Ange ran to the SARC. She had been told that her daughter needed her and she would be there. She would not let the girl down again. She had promised that.
The door opened and Sheena was there. Chloe had never been so relieved to see her mum in her life. Ange ran into the room and almost lifted Chloe off her feet.
"I'm so sorry" She said. She couldn't believe her daughter had gone through that on her own. Chloe had realised during the conversations with Sheena just how much her mum had gone through and how she always blamed her mum but that wasn't the case anymore. Her mum must have been so brave, to have gotten through that at such a young age and go on to have her afterwards.
"I'm sorry too" Chloe admitted. Ange was so relieved. Her daughter no longer blamed her and she could be here for her during this. She never wanted her daughter to feel the pain she went though and wanted to ensure that she did everything possible to help Chloe.
They stayed in that position until Chloe softly pulled away. She only pulled away enough for Ange to move them to the sofa. Ange knew that just now she just needed to hold her daughter. There were plenty of time to talk but Ange knew that just now she just needed to hold her daughter and help her feel safe.
They were snuggled up on the sofa when the police walked in. They explained how good it was for Ange to come forward about the screwdriver and explained that Evan had passed away.
Although all Ange wanted was for Evan to be dead, she wanted him to have to pay for what he had done. The police officer explained that he thought it was unlikely that anything would happen to Chloe due to what happened.
Ange and Chloe nodded before they were left by the police officer again.
"Do you want to go home or stay here a bit longer?" Ange asked softly. She didn't want to push Chloe but wanted her to be aware that they could go home if she wanted.
"A bit longer" Chloe whispered barely able to speak. Ange nodded and moved back to hold her daughter.
"We can stay here as long as you need and then we can go back to my house if that's what you prefer? If you'd rather go back to your flat then we go" Ange whispered. Chloe nodded before they drifted into the most comfortable silence they could in this situation.
They stayed like that for almost half an hour before Chloe sat up slowly. She looked at her mum.
"I need to go to the toilet" Chloe said and Ange nodded. She didn't want to smother the girl but wanted to know that she was there to help if needed. Chloe stood up nervously. She could do this. All she had to do was go to the toilet. She could do that on her own.
Chloe walked over to the door before turning back to look at her mum. Ange knew that face. Her daughter needed her.
"Hey, it's okay. I'll come with you" Ange said as she gripped her daughter's hands. Chloe didn't want to sound like a child and she should be able to do this but it was too much. Ange guided her daughter to the bathroom and walked in.
"I'll wait here for you" Ange said softly and Chloe nodded.
"Do you need anything?" Ange asked and Chloe stared up at her mum. Her eyes begging her mum to understand her and not need to answer the question. Ange had to really think about what her daughter wanted. As much as she didn't want to, she needed to think about what she needed just after it happened to her. Ange told herself to think logically. She was in the bathroom with her daughter and her daughter needed something.
"Sanitary pads" She whispered. She looked at Chloe.
"Do you need me to get you a sanitary pad?" Ange asked and Chloe blushed and nodded. It wasn't that she was embarrassed about what was going on. Well she was, she'd asked her mum a numerous of times for pads and tampons, but this was different. This wasn't because she was on her period. This was another reason.
"I'll go and get it" Ange said as she walked out of the bathroom. She found a SOLO and asked for their help. They got her what was needed, and Ange returned. She didn't want to leave her daughter for too long.
Chloe thanked her mum before going into the bathroom to sort herself. Once sorted, she walked out, washed her hands and was instantly back in her mother's arms.
"I want to go home with you" Chloe whispered.
"Just now or later?" Ange asked not wanting to push her daughter.
"Now" Chloe said and Ange nodded.
"Let's speak to the staff first and then we'll leave" Ange said and Chloe nodded. She hide behind Ange and let her take the lead.
It wasn't long before they were in Ange's car heading home. They arrived outside Ange's house and sat in the car for a minute. Ange waited until Chloe moved first. She needed the girl to know that this was all in her own time.
Once Chloe was ready they went into the house.
"I have some of your pyjamas here, if you get changed. I'll bring my duvet to the living room and we can settle down" Ange said and Chloe nodded.
"Remember Chloe, you can speak whenever you wish" Ange said softly adding it to the conversation. She wanted the girl to know but didn't want to pressurise the girl.
Chloe disappeared into her bedroom and started getting changed. Ange got the duvet and then waited for her daughter. She wanted to give her daughter time but she was also aware of what Chloe did when she was out of control. Ange gave the girl sufficient time to get changed before going after her. She knocked on the door before opening it gently.
Chloe was sat on the bed looking into space.
"I thought you would come down the stairs" Ange said softly. Chloe turned her face to look at her mum only just noticing she was there and speaking.
Chloe slowly got up and walked down the stairs to the living room. She got under the covers.
"Do you want a hot water bottle?" Ange asked softly. Chloe looked up at her mum shocked. How did the woman know that she was in pain? Chloe nodded.
Ange disappeared to the kitchen and sorted the hot water bottle out for Chloe before returning to the living room. She curled up on the sofa with Chloe. She made sure the girl knew it was her before showing the girl she could crawl up to her.
Chloe obliged instantly. She knew that the girl would do what she wanted and was comfortable with.
"Mum" Chloe said and Ange nodded.
"I really feel I wanted to speak to you" Chloe mumbled.
"Then you speak to me sweetie" Ange said kissing the girl on the head.
"I'm too scared" Chloe said.
"Why?" Ange asked softly. She knew the girl would be scared but there were so many reasons why she might be. Ange needed a bit more to go off of.
"Because I don't want to upset you. I've just spoken it through with a SOLO but I feel I can speak more openly to you. You'll understand more. I just don't know what else to do" Chloe admitted and Ange nodded.
"You speak to me then" Ange encouraged. "I've had my time to get upset. I was upset earlier but I've got it together now. Remember, I've spoken to Kisaiya about what happened to her. I was her shoulder of support; I can be yours too. You are my daughter"
Chloe nodded but stopped confused.
"Where is Kisaiya?" Chloe asked.
"That's a conversation for another day. I promise that I will tell you but I just can't tonight" Ange said and Chloe nodded. She was confused but she knew not to push it. She could tell her mum.
"I don't know where to start?" Chloe admitted.
"Why not from when you called me?" Ange asked and Chloe nodded. She took a deep breath. She could do this. She needed to do this. She had to tell her mum what had happened. It would help. She knew that.
Sorry doing it in two halves cause otherwise it will take forever!