Thanks for all the reviews, here's the next chapter.

Enjoy! (well as much as you can, it is a bit depressing)

Michelle stepped towards Carla, trying not to believe the scene infront of her. Carla was shaking, her skin a ghostly white, making the brusies on her body stand out clearly. Michelle stepped forwards, causing the other woman to flinch at her movement.

'It's okay Car, it's me I promise I won't hurt you.' Michelle knelt on the floor next to Carla before wrapping her in her arms, trying not to cause her anymore pain. Carla started to sob again, but didn't say anything to Michelle, Frank's words still echoing in her head. After a while Michelle moved slightly and took her mobile out of her pocket to call the police.

'What you doing?' Carla looked frantically at Michelle.

'I'm calling the police, he can't get away with this.'

'No 'Chelle. Don't call the police, they won't belive me.'

'Car what are you saying? That scum belongs behind bars.'

'He didn't do anything Chelle, please don't called the police.'

'I don't belive you for a minute Carla, I can see it with me own eyes i'm not blind. Has he threatened you?'

Once Carla realised that Michelle wasn't going to belive her if she lied Carla told her everything, what Frank had done, how he was dying and his threat against Lottie. Michelle was repulsed by what Carla told her. She knew that Frank was a vile monster but she never thought he would go as far as threating to hurt a child just to get silence on what he had done.

'Oh my god Car, I'm so sorry, I should have been here, if I hadn't left I could of stopped him.'

'Michelle it's not your fault, look now i've told you are you going to call the police? I don't want him do hurt Lottie, ever.'

'We've got to Car, like I said he should be behind bars and that way no one can hurt either of you.'

'Okay. Call them.'

..

'Where's mummy? I want to show her my picture.' Lottie climbed onto Peter's lap, who was sitting on the sofa, also wondering were his partner was.

'I'm sure she just got talking with Michelle at the factory, she'll be here soon.' Tracy said sitting next to Peter. Tracy and Amy were at Peter's and Carla's for a barbacue, and the two older children had gone to get some things from the corner shop. As she said this Simon and Amy shot through the door.

'Dad come outside, there's police cars outside the factory, I think something's happened to Carla.' Simon said, trying to catch his breath.

'What?'

'We were coming out of Dev's and a police car came past and stopped at the factory.' Amy explained.

'Can you watch Lottie for a mintue Tracy?' Peter said before shooting out the door. He ran across the road, praying that Carla was safe. The noises from the sirens was drawing people out of various houses and the pub. There were a couple of uniform police blocking the entrance to the factory.

'Please just let me through, my girlfriends in there, I just want to know she's okay.' The policeman wouldn't let Peter into the factory.

'I'm sorry sir, there is a detective talking to the victim now, please stay back.'

'Victim? What's happened? Why can't you just tell me?'

'I won't ask you again, please stay back.' Knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere, Peter went back and stood with Simon and Amy at the front door to his house, as the factory was taped off.

'What's going on dad? Is Carla still in there?' Peter didn't answer, just stared across the street, not really taking in what was happening. Ryan came out of the pub, and ran down the street.

'What's going on? Have you seen mum?'

Peter shook his head, not really answering Ryan's question, so Simon told him as much as he knew. Suddenly the doors to the factory opened, and a detective came out, followed by Michelle and Carla. Peter and Ryan ran over the road and stopped at the tape. One look at Carla and Peter knew what had happened. Her shoulders were hunched, she had her arms wrapped round her body in a vain attempt to protect herself. She didn't look up as she walked to a police car until Michelle let go of the hand she was holding and told her that she was just going to tell Peter what was happening but that she would be back.

On mention of Peter's name Carla looked up and saw him standing there, caught his eyes for one second, before looking away and nodding to Michelle and getting into the car. Michelle walked over to Peter and Ryan, ready for a bombardment of questions.

'Carla's been raped again, hasn't she Michelle?'

'Yeah...look i'm going to go with her to the hospital...'

'Why does she need to go to hospital? Did he batter her?'

'No Peter in that respect she's alright, it's just to check her over, it's a routine thing.'

'But there was a cut on her neck and...'

'Apparently he had a knife, but he didn't use it. I've got to go, I'll call when they've had a look at her. I think it would be best if you stay with Lottie and Simon, they'll need a parent around tonight, especially Lottie.'

'Fine Michelle...yeah...see you later.'

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