almost challenging look. He watched her for a long moment, before setting his mug on the table and leaning back in his chair.

"So…"

"Peter is an old mate, Isaac is a new mate and Tyler is history." She replied irritably. "Look, I told you before, Alex; you and me? We're friends, nothing else."

"Did I say differently?"

"No, but you obviously thought differently considering the look on your face."

"OK, maybe I hoped that you'd change your mind, but–"

"I'm sorry." Katy shook her head. "You're a really, really nice guy, Alex. You deserve so much better than me. Trust me, I'd just end up hurting you."

"That's just–"

"It's the truth. I can't help myself. I always, always hit the self-destruct button and, even if I didn't, no one will ever come before my family." She stood up, chewing her lip. "I'm sorry."

Taking a deep breath, she made her way out of the café without looking backwards. She felt terrible, the crushed expression on Alex's face made her feel like the worst person alive, but she knew she had to be cruel to be kind. It would have been far worse if she'd carried on letting him believe that she might change her mind about what she wanted from him.

Pulling out her mobile, she selected a number and held it to her ear. "Isaac? I've changed my mind. I don't fancy lunch, so come straight up to my office, yeah? No one will be in for a while yet."

A knock on the office door made Katy jump. She paused in redoing her hair, glancing towards the sound before doing a final makeup check in the mirror and making sure that her shirt was buttoned up properly. Isaac had only just gone, so Katy guessed that it might be him coming back to find something he'd left behind. A cursory glance around the room didn't offer any obvious explanation, but she opened the door and smirked out anyway.

"Can I have a word?"

The smirk melted from her face in an instant as she realised that it was Denise in the doorway. "Uhhh? Yeah?"

"Expecting someone else, were you?" She asked, clearly unimpressed.

"What? No?"

Denise made a sound in her throat as though she didn't believe her in the slightest. "I need you to be straight with me, Katy."

"I'm telling you–"

"Not about that." The older woman shook her head, pushing the office door closed behind her. "About your parents."

Katy tensed, guessing where the conversation was heading. "What about them? I haven't seen Dad since yesterday and Mum since this morning."

"Are they having an affair?"

The silence that followed her question was deafening. Katy felt sick at the expression on Denise's face as she waited impatiently for the younger woman to answer. It wasn't an easy choice to make; she could tell the truth and make her own life simpler or she could lie and prevent her parents from having to deal with the consequences of their actions.

"I don't know, Denise." She said finally. "Sorry, I don't. They're hardly likely to tell me if they're sneaking around having sex, are they? I'm already pretty damaged, ain't I?"

"But you think they might be?"

Again Katy didn't reply immediately. Apparently that was enough to convince Denise that her suspicions were at least a little bit confirmed. She stared at the blonde for a couple of moments, while Katy attempted to work out what to say, before nodding determinedly and stalking out of the office.

Swearing under her breath, Katy hunted for her mobile – finally locating it between the cushions on the sofa – and dialling her mother's number.

"Mum! Denise knows." She informed her hastily, not bothering with pleasantries. "She came to the office and asked if you and Dad were having an affair. I didn't tell her anything, but I think that was more of a confession than actually admitting to it."

"What?" Ronnie breathed, sounding shaken. "Shit! Have you spoken to Jack?"

"Not yet… wasn't sure if you'd want to?"

"Well it'll hardly look innocent if she's with him and I'm ringing, will it?"

Exhaling sharply, Katy had to admit that she was right. She ended the call and tried to get hold of her father. Jack either wasn't or couldn't answer his phone; a realisation that filled her with dread. Chewing on her thumbnail, Katy made up her mind and headed out of the office.

"I wanna talk to you." Tyler accosted her as she left the bar. "What's going on with you and that Isaac guy?"

"I haven't got time for this." She snapped, pulling her arm free and rushing away in the direction of the Square.