Hey you' Peter answered the phone as soon as he saw who it was. He was on his way home after a rather a tiring day, which had consisted of him and Simon trying to make their way over the ever growing amount of paperwork they had, with little or no success.

'Hey… so thank you for my flowers. They were gorgeous'

'Ah… so you got them then?'

'Of course I did. The reference to Tatton Park and my mother… made me cry… you didn't have to'

'But I wanted to Olivia. I don't have to, I know that… but after yesterday and you jumping through hoops to make me realise we can be together, I wanted to. I… I… want you … to be proud to be seen with me… if we ever go public…'

'Oh Peter… I already am proud to be seen with you. You don't have to be anyone but yourself.'

'I know, but still… I'm not good at saying things, well at least not in the right order…'

'You're doing just fine, I promise you'

'Am I?'

'Yes. Believe me, you can say more than you know, and there are more ways of communicating that don't involve talking. I told you yesterday, I'm okay. I just want you'

'Well you've got me… if you still want me'

'I just said I did. I'm at the end of my road now; I'm going to have to go. My dad…'

'It's okay; I have paperwork to do anyway. Speak to you tomorrow… do…. Do… do you still want to come over?'

'Of course. Why wouldn't I?'

'Good. See you tomorrow then yes?'

'Not if see you first'

Olivia's smile widened as Peter's laugh echoed down the phone. There was a moment's pause as they both waited for the other to hang up, but neither admitting that they wanted to talk for longer.

'Peter, aren't you going to hang up?'

'No, you hang up first'

'No, you…'

The two of them smiled into the phone, almost cradling it against their ears, but when Olivia reached the end of her dad's partner's path she whispered a very hurried goodbye to Peter and went into the house, fixing her face into a monotone expression.

'Dad and Eileen…?'

'In here Olivia. Come through'

Olivia could hear talking in the living room, but the door was closed so she couldn't make out what was being said. Hanging up her coat and placing her shoes in the rack, Olivia braced herself for Eileen's 'surprise'. And that exactly what she got… when she opened the living room door, she saw her dad and Eileen sat down armchair having an animated discussion with Brian, who was perched on the end of the sofa.

'Brian, this is a surprise, what are you doing here?'

'Eileen called me last night… said you had a change of heart about us giving things a go.'

'Did she?'

'Yes, I must say I'm glad, because it felt like we had a connection…'

'We have nothing of the sort'

Eileen got up out of the chair and grabbed Olivia by the arm and 'led' her through the French doors into the kitchen, out of earshot and sight with Don following.

'How dare you talk to him like that? He came all the way here'

'I never asked him too, and what's more neither should you!'

'Don't take that tone with me'

'I told you I didn't want to see him again… why you would go behind my back and invite him here, when you know I don't want to see him?'

'Because I'm your mother and I know whats best for you, even if you don't.'

'He isn't best for me. Eileen and how dare you say your my mother you are nothing of the sort".

'Olivia, it's not right for a woman not be in a committed relationship.'

'I am if you must know!' Olivia shouted out the words before she could stop herself and then realised she couldn't take it back.

'You're what?'

'I'm in a relationship…'

'With who?'

'I… Dad…'

'If you tell me its Fin or Sonny, I swear I will go and break both of their legs right now'

'No! It's neither of them'

'Well who is it?'

'Dad…'

'Olivia, out with it!'

'Dad, what do you want me to say?'

'I want you to tell me the truth and stop lying. You aren't in a relationship at all. You aren't capable of getting out there and meeting someone for yourself. This is just an excuse to get out of seeing Brian isn't it?' Eileen says.

'No! We are the real deal…. he means a lot to me.

'I am not having this conversation. We have a guest in the house, a guest who has come to take you out. Now, you will be a good daughter and a good woman and does as your told'

'I will not!'

Olivia stormed out and went to Fin's when he answered she walked in and sat on his sofa and said Eileen set me up again when I went to visit them tonight Brian was there. She reckons I should give up my job and be a good housewife… like my mum. I told her I wouldn't and then I accidentally dropped Peter into the conversation'

'How did she take it?'

'Not well she said that she is my mother". I then kicked off told her she wasn't and I left".

HEY, I'M NOT TALKING TO MY DAD OR EILEEN ANYMORE- . XXX

WHAT? WHY? XXX

SHE BROUGHT BRIAN BACK TO THE HOUSE AND SAID I WAS GOING TO GIVE UP MY JOB. AND THEN SHE SAID I HAD TO GIVE UP YOU XXX

ME? XXX

YES, YOU. I TOLD THEM WE WERE TOGETHER AND THEN SHE SAID I WASN'T TOO SEE YOU AGAIN. SO I WALKED OUT XXX

OLIVIA, I AM SO SORRY XXX

DON'T BE, CAUSE I'M NOT. YOU'RE THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME IN SUCH A LONG TIME. I'VE HAD A HOLE IN MY HEART SINCE MY MUM DIED, AND SINCE MEETING YOU, ITS STARTED TO HEAL. I AM NOT SORRY FOR ANYTHING, SO YOU DON'T NEED TO BE.

I LOVE YOU XXX

WHAT? XXX

I LOVE YOU XXX

COMMENTS AND REVIEWS ARE WELCOME