Don't you want any kids Louise or are you waiting?" Esther saw that Louise was very maternal towards her neighbours.

"I've never really thought about it, I don't really think having kids is really for me besides I can't keep a man long enough to approach that subject" everyone laughed at Louise's humour about her life but it was true she never had a long relationship that she'd think of brining children into the world.

"Don't be silly you're great with my three" Pete rubbed Louise's back whilst Gerry could see right through his sleazy charm.

"I've got fish that's enough responsibility at the moment" the group finished their meals and made their way to the living room.

"There must have been someone that you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with" Sandra could see that her daughter was very much like her and only has eyes for her career rather than men.

"Nope not really although there was this one guy who my dad thought I'd end up marrying but I think he likes him more than I did in the end" Louise was very career driven but knew that kids aren't for her she's not cut out to be a full time mother.

"So Pete I hear your job takes up a lot of your time, why don't you just get a babysitter" Gerry knew the really reason why Pete was still hanging round Louise even if nobody else could see it.

"Well the boys are used to Louise now they kind of see her as a motherly figure" Pete thought Gerry was quite rude but wanted to keep the evening civilised for Louise.

"Well we should get going now thank you for such a lovely evening come on Brian" Esther made her excuses to leave before the two men went head to head. Esther, Brian and Louise headed to the door to goodbye to one another.

Sandra and Gerry headed into the kitchen "make sure she alright with that prick sniffing around her" Gerry warned Sandra about Pete because he used to be just like him only without the kids.

"I'm sure she fine, she has known him for a long time and besides she's my daughter so I guess she's more than capable of looking after herself" Sandra didn't want to show Gerry that she was worried about how Pete was acting around Louise but Gerry could see right through her.

"Definitely you and Louise are like two peas in a pod, just as long as she doesn't go around shooting dogs ay" Gerry nudged Sandra as they made their way back into the living room.

"Right that's me done for the night or I'll never make it into work tomorrow so I'll see you all in the morning nice to meet you Pete" Louise followed jack to the front door. "Look after yourself Louise and be careful" Louise didn't really understand what jack meant as he was making his way to the taxi that had pulled up outside.

"Pete!" Louise shouted. "The boys are tired you should get them to bed it's far too late for them to stay up any longer"

"Ok ok I'll take them home don't worry they'll be in bed in no time" Pete kissed Louise on the cheek and made his way to collect the boys from the games room.

Both Sandra and Gerry could see that Louise looked uncomfortable when Pete went in for a kiss "are you alright?" Gerry passed Louise another glass of wine.

"Yeah I'm fine, he just drinks too much sometimes don't worry about I've been here before" Louise didn't really want to speak about it.

"You don't mean he's done anything to you?" Sandra's voice turned shaky.

"Can we just change the subject sorry I don't mean to be rude I just don't want to talk about it right now" Gerry and Sandra passed a concern look to one another.

"Why don't you crash here tonight I mean it's really late and it'll take you ages to get home" Louise was really enthusiastic about them staying but mainly because she didn't want to be in the house alone after their recent discussion had take her to thoughts that she didn't really care for.

They both agreed, Louise showed them to their rooms so they could get some sleep.

Louise laid awake staring at the ceiling thinking over about the conversation about Pete that she's had with Sandra and Gerry and thinking about what he's done to her a couple of years ago.

Sandra and Gerry made their way downstairs into the kitchen where Louise had just finished preparing breakfast.

"Morning I didn't want to wake you but looks like you got the timing perfect I've made breakfast"

"Pancakes I've not had these for breakfast in years" Gerry's eyes lit up as he glanced over the table.

The three of them sat down to eat.

"Um Louise you said something about Pete and when we asked if something had happened between the two of you, you were a bit quick to change the subject is everything ok?" Sandra really didn't want to pry but was becoming increasingly concerned about her daughter every time she thought about it.

"Don't worry about it, it's probably just the drink talking trust me I'm fine anyway I've got a meeting with Strickland today what should I expect? I think he wants to check on how I settling in"

"Well as long as he doesn't mix up his words like stunning and interesting again then I'm sure you'll be fine" Sandra and Gerry laughed as they remembered Strickland acting like a teenager around Louise.

"Oi he's a nice bloke there's no way he'd ever even think about what you 2 are implying anyway I tend to go for men who do a runner or can't keep it in their pants"

"I know the type" Sandra knew them all to well even her daughters father done a runner.

Gerry wanted Sandra to forget that type but didn't have the guts to actually ask her out so observing from afar would have to do him for now.