'I really am sorry about my Dad you know. He had absolutely no right to talk to you like that.'

'Olivia, it's okay. He's set in his ways and in his eyes I'm the devil who's manipulated his daughter'

'But you haven't. Why can't he see that?'

'Because he has a narrow mind and can't see beyond the bridge of his nose. Olivia, its okay. I understand why he said it, doesn't mean it's right but I'm not going to hold anything against you'

'But you should'

'Why should I?'

'Because it's my fault he said that. Because I have ignored him'

'Olivia, will you listen to yourself? It is not your fault. You ignored him because you finally had enough of the way he was treating you. I was so proud of you when you did that… your happiness is far more important to me, you have to know that'

'I do, but I still feel like it's my fault'

'I don't blame you. I just didn't like being reminded of what I went through. This is you, you're blaming yourself Olivia and it's not fair'

'I love you, you know that'

'I do believe you have mentioned it to me once or twice. I love you too'

Olivia gave Peter a small smile and rested her head on his shoulder, her hand snaking round Peter's back and pulling him closer. Peter smiled and the two of them lapsed into a comfortable silence. The walk to the park had been filled with silence- a disjointed one. Olivia couldn't help but blame herself for her dads outburst and Peter was trying to fight his first instinct to run away from the whole situation.

But now they were in the park, Peter's mind was only one thing- and that was making Olivia see what she was to him- absolutely everything. He'd been through the worst childhood he could have possibly had at the hands of his stepdad. He's thought his chances of ever feeling loved, safe and secure would be a million to one after he'd built up all the walls around him. He had no other option if he wanted to protect his heart- he had to stop himself from trusting so easily. Peter knew it had been his trusting nature that had made his stepdad do what he did to him- and he had been determined not to succumb to that kind of abuse again.

That's why he had spent years running from anyone who could possibly want to get close to him- it was easier than trying to confront what he had going on inside his own head. Running away and burying his head in a bottle of whisky was how Peter had dealt with all of his problems- it was the safest and only option as far as he was concerned.

Until Olivia.

His chance meeting with Olivia had blown apart his walls and they'd come crashing down. For a split second, Peter had imagined being in a happy relationship and it had seemed so unrealistic for him- it was something he was sure he would never be able to have. Because of his past- all he let it do was interfere with his future. Then Olivia had chased away his demons and Peter was slowly confronting what he had done to him- and he found himself excited at the prospect of a future with Olivia.

'Everything okay?' Olivia's voice interrupted his thoughts.

'What?'

'I asked you what you wanted to write on this lock, but you're away with the fairies. If you aren't up for it anymore, its okay'

'No I am most definitely up for it. Sorry I was just thinking…'

'About what?'

'I never thought I could have this'

'Have what?'

'A relationship with someone'

'Because of him?'

'It broke me… what he did to me. I never thought I could or would have a shot at a remotely normal life. I always thought people would run away if they found out I was… damaged…. In a sense I almost hoped they would, because it would stop me confronting what I had going on inside me. I've always been running… for years I've let the past dictate my future. I've felt so alone and so… so out of step with the rest of the world… but now'

'Now?'

'I've started to accept that what happened to me was disgusting but I can't let it define me. I am confronting my demons and laying my skeletons to rest, but I have never felt stronger. Because I have you, and now I think… well I hope… that we can have a future together. A normal life, which I never thought I would have. That's because of you'

'Oh Peter… you are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You've been fighting this all your life'

'And I've been losing. Running away is the worst feeling in the world, because you feel like your useless at everything Olivia. I can't fully explain my headspace but I feel stronger. Stronger because I have something to fight for.'

'You can't win if you don't fight'

'What?'

'Japanese quote my mum said to me once. It just came back to me. You're fighting and you're winning. Give up the fight and you lose'

'Your mum sounds like an amazing woman Olivia'

'She was, I wish you could have met her'

'She's still with you, she'll always be with you. She'll be a part of everything you do, she's on your heart'

'Just like a tattoo'

'You know that song?'

'Of course I do. Everytime I hear it I think of her, the chorus especially. I realize, nothing's broken, no need to worry 'bout everything I've done, live every second like it was my last one. Don't look back got a new direction, I loved you once, needed protection. You're still a part of everything I do. You're on my heart just like a tattoo' Olivia began to sing the song in a sweet singing voice that gave Peter goosebumps down his spine.

'If I live every moment, won't change any moment. Still a part of me in you, I will never regret you. Still the memory of you marks everything I do' Peter finished the song in a slightly wobbly voice but he knew how powerful the words were, he'd listen to the song so many times.

'I didn't know you knew that song'

'Most people haven't heard of it I know, I heard it when I looked up some words for the eulogy at my mums funeral. Since then I listen to it often. It's about moving on from someone you love but you can't because they are always with you'

'Just like your mum'

'Yes, just like my mum.'

'How about we put that on the lock?'

'What?'

'Tattoo… and put todays date. Almost as if you're involving your mum in some ways, even if she isn't here physically she is in your heart.'

'You are so amazing. Has anyone told you that?'

Peter smiled and drew out the lock, along with the permanent marker. Writing the word tattoo in his neatest penmanship, he etched the date underneath and then looked at Olivia for approval. When Olivia nodded, tears forming in her eyes, Peter unlocked the lock with the key and pressed it into Olivia's hands.

'Now where to put it?'

'How about the railings? They were the first thing I saw after you saved me. And I know my mum would always be sure to find the lock, if it's in such a special place for me. It's as good a place as any I mean'

'I think that's a brilliant idea Olivia'

Stepping forward, Peter locked the lock around the railings at the parks entrance. Together they watched it for a minute and then unanimously they turned their backs and headed off into town, both slightly worn down but safe in the knowledge they were stronger together.

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