I don't really know what to say to them, as I don't think Claire would want me to tell them about Mark. I take another sip of water and look at them, they still hold looks of anger on their faces and I can feel tears filling my eyes. Claire moves slightly in her sleep and moves her arm and head further on to my chest, I think about waking her but then decide against it. I look at Nina sadly and pray to God that she doesn't think I beat Claire up.

Nina: Ian. What's going on?

I look away from her and tears pour down my face, I don't want Claire's parents to see me cry. I just wish that they would all disappear and it would just be me and Claire alone together but that's not going to happen now Nina's seen the bruises. A nurse comes in and unwraps my bandage then goes to get me a clean one. Both Claire's parents and mine look at me sadly and my mum reaches out for my hand.

Gaynor: What happened?

I got hit with a belt.

Gaynor: By who?

Mark.

My mum looks confused she doesn't really have a clue who Mark is but from the look on Nina and Bobs faces they know exactly who I mean. Maybe I won't need to tell them about how he's been treating Claire recently because they might have worked it out for themselves.

Nina: Why did he hit you with a belt?

He was hitting.

I can't face it any longer and I start to cry and Claire wakes up at the sound of my tears, she sees her parents there and knows the games up. She snuggles closer to me and tells me everything will be ok, I know this sounds silly but just hearing her say that made me feel a whole lot better. I look her in the eyes and she kisses me on the lips not caring that our parents' are staring at us.

Nina: I said why?

Claire: Mum stay out of this it's none of your business.

Nina: Has Mark been hitting you Claire?

Claire: Yes he has been beating me up and I know I shouldn't of stayed with him so don't start.

Nina is really cross with Claire for the way she had talked to her but I can tell she also feels sadness for what Mark has done and anger at Mark too. Bob storms out of the room and there's no prizes for guessing where he's going. Claire is even more upset now, as she knows Mark will come back for her.

Claire: Please can you all just go?

Nina: No Claire we can't not until you tell us what's going on.

Claire: I love Ian and I want to be with him.

Claire leans over me and starts to kiss me passionately on the lips, it feels so nice but I'm not too sure whether I like my parents staring at me though. Claire finally pulls away and settles her head back on my chest, I can't help smiling and I just want to kiss her again and again. Nina looks at us completely shocked and the expressions on my parent's faces aren't much different until my mum starts smiling and crying.

Gaynor: I'm so happy for you.

Claire smiles and my mum goes and kisses her on the cheek. But I bring Claire closer to my side and lean my chin on her head, I feel really ill and need some support I grab hold of Claire's hand tightly as I feel myself falling unconscious. A while later I open my eyes to see my dad hugging Claire who is crying hysterically, I look over to my dad and he sees I'm awake. He tells Claire and she turns to see me, she runs over to me and hugs me gently.

For a few moments why Claire holds me in her arms I feel complete and pleased to have the women I've loved for years finally feeling the same way. As she pulls away and looks into my eyes I start to feel pain and anger, not at her but at Mark. The tears flowing down her cheeks and her swollen eyes tell me she loves me but they also tell me she's in pain.