The second they were through the door, Jody called out,
"Mum? What's for dinner?" Nick laughed at her.
"Jody sweetheart, give your mum a chance to get in the door!" Jody smiled at him.
"Sorry." She said, giggling.
"That's fine sweetie," Zoe said. "How do you feel about a take out? I'm way to tired to cook!"
"Can we get Chinese?" Jody asked, excitedly.
"Sure. Nick, sort that out will you?" Zoe asked, sweetly, pulling the puppy dog eyes for effect.
"Yes of course, no need for the amateur dramatics sweetheart!" He smiled and kissed her quickly. Jody turned away. Not out of embarrassment or shame, but to give them some privacy.
"Oh, Jody, that reminds me. Sam's coming over!" Zoe exclaimed suddenly.
"What!" Nick shouted.
"I asked her over for dinner. She wanted to come see us and I said she could come round! Quick, tidy up!" They started a mad cleanup and in half an hour, the house was gleaming?
'So much for being tired!' Zoe thought to herself as the door bell went. She went and opened it.
"Hey Sam!" She exclaimed as she opened the door.
"Hey Zoe. How are you?" Sam replied, giving Zoe a quick hug as she stepped through the door.
"Yeah, good. Yourself?"
"I'm all right thanks." Sam just managed to get the words out before a loud shout came down from Jody's room.
"Aunty Sam!" Jody yelled, bounding down the stairs. Jody and Sam had become extremely close in the staff room, especially seeing as Sam was such a close friend of Zoe's.
"Hey Jodes! How are you?" Sam asked.
"I'm great. I'm starving though mum! When's dinner?" She poured out, in her usual fast-paced babble.
"It's on the table sweetie. We just put it out in time for Sam. Come on everyone." She said, leading her troops through to the dining room. They sat down at the table and tucked into an amazing Chinese.
"Thanks Zoe." Sam said, when they had finished eating.
"That's okay. Go on through to the living room. Nick and I will clear up." This time, Zoe only managed to finish her sentence before Jody piped up.
"Come on Aunty Sam! I'll show you my bedroom, we've had it re-decorated since you last came round." She babbled excitedly.
"Well, this I must see." Sam said, genuinely interested.
"Come on then!" She grabbed hold of Sam's hand and half dragged her upstairs.
"Wow!" Sam exclaimed, as Jody showed her her room. "It's amazing Jodes! And a double bed! You must feel so grown up!" Jody nodded.
"I do! Mum did it for me for my birthday, I cried when I saw it for the first time. I wasn't allowed to see any of it until it was finished, I had to sleep in the spare room and everything. But I absolutely love it!" Sam sat down on the bed, listening.
"Come over here for a minute Jodes. There's something I want to talk to you about." Jody nodded, sat on the bed and crossed her legs. Sam crossed hers too, so she was facing Jody. She took hold of her hands and turned them in her own. The penny dropped for Jody, she worked out what Sam was going to say.
"Your mum told me about this the other day. She was upset and I questioned her. Turns out, this was what had upset her. I know what it's like to feel the way you did. I understand why you did it, but this isn't a good thing. I know it makes it feel better for a while, but it won't make it actually get better." Jody just nodded.
"You don't know what it's like!" Tears formed in her eyes. "Every time I shut my eyes, I'm back in that room! But it's different, I'm there, but just watching! I see my biological dads face on the men, and I see my biological mum getting what I got! Then when they're done with her, it's my turn!" She started howling. Sam took hold of her and held her as she sobbed uncontrollably into her chest. Moments passed and Nick and Zoe had heard her crying. They burst into the bedroom, but Sam waved them away, mouthing that everything was fine. Nick didn't want to, but Zoe understood. She dragged Nick off to explain. Jody didn't even notice the commotion.
"You don't get it. I had pushed all of those memories so far into a corner of my brain that I couldn't even remember them. Couldn't even remember what they used to look like. But, when I shut my eyes at night, it all comes flooding back. Mum coming in late, dad chucking back the beer bottles like they were shots. The constant shouting. The screaming matches! She used to scream at me to go to my room, but that didn't stop me hearing it! I wanted so badly to help! But I didn't know how! One night I barged in on them. She was lying on the floor unconscious, covered in blood and naked. There was so much blood I didn't know what was bleeding. I started crying for her, trying to help her. But he wouldn't tolerate any pity for her. He hit me hard on the head with a bottle. I was out cold. When I woke up, they were gone and the house was empty. I was too scared to leave and tell anyone. I thought she was dead. She probably is. They were never found!" Sam was shocked to the point of no return at what Jody had just told her. She could hardly speak, but she knew she had to.
"Jodes, did you tell anyone what actually happened with them?" She asked, calmly.
"No. I felt too guilty and embarrassed that I couldn't save her. I just told everyone they'd gone out for the weekend and never come home. It used to eat away at me, but after a few months I finally accepted that she was probably dead and that he was a waste of space. So I moved on. I had to. There was nothing I could do. Besides, I had Nick and Zoe. They are my mum and dad. That's just it. I love them more than words can explain and I swear it Sam if you tell them any of this I will freak." She said the end a little more sternly.
"Oh Jodes. Come on sweetie," She wiped Jody's tears away with the pad of her thumbs. "Lets go back downstairs. Zoe and Nick will think we've gotten lost in your beautiful new bedroom." Sam said, gently.
"You're right. Come on." They got up and headed back downstairs.

sorry folks, I know that was a bit sad but, I needed to reveal her back ground at some point. Promise it will get happier. Also, sorry I took so long to update, I struggled a wee bit as to how I was going to reveal what I just did. Thanks for all your support, please continue to R&R

Aimee x