Heading through Salzburg old town with seven children was draining on a normal day but today Maria wished more than anything that she had stayed at home. Her body and mind felt weak, and the world appeared grey, like all of the joy had been sucked out of it. Walking along the cobbled streets towards the café Georg and Liesl led the pack while Maria, Marta and Gretl trailed behind.

Her usual patience with the younger one's constant questions was wearing extremely thin and Kurt's constant demands for food were beginning to take their toll. All the while she was trying to keep her distance from Georg. Right now, she preferred watching him from a distance.

"Mama, can you carry me?" Marta asked sweetly, tugging on the skirt of Maria's dress.

Before she could answer, Gretl butt in, "No, carry me!" with her famous angry pout.

Maria would have usually giggled and said something jolly and kind but today was no usual day.

An argument ensued between her two youngest daughters and Maria felt her control over her emotions slip away. The little girls high pitched voices felt like drills digging into her sleep deprived skull and she could feel the fury welling up inside her. She stopped walking and held her head in her hands, closing her eyes, hoping that by depriving her senses the anger would somehow settle. However, when Gretl's high pitched whining cry pierced through the buzz in her brain, she couldn't control herself.

Grabbing Gretl tightly by the shoulder's she screamed inches from her face, "Gretl, STOP WHINING. You're a big girl now and you can walk by yourself, now leave me be."

Silence.

Eight sets of eyes all on her.

Maria was horrified.

She would have preferred if one of the children had shouted at her for acting monstrously towards Gretl but instead, she was met with pitying looks. If anything, that infuriated her more. With a huff she turned around and head back to the car.

After what felt like ten years, she made it back to the car where Franz was sat reading a newspaper. Slipping into the back seat, she cried. Huge ugly tears, that made her eyes sting and her nose run. Her life was falling apart. She was acting just like her parents; how could she shout at a poor baby. It wasn't Gretl's fault that her mother was evil. It wasn't any of the children's fault that their mother was a traumatised shell of her past self. They would all be better off without me.

For the first time in a long time, she thought about leaving this beautiful family. She refused to let her pain poison their innocent hearts and minds.

Just as she was contemplating running away, she was startled by a knock on the window. She was scared to look. Scared that the furious face of her husband would be staring back at her. She had just screamed at his youngest daughter, probably scarring her for life. She deserved punishment for the way she had treated Gretl.

Georg should have known better than to force Maria out of the house, she was tired, starving, and weak. He would have been surprised if she didn't snap at some point. Not waiting for her to allow him entry, he opened the car door, ordered Franz to leave and slid in next to his wife, leaving a seat between them.

"Maria, darling, I'm taking you home!" he said in a kind voice.

Maria felt dreadful, she didn't deserve his kindness. She was a monster.

"Why are you being so kind to me? Just stop!" she pleaded.

"Darling, you're hurting. You didn't mean to shout at Gretl" Georg explained, hoping that she would believe him.

Suddenly, Maria had a thought, "Where have you left the children?" panic shot through her, he couldn't just leave them in Salzburg on their own.

Georg was pleased to see that despite everything, the children were still her top priority. Her heart was golden.

Reaching for her hand, kicking himself when she pulled away like she been burned, he explained "I left them in the café with a good friend of mine and his wife and children, Franz is going to collect my car so I can take you home and then he will bring the children back to the villa."

Maria burst into tears; she was tearing the whole family apart. What was wrong with her? Her parents were right, she wasn't good enough for anything.

Georg felt helpless, his wife's emotions at this very moment were so complex that he didn't know where to start to console her. He sat for a few moments contemplating his next move before he had an idea.

"Maria, come on! Let's go for a walk around Mirabelle Gardens, the fresh air is bound to help" before Maria could argue, Georg had leapt out of the car and was coming around to open her door.

Feeling as though she had little choice, she got out of the car brushing past her husband before taking three quick strides to put distance between them.

As it turned out the walk did clear her head.

But with this new clearness came a weight of regret lying heavy in her stomach. She had to apologise to Gretl and quickly. My poor, sweet, girl, you don't deserve this.

Maria tried to take in the beautiful tulips and fountains, it was a beautiful spring day. One that didn't match the emotions raging a war inside her, tearing her limb from limb. She remembered in their first week as an engaged couple Georg surprised her with a picnic in this very spot, it was wonderful. Now she could scarcely remember that version of herself.

Every time Georg would have to move closer to her on a narrower part of the path, she would stiffen up and feel a stab of anxiety in her soul. It was too much. She had to get home. She felt like she had a million ants crawling on her skin and her clothes felt tight and restrictive.

Georg was doing his best to support Maria but he couldn't deny how much it hurt him to see her tense at his presence when not so long along they were walking this exact path practically as one person, Maria melted into his chest as he held her safe in his arms, smiles splitting both of their faces. With that picture in his mind's eye, Georg was more determined than ever to get her trust back.

"Georg von Trapp, you old dog!" Georg felt like a bucket of ice had just been poured down his back, now was not the time for old friends to be firing up a conversation with him. Without needing to look, he knew Maria was nervously fiddling with her wedding ring, a habit she had picked up since they were married.

"Miles Chapman! How are you?" he said shaking the man's hand, before turning to his very pregnant wife, "Augusta, I believe congratulations are in order! You're glowing, dear!" Georg said before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm not sure about glowing…sweating maybe. This baby better come soon, or my back may break. I miss being able to see my feet." Augusta joked before turning to Maria.

"Just ignore me Maria, I'm sure it will be your turn soon. Or are you pregnant already, mmm? It has been half a year since you were married" she said unkindly.

Georg was furious. He remembered Maria saying that of all Georg's friend's wives, Augusta Chapman was the only one who made her feel least welcome. Now she was causing her pain for no reason at all.

Trying to think of something to say Maria felt like an idiot when her mouth was opening and closing like a goldfish, but no sound was coming out. She felt the sting of hot tears when she saw the husband and wife sniggering at her. I am an idiot!

Turning around, Maria began to walk back towards the car without saying a word.

Georg had never been angrier in his life. Did this woman have no decency at all. How dare she bait his wife like that. Maria was the most loving woman he knew, and she didn't deserve this.

"Well, somebody is sensitive. I knew you should have stayed with Elsa, Georg, she is so much more dignified! I'm sure she would have given you a little von Trapp by now." Augusta sniggered.

"Oh, piss off, Augusta!" he said, following his wife out of the park, leaving two very shocked aristocrats behind him.

In the car once again, Maria was silent. Not a single thought passed through her head. She was worn out and she wanted to sleep for the rest of the day.

"Maria, darling, I am so sorry" Georg breathless voice entered her thoughts.

"It's fine" she said simply, not a single tear falling from her eyes. Unlike before, she just felt empty.

"No, it's not Maria and I told them so, she was awful to you" Georg defended.

"Thank you" she said. Nothing else.

Understanding that he couldn't make her talk Georg sat next to her, trying once again to take her hand. Unlucky again, he wasn't shocked that she pulled her hand away and looked out of the window.

"Please just take me home." she said with a shaky voice.