"I have to say,"

Charlie began, splaying his hands out across his stomach and leaning back in the arm chair.

"I didn't realise you were such a dab hand in the kitchen."

He was full of good food and half a glass of red wine, his cheeks were warm and rosy and his legs were outstretched, and crossed at the ankles. He looked for all intents and purposes, like the grandfather happily stretched out after Sunday dinner.

Connie smiled over at him from where she sat by Rita on one of the sofa's, with Grace by her other side, tucked into the curve of her body, a book in hand.

"So!"

He cleared his throat and looked across at Rita's parents when the room remained silent.

"Did you have to travel far?"

He asked, interlinking his fingers across his stomach.

Rita's father shifted in his seat and rubbed his fingers across his forehead. He seemed more comfortable with Charlie here, as though the presence of another man his age made him feel more at ease.

"Not far, we live just on the outskirts of London-"

"Which reminds me!"

Rita's mother cut in, holding her near empty glass between both hands.

"I was going to mention...before..."

She paused and glanced across at Connie.

"I thought perhaps you might like to visit...both of you I mean. This weekend perhaps?"

She paused and looked at Grace who was absently chewing on her lip, engrossed in the story that she was reading.

"Once Grace's Grandmother has collected her?"

Alice added, lowering her voice.

"Oh I don't know..."

Rita turned to Connie. She widened her eyes slightly, wishing she could see past the veneer that Connie had laced perfectly across her face. But Connie merely gave a gentle purse of her lips and directed her attention solely onto Alice.

"That sounds lovely. Perhaps we could be in touch to arrange when once I have spoken to Audrey about picking Grace up?"

Connie spoke slowly and deliberately, as if she were speaking to a patient, and she smiled slightly and squeezed Rita's fingers. She would not unravel again. Whilst she sat making plans for the weekend she was making a promise to herself. She would maintain a hold on the situation, and more importantly herself. She had to keep calm if she were to fight a winning battle with Sam...

She shifted in her seat, realising she was losing focus. Alice was looking at Rita with a look of uncertain worry behind her eyes, and if she were being honest with herself, she could well understand why – what did she have to offer? Besides a home, and financial stability? She couldn't offer Rita a child...they would never be able to conceive naturally. And could she even imagine herself becoming a mother again, when she had already made such a mess of her first attempt?!

"Connie?"

Charlie's voice roused her and she drew in a slow breath through her nose and blinked to regain focus.

"One for the road perhaps?"

He asked, raising his glass with a smile.

-.-

I will update again later this evening with an update revolving around Connie and Rita's chat re: having children, and their future together.

Let me know if there is anything you'd like to include! xxx