Kirsty

Warren opened the door. He glanced quickly back and forth between me, Adam and his arm holding me steady before taking in my appearance and the presents of Adam.

"Kirsty, are you ok?" he step towards me putting his hand under my chin and lifting my face to the light.

"You look pale. Lets get you inside." He stood back allowing Adam and I into the house but I felt my self slip, my head becoming heavy. I was unable to hold my self up any longer. My legs fell out from underneath me and I leant into Adam for support. My head was spinning, everything blurred but I managed to stumble, with help, over to the sofa. I lay down looking up into Warren's eyes. He was sat next to me with one of his hands resting on my head with his thumb stroking my cheek to anyone this was a loving act from a husband to his wife but not to me. I gave him a small smile never taking my eyes from his then closed them willing sleep to take over. It did almost immediately.

Adam

We had just about made it into the hall before Kirsty lost all her strength and I basically carried her over to the sofa. To me it seemed amazing that she had made it this far but then again I shouldn't be, when Kirsty sets her mind to something it gets done. I was worrying, firstly about her injuries and then about the fact she was completely close of and refused to talk about how she got them but I had brought her home. The place where she so desperately wanted to be and to see how much Warren loved and cared for Kirsty was over whelming.

I wanted to be the one who was there for her but if I couldn't be then I was comforted by the fact she had Warren; He obviously loved her very much and would take good care of her. I always thought something was amiss with Kirsty's home life because she was always tired but just now she had fallen straight to sleep not even looking away from Warren before closing her eyes. I was so unlike last week when I had sat with her whilst she fell asleep. Then she seemed scared to close her eyes and kept opening them to check I was still there. That was the day I first met Warren.

It was only a week ago but I had thought about this meeting a lot. I thought something wasn't right between the pair. I've spent ever spare second trying to work out what was wrong and why she looked to scared and vulnerable sometimes but now sat in her house drinking coffee with her husband and daughter while she sleeps soundly on the sofa in the next room I can see her life is not far from perfect.

Her daughter had arrived home from school about half an hour ago bouncing in telling us all about her day. The three of us sat around the table drinking tea and munching on biscuits telling funny stories about school. Warren told us some great ones about Kirsty it seems she hasn't changed much since then and it was wonderful to hear because it made me feel like I knew her that little bit more. Then my mind wondered back to what Kirsty had said in the car. The whole journey in between here and the hospital had been silent apart from her one request.

"Nita why don't you go up stairs and get started on your homework." Warren instructed Nita. She agreed reluctantly and kissed her mum before heading up the stairs.

Warren then turned to me. All hints of our earlier light hearted conversation gone and in its place was concern.

"What happened? To Kirsty I mean, she was fine this morning before she left for work."

"Well, I'm not initially sure, to tell you the truth." I paused remembering Kirsty's earlier request, "She had a nasty cut on her head which needed stitches. Tess told me to bring her home because she wasn't well enough to make it by her self, which she wasn't. What ever happen she hasn't told anyone and it's got everyone worried."

"But she's ok. She'll be alright. She'll talk to me. She will won't she?" He was seriously worried and I couldn't help thinking how sweet it was. It was good to know she had someone else looking out for her, someone else who cared for her as much as I did and that he would be there for her when I couldn't be he would look after her at home and I would look after her at work.

Warren was staring at me. I was so sure that he could see the love in my eyes. I looked down at my watch.

"Well I better be of. Got a date with the girl friend and don't want to be late." I don't know why I said it, but I was so sure he could see straight though my words into my heart that I just had to cover it with something.

Before either of us could act on what I'd just said we heard whimpering coming from the living room. Warren was up and at Kirsty's side before I even realised the noises where made by her.

He was leaning over her stroking her arm whilst whispering comforting words into her ear when I made it to the door.

"Is she ok?" I asked concernedly. Kirsty was still asleep, but she looked distressed. She was whimpering, saying no repeatedly and her head was moving erratically. Warren was reacting like this was all normal. He didn't look concerned or worried he just comforted her like this happened regularly.

"Yer, it's just a dream."

"That's one hell on a dream,"

"She's had them as long as I've known her; but they've been more frequent recently."

"What are they about?"

He paused looking down at Kirsty as if deciding whether to tell me or not.

"When she was five; she witnessed her parent's murder."

I just looked at them both in shock. What are you meant to say to that?

Then the dream took a turn for the worse. Kirsty started screaming and bolted up-right sweat beading on her forehead. Warren swiftly pulled her into a hug rocking them both back and forth still whispering to her while she cried freely into his chest.

I felt like I was imposing on a private moment between the two of them and looked around nervously. Spying Nita sitting at the top of the stairs I went to join her.

She looked up-set.

"You alright?" I asked taking a seat beside her.

"Yer, just don't like seeing mum like this."

"I'm sorry, does it happen a lot?" I couldn't help but find out more. I wanted to know everything about her, especially after this latest revelation. I wanted to know her every bit of her.

I looked across at Nita she had gone quiet. She looked so much like her mother I could help but feel like I knew her a little too. It made me want to help her she looked so sad. Warren hadn't looked like this about Kirsty's nightmare. Maybe they tried to protect Nita from it so she never saw her mother like this.

"It's ok; you don't have to say anything about it. We can just sit." We could still hear the crying coming from the lounge. The door was open and I could see Warren and Kirsty. Kirsty was shaking and struggling to stop her sobs probably aware that Nita was home. It was breaking my heart. My stomach was tied in knots, I was jealous. I wanted to be the one comforting her and holding her.

"Is my mum going to be ok?" she looked up at me her soft brown eyes mimicking the same expression as worried Kirsty.

"It's just been a rough day for her. After some sleep she'll be a lot better." We sat in silents for about a minuet.

"She doesn't sleep. She thinks I don't know but she gets so cranky, especially towards dad. He's tried to explain but it doesn't make it alright."

Kirsty, cranky, that's defiantly not a word I would have ever described her as. I've never seen Kirsty anything like cranky. She's feisty, bubbly, caring sometimes even a force of nature but never cranky but I didn't want to admit I didn't know Kirsty that well after all.

After that we fell into silents. We sat side by side at the top of the stairs both thinking are separate thoughts.