Thank you for all the reviews i've got so far, sorry this has taken a while, been a bit busy, (art coursework, arggggh!) but hope you like it.
Enjoy!
August 6th 2017
'Mummy?'
Carla sat up in bed, looking towards the door. Her daughter stood there, top lip quievering as if she was about to cry.
'What is it Lottie?' She said getting up and picking up the little girl.
'Bad dream. Monsters.' Carla walked into the hallway so not to wake Peter and stood in the hall stroking her daughters hair in an attempt to calm her down while whispering the same things over and over.
'Its okay Lottie, it was just a dream, there's no such thing as monsters, it was just a dream.' Inside she was thinking completly different thoughts. Monsters did exist, just not in the form that sacred her daughter, and Carla knew this better than anyone.
After a while Lottie had fallen back to sleep so Carla went into her room and slipped her into bed. Once she had sure the little girl wouldn't wake up again she left the room and crept back into her room and into bed.
..
When Carla woke up in the morning the space in the bed next to her was empty. She glanced at the clock and was surprised to see is was almost eleven. She got up and went downstairs to find the house empty. She went to make a cup of coffee and saw a post-stick note near the kettle.
Took the kids out for a walk, might pop round to Michelle's after so meet you there? Peter xxx
She smiled as she realised that Peter was trying to make an effort so she wouldn't think about what was happening at two o'clock that day. Carla sent him a quick text saying that she got the note before having her drink and something to eat, getting dressed and heading over to Michelle's.
..
'Higher Daddy, higher!' Lottie shouted, trying to get Peter to push her higher on the swings.
Peter just laughed and pushed the swing again, Lottie loved the swings had done since the first time Carla put her in one. In between pushes Peter glanced at his watch.
'Last push darling, we've got to go soon.'
'But I want to get higher than Simon.' Every time they went to the park there was a contest between the two children about who could get higher on the swings.
'We still have to go Lottie.'
'Why?'
'Because we're going to see Auntie 'Chelle.'
'But why?' Peter sighed. At almost five years old 'why?' was a word used quite frequently by his daughter.
'Because Ryan is coming to visit.'
'Oh... okay.'
After the swing had slowed down Peter lifted her out and put her one his back. He was trying not to think of how today was going to effect Carla, it was one of the reasons that he suggested going round to Michelle's, and as a surprise Carla didn't know Ryan was coming to visit.
..
When Carla got to Michelle's she noticed that Simons bike was lent against the wall, meaning that he, Peter and Lottie where already there. She knocked on the door and was surprised when Ryan opened it.
'Surprise.' He said with a smile wrapping her in a hug.
'When did you get here? You didn't say you where coming.'
'What and miss the look on your face when I opened the door? Not a chance. Come on, everyone's in the living room, i'll make you a brew.'
As they walked into the living room Lottie jumped off Michelle's lap and wrapped her arms around her mum's legs before Carla bent down and picked her up, balancing her on her hip.
'How did you lot keep this a secret?' Carla asked
'We didn't tell Lottie.' Simon said making everybody laugh. Carla sat next to Peter with Lottie on her lap, who was currently frowning at her brother. Ryan made Carla a cuppa and everyone got talking. After a bit Simon took Lottie into Ryan's room, knowing that the others would want to talk about what was happening later on in the day, and that no one wanted Lottie to notice. Carla spoke up.
'Thanks, all of you, for trying to distract me today. I kinda knew this day would come, but I know it is still going to be hard but I've got to try and not think that anything is different even though he is being let out. I've got more important things to think about.' She said, squeezing Peters hand.
'We're here to support you Car, whatever happens.' Michelle said smiling.
'Yeah, and if he hurts you in anyway, i'll kick his teeth in.' Ryan spoke up. Michelle hit him lightly on the arm but Carla smiled at her nephew.
'Thanks kid, but don't lower yourself to his standards. Either of you.' Carla said glancing at Peter as well as Ryan. Carla glanced at the clock, 14:02.
'Frank's out, he is now offically a free man.'
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