Nick sleeps for a couple of hours, he orders some take out which he eats before making his way over to Lulu's. . He pulls up in front of Lulu's house and walks up the path. He didn't take any tablets before leaving as he didn't want to risk them while driving, consequently his ribs are protesting at the activity. He knocks on the door and hopes that Lulu will let him in. She doesn't come to the door so he knocks again and shouts her name. He hears Anne crying which is getting louder. The door opens and Lulu is there with Anne in her arms.
"Nick what happened to you?"
Nick shrugs, Anne is still crying and is struggling to get to him.
"Can I take her?"
Lulu passes Anne to him and he works on calming her down, rocking her and softly speaking to her. Lulu invites him in to the hallway.
"She heard your voice and started crying, don't do that again."
"Lulu I'm innocent, the drugs weren't mine, it's not fair on Anne to keep me away, you know I won't do anything to hurt her."
"You had drugs your house, I can't let you have Anne over there anymore."
"I can understand how you feel, but you will see that I didn't do it. I wouldn't Lulu."
"You will have to come here to see her. It upsets her too much not to see you at all."
"Thank you Lulu."
Anne is now asleep in Nick's arms.
"Can you put her to bed and then see yourself out I have something cooking."
Nick's disappointed that he has to leave so soon but doesn't want to spoil the headway that has been made. He take Anne to her room and kisses her before gently placing her down. He covers her up and strokes her face. When he comes out he can hear Lulu in the kitchen he opens the front door and practically bumps into a man standing on the step.
"Oops sorry"
"Whoa what happened to you?"
Nick looks at him.
"Nick Fallin isn't it?"
"Yes and you are?"
"Detective Harman"
"Ahh Lulu's boyfriend."
"Yes"
There follows an awkward silence which Nick breaks by stepping aside and letting him pass.
"I would shout your arrival to Lulu but Anne as just gone to sleep. She's in the kitchen, do you know the way?"
"Yes thanks, nice to meet you."
Nick nods and heads back to his car.
He starts up the car and decides to stop at his Father's house before going home. He finds Laurie there when he walks in.
"Oh sorry I didn't realise you had company."
Laurie exclaims:
"Nick how wonderful to see you. How are you doing?
"I'm fine Laurie."
Laurie knows from looking at him that it is far from the truth but accepts it. Burton notices that Nick is walking stiffly and that he is looking strained
"Come sit down son before you fall down."
"Just been to see Lulu and she let me see Anne for a short time as Anne was ready for bed, and says I can see her at her house but not at mine."
Burton replies:
"At least that's something. I can call her and ask if Anne can come to my house. she shouldn't have any objections to that."
"Thanks Dad you can try."
Laurie stands up:
"I'm glad she let you see her. I'm sorry about what has happened Nick and I want you to know that I believe you. I don't think you would do anything to endanger your relationship with Anne. I will go and leave you two alone."
Nick also stands:
"No..no..no don't do that. I really should get home and take some more tablet anyway and I didn't mean to interrupt your evening and thanks Laurie."
He turns to his Dad:
"I'll call you tomorrow, I have the meeting with the board first thing and will be in touch after that."
"Okay Son, take care of yourself."
Nick nods at them both, turns and leaves.
By the time he reaches home his ribs are killing him, he can barely walk. He stands by his car for a moment catching his breath and then struggles to his house. As he is turning the key he hears footsteps behind him, then a voice:
"Good evening Fallin"
Nick is opens his door and is not fast enough to stop his visitor entering as well. He places his keys on the island and faces his intruder.
"What do you want Grainger? I'm not speaking without my lawyer present."
"It's just a statement of your attack Fallin unless you have something to hide."
"I have nothing to hide but I am under investigation and it would be foolish of me to talk to you without representation and I am not foolish.
"Where have you been all evening? You look in a bad way, surely you should be resting."
Nick doesn't reply. Grainger smirks:
"Been out getting something to help you through the pain."
Nick walks out of the room leaving Grainger to see himself out.
Nick takes his tablets and is soon fast asleep as exhaustion overtakes him. He is oblivious to his house phone ringing and it goes to answer machine, Burton's voice is echoing through the silence.
"Nick are you there? I just talked to Lulu. I think there's a problem."