A/N: Especially for you, Trixie, have a nice holiday!

'Morning,' Sam said cheerfully as Abigail came into the kitchen, looking as tired as she had every day recently. Of course, it was understandable given the little bundle which had taken to screaming the house down at three o'clock in the morning but try as she might Sam wasn't able to help her daughter. Abi had resolutely refused to let her anywhere near Belinda, in fact, the only time she even got to hold her granddaughter was when Abigail was asleep. It was cutting into her though she was trying her best not to show it. 'Bad night?'

'No more than usual,' her daughter answered reaching for the fresh pile of toast on the table. 'Are you out again tonight?'

'Possibly.'

'Phil again, is it?' Abi asked disdainfully.

'Is there a problem with that?' Sam questioned, sounding, she knew, the slightest bit confrontational. Well, the situation was getting ridiculous. Abi barely talked unless it was to pass judgement on the platonic relationship with Phil, it was irritating and bordering on infuriating.

'It's nothing to do with me, is it? I just thought since you've been out with him almost every night for the last month you might have something to tell me.'

'It's not like that, Abi, I've told you a dozen times.'

She snorted. 'Phil Hunter, with his reputation? You've told me all about that, the way he treats women. You can't honestly tell me that's not why you two have been going out.'

'I've explained, there's nothing else I can do.'

'You could start looking at yourself! You're a mess, Mum, and you have been since you split up with Sheelagh. Going out with DS Smarmy-Pants isn't going to change that.'

Sam scraped back her chair. 'I've got to go to work.'

'Oh, that's right! Run off like you always do.'

'I have to work, Abi!'

'Yeah, keep telling yourself that. When it starts to hurt let me know.'

'Sheelagh, are you okay? You look... green.'

'You should try morning sickness, Sarge.'

Smithy grimaced. 'Yeah, alright. You well enough to be working?'

'I'll cope. I just wouldn't get too close, that's all.'

'Fair enough.'

As he continued down the corridor Sheelagh started walking, stopped and pushed open the door she'd just come out of.

Leaning against the wall, she wondered if she'd been a little hasty with Smithy. There was feeling bad and there was feeling how she was then, there was quite a leap between them. Being at home would be the more sensible option but it wasn't the one she was going to take. Home wasn't somewhere she wanted to be, at least not alone. Far too many thoughts swam in her head at times such as those.

In fact, she took every available opportunity so she wouldn't have to be at home whether it was family visiting or late working. It was just a case of deciding which diversionary tactic would be used that evening. It had been over a month since she'd seen Abigail and Belinda, paying them a visit would be an idea. Even if it wasn't technically a diversion given that Abi was close to the root of the problem but Sheelagh did actually want to check on Sam, just out of interest.

'I'm sure that landlord reckons we're drug dealers or something,' Phil said as he brought the drinks over to what now passed as their regular table. 'We'll have half of Sun Hill's finest swooping in on us.'

'Didn't think Sun Hill had any finest,' Sm commented as she took a sip of her drink.

'Well, there's Sheelagh Murphy,' he answered and, as Sam looked up, she realised he was trying to gauge her reaction to the statement. Interesting. 'Course, she's on light duties so maybe not.'

Unsure what to say about that since she was confused as to where it had come from, she stayed silent, using her drink as an excuse.

After a moment he seemed to completely change subject. 'How are things at home?'

'Abi's still treating me like a leper,' she replied. 'I've actually got used to it.'

'Yeah? Well, I can understand where she's coming from, Sam. I reckon you do too.'

'Sorry, Phil, but you don't know the whole situation.'

'I do, as it happens.'

Almost choking, she looked up. 'What?'

He shrugged lightly. 'That daughter of yours has a way with words. Might've been scared if she wasn't seventeen.'

'I'm not sure what you mean, you've talked to Abi?'

'Don't come the innocent, Sam, she told me everything. Called me lunchtime.'

Closing her eyes briefly, she said, 'She was out of line, I'm sorry.'

'You ain't denying it.'

'Well, I don't know what she said.'

Phil took a leisurely sip of his drink. 'Sheelagh Murphy's name cropped up.'

'I imagine it would.'

He leaned forward. 'How about telling me the whole story, Sam?'

'It was nice of you to come round,' Abi said, flopping into the armchair at the other side of the room.

'If you don't mind my saying so,' Sheelagh said tentatively as she glanced as Belinda sleeping in her carry-cot. 'You look exhausted, Abi. How are you sleeping?'

'I'm doing alright,' she answered, the slightest bit defensively.

'No, you're not. You need your rest, isn't your mum helping?'

'No.'

Suddenly, it dawned on Sheelagh. 'Oh, Abi! You promised me you wouldn't do this, you need her support!'

'I'm fine on my own.'

'Sam's here and she wants to be involved!'

'I don't want her having anything to do with Belinda. She'll just poison her.'

'Of course she wouldn't!' The practicalities started to occur to Sheelagh. 'How have you stopped her having contact in such a small space?'

'She knows what I want.'

Despite what she was itching to say, Sheelagh kept it zipped. Abigail onside was what she needed if she was going to change this 'arrangement' in some way. 'I'm not lying when I say you need a break though.'

'I can't afford a sitter.'

'Well, how about a free one?'

'You?' Abi said dubiously.

'Why not? I've got kids of my own, you know. Not to mention one on the way.'

'I don't want to impose on you, Sheelagh. You've got enough on your plate.'

'I want to help. Let me.'

'Well, thanks, then. I appreciate it.'

'You're very quiet.'

'What do you expect?' Phil asked. 'It's a lot to take in.'

'You said you wanted to know.'

'Yeah, and I'm glad I asked. Least now I know Abi was telling the truth.'

'I'm sorry, Phil.'

He let out a long breath. 'Don't apologise. You said you care about her, can't stand in the way of that, can I?'

Surprised, she looked up. 'You don't think it's terrible?'

'Sam, what you've just told me, you can't apologise for that. You fall for someone, it might not be what's considered normal, alright, but it happens. You've just spent an hour telling me everything about her that you love. What I don't get is why you're talking to me about it. Tell her!'

'It's not that simple,' she answered. 'I can't bring up that kid. And if I was in, I'd be all in, you know?'

'What is it with you, eh, Sam? You make life so damn difficult for yourself.'

'You agree with Abi I suppose?'

'Yes! You love Sheelagh and you'd be able to love her kid, whether it's David Kent's or Daffy Duck's. You're just thinking about it too much.'

She sighed. 'I didn't want to hurt anybody. Sheelagh or the... the baby.'

'And what about you?' he questioned. 'How much is being an idiot gonna hurt you?'

'I can cope.'

'Never thought of you as a coward, Sam.'

As she opened her mouth to argue her phone bleeped on the table. Grateful for the interruption she picked it up and looked at the display. 'It's Sheelagh.'

'Well, answer it,' he prompted. 'Now!'

Complying, she put it to her ear. 'Sheelagh?'

'There's something I thought you should know.'

'What's that?'

'I'm looking after Belinda on Wednesday night. You're welcome to come round and see her.'

'You've been talking to Abi?'

'Yes, I have,' Sheelagh answered. 'I'm picking her up about six, anytime after that'll be fine.'