A Place In My Heart
Chapter Six
When Erik woke, he knew instantly that something was different. At first he couldn't place it and then he realised that there was something warm next to him. He looked down and saw a mop of dark curls lying across his chest. The memories of the previous night came flooding back and he stared in amazement at the girl who lay beside him, her cheek resting on his chest. He swallowed hard and she looked up quickly, worried that she'd waken him somehow. A smile crossed her beautiful face and she whispered,
"Good morning."
He nodded mutely, not trusting himself to speak, and she stretched, wincing. He sat up quickly
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just… I'm a little sore." She admitted, going pink. And then her eyes fell on the clock and widened. "Oh lord, is that the time? It's my turn to start breakfast!" She jumped out of bed, clutching one of the blankets around her. Erik watched in amusement as she searched for her slip, which he had thrown to one side the previous night. She looked around in confusion and then saw it hanging over a lamp. She giggled, reaching up and pulling it down.
"Christine, do calm down."
"I wish I could. I've got to wash and get breakfast started. Oh, Meg is going to kill me!"
"Meg can wait." He informed her. She stopped, having pulled on the slip and looked at him. A smile lit up her face as she crossed back to him. He pulled her down onto the bed, kissing her intensely. After a few minutes she said,
"I really need to go to the kitchen."
He reluctantly released her and she straightened. And then she bent again, kissed him once more and slipped out of the room. Erik watched her go and realised what that strange feeling welling up inside of him was. It was happiness.
Huh. Hadn't felt that in a long time.
Christine bustled around the kitchen, putting water on to boil, slicing bread and cracking eggs. Meg came down and stared.
"Have you only just started?"
"I overslept."
"You lazy thing." Meg laughed and began to make tea. Christine smiled and shrugged.
"I was tired!"
"Even so…" Meg's voice faded away. Christine turned to look at her and she saw that her friend was staring at her. She blinked.
"What are you looking at?"
Meg reached for a silver dish and showed it to Christine. Christine looked down and winced. Dark marks were showing up on her pale neck, as clear as a lump of coal in a bag of flour.
"Oh dear…" She said, touching one. Meg stared and her and then a wicked grin crossed her face.
"Christine, you didn't!"
"Meg, please, stay quiet." Christine begged. Meg couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Oh, the look on your face is just priceless, Christine!"
"Meg, stop shouting!"
"Why not? It's not as if he doesn't know all about it!"
"Meg!"
"Know about what?"
The two girls jumped as Erik appeared in the doorway, fully dressed and mask in place. Christine turned away quickly, going red and clapping a hand over her mouth as Meg began to giggle hysterically. Erik looked from her to Christine and folded his arms.
"Know about what, Little Giry?"
"Oh, nothing in particular, Monsieur Dumas." Meg giggled. Christine slapped her arm to stop her talking but she had already begun to laugh again. Christine turned to see Erik staring at her curiously. She took a calm breath.
"We were just talking about… about…"
"About these!" Meg said, brushing Christine's hair back to reveal the dark marks. Christine squealed, pushing Meg back. Erik stepped closer and moved Christine's hair to look at the marks. His eyebrow rose and he smirked.
"Yes, I see. I shall have to be more careful next time." He commented lightly. "How long until breakfast?"
Christine slapped his arm.
"You can't dismiss it that easily. What on earth am I going to tell Marie and Nadir when they get back?" Meg began to howl with laughter again. Erik smiled slightly.
"I have no idea, Christine. I'm sure you'll think of something."
"Meg, will you STOP laughing? It isn't funny!" Christine cried, lifting the silver dish to peer at the marks again. She poked Erik's chest.
"You haven't got a bruise on you, this isn't fair!"
"I will do if you keep poking me." Erik said, catching her hand. Christine looked up at him crossly.
"Well, you can explain to Marie then."
"Do be serious. It's your neck." Erik objected.
"You put them there! You can explain them!"
"I can assure you that I will be doing nothing of the sort."
"Well, I'm not doing it, she'll go ballistic!" Christine said crossly. Erik didn't bother to reply. Instead he kissed her intensely, straightened, smiled and disappeared. Christine mouthed wordlessly.
"You can't just… you… argh!"
She glared at the doorway and then looked at the hysterically giggling Meg. She 'humphed' and then turned to finish making breakfast. But a few minutes later they heard Erik shout. They looked at each other in confusion and started up to the Entrance Hall. Erik had flung open the front door and was staring out.
"They're back. They shouldn't be back this early." He muttered. Christine and Meg moved to the doorway and peered out at the fast approaching cart, pulled by two horses. Christine squinted.
"That… there's only one person."
"It's Nadir." Erik said. Meg stepped forward.
"Where's Mother?"
The cart came to a screeching halt and the three of them hurried down to Nadir. Meg cried out and caught his arm. Nadir's face was bruised and bleeding. Erik helped him into the Entrance Hall, sitting him down. He was clutching his side, in obvious pain.
"Nadir, what happened?" Erik demanded. Christine started to the kitchen to fetch some water but stopped in her tracks as Nadir managed to wheeze,
"Viscount… de Fenz."
She turned and stared at Nadir. He was looking at her through swollen eyes, hideous bruises on his face and blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Christine took a shuddering breath.
"Where is Marie? What happened?"
It took several minutes for Nadir to explain. He and Marie had been in town when they were attacked by several of the viscount's men. He had ordered them to stay in the town and wait until someone from the castle came out.
"They demanded to know if you were at the castle, Christine. We tried not to talk but…" Nadir shook his head. "They sent me back here to tell you that… that unless you return alone to de Fenz's estate in the next week, they… Christine, they have Marie."
Meg cried out, clutching her hands to her mouth. Christine stared at Nadir for a moment and then whispered,
"I'm so sorry, Nadir." The Persian couldn't reply. Christine licked her dry lips and ran to the coat rack, pulling down a cloak. Erik caught her wrist.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing, Erik? I'm going to Thomas."
"Are you insane?" Erik spat. Christine looked at him furiously.
"What do you suggest I do, Erik? I will NOT let him kill someone else. Raoul is dead because of me. I won't let Marie die as well."
"Christine, you can't do this. We will find another way." Erik insisted but Christine turned on him.
"No, Erik! There is no other way!" She cried. And then she took a calming breath and said through the lump in her throat. "I love you, Erik. I love you more than anything. And I love Marie. And I love Nadir and Meg as well. You're my family. The last person I called family is dead at the hands of Thomas de Fenz. I refuse to let my new family suffer."
She pulled on the cloak and Erik said,
"I'll come with you."
"You can't Erik. You heard… unless I go alone, Marie is going to die." Christine said. Erik stared down at her, his grip on her wrist as tight as ever. She reached up with her hand and placed it on his unmasked cheek.
"I will always love you. Never forget that."
"Christine…" He said hoarsely.
"Promise me that you won't forget." Christine said. He nodded, closing his eyes and holding her hand to his cheek.
"I promise."
She felt tears prick her eyes and knew that she had to leave before her resolve weakened. She pushed herself up on tiptoe and pressed her mouth to his quickly before pushing him hard. He stumbled back, falling into a cupboard. Christine hastily slammed the door shut, twisting the key in the lock. Erik banged fiercely on the door, shouting. Christine stepped back as tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked towards Meg and Nadir who were staring at her in amazement. She swallowed hard.
"Don't… don't let him out until I've had a chance to get away."
"Christine…" Meg said, rising to her feet. Christine smiled tearfully and hugged her.
"Thank you, Meg. I've been so happy here."
And then she turned and ran out of the entrance hall. In the stables, she saddled up one of the horses and squeezed its flanks. With a jolt they set off towards the open gates. As they left the grounds, Christine twisted in her seat to catch one last glimpse of the castle behind her before it was hidden by trees.
She found the town easily and discovered that she was two days of constant riding away from the estate. Christine set off immediately, knowing how odd it would seem for a young woman as herself to be riding alone but not caring.
She didn't stop that night. She was exhausted but could not bring herself to stop when Marie was in danger. Christine wondered what Erik was doing. Had it really only been the previous night when they had made love, slept together in his bed, been so very happy? It could have been a lifetime ago.
When she arrived at the gates to the large de Fenz estate, an armed guard was stood to attention. She dismounted the exhausted horse and approached him. He looked at her in surprise. Christine supposed that she looked a sight. She had only stopped riding twice, to catch a few hours sleep and she had not washed herself or brushed her hair in two days.
"I am here to see the Viscount de Fenz." She told the guard who looked unconcerned.
"The viscount is a busy man."
"I am well aware of that." Christine snapped. "Please tell him that Christine Daae is here."
The guard looked at her for a moment and then called a messenger boy from the small hut by the gates. The boy was sent running up to the large house with the message. He returned five minutes later with orders that the guard was to escort her to the house.
Christine followed him up the wide path, leading the horse. She was stiff and sore from the riding, tired, hungry and felt filthy. She would have preferred to appear strong and wilful before Thomas but there was little she could do now.
She was shown into a beautiful sitting room, thinking that she could not possibly have looked or felt more out of place here. Sat at a writing desk was a man, a few years older than herself. He was extremely handsome, with dark brown hair and light blue eyes. His features were strong and friendly, and his mouth looked like it would be quick to smile at the least thing. He looked around and got quickly to his feet when he saw her. For a few moments all he could do was stare at her and then he looked at the guard.
"That will be all."
The door closed behind her but Christine didn't take her eyes off of Thomas de Fenz. Of this young man, who she had grown up with, whom she had played with as a child, running around with him and Raoul, playing imaginary games, swimming, reading, laughing.
He stared at her and then said,
"Christine…"
"Where is she, Thomas?" Christine said in a firm voice. She was pleased that she could sound so confident. Thomas blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Where is Marie Giry?"
"She… that's the reason you came?" Thomas seemed disappointed. Christine looked incredulous.
"Why else would I come, Thomas? You kidnapped her, one of my closest friends! Where is she?"
"She is safe."
"Let me see her." Christine said. Thomas rang for a servant.
"Fetch Marie Giry."
Christine stood her ground as Thomas approached her. He couldn't help smiling.
"My god, Christine, you grow more beautiful every time I see you."
"The last time you saw me was after killing Raoul." She reminded him. Thomas didn't reply. She looked at him with pained eyes.
"Why, Thomas? He was Raoul. He was your friend; the three of us were best friends, we grew up together. How could you kill him? Why?"
"Why couldn't you just love me?" Thomas replied.
Christine closed her eyes in despair.
"I couldn't love you then because I loved Raoul. And I can't love you know because you killed Raoul. And I will never love you because you kidnapped Marie Giry, had your men attack Nadir Khan and you forced me to come here."
Thomas gazed at her and the door opened before he could speak. Marie Giry walked in, looking haughty. Her eyes alighted on Christine and she gasped.
"Christine! Heavens name, child, what are you doing here?"
"Marie." Christine said, running to her. "Marie, are you hurt?"
"No." Marie said, throwing a filthy look at Thomas. "No, I am not hurt. But why are you here?"
"I'm here to get you out, Marie. Nadir made it back to the castle, he's safe. Injured, but safe." Christine told her. Thomas interrupted.
"You know my conditions, Christine. She goes and you stay."
"What? No!" Marie objected but Christine caught her hand.
"Marie… you have to go. You have Meg to think of, and Nadir."
Marie looked at the girl whom she had come to look upon as a daughter and shook her head in disbelief.
"Christine, you can not…"
"Return to the castle, Marie. They are waiting for you." Christine said quietly. She glanced at Thomas and then reached around her neck, taking off the chain that held the diamond engagement ring that she no longer wore to remind her of Raoul, but simply because she had grown fond of it as a piece of jewellery. Thomas stepped forward and frowned.
"Isn't that…?"
Christine slipped it from the chain and pressed the ring into Marie's hand.
"Give it to him."
"Are you sure?" Marie asked and Christine nodded, feeling tears prick her eyes.
"Yes. Tell him… tell him that…" Marie knew what she wanted to say and smiled slightly.
"I knew it."
"Yes, you're all so clever, well done on figuring us out." Christine said, unable to resist teasing her. She took a deep breath and said quietly,
"When you see him… remind him that he promised that he wouldn't forget. He will understand."
Marie kissed Christine's cheek.
"You are a brave girl, Christine. I am proud of you."
"Go, Marie. Hurry." Christine whispered. Marie nodded and looked coldly at Thomas before disappearing.
Christine clenched her fist, feeling the metal of the chain dig into her hand. She heard the front door open and close, no doubt Marie leaving. Tears welled up in her eyes. Thomas looked at her.
"Are you going to explain any of this to me, Christine?"
"You have no right to know." She said harshly. Thomas raised an eyebrow.
"My men tell me that you've been in a haunted castle all this time."
Christine didn't reply. She sank onto a chair, her head in her hands.
Oh god, Erik, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry…
She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Thomas staring at her in confusion.
"What happened to you in there, Christine?"
"I was happy. I was happy there." She replied coldly. Tears spilled over, running down her cheeks. Thomas knelt before her, taking her hands in his. She felt too weak to object or pull away. He brushed some hair from her face.
"You will be happy here, Christine. I will make you happy. We will marry and you can live in comfort for the rest of your life."
Christine lifted her head and stared at him. He smiled but she stood sharply, moving away from him, running her hands through her hair.
"No, Thomas. I will never be happy with you. You murdered Raoul in front of my eyes. You kidnapped Marie. You forced me to leave the place where I have been happiest in my entire life, where I had friends, a family, you made me leave Erik and all because you are so selfish and can't stand the thought that you might not get your own way for once!" She shouted.
Thomas looked at her dangerously.
"Who is Erik, Christine?" She stepped back, swallowing nervously. He moved towards her and gripped her arm tightly.
"Who is Erik?" He spat. Christine winced but stood her ground firmly.
"He is a man I fell in love with. A man I will always love, no matter what."
"Is he the one you sent the ring to?" Thomas demanded.
"Yes."
He considered her and then his eyes fell on the marks on her neck. Christine moved to cover them with her free hand but he swatted her hand away, running his fingers over the marks. She clenched her jaw, waiting for him to grow angry. His eyes had darkened as he touched the marks.
"Did Erik do this you?" He demanded and she glared at him.
"Yes. He did."
"Did he make love to you?" Thomas demanded. Christine lifted her head.
"We made love to each other. I gave myself to him because I love him."
Thomas released her arm and turned away brusquely. Christine watched as he crossed to the desk.
"When my men brought that woman to me, she had a bag. I found this in it." He passed her a book. Christine ran her fingers over the cover. The Angel of Music.
"I knew, when I saw it, that it was for you." Thomas said. Christine placed the book on a table.
"And of what importance is that?"
"We aren't children anymore, Christine." Thomas said quietly. Christine smiled slightly.
"I know. I used to like you when we were children. As an adult I can barely stand to be in the same room as you."
Thomas looked surprised at the fire in her tone.
"You don't hate me, Christine."
"Oh, I do, Thomas. I thought, whilst I was in the castle, that perhaps I had misjudged you. That you couldn't have killed Raoul out of malice. The moment I saw you, sat at the desk, I knew I had been wrong." Christine said, spitefully. She didn't care what he did to her. "What sort of man could sit and write with the knowledge that he had murdered his friend in cold blood?"
He stepped towards her. Christine didn't move. His arm reached out and his hand brushed against her cheek. Christine remained perfectly still, watching him with dangerous eyes. Thomas smirked.
"You will learn, Christine. You will learn to be happy with me."
And he kissed her. His tongue brushed against her lips, forcing them to part. Christine tried to move away but he pulled her tightly to him, deepening the kiss. She tried to cry out but she was frozen to the spot. Thomas pulled out of the kiss, pressing his mouth to her neck, nipping and kissing at the bruised skin. Christine gasped in pain and tried to push him away. He held her upper arms tightly and looked her in the face, one of his hands sliding up to curl into her hair.
"You are mine, Christine. You will forget about this Erik."
"No. I will never forget him." Christine replied harshly. Thomas seized her again, kissing her roughly. She cried out but Thomas did not stop, forcing her onto the sofa and mounting her as he kissed her. Tears welled up and she tried to push him away. His kisses moved again to her neck and she sobbed unbearably.
"Thomas, stop. Please stop!" She whimpered. He simply moaned in desire, his hands groping at her clumsily. Christine squeezed her eyes closed, the tears running down her face.
"Thomas, no! No!" She cried, struggling and pushing him.
"Christine… Christine…" He moaned.
"…Erik…" She whispered.
Thomas stopped his exploration instantly and stared down at her. He climbed off of her, still staring, aghast at both himself and at what she had said. She sat up, gulping and sobbing and looked at him in hatred, the tears still falling.
"Ask me again why I couldn't love you." She spat. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing. Thomas stared at her and then turned away. He rang for a servant.
"Take Miss Daae to the green room. And lock the door." He told the girl who answered the bell before storming out. The girl waited awkwardly for Christine to stop crying before offering a handkerchief. Christine accepted it, wiping her eyes before standing and following her through the corridors of the house a bedroom. The girl showed her in and then locked the door.
Christine crossed to the bed and lay down. She was hungry and wanted to wash, but the desire to sleep overcame both of those longings. She pulled the covers around her, her eyes sore from crying, her neck painful from the kisses that Thomas had given her and her heart aching for the castle and for Erik.
Thomas paced his study, muttering to himself. A servant paused to listen to the incessant whispering and then shook his head in despair. Another servant stopped.
"Talking to himself again?"
"Looks like it. I don't know why no one's bothering to lock him up."
"Maybe he'll be alright now that he's got Miss Daae back." The servant suggested. The other shook his head.
"Doubt it. I pity that girl. She's got a tough time ahead of her."
Erik paced his study, muttering to himself. Meg sighed as she sat outside the door. Nadir found her sat on the floor and said,
"Is he still at it?"
"Yes." Meg said quietly.
It had been four days since Christine's departure. Since she had left, Erik hadn't come out of his study once, locking himself in. Meg shook her head.
"He hasn't eaten, Nadir. He's going to make himself sick."
"I think that's what he wants." Nadir said quietly. "Fate has been cruel to him. This is the second time that he's been abandoned by the woman he loved."
Meg looked at him sharply.
"The second?"
"Yes."
"Who…?" Meg began but Nadir shook his head.
"It is a long story and not one that Erik would want you know about. But, in a nutshell - Many years, ago, when I first met Erik, he was in love with a woman called Shyra. But she refused him. Married someone else. It nearly killed him. He swore that he would never fall in love again; he's always been very dramatic that way. And then… Christine came into the picture."
"Oh, gods." Meg muttered. But they both looked up as the front door flew open. Meg jumped up.
"Mother!"
Marie Giry appeared in the doorway. Meg flew across the entrance hall to embrace her mother. Nadir crossed too and kissed her.
"Marie, what happened?" He asked. But paused as the study door opened. Erik stood in the doorway, staring at her. His eyes flew to the door but Marie shook her head.
"She is not with me, Erik. She stayed. To save my life."
Erik didn't move. Marie crossed to him and held out something. He held out his hand and she dropped the diamond ring into his hand.
"She sends this and a reminder that you promised not to forget. She assured me that you would know what it meant."
Erik nodded, staring at the beautiful ring. He curled his hand into a fist, clutching at the precious gems and closed his eyes. Marie put a hand on his shoulder.
"She loves you, Erik. You always said that no woman could. But she does."
"She is gone, Marie." Erik said quietly.
"You think that she wanted to leave? My god, Erik. I barely recognised her when I saw her, she was a shell. She loves you." Marie said angrily.
Erik stared down at the ring in his hand and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were filled with determination.
"Little Giry, fetch me a horse. I'm going to find her."
Thomas unlocked the door to the green room and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind him. He crossed to the bed and gazed down at the beautiful woman lying in it in peaceful slumber. He brushed his fingertips across the porcelain skin of her face and she turned over so she lay facing the ceiling. He ran his finger from her cheek over her lips. She twitched slightly and mumbled, "Erik…?" Before settling down again.
Thomas stared at her. Who was this Erik? How had he captured her heart so easily? It wasn't fair… it wasn't fair! He had loved her for far longer, had been willing to sacrifice everything for her and still she refused him, pulled away from his kisses, flinched at his touch, all the while dreaming of Erik. These last few days, not once had she joined him for a meal, ignored his attempts at conversation, remained in her room nearly the whole time she had been here.
This was not good enough. Not after all the effort he had gone through to bring her here. She would be his. No matter what.
Thomas strode back to his study and began to pace it again. Yet as he did, details of that night began to come back to him and, try as he might, he was unable to rid himself of them…
Christine and Raoul were sprawled on the floor of the wide carriage, both trying to get out of the ropes that bound them. As Thomas stepped into the carriage they both ceased in their struggles and stared up at him. They were gagged but he could see the questions and confusion in their eyes. But he had no time to waste. He bent down and pulled the gags free. Instantly Raoul said,
"Thomas, what's going on?"
"Silence, de Chagny." Thomas ordered. His eyes fell onto Christine's perfect, angelic face. No man should be allowed to possess such beauty, but he had to have it. Had to have her. She licked her lips and he saw she was shaking.
"Thomas, please… what's happening?" She asked. He stood tall and proud before them both.
"I'm going to ask you one last time, Christine. Please… marry me. Not him, not de Chagny. Marry me."
Christine's face twisted in confusion.
"That's what this is about?" Raoul said in disbelief. Thomas glared at him.
"I said silence!" He spat and punched Raoul across the face. The young man fell sideways, unable to support himself. Christine cried out and Thomas crouched down in front of her, so his face was level with hers.
To his dismay she tried to back away, pressed against the wall of the carriage. He reached out tenderly to touch a lock of her hair and she flinched away.
"Thomas, stop this." She whispered. Thomas shook his head sadly.
"I can't, Christine. I love you. I need you."
She closed her eyes and bowed her head, her hair falling over her face. Thomas lifted her face by placing two fingers under her chin.
"I'll ask you again, Christine." He said softly. "Will you marry me?"
For a moment she simply stared at him. Thomas pulled out a knife. She gasped but he simply cut the ropes binding her, taking her hands in his.
"Will you marry me?" He asked, pleading with her, imploring her. Christine looked at him for a moment and then a flash of anger shot through her eyes.
"No, Thomas."
"What?"
"I said no. I told you at the party, no. I won't marry you. I love Raoul. Why won't you understand that?" She said, half-furious, half-saddened.
Thomas looked at her. His brain seemed to have clouded over. Only two rational thoughts could get through the fog.
She was marrying Raoul. Therefore, to marry her, he would first have to get rid of Raoul.
Thomas stood up. Christine looked up at him, puzzled and wary.
"Thomas?"
"It's because of him?" Thomas demanded, gesturing at Raoul who stared at him. "That's why you won't marry me?"
Christine didn't reply. Thomas pulled out a pistol and she gasped. Raoul jumped and then tried to edge over to Christine, determined to protect her. Thomas kicked him away from her. Christine cried out but Thomas had already lifted the gun.
"This is the only way." He said calmly.
And then he pulled the trigger.
The sound of the shot mingled with the scream that came from Christine. The scream stopped abruptly. He looked down at her. She had gone impossibly pale.
Except for the blood. As she knelt beside the body of her fiancé, several drops of blood had splashed onto her beautiful face, vibrantly red against the whiteness of her skin. She fumbled with Raoul's jacket, trying to uncover the bullet wound. Raoul stared blankly at the ceiling, Christine lifted his head onto her lap.
"Raoul? Raoul?" She whimpered, touching his face. No reaction.
Thomas watched, feeling numb as Christine's hands lifted to cover her mouth in horror. Tears ran down her face, washing the blood away, dripping onto the face of her fiancé. And then her face lifted to meet his.
"You killed him." She said, almost inaudibly.
Thomas blinked and took a step back. She stood and stared at him.
"You killed Raoul. You killed him!" She cried. Thomas resolved himself. He would not feel guilt. He had done the right thing.
"I have to get back to Nice. My men will bring you there. We will marry."
"No… no…" She whispered.
"You won't be able to tell anyone. I'll tell them that… that the shock of Raoul's death has traumatised you. We will be able to marry."
She couldn't even speak anymore. She had slumped to the floor, beside Raoul, pressing her face to his, his blood mixing with her tears, whispering his name over and over again until she was overcome by emotion and wailed, rocking his body back and forward, as if she wanted to give her own life to bring his back.
Thomas had to get out. He stumbled from the carriage. His head was spinning.
He had killed Raoul. The man he considered his brother. All for…
No. She was worth it. She was worth it.
Thomas mounted his horse and swiftly began the journey back to Nice. And the only image his could bring up in his mind was that of an angel with a blood smeared face.
A/n: You can probably tell that this story very much influenced my other story 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Another chapter tonight for you lovely people!
Love
Katie