I could hear my dad and brother shouting at each other. It was a normal Friday night.

I went downstairs to see what it was about this time.

'I warned you last time this happened.' My dad shouted

Nick slumped down on a stool next to the kitchen counter.

'I don't see why you're making such a big deal about it.'

'I'm making a big deal because I will end up paying the fine.'

'Yeah and I'll pay you back.' Nick said sarcastically.

My dad grabbed him by the collar of his coat and almost pulled him off of his feet.

I went to push them apart, but I got flung back by them struggling.

'Will you two stop it, this isn't helping.'

My dad faced me and shouted 'Go upstairs; this is between me and your brother.'

'But dad……..' I was cut off by my dad grabbing my arm and shoving me out of the room.

'It's a good job Nathan is staying over a friend's house; I'd rather be elsewhere than listening to you.'

I ran upstairs and picked up the phone immediately, dialling Uncle Mikes number, I could still hear them yelling downstairs.

'Hello?'

'Uncle mike, its me' I said trying to fight back tears

'Lea, hi, why are you calling so late?'

'Dad and nick have been yelling at each other for ages and they won't stop, I'm frightened dad might hurt Nick.' I was loosing my breath, whilst trying to stop myself crying.

'Ok ok calm down I'll be right there. You just stay upstairs until I get there.' He hung up the phone.

I put some music on to try to drown out the shouting.

'It's the second time this has happened nick. Do you think it's funny?' Lincoln yelled into his son's face.

Nick just shrugged his shoulders.

Lincoln pushed him up against a door frame, Nick winced slightly.

'If it makes you feel better dad, then beat me up.' Nick spat back

Lincoln let go of him and he fell into a heap on the floor.

Lincoln lit up a cigarette.

'If you want to throw your life away then you can, but not whilst you are living in my house.'

'Fine then, I'll go...'

'I didn't say you had to leave. Whilst you live in this house you will do as you are told.' Lincoln yelled

'It was just a bit of pot. I don't know why you're getting so worked up about it. It's not like you haven't done the same.'

Lincoln spun round and caught nick on the side of the cheek with his fist. Nick stumbled back.

All of a sudden there was a banging noise on the door. Nick recognised Michael's voice immediately.

'Who the hell is that?' Lincoln stalked over to the front door and opened it.

'Michael, what the hell are you doing here?'

Michael barged past Lincoln and went straight to Nick.

'Are you ok? Did he hurt you?'

'No not really, he tried to hit me but only just caught me. Obviously loosing his touch.' Nick sneered

'You little…..' Lincoln lunged at him

Michael stood between them and pushed Lincoln away.

'What are you doing? Trying to knock some sense into him, like you did with me?' Michael spat at him.

'This is nothing to do with you Michael. Why did you come here anyway?'

'Leanne called me she was scared.'

'What?'

'She thought you might hurt Nick and do something you regret.'

'Nick, go and get some things together you can stay with me until he calms down.'

Nick went to go upstairs.

'He isn't going anywhere.' Lincoln stood at the bottom of the stairs blocking the way.

'Linc, just let me take him, you both need to calm down.' Michael was trying to appeal to Lincolns laid back nature.

Lincoln sighed and moved away.

'Tap on Leanne's door, see if she wants to come as well.' Nick went upstairs.

Lincoln went to the fridge and got a beer out.

'Linc, they are great kids. Yeah they mess up occasionally but who doesn't.'

'Yeah ok.' He walked past Michael and slumped on the couch.

Nick came downstairs with a bag.

'Lea's going to stay here; I said I'd call her later.'

Michael nodded

'I'll call you in the morning Linc.'

They walked out of the door and closed it behind them.

Leanne was listening from upstairs and heard Michael and Nick leave. She decided not to go with them after hearing Michael shouting at Lincoln. She wasn't scared of her dad but she was scared for her brother. He always wound Lincoln up. He had shocked her slightly when he gabbed her by the arm and that's why she called Michael.

She went to the bathroom to wash her face, and then went downstairs. Lincoln was sat in the living room. He heard Leanne come downstairs then go into the kitchen.

She saw that the plates from diner hadn't been cleared up and started to do that.

Lincoln came in and started to help her, she didn't say a word to him.

'You don't have to be scared of me.' He sighed

She turned round and looked him straight in the eye.

'I'm not scared of you, I was scared for Nick. I've heard Uncle Mike talking about the way you used to beat him up to keep him out of trouble.'

'Michael had no right to tell you those things.'

'He didn't I heard him telling nick. I guess he just wanted to keep me out of it. Protect me or something.' She almost shouted at him

'I just want the best for You, Nick and Nathan; I don't want you all to end up like me.'

'When are you going to start bullying Nathan? You think this is all about you. You think nick does these things to get to you. He doesn't.' Leanne was fighting tears back

'He makes it look like it's just to piss you off but it isn't' she was clearly crying now.

She sat down at the table with her head in her hands.

Lincoln put his large hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off.

He sat down at the table with her.

'What is it all about then? I'll be dammed if I know.' He sighed

'He misses Mom. I hardly remember her but he does. We all wish you'd talk about her more. You know the three of us sit upstairs and Nick talks about things he remembers about her.'

Lincoln hit the table with his fist.

'Why don't you tell me these things?'

'How could we, you bite our heads off if we are a minute past our curfews. It's worse with Nick because he remembers her' Leanne sighed and got up to put the kettle on.

Lincoln stood up. 'How am I supposed to show you all that I feel the same? There isn't a moment that goes past when I don't think about her or wish she was still here.'

'I know dad. But you're not the only one.' She turned to look at him.

'Just give him and all of us a break, he'll be ok. You just need to be human sometimes and not always try to be super dad.' She smiled and stepped towards him.

He wrapped his arms around her and they hugged for what seemed like an eternity.

Leanne pulled away from his chest.

'I was going to make some hot chocolate, but I'm too tiered now, I think I'm going to go to bed.'

'Yeah me too.' He said looking at his watch.

He put his arm round her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

'Sleep tight, Lea. I promise I'll sort this mess out tomorrow.'

As they went upstairs Leanne's mobile buzzed.

'It must be Nick, night dad.' She went into her room and closed the door.