"That's my mummy's handwriting." Grace commented as she saw the envelope once the family had fonished brunch and Max had excused himself to the toilet.

"Yeah darling, about that. I don't know what it says but I can guess the gist." Zoe told her as she took the envelope and walked through to the living room with Grace following.

"She's left me hasn't she?" Grace asked sadly.

"Read the letter sweetie." Max commented as he realised what had happened while he had been in the bathroom.

Dear Gracie,

I'm sorry sweetie but I had to do this, remember I told you about the car crash? Well mummy's still sad about it and so I need to go away for a little bit to make myself happy again. Zoe and Max have agreed to look after you as you seemed to be happy with them, I will be back soon and remember that I love you lots.
Love mum xxxx

"Will she be back for Christmas?" Grace asked suddenly, not showing any emotion as she did.

"I don't think so sweetie, it's only a couple of weeks away but you can spend Christmas here, I'm sure Santa will know where you are."

"Are you sure?" Grace asked worriedly.

"Yes, so what do you think of staying here for a bit?" Zoe asked, not sure what they'd all do if she refused to stay.

"Will Max be staying too?"

"Erm, I think Max and I will have to have a conversation about that but we can go and get your stuff from your mums and you can say goodbye and then we can look at getting you started into a school for after Christmas." Zoe explained, knowing that Max and her would have to sit down and have a serious conversation about their relationship.

"Okay, do you have any paper and pens?" Grace asked, a smile crossing her face.

"Why?" Zoe asked, standing up and looking from the various objects she had left from when Sharice had lived with her.

"I want to make mummy a Christmas card before we pick my stuff up." She explained as Zoe handed her what she'd asked for.

"That's a lovely idea, how about you go and make that up in your room while I talk to Max about what we're going to do."

"Okay, then can we go and talk to mum though?" Grace asked quietly.

"I'll text her and see if she's in."

"Was she okay with what Connie had to say then?" Max asked as he collapsed onto the sofa beside Zoe.

"Yeah, she wants to know if you're going to be staying too?" Zoe spoke, not looking at him as she spoke.

"Well do you want me to stay?" Max asked, moving so that Zoe had little choice but too look at him.

"I don't know, this has gotten seriously quickly."

"I love you Zo and we haven't got on each other's nerves yet." Max pointed out.

"I suppose, but it's been a few days."

"If it's okay with you then how about I stay while Grace is here and then we review the whole living together situation when she's gone?"

"I can agree to that." Zoe decided after a couple of moments thinking. "I need to text Connie but we can pick up your stuff after we've picked up Grace's if you want?"

"Sounds great." Max replied before kissing him.

"That's disgusting!" Grace shrieked as she walked in the door causing the couple to break apart straight away. "I've finished my card, can we go see mummy now?" She asked as she waved the card around.

"Yep and guess what, Max is moving in too." Zoe told the pleased little girl.

Connie looked around slowly at the state she'd let her house get into, it was a reflection of how she felt internally. With Grace coming home to pick her stuff up and Zoe and Max coming with her, she felt as if she was being judged by the entire outside world. This was why she had to get away, and tonight, before she did something stupid.