*I OWN ONLY PLOT*

The meal had gone very smoothly for them. They'd got on OK. Mara was trying to sleep in her father's home, but she needed the loo. She passed a slightly open door and heard her mother whimpering. "You left me! You took my baby! You took yourself! Without you, I almost went crazy!"

Trudy softly whispered "I was scared! You abused me! Why would I leave my baby with a man who abused me?"

The next morning, Mara got up late. Her mother was at the shops. Her father smiled. "Hey, Mara. Want a bacon sandwich?"

"No, thanks. I'd sooner hear what went on between you and Mum. Why was she crying last night? And what was that about you abusing her before she left you, she was sobbing about it last night."

Jasper sighed. "Look, I was young. It was scary. I didn't know what to do when she told me. That was the first time. I didn't see her after that. One letter told me that she'd given birth to a healthy baby girl. How was I supposed to know what to do? Kid, I was raised on violence. Your poor mum knew that. We both knew we were being daft, but it was a spur of the moment. I loved her. I still do. She's a beautiful, kind woman and you have no idea how much I loved her."

"You can't possibly love her! You abused her!"

"I love her and you know that! I don't mean to hurt that poor woman."

"She's not safe with you and nor am I!" Mara ran upstairs.

"Mara, baby girl, let me explain! Please!"

Mara climbed onto the bars of her balcony. "One step closer and I'll jump!"

"No, Mara, please!" Tears streamed down his face. "Think of your mum! She loves you more than life itself! How would she react to seeing you dead?!"

He tried to get closer and Mara slipped. A loud scream that she recognised as her mother's echoed. The last thing Mara heard before she passed out. She was vaguely aware of Jasper catching her. "Mara!" Her mum screamed.

Coming up...

"She's in the surgery."

"Oh, God, how serious is it?"

"Your daughter's..."

Hope this wasn't terrible. I misposted! Then I mucked it up and had to rewrite it all... and got distracted... Oh, God :( Sorry... Let me know what you think, please, please, please? Black Cat, OUT! :D