An: reviews loved
XxX
"Sergeant Noaks." Patsy saw Peter walk in. "Can I help you?"
"The girl, Abigail McCall the one who was in the fire. I have her things. Nothing was damaged, more smoke than anything."
He handed Patsy a suitcase.
"Do you have any idea on the cause of the fire?"
He sighed. "At the moment we have reason to believe it was arson."
Patsy gasped. "But why?"
"Andrew McCall was a rich man who had investments everywhere..."
"You think someone wanted to kill him for his money?"
"Possibly. We don't want to rule anything out. Is Abigail okay?"
"She'll be glad to get changed I'm sure. We washed her dress from yesterday as it smelt of smoke she'd currently wearing one of Barbara's but I think it's a little big bless her..."
"Shame about her dad...can't imagine our Freddie losing me and Camilla at her age must be awful."
XxX
"Post has Finally arrived." Sister Evangelina said as she walked into Sister Julienne's office flicking through the letters. "There's a letter that says 'To be forwarded to Shelagh Mannion'..."
"That will be from Abigail's father..."
"I remember when Shelagh found out Colette McCall had passed away. It's a vague memory but it's there."
Sister Julienne nodded. "I know. Me too. She was still such a child."
"I never asked her about it."
"We didn't want to pry on things that at the time was none of her concern."
XxX
"You have very beautiful hair." Trixie said as she gently brushed Abigail's auburn locks bringing it into a neat braid strand by strand.
"My dad always called me Rapunzel...but after she finds her freedom." She explained.
"He sounds like a nice Dad." Barbara noted from her position sat on Trixie's bed.
"He was." Abi agreed before closing her eyes a moment telling herself not to cry as Trixie finished the braid.
"There now Princess Abigail." She smiled. "What do you think."
"Thank you, Trixie..." She tried to smile but the blankness in her expression showed her mind was elsewhere.
Patsy walked in then carrying the case Peter had given her. "Abi, a police sergeant bought this, it's your things from your house. Nothing was damaged...there was more smoke than fire..."
"I know." Abi nodded. "I remember..." Tears pricked her eyes again. "I'm sorry."
Trixie stroked the young girls shoulder. She saw Abi was someone who felt she needed to stay strong for everyone else. She didn't have to though.
They placed the case on the bed and Abi opened it. Inside was her clothes, a teddy and a selection of pictures.
Abi picked up one of the photos of her and her father holding it to her chest.
XxX
Shelagh arrived at Nonnatus with Timothy by her side.
"Are you okay now mum?"
"What do you mean?"
"I heard you speaking to Dad this morning, you sounded upset."
"Oh Timmy..." She pulled her stepson into a hug for a moment. "I'll be okay."
"I just worried in case you and Dad had argued or something."
"No, don't worry."
"Shelagh." Sister Julienne appeared clutching Andrew's letter in her hand.
"Is it from him?"
"I believe so, I'm only sorry you were unable to read it before..."
"It's not your fault Sister...and I doubt it would have made a difference."
"Come through to the sitting room my dears." She moved for her and Tim to walk past.
When they went in to find Abigail sat listening to Trixie and Patsy talk about a family who had welcomed two new born twins the day before.
"Shelagh..." Abi stood before seeing what she was holding. "I'll leave you to read it..." She gave a small smile.
"Young Tim, why don't you take Abi out for some fresh air. I'm sure she could do with some after being stuck in here." Trixie suggested.
"He doesn't have to..." Abi tried to save Tim from having to accompany a girl who might burst into tears at any moment but Tim saw the look on his step-mum's face and realised that 'grown up' things were going to be discussed which they didn't think would be appropriate for them to hear.
"No it's alright."
Abi then followed him out of the room.
"Where do you think they'll go?" Patsy asked and Shelagh shrugged.
"Well speaking to the girl I get the feelings she's quite shy, so Timmy will have to keep conversation going."
Shelagh sat down before slowly opening the letter from Andrew.