Once again huge thanks for all your support in the latest chapters for this story and 'Matty.' I really appreciate all your reviews and PM's. Have a great weekend. Best Wishes Mx

'I'll dry your hair again.' I say as I pull on some jeans and a shirt.

'Matt, there's no need I can do it.' Hannah says as she exits the bathroom after our shower.

'Please, I want to.' I say.

'OK.' She says and goes and sits on the stool at the dressing table. I stand behind her with the drier and smile at her in the mirror as I concentrate.

'What do you fancy eating for dinner tonight?' I ask.

'Anything, you're the fussy one.' Hannah says with a smile. 'Let's see shall we go to an Italian so you can have lasagne.'

'I thought I might try something different.' I mutter.

'Sorry, I shouldn't tease you. Why don't we see what there is around when we're hungry.' Hannah says.

'I was going to ask Mrs Richards to recommend somewhere depending on what you wanted.' I say.

'I'll have a think then.' Hannah says. 'Are we going out after lunch?'

'Yes, I want to send some emails and make a couple of calls. Are you going to phone your mom?' I ask.

'No, not today. Who are you phoning?'

'Dad and Elliot.' I say. She looks in the mirror at me questionably. 'I need to talk to dad about money and I just need to talk to Elliot.' I look down and concentrate on Hannah's hair.

'Are you upset with something?' Hannah asks being as direct as she used to be.

'Christian.' I mutter. 'All dry now.'

'Thanks. Did you ask Christian for the privacy because of what happened with me yesterday?' Hannah asks.

'Yes.'

'It's all my fault.' She says.

'No. He's always been too over protective, he needs to learn to stand back and let me get on with things but it doesn't mean I don't want to talk to him at all.' I say.

'You'll sort it out, worse things have happened between the pair of you.' She says.

'We'll see, I'm going to call dad.' I say. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm going to sit outside here and do some sketching.' Hannah says.

'Enjoy, I'll come and find you when I'm done.' I say and kiss her cheek. I exit the bedroom and bump into Mia.

'How was the swimming lesson?' Mia asks.

'Good, any joy with Christian?' I ask as we walk downstairs.

'No. I've given up now and am going to sit in the sun for a bit.' Mia says.

'OK, I've got some stuff to do so will catch you soon.' I say and head into the study. I sit at the desk and open the top drawer. I take out the power ranger and hold it for comfort before calling dad.

'Hi dad.' I say.

'Hi Matt, are you OK?' dad asks.

'Sort of. I'm missing home but otherwise I'm good. I do love it here.' I say.

'Good.'

'Dad, I need to talk to you about money. Please can I have a proper allowance? I don't want to rely on hand outs from Christian even if I do some work for him. Would it be possible for me to have some.' I ask and hold my breath as I grip the power ranger tightly. I hate asking him for money.

'How much were you thinking?' dad asks.

'I don't know dad. I haven't got a clue. How much does it cost to put fuel in the car each week and maybe take Hannah out for lunch and then I'd have to buy some clothes as well? Do you think I'd manage on a couple of hundred dollars a week? Hang on that sounds a lot. Dad please help me here.' I say and dad laughs.

'Matt I'll arrange to put a thousand dollars a month into your account for now and we'll see how you manage but I think we need to sit down and talk about your money when you return.' Dad says. 'Everything else will be paid for as usual so this money is just for you to go out whilst you're still at school.'

'Dad I don't normally spend any money so this sounds like loads.' I say.

'It will soon disappear but I think you need to realise the value of money and not just spend for the sake of it.' Dad says seriously.

'Like Mia does.' I mutter.

'Exactly. Christian spoils her, she'll never learn.' Dad says. 'Can I help you with anything else?'

'Do I pay Mrs Richards?'

'Yes, there's an account that all the money relating to house and staff expenses comes out of. Again I'll go through it with you when you return.' Dad says.

'How's mom?' I ask.

'Coping with knowing you're a six hour flight away. It will do her good knowing that you're well looked after but not at home or at Christian's. It gets easier each day.' Dad says. 'You needed to do this Matt, it will help you make decisions that you need to make this final year at school.'

'I know. It's getting easier for me too. I can talk to her on the phone now without getting upset. I just needed to know she was OK.' I say.

'I'm collecting her from the hospital later and we're going to the theatre. It's a surprise.' Dad says.

'She'll enjoy it. I'd better go dad I've got some other stuff to do, thanks for everything. See you next week.' I say.

'OK son, no problem. Have fun.' He says as I click off. That was easier than I thought, he's always been so strict about the money he's given me and I was dreading he was going to say no. With the money I already have in my account I have plenty for the rest of this trip and flights to London without having to worry. I put the power ranger back in the drawer, I don't need it for the next call.

'Hi Lells.' I say as Elliot picks up the call.

'Hi little bro, what do you want? You haven't called me that in a long time.' Elliot says with a laugh.

'Lells, Lelliot, Yellalot or Helliot, which do you prefer?' I say.

'Have you just called me to tease me?' Elliot asks.

'No. I just wanted to call you.' I say.

'Missing me already.' He says.

'Yes.'

'I'll see you in a week.' He says. 'Have you spoken to Christian?'

'Yes.' I say.

'Oh you are honoured. He's not picking up his calls from Mia or me.' Elliot says.

'I think I upset him.'

'Great work Matt.'

'I only asked him to give me a bit of space and he cut me off. He was cross that I managed to bribe Mia not to tell him something with a shopping trip.' I say. 'Do you think he's OK? I would have thought he would have answered your calls.'

'Don't change the subject, what were you hiding from him?' Elliot asks.

'Just a trip to hospital earlier than planned. I went last night instead of this morning but I'm OK.' I say.

'I'll try him again and maybe I'll get Kate to call Ana to see if she's spoken to him.' Elliot says.

'Thanks Lells.' I say.

'You're welcome Matty.' Elliot says. I freeze, shit that hurt. Fuck my chest is tight. I can't breathe. Relax. 'Matt, are you still there?'

'Yes.' I manage to say.

'I'm sorry. It just slipped out. I'm sorry.' Elliot says.

'It's OK.' I say.

'You remember.' Elliot says.

'Yes, I remember lots of things now.' I say.

'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be it's fine. Christian said whilst he was here that this house is making me do things subconsciously like remembering things.'

'It brought back a lot of memories for me.' Elliot says.

'Have you been round the house next to mom and dad's?' I ask.

'No, that will be too much.' Elliot says.

'I found it helped. I can relax there.' I say. 'You're welcome to go anytime.'

'Thanks.'

'I started off in the garden, it took a while before I went inside. Let me know how you get on.' I say.

'I haven't said I'll go yet.' Elliot says.

'You will. Probably this weekend.' I say. 'I take it you'll be home on Sunday for the family meal so go with dad and Christian.'

'You'll let Christian go even though he's not talking to you.' Elliot says in surprise.

'He's just sulking, you know what he's like.' I say.

'Yes but he doesn't usually ignore everyone.' Elliot says.

'He does, think of all the times he locks himself in his study at Escala and doesn't communicate with anyone.' I say.

'But Matt, last time no-one could get hold of him his chopper had crashed.' Elliot says.

'Helicopter.' I mutter. 'I'll call him.'

'Thanks.'

'No worries and when you see mom on Sunday please give her a hug from me.' I say.

'I will, call me soon.' Elliot says.

'OK, bye Lells.' I say.

'Bye Matt.' Elliot says before clicking off. I sit staring at the desk for a few minutes before calling Christian. He answers on the first ring.

'Hi Christian.' I say.

'You didn't use your blackberry.' He says.

'So you didn't know it was me.' I say. 'Have you been avoiding calls from all the family?'

'I knew it was the house number. I thought there might be a problem.' He mutters.

'No, the only problem is you. Mia thinks you're avoiding her. Elliot was worried about you because the last time you didn't answer your phone was when Charlie Tango crashed.' I say.

'Oh.'

'Yes oh. Christian just because I asked for a bit of privacy doesn't mean I don't want to talk to you and there's no need to sulk about it.' I say.

'I wasn't.'

'So who have you spoken to since I called you last?' I ask.

'No-one.'

'And who's called you?' I ask.

'Mom, Mia, Elliot, Ana. I have been in meetings.' He says as an excuse.

'It doesn't usually stop you.' I say.

'OK I'm sorry. I have been avoiding calls. I was sulking after you called me earlier. Happy at my admission?' Christian states.

'Yes.' I say with a smile.

'I was pretty mad that you managed to bribe Mia.' He says.

'Please don't take it out on her. What about mom and Elliot?' I ask.

'I knew you would have spoken to mom and she would be trying to smooth things over and that Elliot would be asking why I wasn't answering Mia's call so it was easier just to block everyone.' He says.

'And Ana.' I say.

'We had a bit of an argument about the wedding vows. She doesn't want to obey me.' Christian says.

'Should she have to? I wouldn't expect Hannah to obey me in everything that I said. Christian take a look at mom and dad's marriage, they get along really well and hardly argue about anything and if they do they don't let us see. If dad asks mom to do something then I'm sure she just does it because she loves him and if she's not sure then they will have a discussion and compromise. That's what you do in relationships. You don't have one person telling the other what to do and expecting them to do it so what's the big deal about whether Ana will obey you or not.' I say.

'Since when did you become the wise one little bro?' Christian asks. 'What you say makes sense, I'll tell Ana when I get home.'

'Send her some flowers and apologize.' I say.

'Maybe I should listen to you more.' He says and I smile at his comment.

'I'm always right.' I say arrogantly and then add. 'So you'll give me a bit more privacy.'

'Of course, but no risks.' He says.

'I've promised that already and I'm not going to do anything stupid.' I say and then gulp. Shit he will think getting Hannah pregnant is stupid but I don't need to tell him that. 'Thanks for helping me out the last few days.'

'No problem and it's me that should be thanking you. If I get any more problems I know where to come.' Christian says.

'Anytime, you know I'll always be there for you.' I say.

'Likewise.' He says and then clicks off. I smile to myself, all is well with me and Christian once again.