The next day was a quiet one for Kate, Steve and Josh. They were resting at Steve's place on both the doctor's and the gaffer's orders. As well as summoning police help the previous day, Ted had also called for medical assistance and an ambulance had shown up as Mark was being escorted out of the building. Kate and Steve were soon together in the back of the ambulance on the way to hospital again, with Josh keeping them company.
Kate had sustained a concussion in the fight with Mark whilst Steve had suffered a bruised coccyx and an undisplaced broken nose. Josh was also checked over. He hadn't sustained a physical injury but was still traumatised from the whole episode. Both Steve and Kate had been discharged that night from the hospital. Josh was very clingy, getting very anxious if he couldn't see Kate in particular so the threesome had spent the night in the same bed. Not much sleep has been had at all.
Kate's solicitor had arrived for a house call after Kate had informed her of Mark's actions the previous day. She was currently with Kate in the kitchen whilst Steve was hanging out with Josh. Steve was lying on the sofa as sitting was too painful at present. Josh was sprawled out on top of him watching the television, although he wasn't really interested in it.
"We better go see who that is," Steve said to the little boy as he gave him a little tap on the bottom, once the doorbell had sounded.
Josh got off Steve whilst Steve carefully rolled off the sofa and stood up. "Come 'ere, mate," Steve said, picking up Josh and walking to the door with Josh on his hip, rather than leaving him alone in the living room.
"Hi, sir," Steve said as he saw the gaffer had come for a visit.
"Just coming to see how everyone is today," Ted explained as he took in Steve's swollen bruised nose with a few cuts to his face. He saw Josh's worried looking face close to Steve's and reached out to offer a comforting touch but Josh just buried his head in to Steve's neck.
"We're still a little upset about yesterday," Steve informed the gaffer at Josh's actions. Ted nodded in understanding. "Come in," he continued as he stood back to allow his boss to enter his apartment.
Steve led the way in to the living room. There were still breakfast bowls lying around and half full mugs of drink. "We're having a bit of a lazy day today," Steve admitted, a little embarrassed at the mess. "I'd offer you a drink but Kate is with her solicitor in the kitchen,".
"Not to worry," Ted said as he took a seat in an armchair. Steve followed suit, putting Josh down before slowly lowering himself on to the sofa, wincing in pain as his backside took his weight. It wasn't helped by Josh quickly burrowing in to Steve's side.
"What's up mate?" Steve asked the little boy, trying not to yelp in pain.
"Has he come to 'rest me?" Josh asked worriedly.
Steve looked bemused at the gaffer briefly before replying. "Why would the gaffer want to arrest you?".
"Because I pee'd on the floor. I made a mess," Josh answered, still very ashamed at what had happened.
"Don't go worrying yourself about that," Ted answered, before Steve could say anything. "It was all cleared up two minutes after you'd left. No damage done,".
"Hear that, Josh?" Steve asked. "You're not in any trouble for that. The gaffer and your mum have both said so,". Josh looked like he still didn't believe Steve. "It happens, mate. I remember I wet myself when I was a bit older than you,".
"Really?" Josh asked, relieved that he wasn't the only big boy who had embarrassed himself.
"Yeah," Steve replied as he put his arm around Josh. "Just started school and didn't make it to the toilet in time,".
Ted looked at the pair interacting. He was surprised at how paternal his officer could be. Steve had never before shown such a trait but Ted was pleased he was trying. The little boy certainly needed a father figure in his life after what had transpired yesterday.
Watching them together, Josh obviously trusted Steve despite only knowing him a short amount of time. However it did give credence to what had been alleged the previous day by Mark. The reason that Ted was here.
The sound of women's voices got louder as Kate and her solicitor left the kitchen and headed towards the front door. Their meeting was obviously over.
"I'll be in touch," the men heard the lawyer say before the sound of the front door closing.
"It's very quiet in here," Kate said as she entered the room. "I hope everyone is behaving themselves," she continued before catching sight of her boss. "Oh!" she exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry sir. I didn't realise you were here,".
"Just come to see how you all are," Ted said as Kate took a seat beside Steve. Josh quickly left Steve's side and hopped on to his mother's lap for a cuddle which Kate readily provided.
Ted got a good look at Kate. She was very pale today and without makeup on, the bruising on her face and neck was very obvious.
"I'll get us all a drink," suggested Steve as he carefully got off the sofa again. Kate and Ted gave their order quickly. "Josh would you like a juice?". From Kate's lap Josh just nodded.
"Sorry for the mess," Kate apologised to her boss once they were alone and she had realised the state of the room.
"It's ok, Kate," Ted replied, "Steve's already told me you're having a lazy day and from looking at the pair of you I can see why. How are you?".
"Ok," Kate said. "The concussion is a bit better today. Just a headache which is improving after some painkillers,".
"That's good," Ted acknowledged. "And your meeting went well I hope,".
"Yes," Kate replied simply. She wasn't going to say anything else with Josh listening in. He didn't need to know that his dad was probably now looking at a custodial sentence on top of community service. It wasn't looking good for Mark at all.
Steve appeared with a tray of drinks and the three colleagues chatted about superficial topics as they drank. The lack of sleep soon caught up with Josh and soon he was fast asleep across both Steve and Kate's laps giving Ted the opportunity to talk about the main reason for his visit.
"This isn't just a social call," he admitted.
"I didn't think so," Steve replied.
"Mark alleged something yesterday," Ted said to his officers. He was stalling as it was a delicate question he had to ask them and he needed to phrase it in a non-judgemental way. "He seemed to suggest there was something more than... friendship between the pair of you. As your supervisor I suppose I need to know if he was correct in his assumption,".
Kate and Steve looked at each other knowingly. They knew exactly what Ted was referring to. Maybe it was time to come clean. It looked like finally their secret was about to become public.