"Mum what's going on?" Imogen asked, staring at her mother.
Sally's face lit up as if nothing had happened, "Nothing, sweetie. Why would you think that?"
"Erm... because I just saw you shouting at my mother-in-law with no particular reason and I want to know why. I know our situation isn't... ideal, but it's like Mrs Mulgrew said, what's happened has happened! But why take it out on her but smother me with baby books?" Imogen said, taking Connor's hand behind her back for support. Sally hung her head with shame, struggling to come up with an explanation for Imogen. Christine just stood in the kitchen with a slightly amused and slightly shocked.
"I just... you know this isn't what I wanted for you, I just hoped that once you read all those books you would see how much work it is being a single parent, and I'm sure Mrs Mulgrew will agree..."
"Hold on! Who said she would be a single parent? I'm here, and it's my baby too!" Connor said stepping forward.
"I can't believe you mum. Do you even know me at all?" Imogen said, welling up with tears. "You've known about this for over two months now, and you haven't said anything to me!" Imogen said as she ran up the stairs as fast as she could, tears streaking her face. Connor went after her and found her crying in his room, facing away from the door.
"I'm sorry; I can do this, I just..." Imogen snivelled. Connor went over and hugged her, giving her some comfort.
"It's okay. Take as long as you need," Connor said rocking from side to side slightly.
Sally, was stood in the middle of the doorway, considering going up to her daughter, but she realized that she probably wasn't who Imogen wanted to see right now. She grabbed her keys and went swiftly out of the door, slamming it behind her. Christine let out a sigh of relief as she relaxed. Connor appeared in the kitchen after hearing the door slam.
"What's gone on? Where's Mrs Stewart?" he asked. Christine started to tidy away the cups.
"She's left. Apparently she isn't too bothered about waiting to see if Imogen is okay," at the sound of her name, Imogen came up behind Connor.
"You're welcome to stay here Imogen. You've got all the family you need here," Christine continued. Imogen's eyes immediately lighten up at the idea. She wrapped her arms around Christine as well as she could with her baby bump and uttered thanks quickly. Christine smiled at the young girl and hugged her back. "I'll take you and Connor over to get your stuff this evening.
Imogen had been working herself up all afternoon to go and get her stuff from her mother's house. Now the three of them sat in the car outside waiting for her so they could go in. Eventually Imogen and Connor walked up the path towards the house. Taking Imogen's hand, Connor rang the door bell and look to his mother who was standing by the gate. Sally came to the door and folded her arms, preventing them from entering.
"Thanks for dropping her off, but you may go now Connor," she said coolly.
"Actually mum, I'm here to get some stuff, I'll be staying with Mrs Mulgrew for the now," Imogen said confidently as she walked into the house, moving her shocked mother to the side so she could get her stuff. Connor looked uncomfortably at sally for a moment before he went inside to help Imogen. Sally noticed Christine standing at the gate and walked out to meet her.
Connor was looking from Imogen's bedroom window out onto the front path, he saw his mother waiting for them but he also saw Sally walking up the garden path towards his mother. He ran out of the room and down the stairs hoping to stop either of them from doing something that they'll both regret. Just as he got to the front door he saw Imogen's mother reach the gate where his own mother stood.
"This is your fault," Sally snarled at Christine.
"Hardly, you were the one that pushed your daughter away Mrs Stewart, I simply offered her a family when her own wouldn't support her," Christine replied coldly as she looked her son's mother-in-law in the eye.
Connor ran down the garden path to put himself between the two women. Imogen waddled out of the front door with a bag on her shoulder and a suitcase trailing behind her.
"Let's go," she said as Connor took her stuff and put into the boot of the car. Imogen looked to her mother one last time, gave her a small smile then got into the car.