Nita

Why had dad just lied to Adam? Why had he said something so appalling? Adam wasn't just never going to ask mum about it. I barely even believe what I heard; I must have heard wrong. My dad couldn't have just said that. Why would he say that? What about mum she had to see Adam everyday. How was mum going react when she found out what dad had just said to her friend? She's going to be mad. Dad must have had a reason for saying what he did. He wouldn't just make it up if he didn't have a reason.

I tried to keep telling myself that there must be a reason for what my dad had said to Adam but every time I thought about it there was never a good enough excuse for what he said.

Mum had finally drifted back off to sleep after Adam had left. She had been sleeping deeply now all evening and all the way though the night. I was now getting ready for school and she showed no signs of waking yet. Dad had stayed up late last night watching over her and had fallen sleep behind her on the sofa his arms wrapped around her waist holding her close. It's so nice to see them like this. Normally mum is sniping at dad but this is what it must be like when they sleep or are in their room together. Grabbing my backpack I kissed both my parents, pulled the blanket to cover their exposed arms and headed to school.

Kirsty

I woke to find I was on the sofa. I could feel Warrens warm body pressed up against mine. I was relaxed. For the first time in ages I was actually relaxed with Warren next to me and even touching me. It was like old times and I let my self believe he had never done all those things to me. He loved me, he was my husband and I was his wife and everything was perfect. We had Nita I had my job and even Warren "illness" didn't stop us being happy and perfect. I snuggle into Warren letting my dream continue. Maybe everything would change now. He would apologise and be sorry and it would never happen again.

Of course I knew better but this moment was everything I'd wished for. I always longed for affection from him. Although I didn't want to admit it, I was always wanting him to tell me he loved me but most of the time I was scared to touch him. Scared how he would reach to my touch and scared if I didn't touch him enough. Either way could end up being punished. I must have drifted back of because the next thing I knew I felt warren's arms tighten around me and him plant a kiss just behind my ear.

"Mornin, how you feeling?" He was the old Warren again, at least for now.

"Better thanks. Do you want a coffee?"

"No, you're resting, I'll get them." I smiled, he cared, he really cared. Warren climbed over me and walked into the kitchen. I popped the telly on as he came back holding two orange juices.

"Sorry I haven't brought a new kettle yet," he looked ashamed. It was the only bit of remorse I'd seen from him since we moved here and my heart nearly broke.

"It's perfect," I smiled and patted the space next to me on the sofa. Maybe thing were going to be better after all.

We spent the morning huddled under the blanket on the sofa watching day time telly mostly loose women. It was pretty awful and defiantly not something I would choose to watch but I was just glad to be laying in my husbands arms his head resting on mine. It was so far from our normal life and I was savouring every second of it. I still wasn't convinced it was real.

Again I fell to sleep and when I woke again I was alone. The house was dark and silent. I was wrapped in a blanket and there was a pillow under my head. Then I thought of the mornings events and they played though my mind. I was unsure if it was a dream or not. I stood carefully noticing how weak I felt and headed towards the kitchen. I was surprised to see Warren had cleared up from tea with the remains drying next to the sink. He never cleaned. I looked up at the clock it was two am. Time for bed, even after sleeping most of the day I was still tiered and couldn't wait to get into bed. I was a little apprehensive at first but then remembered the way Warren had been with me today and crawled carefully under the covers to join him.

Nita

The next couple of days were wonderful. We spent the weekend together as a family. Mum and dad didn't fight once. I got to hear stories from before I was born and when I was little. The whole time we chatted mum and dad were smiling and laughing about the good old times. They were the happiest I'd seen them in a long time.

Before I knew it, it was Sunday evening and the weekend was over. Mum still wasn't well, she had spent most of the weekend drifting in and out of sleep either on the sofa or in bed. Even though it had been a great weekend I was worried. When mum got ill she would pull out her hoodie and joggers and still be up and about in the house doing chores and cooking meals but dad was doing that now. He even went out especially to get chocolate cake for pudding.

This time was different though, she was exhausted and yet all she seemed to be doing was sleeping and I still hadn't had chance to talk to mum or dad about what dad had said to Adam and it kept playing on my mind. It couldn't be true but I had never meet mum's family and she never talked about them but she had confided in me one time telling me that they had disowned her the second they found out she was pregnant with me. She told me how hard it had been on her with her family turning their back on her like that but she wouldn't have changed it for the world because it gave her me and dad and we were her life.

Adam

I'd been thinking of Kirsty most of the weekend. I knew we both had the time off and I couldn't help thinking how she was spending hers. My thoughts also drifted to the events of last week and pacifically what warren had told me. No wonder Kirsty found it difficult to sleep. I did after Harry's death but she was only five when she witnesses her parent's murder. Where as Harry's death was an accident. It was sad to think that Kirsty couldn't share that part of her life with me. My thoughts were interrupted by my pager going off. Seems I wasn't going to get my full weekend to my self after all, probably for the best. I would only spend it thinking of Kirsty and what she was doing.

The ED was crazy. Probably the busiest I've ever seen it. Tess had even tried phoning Kirsty to come in but she hadn't answered. I explained that she really wasn't well and that she probably wouldn't be in for a couple more days. She looked suspicious but went with it anyway.

Nita

I woke to find my mum sitting crossed legged behind me on my bed, her back leaning against the wall.

"Hey sweetheart, sleep well?" she looked tiered and was still pale even for my mum.

"Yer," I sat up and gave her a hug and she smiled, holding on to me tightly.

"I love you darling."

"I love you too mum. How are you feeling?"

"Better, a lot better. We better get moving or we'll be late." I looked at her, she couldn't be serious. That's when I noticed the deep purple bruising on her cheek. I hadn't seen it before because it was on the cheek furthest from me and was covered in make-up.

"What happened?" I asked anxiously, moving my hand up to touch her swollen cheek. She winced away from my tough.

"I just got dizzy last night and caught it on one of the kitchen chairs." I looked at her. She still wasn't at all well, "its nothing, really." She added.

"You not going to work today are you?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be and if I'm not careful I'll be late and so will you." I just looked at her in disbelieve. I knew there was no point in trying to talk her out of it she had her mind made up.

How did Kirsty bruise her cheek? Accident? I think not. How's Kirsty going to explain to Adam? Will he finally get the truth from her?

Thank to anyone who's reviewed.