Netball

Tom drove towards the school, knowing that Mared wouldn't say another word once her teenager daughter had joined them. Elin knew as much as Mared wanted her to know. He had to respect that but he knew Elin was as smart as her mother. There wasn't much the teenager missed. He wondered how much she had worked out for herself. He glared as the rain battered the small car.

"I'm sure it never used to rain this much."

"Tom."

"Well, it never seemed to." He grumbled as they drove towards the high school. Mared smiled slightly. Tom Mathias did not do small talk. It just wasn't in his nature. "Elin will be ok with me picking her up?"

"Definitely. She loves you."

"Eh?"

"She thinks the world of you." Mared smiled as Tom raised an eyebrow. "She does."

He smiled slightly, knowing the feeling was mutual. The teenage girl was Mared's only child but she was just as feisty and self sufficient as her. He had known Elin's total faith that he would find Mared when she was missing had kept him going. He had let one child down - there was no way he was going to let down another. He glanced at Mared as they pulled into the school car park just as the sports teams began to leave.

Xxxxxxxx

"I don't like this." Siân looked up as Lloyd and Delyth sat down. The detectives had been dating for less than a month but Siân still hadn't given up teasing the younger officers.

"Eh?"

"Evans pleaded guilty. So no trial." Delyth picked up her glass. "Prosser."

"Is a Tosser." Siân finished as Delyth smirked.

"No argument there." She smirked as the waiter brought their food. "When's Carl arriving?"

"Carl?" Lloyd looked around the diner.

"He's not coming. I dumped him."

"Another one?" Lloyd scoffed. Siân shot him a death glare. "Anyway."

"Prosser has entered a not guilty plea. He's going to trial." Siân paused. "He wants us all to face him in court. He's as guilty as Hell. There's even forensics to prove it."

"He didn't push Tom's car into that ditch."

"Del, he paid someone to do it. He wants us to face him in court. It's all about control. He wants Mared to suffer." Siân swallowed more coffee. "He's sick."

"So what do we do?" Lloyd asked, bewildered by the idea his former boss was still trying to call the shots. Siân and Delyth fell silent; neither of them quite sure what their next move could be.

Xxxx

"Mam." Elin ran towards Mared as she stood next to Tom's car. The rain had eased slightly, enough for Mared not to get soaked as she ushered the seventeen year old into the car. "What's Tom doing here?"

"Giving you a lift home." Mared stated. "Don't be rude."

"I'm not. Hello Tom. Sae mae?"

"Alright?"

She nodded as she clambered into the back seat before arguing with the seatbelt. Mared rolled her eyes.

"So? Is everything ok? Mamgu a Tadgu?"

"Are still away. I spoke to them earlier. They're going to be another few weeks. Dad wants to check the local nursing homes and Mam wants to bring auntie Susan home so there's a bit of negotiating to do yet." Mared explained.

"But they're OK?"

"Yes." Mared smiled. Tom drove away.

"So was I interrupting something earlier and why have you been crying?" Elin watched as Mared turned in her seat.

"Who says I've been crying?"

"You didn't deny it." Elin raised an eyebrow. Tom smirked; the teenager was perceptive and quick. Her mother's daughter in more ways than one.

"Elin, you ever considered joining the police?" Tom asked as Mared shot him a death glare.

"No." Mared snapped. "Have you?"

"Well.."

"Elin Rhys!"

"For about five minutes. I want to do Law at uni. So, better start saving eh Mam." She laughed as Mared swore.

"You better get a job."

"Funny you should say that." Elin paused. "I've got one. Starts Saturday. Brokers Solicitors in town."

Mared sighed. Tom knew she wanted Elin to concentrate on her school work. The thought of anything distracting her worried Mared. He had to admire the way both Rhys women looked out for each other.

"So why were you crying?"

"I spilt milk."

"Oh funny."

"Pizza?" Tom smirked; glad that the idea of food seemed to stop the teenager's interrogation. Mared smiled slightly; grateful for the distraction. He glanced in the rear view mirror as he drove towards the local pizza shop. The Volvo behind him was beginning to concern him. His natural paranoia beginning to kick in. Something was wrong but he had no idea what. Narrowing his eyes he fell silent as Mared and Elin chatted about the netball match. He just hoped he could keep them both safe.

Xxxxx