Revelation

Tom held Mared as she slept. He knew the trial was weighing heavy on her mind. He had to admit he was dreading it. Evans had pleaded guilty. He wouldn't face a trial but Tom was determined to be there for the sentencing hearing. He'd look the man in the eye. For Mared. For Elin and the other victim's families. He kissed her hair as she whimpered softly in her sleep. He knew she was deliberately not telling him what had happened- wanted him and the rest of her family kept away from court when she gave evidence because she believed it would protect them.

"Hush." He held her as she cried in her sleep. "It's ok." He felt her tense for a moment. He guessed she was having a nightmare. He knew she had given her statement to Delyth but he had seen the medical reports. He knew what injuries Evans and Prosser had inflicted on her. Kissing her forehead he prayed she would be able to tell him one day.

"No." Her eyes flew open as she sat up. Her eyes wide as she tried to catch her breath. Tom sat up, stunned when she pushed him away.

"Mared. It's me. It's Tom." He spoke quietly, not wanting to wake the teenager in the next room. Mared gasped.

"Nightmare."

"I guessed." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"You always tell me too." He touched her arm. Mared shrugged his hand off, throwing the duvet off she ran from the room. Tom followed as he heard her wretch as she reached the bathroom. Glancing back up the stairs he was relieved Elin hadn't appeared.

"Hey."

"Sorry." Mared washed her face and began cleaning her teeth as he sat outside the bathroom.

"You don't have to apologise to me." Tom looked up as she emerged from the small room. He stood, looking her in the eye. "But you do have to talk to someone. Me, a counsellor, your Mam."

"Mam? No, she believed him over me then."

"What?" Tom paused. "Who?"

"I shouldn't have said that. I'm tired."

Tom took her hand; leading her into the living room.

"Talk to me. No secrets. We agreed when we got together. Is this about Elin's father? Is that what your mam didn't believe?"

The colour drained from her face. Suddenly Tom realised the woman in front of him had kept more secrets than he had thought possible. A teenage girl had confided to her mother and not been believed. Why would she tell anyone else.

"I was a quiet teenager, believe it or not. Good at school. Loved sport. Like Elin now. God I'd kill him with my bare hands if it were her. I'd believe without question."

Tom took her hand. He stayed quiet.

"There was this party. Nothing special - just too much cider and too many daft teenagers. Anyway, I was staggering home when this car pulled up. He started yelling that my dad would have a fit when he saw me. He bundled me into the car. I was drunk. I admit that. It was three days before my six form exams. Not my finest hour."

"Mared."

"He was right. Dad would have had a fit. He kept telling me that there was no way the police would accept a drunken slut like me." Tom felt his blood boil. "I tried to stop him." She looked him in the eye. "I."

Tom felt sick. She hadn't mentioned her attacker's name once but he knew who she meant. He rubbed imaginary circles on her palm.

"I was too drunk to stop him. I froze. He told me he'd make sure that if anyone found out he would ruin my chances of being a copper and make sure my dad lost everything. He said he knew people. That he could do it. I told Mam- I know she didn't believe me but then he left. He was gone and we carried on as normal. I had Elin. I joined the police - worked bloody hard. Then he comes back- as my boss!" She shook as Tom pulled her into his arms. "He's going to use this in court. He doesn't know Elin is his but he's going to use it."

"None of this is your fault." He held her as she buried her face in his t shirt. He felt the tears soak the cotton. "None of this: absolutely none of this is your fault."

"I was drunk. Underage."

"So? A million teenagers have done the same. I did! He raped you Mared."

"I never said no. My mother reminded me of that."

"Right now I'm not liking Anwen Rhys very much." Tom stated firmly. "You were drunk. Unable to give consent. Does Elin now?"

"No." Elin pulled away. "No, she must never know. Promise me you won't tell her."

"Hadn't she asked?"

"Not really. Growing up everyone said she looks like me. She always treated my dad as hers. He dotes on her. Always has." Mared sighed. "She's never needed to know."

"Mam." Mared turned as the teenager stood in the living room doorway. Tom closed his eyes, knowing he was present at Mared's worst nightmare. He couldn't fix anything. He hated himself for persuading Mared to tell him; knowing the child was in the same house.

"How long have you been there? You should be in bed,"

"I was." Mared nodded as Elin spoke. The teenager but her lip. "You could have told me. I'd have believed you. No matter what Nain said."

"Come here." Mared hugged her daughter. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Mam. Did she? Tom?"

"No." Tom stared at the pair. "No, she's done nothing wrong." He smiled slightly, relieved at the maturity the teenager was showing.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm a sperm donor baby. You're my Mam. That's all that matters. Prosser can fuck right off."

"Elin!"

"Well, right now Id say a lot worse to him." She smiled slightly. "I've got my family. You, me, Tom and grandad and Nan. That's all I need."

Mared hugged her daughter; knowing that now the secret she had carried for nearly seventeen years was out she could begin to heel. There was nothing Prosser could do now that would hurt her or those she loved. Elin stepped back, yawning as she did so.

"Bed."

"Ok." Elin yawned again. "You too. There's nothing to worry about Mam, honest. Just wish you'd told me before I asked about the sperm donor." She kissed her cheek before heading up to bed. Tom wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck.

"She's amazing."

"Of course she is." Tom whispered. "She takes after her Mam."

Xxxxxxx

A/N very dark I know but will get lighter. Please review,