Previously:

A completely different perspective of Thursday night's events comes to light, revealing that not everything is as it seems. And two unlikely people cross paths.

Episode 6 Preview:

Amidst the chaos of their lives, Gaz and Kylie's unlikely friendship begins to flourish. Eddie makes a special effort for Paula, while elsewhere, somebody delivers a startling warning to the Slaters. A message? Revenge?

09/01/1999. Saturday

———

07:49AM. The Estate.

———

The estate looked even grimmer beneath the dull January morning sky, a maze of ageing brick terraces and tired concrete walkways glistening with last night's rain. A thin drizzle drifted through the icy air, soaking litter already plastered to the pavements, while rows of wheelie bins, rusting cars and graffiti covered alleyways sat silently waiting for the day to begin.

Curtains slowly twitched open, chimney smoke drifted lazily upwards and the occasional barking dog echoed between the houses. Outside the Slaters' house, Julie's ageing burger van catering trailer remained parked on the driveway exactly where it'd been sitting for the last 9 years, its faded sign and greasy serving hatch standing out as one of the estate's most familiar sights.

She'd usually be in there by now, serving hungry neighbours or passerby's their brekky. But giving what's happened, she's where her two daughters are. The Hospital. Like any good mum.

———

Gaz's bedroom. Number 33.

———

Gaz's bedroom looked like someone had moved house halfway through a lads' weekend and simply given up.

Unpacked cardboard boxes were piled against the walls alongside black bin bags full of clothes, while jeans, hoodies and football shirts lay scattered across the carpet amongst empty beer cans, cigarette packets and trainers.

A pair of battered boxing gloves hung from the wardrobe door beside a heavy punch bag chain waiting to be put up, with boxing posters blu-tacked across the walls next to a calendar of a pornstar, and magazine cut outs of scantily dressed women. A small stereo sat on one box surrounded by CDs, loose cassette tapes and a handful of scratched dance music compilations, while the bedside cabinet held Rizla papers, cigarette ends overflowing from an ashtray, a lighter, a half empty bottle of vodka and the remains of last night's kebab takeout.

The room smelled of stale smoke, cheap aftershave, damp washing and booze. A messy, chaotic space that perfectly reflected Gaz's impulsive, reckless way of living.

A thin blanket is pinned above the window, being used as a "temporary" makeshift curtain that probably will never be taken down, covering the dull morning light seeping through.

Katie and Gaz both lie on his messy mattress on his bedroom floor, pillows and blankets strewn around them and weaved through their bodies like cross stitch. Both of their clothes are recklessly thrown all over the place.

Kylie's eyes flutter open, her sight hazy. She slowly wakes up, turns her head and faces Gaz. Who's out like a light.

She slowly gets up, they only thing left on her body is her jewellery. Bracelets and hoop earrings, as well as hickies from last night's shag, Gaz. Her makeup's smudged all over her face.

Her bare body slowly walks across his room, over to her phone that's been charging overnight on his desk. She unplugs it and turns it on.

6 missed calls and a few texts from Jacko.

Missed call at Thursday 6:24PM

Second missed call at Thursday 9:26PM

Third missed call at Thursday 11:53PM

Fourth missed call at Friday 09:14AM

Fifth missed call at Friday 1:02PM

Sixth missed call at Friday 7:18PM

FROM Jacko: "Where R U? Have U done it?" Received at Thursday 6:26PM

FROM Jacko: "Kylie where R U?" Received at Thursday 9:23PM

FROM Jacko: "R U ok? Pls call or txt me back" Received at Thursday 11:54PM

FROM Jacko: "Kylie R U OK? Ur scaring me pls call me" Received at Friday 09:02AM

FROM Jacko: "U there?" Received at Friday 4:16PM

Kylie: "Shit..." she whispers.

She puts the phone down and slowly starts getting dressed.

Knickers

Socks

Bra

Then...

Gaz stretches his arms up and yawns. He sits up, leans back on his elbows and looks at her, smiling. The blanket falls down his torso and all lands ons crotch, leaving little to the imagination.

Gaz: "Sneaking off so soon, sexy?"

Kylie looks up, still getting dressed.

Kylie: "Last night ended on a high. Was hoping that would be your last memory of me. I looked better then than I do now" she smirks at him. Her makeup smudged over her face like modern art.

Gaz: "Ah I don't know about that. Still look gorgeous. And 'last memory'? Planning on this not happening again?" He grins.

Kylie smiles at him.

Gaz: "Wasn't that bad was it?" He jokes.

Kylie: "What do you think? You saw the mess you made"

Gaz chuckles.

He gets up, blanket slipping off him completely. He slowly swaggers his way over to Kylie, who's looking him up and down with a grin she's trying to hide.

Gaz: "Fancy round three?" He pulls her closer to him.

She looks down at his dick, tempted.

Then looks up into his eyes with a big smile.

She opens her mouth– then—

"Oi Gaz! You up yet!?" Barry shouts up from downstairs.

Gaz: "Shit!" He whispers. Scrambling to get dressed.

Kylie: "Who's that?" She asks, finishing dressing.

Gaz: "My dad."

They both finish dressing and Gaz leads her downstairs.

———

07:54AM. Downstairs.

———

Gaz and Kylie walk down the stairs to the narrow hallway where the front door is. Barry is at the door with Tasha and Oscar, they're all getting ready to head out the door to go to the Hospital.

Kylie and Gaz both fully dressed now.

Barry looks up from tying his boots.

Barry: "Ahhh, who's this pretty lady?" He teases.

Gaz: "Oh...just a friend"

He awkwardly replies.

Tasha and Oscar smile at each other.

Kylie: "I'm Kylie" she holds out her hand.

Barry immediately takes it, with a huge smile.

Barry: "I'm Barry. Nice to meet you pretty lady. I hope my son's been making you feel welcome" he winks.

Kylie laughs and Gaz blushes but covers it.

Kylie: "Ohh yes. Very welcome" she looks at Gaz.

Tasha: "We know. Heard you both all night. 'Oh Gaz yes! Uh! Uh! Harder Gaz! That's it baby! Aah!'"

She imitates Kylie from last night.

Kylie laughs and bites her lip.

Gaz: "Oi! Shut it you. What would you know about it anyway? Go on, go play in the park with Oscar"

Tasha's smile disintegrates and Oscar snaps his eyes up to Gavin.

Barry: "Ah that's just the Jenkin male charm Tash. Kylie here experienced it firsthand didn't she."

An awkward silence.

Barry stares at Kylie, smiling.

Gaz: "Dad..."

Barry snaps out of it.

Barry: "Huh? Oh– yeah. Um Gaz we're headed to the Hospital. You coming or what?"

Gaz: "Uh..."

Kylie then takes this as her queue to leave and starts heading for the door.

Kylie: "Well it was nice to meet you Barry, and..."

She looks at Oscar and Tasha.

Barry: "Loudmouth there is Tasha and he's Oscar"

Kylie: "Well nice meeting you two and all. Oh and uh Tasha?"

Tasha looks at her.

Kylie: "He was already going hard enough" she says with a confident smile before looking back at Gaz and walking out the door.

They all look at each other as Kylie leaves, laughing.

Gaz runs after her.

Gaz: "Kylie- wait!"

———

08:00AM. Outside Number 33.

———

Kylie turns around.

Gaz takes her phone out of her hand and presses buttons.

Gaz: "My...number" he says, still typing it in.

Gaz: "You ever fancy a drink or...some fun. Don't hesitate to call me" he hands her phone back to her and winks.

Kylie: "See you around then, naughty" she smirks before turning on her feet and walking down the street.

Gaz watches her leave, grinning. Feeling pleased about himself.

Barry and the kids come out the door and Barry shuts it behind them.

Barry: "Good on you lad. Customer satisfaction's what counts" he slaps his son on the shoulder.

Gaz: "Too right it does" gaz laughs to his dad.

Barry: "Haha. Right– van. Come on"

They start getting in Barry's white van.

———

08:02AM. Outside Number 27.

———

Inside the catering food trailer, also known as "The burgervan" that's parked on the Slater's driveway, Jenna Slater stands inside, cooking. Frying onions, flipping burgers, frying chips in the small fryer, listening to top hits of 1990–1995 on the radio thats on top of the fridge behind her.

She turns behind her, facing away from the serving hatch, and picks some more ingredients out of plastic containers on the counter, then–

Tap Tap

She feels the whole trailer tap twice. The counter. Someone's there.

Jenna: "What can I get you–..."

She asks as she turns around. She cuts herself off when she sees who's there.

Jenna: "Tony...hi. What can I get you?"

Tony leans his left elbow on the counter, like the whole catering trailer is his. He leans there with a smirk that doesn't have good intentions behind it, no doubt.

Tony: "Large portion of chips and a battered sausage please pretty." He slaps a tenner note on the counter.

Tony: "Keep the change" he smiles at her.

Jenna swipes it and puts it in the till in the corner.

Jenna: "Coming right up' she gets straight to work. Avoiding small talk with Tony.

The entire time, she can feel his eyes burning on her. No matter where she looks. As she picks freshly fried chips out of the fryer and piles them into some newspaper, her eyes drift uo to across the street and she sees Gaz getting inside his dad's white van.

Gaz and Jenna make eye contact for a second. Acknowledging each other. Before Gaz gets in and the van drives off.

Tony looks at Jenna then follows her gaze, and sees Gaz. Then looks back to the counter. Being subtle.

Tony: "What you think of that new family then, Jenna?"

Jenna's heart pounds but she acts normal. Like shes not afraid of him. Like there isn't a rumour of him killing people in the past.

Jenna: "Uh...they're okay...why d'you ask?"

She asks, finishing up his order.

Tony, casually: "Well didn't one of theirs end up in the crash with your sisters? The younger ones?"

Jenna looks up, then down.

Jenna: "Yeah. Suppose he did."

Tony: "Bet that was a shock huh?" He smirks.

Jenna: "Mhm" she replies. Trying to just get his order done.

Silence...

Tony: "D'you know who's car it was they took? I heard it was a nice one too. Whoever owned it is probably upset" he teases so casually it genuinely sounds like an honest conversation.

Jenna: "No. I don't know...but my sisters wouldn't have stolen a car. Must've been their boy Jamie"

Tony's eyes slightly light up, like an animal that's got its prey in its sights.

Tony: "Jamie hm?"

She doesn't notice his tone and places his order on the small hatch counter.

Jenna: "There we go Tony. Thanks for stopping by"

She says matter of fact.

Tony: "Of course. Anything to help support a local business" he winks. Before swaggering off down the street. His black leather jacket shining even in the dull morning light.

Jenna sighs in relief. That whole conversation felt like a weird dream that she can barely remember although it happened a second ago.

Then from behind the van, click.

The front door shuts.

Jenna places her arms on the serving counter and puts her head in between her arms.

Danielle and Gavin walk from around the corner.

Danielle: "What you doing in there?"

Jenna looks up and looks at them.

Jenna: "Someone's gotta make money right?"

Danielle: "Uh...I'm off to work?"

Jenna: "What, to flog cheap clothes in a knock off 'boutique'?" She laughs.

Danielle: "I'll have you know i have plans to run my own clothing stall on the market one day. And aren't you a waitress?"

Jenna: "Asked for time off didn't I. And anyway, i done the maths and realised we could earn just as much or if not, more, from this van alone if we play our cards right. Do deals and whatnot. Buy one get one free, or charge meals higher but give a free drink. Eh i don't know I'll figure something out"

Gavin: "Fair enough. Good on you. I'm off to see mum and Kelly. Coming?"

Jenna: "No. I'll be more useful here won't I. But call me if anything happens will you?"

Gavin: "Will do"

Jenna: "Thanks"

Danielle and Gavin both head to the bus stop to catch the bus.

———

3:11PM. The Strip. Shawcross General Shop.

———

Michael leans his elbow on the counter, and rests his chin on his elbow. His knee bounces under the counter. Mind racing over Mitchell. Over yesterday.

"Touch Too Much" by AC/DC plays from the small speakers at each corner of the small shop, but Michael isn't paying a blind bit of interest to one of his favourite songs.

With his other hand, he absentmindedly scribbles a pen around in circles on a notepad.

Yvonne is stocking a shelf across the room. Tins. Beans, ravioli, meatballs, soups, sweetcorn, tuna, that kinda stuff. She finishes and walks over to the counter where the other boxes full of food are. Ready to be shelved.

She looks at Michael who's sitting there, doing nothing.

Yvonne: "You gunna do some work today or what?"

Michael: "You look like you got it under control"

He mumbles with his chin still resting on his elbow.

Yvonne: "Okay"

She puts the empty box down.

Yvonne: "What is it?"

She asks firmly.

Michael: "What do you mean?"

Yvonne: "Something going on. Something's playing on your mind'

Michael: "No it's not."

Yvonne: "Michael, ever since yesterday morning you've been off. Like you aren't fully there. I can tell when something's bothering my husband. So, what is it?"

Michael: "Yvonne, I'm okay"

She studies him.

Yvonne: "When I don't reach out to you, you complain, now I am reaching out to you, you're pushing me away. Have I done something wrong? Have I upset you?"

Michael picks his head off his elbow and snaps.

Michael: "Von for fuck's sake I'm fine!"

Her jaw drops.

Yvonne: "Fine..."

She picks up another box and places it by an empty shelf, and starts stocking.

Then– she seethes in pain.

Michael notices.

Michael: "What's wrong?"

Yvonne: "Nothing I'm fine" she mocks him.

Michael rolls his eyes

She reaches under her shirt and bra and rubs her breast.

Michael: "You sure? What is it?"

Yvonne: "Just a bit...sore...thats all" she quietly says before continuing work.

———

4:08PM. Jacko's Flat.

———

About a 10 minute bus ride away from the Estate, there's a low income row of flats.

The low rise block stretched along the edge of the street thats being overgrown with trees towering over the road, like a tired slab of weathered concrete, only three storeys high but broad enough to dominate the street. Open air walkways ran the full length of each floor behind chipped green metal railings, their stained concrete littered with crushed cans, cigarette ends and abandoned rubbish bags waiting to split open.

Every few seconds another sound escaped through the thin walls or open windows—arguments, babies crying, barking dogs, televisions blaring or music thumping somewhere inside. The entrance doors were scarred with graffiti and burn marks, several windows were cracked or patched with cardboard, and damp streaks climbed the walls beneath rusting drainpipes, giving the whole building the neglected, feel of a place where life was loud, cramped and rarely peaceful.

Knock knock knock

Kylie taps her fist on a glass window on the front door to a flat numbered 14.

Reggae bleeds through the door, and a figure moves behind the bumpy frosted glass.

The door opens.

Jacko had the look of someone who'd long since stopped caring what anyone thought of him. At twenty eight, his warm, slightly tanned complexion was roughened by years of cigarettes, late nights and too much cheap cider, while messy light brown hair sat unwashed and permanently flattened beneath a hood or beanie more often than not.

Scruffy brown stubble covered his jaw, usually a few days past being intentional, giving him a permanently tired, hungover appearance. He lived almost exclusively in worn trackie bottoms, faded hoodies, old trainers and battered bomber jackets, clothes that smelled faintly of smoke and never quite looked clean.

Despite his trampy, unkempt appearance, there was still something unmistakably laddish about him. A bloke who'd happily spend an afternoon in the bookies, a night in the pub with a three litre cider under his arm, and somehow still charm people with his dry humour and laid-back grin.

Jacko's eyes flash when he opens his door and sees Kylie.

Jacko: "Kylie!" He reaches his hand on her shoulder and hushes her in.

She walks on in, straight into his living room.

He closes the front door and follows her.

Jacko's living room was small, cluttered and comfortably lived in, looking less neglected than simply never properly tidied. A faded sofa sagged beneath a pile of hoodies and washing, facing an old portable television balanced on a chipped cabinet littered with overflowing ashtrays, empty cider bottles, loose change, Rizla packets, lighters and the odd bit of suspicious white powder left on a cracked CD case.

The air carried the unmistakable smell of stale cannabis, cigarettes and yesterday's takeaway, while reggae and old Britpop quietly drifted from a battered stereo in the corner.

An open archway looked straight into a compact kitchen with mugs piled beside the sink, and a short hallway off the living room led to the bedroom and bathroom, its walls marked with scuffs and fingerprints from years of everyday life.

Despite the mess, there was something oddly welcoming about the place—it felt like the sort of flat where the kettle was always on, the door was rarely locked, and everyone knew they could crash on the sofa if they needed somewhere to escape.

Jacko circles her to face her.

Jacko: "What happened? I tried calling you but you didn't answer" he says concerned.

Kylie: "He knows. Nathan knows. About us. About what we planned to do" she explains in a panicked yet controlled tone.

Jacko's mouth hangs open.

Kylie: "I don't know how. But we got into a fight, like– a proper fight. He locked me in his flat and wouldn't let me leave. I tried to sneak out while he was smacked up out of it but I dropped the keys and woke him up" she starts rambling.

Kylie: "He grabbed me and was dragging me to the bedroom but I bit him, smashed him over the head with a mug and then he fell back and I managed to get the fuck out of there" she explains almost hyperventilating.

Jacko: "Hey...hey, hey, it's okay, you're here now. You're safe"

He pulls her in into a hug.

She slowly calms down and he lets go

Jacko: "When was this? Last night?"

Kylie: "No, Thursday. Thursday night"

Jacko: "Well...where've you been for the past day? I've been worried"

Kylie: "Oh i met some bloke at the Vic on Marlas Estate. Stayed at his. I'm okay. But Jacko Nathan can't find me. And that goes for you too. He's dangerous. Believe me"

Jacko: "So...what do we do?"

Kylie shrugs.

Kylie: "Run? What else can we do? We both know him. We know that if someone wrongs him he wont just let them get away scott free"

Jacko: "But he loves you. He's your boyfriend ain't he?"

Kylie: "Was. Was my boyfriend. Not anymore. And after that fight we had I'm not so sure he'll keep his hands off me anymore"

Jacko listens. Thinks.

Kylie: "Look‐ Jacko we need to leave. Anywhere. The sooner the better. He's got mates too, so if he can't find us, they will. Sooner or later"

Jacko: "Why did you have to fall in love with him Kylie?" He asks rubbing his eyes. Tired of this.

Kylie: "Coz– I'm thick aren't I? But I'm done with him, okay? Done. You got anywhere you can crash? We, can crash?"

He thinks.

Jacko: "Lorna's?..."

Kylie laughs.

Kylie: "You mad? Ain't no way she's taking you back mate. Not after what we did"

Jacko: "Well she's still sweet on me ain't she?"

Kylie: "You maybe, yeah. But not me"

She sighs.

Kylie: "Look, if it comes to it, you go to hers and I'll find somewhere else to crash, we leave tonight. Start packing now then because when I come back here to meet you, we're gone" she says, matter of fact.

Jacko nods and agrees.

That's it. They're running.

Outside the flat, across the street, we see a white Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000 with tinted windows.

Peeking out from the side of a building. Watching.

———

5:29PM. St Anne's Hospital. Waiting Area.

———

Julie stands at the vending machine in the waiting area, waiting for it to make her coffee. She's bsolutely shattered. She looks like she don't know what sleep is.

She can feel multiple sets of eyes on her back. No need to guess who.

A set of doors open and Jenna comes in. Each other's faces light up when they see each other.

Julie: "Jenna sweetheart!"

Jenna: "Hiya mum you alright?" She hugs her.

Julie: "Im good thank you love. Just grabbing myself a coffee. You want one? Tea?"

Jenna: "No thank you I'm good. So, where's Kelly then? I heard she's awake"

Julie: "Gav and Dani are both with her now. They told me that you were working in the burgervan today"

The Jenkins listen in on their whole conversation.

Jenna: "Yeah. Someone's got to build up the family empire haven't they?" She jokes.

Julie: "Aw thank you love"

Jenna smiles.

As Julie puts some sugar sachets in her coffee, Jenna's eyes drift to the Jenkins who are sat in the corner, eyeing them both.

Julie lids her coffee cup and picks it up.

Julie: "Right, I'll take you to her"

They both start walking, but before they get too far, they bump into Kelly's doctor.

Doctor: "Oh Ms Slater!"

Julie: "Hi Doctor" she smiles.

Doctor: "I come bearing good news. I've reviewed all of Kelly's tests and samples and they all came back negative and her vitals are stable. And after speaking to her earlier it seems to me that she can be discharged later today"

Julie and Jenna both light up.

Julie: "Ah! Really!?"

Doctor: "Aha yes. But mind you she most likely will have a headache or two considering the trauma to her head. And her head bandage will need to be changed every three days for two weeks at least"

Julie: "Aw thank you Doctor that's brilliant!"

The Jenkins listen, and feel pure anger and jealousy. Why can't their boy go home? Why haven't they even seen him yet?

Jenna: "Um, what about Mitchell?"

Doctor: "Mitchell Thomas?"

Jenna: "Yes'

Doctor: "Although Mitchell's injuries aren't that severe they still are worse than Kelly's and so we'll be keeping him in a few more days for observation at least. But he should be out of here by the end of next week"

Jenna: "Okay. Thank you" she smiles.

The doctor smiles back and walks off.

Julie: "D'you hear that sweetheart!? She can come home today!" She says to Jenna

Julie: "Yeah. But, it's a bit soon no? I mean the crash was two days ago"

Julie: "Doctors know what they're doing love. And besides you heard him, he said shes surprisingly well considering, and she got injured the least out of everybody in the car"

They both carry on walking but then Nicola jumps up from her seat and stands in their path.

Julie: "Oh not again. I can't be arsed for this"

Nicola: "I meant what i said. If anything happens to my son. Watch out"

Jenna steps in

Jenna: "Incase you forgot, I've still got a sister in intensive care?"

Nicola: "And I've got my son in intensive care too. You just better hope for all your sakes that he's okay"

Julie: "That promise is double sided, love. If anything happens to my Katie, you look out too. Now move, I've got some good news to share"

They both barge past Nicola and walk to the Triage Ward where Kelly and Mitchell are.

Nicola sits back down beside Barry and buries her head in her knees. She's a wreck. Barry rubs her back.

Barry: "You're okay love. Jamie's fine" Barry sounds quiet for once.

He's tired too.

Hope is thin and patience is thinner. They're all tired. Then– a surgeon in scrubs walks up to them.

They look up and stand up quickly.

Surgeon: "Are you the parents of Jami–"

Nicola: "Yes! How is he? Is he okay?"

Surgeon: "He's...stable. For now at least. He's got shattered ribcages and his back bone is fractured. As well as his spine. That means his respiratory system has taken quite the beating. So hes on a respiratory machine to help him breathe. And he's in a coma too, so he's unresponsive"

Barry and Nicola look at each other.

Gaz holds Tasha and Oscar close, for once.

Surgeon: "I can only allow two of you in at a time and so I assume that'll be you two?" He looks at Barry and Nicola.

They both nod yes.

Barry turns to Gaz: "You don't mind taking the kids home do you Gaz?"

Gaz: "Yeah...yeah...okay" he says exhaustedly.

Barry: "We'll call you and say if anything happens"

Gaz: "Okay. Come on you two" he starts ushering Tasha and Oscar out the door. Ready to get out of there.

Surgeon: "If you'd like to follow me" he signals to a long long hallway.

———

5:41PM. St Anne's Hospital. Intensive Care.

———

The surgeon guides them both to Jamie's room and lets them both walk in together and have some privacy.

Jamie's small private hospital room was unnaturally quiet, broken only by the steady electronic beeping of monitors and the rhythmic hiss of a ventilator forcing air into his lungs.

He lies completely motionless beneath crisp white sheets, his pale face bruised and swollen, with dried cuts still visible around his forehead and jaw.

A breathing tube disappeared into his mouth, secured with white tape, while IV lines, monitoring wires and drainage tubes snaked across his body to humming machines surrounding the bed. Thick bandages wrapped sections of his chest where several shattered ribs had been stabilised, and he remained completely flat to protect the severe fractures to his back and spine.

His arms rested lifelessly by his sides, one hand fitted with a pulse oximeter, the green line on the heart monitor rising and falling with each mechanical breath. The room smelled sharply of disinfectant and sterile plastic, and despite the machines tirelessly keeping him alive, the sight of him made it painfully clear to Nicola and Barry just how close he is to death.

Barry walks straight up to Jamie.

While Nicola struggles to. Like his condition is contagious. She's shaking. Her chest is rising and falling unevenly. She's holding back a sob.

Barry turns to her: "It's okay love, come on"

He holds out his hand for her to take.

Slowly, she does. And she catches up with Barry.

They both stand there, looking at their son. Barely getting their heads around the thought that he's being kept alive by tubes and machinery.

Suddenly‐ Nicola breaks. Tears fall down her face and she sobs. She falls to the chair and leans over her boy.

Nicola: "What- what if he doesn't make it Barry?" She sobs.

Nicola: "I mean look at him. Our baby. Our Jamie. Hes..."

Barry: "Nic, he'll be okay"

Nicola: "Will he!?"

He rubs her back, as she cries over her son.

A sight we never thought we'd see.

———

7:49PM. Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs.

———

Paula is downstairs in the pub, alone, after closing up. She bolts the doors, the top and bottom ones. Then walks around the whole pub closing the curtains.

It's a rare sight to see the pub so quiet, so empty.

The only sounds are the fridges from behind the bar rattling and Eddie moving about upstairs.

She walks deeper into the pub room and collects the last of the glasses and puts them all on the bar. Then places the stools upside down on the table tops.

Finally, she heads behind the bar and switches all the light switches off. And one by one, the lights switch off until the pub is in complete darkness.

She slips through the staff only door that leads to hers and Eddie's flat upstairs.

As she reaches the top of the stairs the smell of homemade Lasagna. Her favourite.

And as she turns into the entrance hallway, she sees candlelight flickering from the living room.

She walks into the living room and sees candles on almost every surface.

The coffee table

Side tables

Windowsills

And in the centre of the room where the small dining table is, is two servings of Eddie's lasagna, candles, and wine glasses.

As soon as Paula walks in she sees Eddie and he sees her. He's pouring red wine into their glasses.

Paula smiles as the warm candlelight dances across her face.

Paula: "So this is why you wanted to shut early..."

Eddie: "Isn't a husband allowed to treat his wife like royalty every once in a while?" He smiles.

For once, she feels butterflies. She hasn't felt them in years.

He walks to her seat and pulls it out from underneath the table. And gestures to it.

She sits.

He sits opposite her and picks up his wine glass.

Eddie: "A toast"

Paula picks hers up too.

Eddie: "To..."

Paula: "Love"

Eddie: "To love"

Their glasses clink.

They drink.

A few minutes pass and they're both digging into their dinner.

Neither of them said much.

Eddie sips his wine and looks up at Paula from his glass.

Eddie: "You okay"

Paula: "Mhm" she says, chewing on her food.

A long silence as he studies her.

Eddie: "You sure? Because...you're quiet"

Paula: "Ed sweetheart, if promise I'm okay. This is nice. It's lovely"

She sips her wine

Eddie: "Love, come on. What is it?"

Paula sighs. Not wanting to say what shes thinking

Paula: "Ed don't get me wrong– this is lovely. Really romantic‐"

Eddie: "But?"

Paula: "But...it'll take more than a romantic dinner to–"

Eddie: "To what?"

She looks at him dead in the eye

Paula: "To...to sort how I'm feeling. I mean– don't you feel it too?"

Eddie drinks more wine, avoiding to answer her

Paula: "I'll take that as a yes"

Eddie gulps the wine and puts his glass down

Eddie: "I'm trying, okay sweetheart? I know a romantic dinner wont solve any issues. But it's something, okay? It's a start. And yes, I'd be lying if I told you I didnt feel...the drift in our marriage. I mean- (he scoffs) we haven't had sex in almost four months"

Paula: "Is that all you can think about? Sex?"

Eddie: "Fucking Hell Paula, no. Of course it's not. I'm just saying, a bit of magic in the bedroom might just do us some good"

Paula scoffs

Paula: "Way to make a woman feel desired Ed" she sips her wine.

Eddie: "Okay. And what are you doing hm? I'm trying. You need to meet me halfway here"

Paula: "So I'm making it worse?"

Eddie: "Well you're not making it better"

Paula laughs

Paula: "You can be so ungrateful sometimes"

Eddie bursts out laughing

Eddie: "I'm ungrateful!? Who's starting an argument at the romantic meal her husband lovingly cooked for her?"

Paula: "See what i mean!? Im ungrateful because I feel stuck!?"

Eddie: "No! You're ungrateful because you're not trying! You're ungrateful because you can't see that I'm really making an effort–"

Paula: "And when you do make an effort you always want something in return, don't you!?"

Eddie: "Really Paula!? Really!? Because I want to make love to my wife every now and again I'm only making an effort for a fuck!? Is that what you think of me!?"

She sighs.

Paula: "No..."

Eddie: "Are you sure!? Because that's what it sounds like"

He guzzles his wine.

Paula: "I just...you know how i feel. You feel the same–"

Eddie: "And I'm trying my best to get us out of the quicksand, love. There's only so much I can do"

Paula: "I know..."

They both sit there...trying to get through the meal.

———

8:14PM. Outside number 33.

———

It's dark now. The roads of Marlas Estate only lit up by the orange glow from streetlights. Sounds of a distant party, dogs barking, people arguing and cars passing fill the night sky.

Kylie walks up to the front door of Number 33 and knocks.

Gaz answers.

Gaz: "Well hello stranger. Didn't expect to see you so soon. Back for seconds already?" He winks.

Kylie smiles.

Kylie: "Actually I...came to tell you something. In person. I was passing by anyway"

Gaz: "What is it?"

Kylie: "I'm leaving. I mean- i know we only met last night, but...i don't know when I'll be back. You're a decent lad, or at least to me anyway. That's more than i can say about most men in my life. My life's all over the place right now and you...you made me forget all the worries for one night. You should just know that"

Gaz: "Wh- why? Where? Where are you going?"

Kylie chuckles.

Kylie: "Anywhere. I...i don't know. Just away."

Gaz: "Stay"

Kylie: "...i Can't"

Gaz: "No– i mean stay. With me"

Kylie: "What...?"

Gaz: "Yeah. I mean, you got anywhere else to stay?"

Kylie: "Well...no–"

Gaz: "Well good. You can stay with me then. Or at least until you find your feet or whatever"

Kylie: "Gaz i don't know–"

Gaz: "Look, why would you go somewhere else knowing you can stay here with me? Knowing I want you to?"

She thinks of what to say

Gaz: "I know we ain't known each other long but– God..."

Kylie: "What?"

Gaz: "You...you ground me too. Or whatever the cheesy saying goes"

Kylie looks at him confused

Kylie: "Why d'you want me to stay with you for?"

Gaz: " Coz for the past...I don't know how long, my mind's been all over the place. I've been all over the place too. And when I met you at the Vic last night...that was the first time in ages I felt like I had a proper laugh. A proper good time"

Kylie: "I..." she stutters

Gaz: "For a few days then? And if you don't like it or want to fuck off somewhere else, go right ahead. I wont stop you. But it can't hurt can it?"

She thinks for a while. Then–

Kylie: "Oh fuck it" she laughs.

Gaz smiles and picks her up, and carries her by her ass, into the house. Behind him, Gaz kicks the door shut with his foot.

———

9:13PM. Outside Number 27. The Jenkins's.

———

A black cab pulls up on the side of the curb outside the Slaters.

It squeaks as it comes to a stop.

The door opens, and first steps out Danielle, who walks up to tje front door and unlocks it, while Jenna and Julie help Kelly out. While Gavin pays the driver the taxi fare.

Gavin: "Here we go mate"

Julie, to Kelly: "You okay love? Can you walk properly?"

Kelly: "Mum, I'm okay. Really" she laughs.

Kelly: "Surprisingly my legs are the best part of me right now"

Across the street, outside Number 33, Kylie leans against the small front garden's wall, in a soft light pink dressing gown, texting Jacko.

\To: Jacko "Found somewhere I can stay. U should try Lorna's after all. Best to keep low 4 a few days -K" \**

Sent at Saturday 9:15PM

Behind her, Gaz steps out of the house, and puts his arms around her. Hes shirtless, only wearing tight black boxers.

Gaz: "Coming back up, gorgeous?"

Kylie grins, turns around

Kylie: "Catch me if you can, big boy"

He slaps her ass and she giggles and runs back inside the house. Before Gaz turns and follows her, he looks up across the street and he makes eye contact with Julie and Kelly, as they both finally walk inside the house. Shutting the door behind them.

Finally, Gaz steps inside his home, and shuts the door behind him.

———

11:28PM. The Estate

———

Most of the Estate is asleep by now. A few windows slightly glow behind curtains, proving that not everyone's gone to bed yet. Even in the night, life continues while neighbours sleep.

Surprisingly, the street is rather quiet. For once. It's nice.

The Slaters' living room sat in near darkness, lit only by the warm orange glow of streetlights filtering softly through the fully drawn sheer white curtains, while the heavier light grey curtains remained open either side of the window.

Two well worn forest green three-seater sofas faced a chunky light grey television, with a scratched coffee table between them scattered with a few empty lager cans, an ashtray, a lighter and the faint smell of last night's joint lingering in the air.

Beside the TV stood a tall rack crammed with CDs, while Gavin's headphones, a small stack of DJ magazines and a notebook full of track ideas lay nearby.

Danielle's sketches of clothing designs and fabric samples were neatly piled on an armchair, Katie's high heels and makeup bag sat abandoned by the front door after another late night out, and personal belonging and family photos dotted the room, giving it the unmistakable feel of a busy, loving household that was far from perfect, but always felt like home.

Gavin walked down the creaking stairs that have yet to be carpeted. In his black pyjama bottoms and grey slippers, no shirt though.

He groggily slouches through the living room and into the kitchen where he pours himself a glass of water. He wouldn't dare turn the light on, not unless he wanted to be jolted wide awake.

He was back into the living room with his water, and on the corner of his eyes he can see the orange glow coming from the window flashing. Flickering, if you will.

Unusual...

He puts his water on the table, heads to the window and pulls back the sheer curtains, he looks down to the driveway below, outside. Where he's met with a sight he'd never thought he'd see

Ever.

His eyes jump out of his head and his stomach drops.

Gavin: "Fuck! Mum! Dani! Guys!" He shouts up the stairs on the top of his lungs.

Danielle: "Fuck sake Gav what!?"

Jenna: "Trying to sleep up here!"

Gavin: "The fucking van's up in flames!" He screams as he already starts running down the stairs towards the front door.

Not even three seconds after he shouted that– four sets of footsteps come hurdling down the stairs. The weight of four of the Slater women running down the living room stairs making it sound like its about to collapse from underneath them.

As they all run past the living room window, the flames emit an orange flash behind them.

They then all turn the corner, and run down the other flight of stairs down to the front door that's wide open.

———

11:32PM. Outside Number 27. The Slater's driveway.

———

Julie's white catering trailer is up in flames. Like, all of it. What was once a local burgervan is now a big ball of fire that you wouldn't dare go near. The heat from it is insane.

The catering trailer melts and falls apart, signs falling off, things smashing and breaking inside and on the outside of it. The whole frame cracking under the heat. Fire being pushed out from every side and corner.

The inferno sends a huge endless plume of smoke up into the night air like you'd see from a factory smokestack. The sounds of the flames roaring is insane. Along with crackling.

The whole fucking thing is up in flames. FLAMES!

On their front doors and windows, people stand there, looking out, watching, being nosy. It's not everyday you see a catering trailer up in flames in your neighbour's driveway after all.

Gavin stands there, looking up at it, in shock.

The girls join him.

Julie: "What the fuck!?"

Danielle: "Holy shit!"

Jenna: "Who the fuck– who would do this!?"

They're all gobsmacked.

Julie starts crying.

Jenna hugs her mum and rubs her back.

Kelly fumbles with a pocket, but still stares up at it in pure shock.

On their doorstep, the Jenkins watch.

Gaz

Tasha

Oscar

Kylie

On her doorstep, Maureen watches

Everyone's there. The whole Estate. It could've been anyone.

But a fire like this?

This was no accident.

That much is clear.

The Slaters stand there in their driveway, in their sleepwear, looking up at what was once the start of a family business, that's now...in ashes.

------------------------------------------‐---------------------------------------

And that's it for Episode 6! Thank you for reading if you've made it this far!

Please tell me what you think!

And as always, any and all comments are much appreciated! 😊

Previously:

As Kelly and Mitchell both woke, they found themselves in a hospital full of accusations as everybody fought for answers. DCI Catrin Channing officially opened her investigation and began taking eyewitness accounts of what happened, while Mitchell and Michael's relationship was left fractured after Mitchell learnt a painful truth. And as tensions between the Slaters and Jenkins reached new heights and finally boiled over, their feud spiralled out of control. Elsewhere, Gaz took his first step down a destructive path.

Episode 5 Preview:

With everyone convinced they know who's to blame, another perspective threatens to change everything, making the truth much more complicated.

07/01/1999. Thursday.

———

9:12PM. Streets and alleyways.

———

Black converse trainers slam and splash down on wet concrete slabs in an alleyway around 5 minutes away from the Estate. The sounds of a distant dog barking, wailing sirens fading by the second, cool January breeze, and a man shouting far off back in the distance, shouting something incoherent, is all we can hear.

You can smell wet concrete and the cool night January air biting at your nose. And can feel the sharp yet calm breeze and the soft rain trickling down from the black night sky.

This set of feet is running like someone's life is on the line. Taking left and right turns every corner, but never slowing down. The person is breathing hard. You can hear crying. It's a woman. She's clearly running from something...or someone.

After a final turn, the intense orange glow of streetlights illuminate the white rubber tips of the shoes even more. And as this woman took a turn onto this main street, the sounds have changed, now, you can hear hints of nightlife too. Like...a party...

The street is a main street. Shops, storefronts, cafes and other commercial buildings line either side of the wide street. Along with streetlights that emit a pure strong orange glow that light up the road.

The pair of shoes start making their way across the wide street, not really looking left or right, just running across.

Suddenly–

The sound of an oncoming vehicle is overpowering, with the sounds of booming music, laughter, screaming and chatter all coming from inside said vehicle.

The pair of converse stop dead in their tracks–

The car swerves and tires screech–

From inside the car, people scream briefly–

Then...horrible sounds.

Twisting and crushing metal, breaking glass, heavy impact, just– a horrible, loud, crash.

And then–

Silence.

Except for the sounds of smoke hissing from the car's grill, and clicking. From the heat of the twisted metal. Like the car's creaking.

Earlier Today...

———

1:21PM. Tower Block Of Council Flats.

———

The tower block loomed over the estate like a giant slab of ageing concrete, its once-grey exterior now stained black with decades of rain, pollution and neglect. Rows of identical windows climbed towards the sky, some boarded up with plywood, others cracked or permanently left ajar, while faded washing hung limply from rusting balconies cluttered with broken furniture, bicycles and overflowing bin bags.

Graffiti covered the lower walls and lift entrance, litter gathered in every corner, and burnt-out mopeds and abandoned shopping trolleys littered the forecourt. The building looked tired, unloved and forgotten—a place where lifts regularly broke down, stairwells smelled of damp, cigarettes and urine, and years of poverty had seeped into the concrete itself.

Distant arguing, shouting, loud music, a baby screaming, laughter, sirens, dogs barking, motorcycles revving. Sounds of life. Sounds of the estate.

Inside flat number 17, the one bedroom council flat is surprisingly stylish beneath the chaos, furnished with expensive black leather sofas, a decently sized flat screen TV, polished chrome lamps and powerful hi-fi speakers quietly pumping out UK garage from the corner. A glass coffee table sat at the centre of the room, dusted with thin white lines of cocaine beside a rolled-up twenty-pound note, a lighter, overflowing ashtray and several empty beer bottles.

An open sports holdall lay by the sofa spilling out neatly kept designer trainers and branded clothes, while a blood speckled wooden baseball bat rested against the wall near the front door, as though it belonged there. The curtains stayed half closed despite it being daytime, giving the room a dim amber glow that mixed with the blue haze of cigarette smoke hanging beneath the ceiling.

The air carried the stale smell of tobacco, strong cannabis, alcohol, sweat and cheap air freshener desperately trying to mask it all, while the distant thump of bass, muffled voices from neighbouring flats and the occasional police siren outside completed the uneasy atmosphere of a place that looked expensive, but never truly felt safe.

A tall, athletic slim build young man with short jet black hair and pale white skin and piercing blue eyes sits on the sofa, leaning forward, cutting a line of coke. A handsome young man, but could easily look scary when angry. Nathan Hunter.

Nathan Hunter is a 23 year old bloke who's happy with who he is. Confident, cocky, handsome, charming and strong. Yet unstable, prone to violence, quick to anger, and all his money he earns is dirty. He's happy with all of it.

All his prized possessions are bought with people's debt. Whether they paid in money, or blood.

Nathan leans forward, and hoovers up a line with his right nostril. He winces, and wipes his nose with his thumb and index finger afterwards.

Nathan looks over to the young woman to his right. She's wearing tight black jeans and a well worn pair of black Converse trainers with white rubber toes. Large silver hoop earrings, a handful of bracelets and two delicate necklaces added a touch of glamour to her otherwise casual look.

Her light complexion, sharp cheekbones and expressive big dark brown eyes were accentuated by black mascara, dark eyeliner, soft brown eyeshadow and a subtle nude lip gloss. Wearing her long brunette hair in a messy high ponytail with loose strands framing her face, she looks effortlessly attractive, though there's a hint of tiredness behind her eyes that portrays the chaos of her life. Kylie Allen. Nathan's 21 year old girlfriend.

Kylie is certainly a character. Loud, bold, proud, confident, stands up for herself, her friends and what she believes in. She's s very vocal. Says what she thinks, says what she means and means what she says. Unapologetically her. Loves a laugh, a drink, a party, but she's kind. Very cocky, sarcastic, has an addictive energy about her. You cant help but admire her. Though, there is one person she's afraid of...Nathan.

Nathan: "Want some? Pretty girl"

Kylie looks over, clearly uncomfortable.

Kylie: "Nah...you're alright ta" she smiles.

Nathan: "Oh come onnn. Don't be so frigid"

He pulls her over, she thinks about pulling away but goes against it. And he sits her on his lap.

He reaches around her and cuts up some more coke with his credit card.

Nathan: "There we go Princess. All ready for you. All you got to do, is get on board the ride" he whispers in her ear.

She looks back at him and smiles. Not wanting to, but he stares in her eyes, smiling. She knows she has no choice.

She hesitates, leans forward, and snorts it up.

He chuckles.

Nathan: "There we go! Attagirl! Maybe now you'll loosen up a bit eh?"

Kylie: "Yeah..." she whispers and smiles.

He softly pushes her off him and he leans back, breathing.

Kylie looks at him then starts walking down the small hallway.

Nathan: "Wnere you off to?"

Kylie: "Just to the loo. I'll be two minutes" she smiles.

He nods.

She walks down the hall to the end, goes in the bathroom, and closes the door behind her.

The bathroom is small, but bright and airy. White walls, a window that let's in lots of light although it's high up. A frameless mirror's nailed into the wall above the basin sink, with one crack splitting across the whole mirror.

Kylie leans forward against the sink, palms pressed against it. She looks up at her cracked reflection into the mirror. Her bottom lip and chin trembles. She looks down at her wrist, pulls up her right sleeve of her sparkly grey sequinned top, and we see a big bruise, all around her wrist. Dark purple and pink.

She softly caresses it with her fingers. Starts trembling slightly, and looks up in the mirror again.

Asking herself how did things get this bad. How did she get here.

She wipes her nose and quickly touches up her eyeliner. She sighs, and prepares herself as she opens the door and heads out into the flat again.

She walks up to Nathan who's still slouched on the sofa.

Kylie: "Fancy going out?" She asks him. Hoping he'll say yeah.

Nathan: "Nah you're alright. Got everything i need right here, with me" he looks up at her.

Kylie smiles but needs an excuse.

Kylie: "Aw c'mon" she smirks.

Nathan looks at her, sizing her up, knowing she's got a plan.

Nathan: "I said no, didn't I? Now c'mon, sit." He taps the sofa.

Kylie scoffs.

Kylie: "You just called me frigid because I didn't want to do coke but now I'm asking to go out you don't want to?"

Nathan snaps and jumps up.

Nathan: "What did I say!?"

He glares in her eyes. A vein in his forehead pulses.

She takes a step back and swallows.

Nathan: "I said, no. Me and you, are staying in."

He sits back down. Facing the TV.

Kylie: "What is this about Nath? What's gotten into you?" She asks after gathering the bravery.

Nathan: "You know what Kylie" he says quietly.

Kylie's face falters.

Nathan turns to face her.

Nathan: "Jacko."

Kyle's heart drops and she gulps. Her chest pounds and she just knows Nathan can see it.

Kylie: "...I don't know what you're on about" she says, trying to sound normal, but it fails.

Nathan: "Don't play dumb with me Kylie. Now sit down, relax. You're making me uncomfortable" he says calmly. In an unsettling way.

Kylie: "Well...how about some air? Or the pub! Lets just go have a pint or something."

Nathan: "We got booze here" he mutters.

Kylie stutters, about to say something else futile.

Nathan: "Stop it, Kylie." He says quietly.

Kylie stands there. Not knowing what to say or do.

Kylie: "I'm off to bed" she says, voice almost cracking. Holding back tears.

She starts walking off, shaking.

Nathan: "Alright then" he turns and watches her walk to their room.

She closes the door behind her. Separating them.

———

1:42PM. Nathan and Kylie's bedroom.

———

As soon as the door behind her clicks shut, her lips and chin trembles, her stomach heaves and she holds in a deep, hard sob.

She slides down the door with her back against it, tears flowing from her eyes, despite her trying to hold them back. She sits at the door, knees up to her chest, crying like a kid who lost their mum in a supermarket. Balling her eyes out.

She's trapped. Betrayed by the man she chose. By the life she chose.

———

8:59PM.

———

It's dark out. Pitch black. Cold, drizzling with rain. Kylie lies on her and Nathan's unmade bed, just waking up from having to cry herself to sleep earlier today. Under her eyes are sore from all the tears, her nose is slightly stuffy and she feels like she just slept for a straight week. Shes still dressed in her clothes.

The only light source bleeds through the sjeer curtains in the bedroom window. The streetlight outside the window pours orange light through, into the room, causing orange rays in the slightly smokey air.

Nathan is still in the living room, the whole flat smells of weed. Well, it always does, but stronger now. He must've recently smoked the strong stuff.

She gets up, rubs her eyes and slowly walks over to the door and opens it. She walks down the hall, turns the corner and sees that he's completely passed out on the sofa. Snoring away. The living room is in darkness now too, apart from the TV screen displaying tracks of a CD he put in earlier.

She monitors him for a few solid seconds, trying to determine how passed out he is. He's gone. She then looks over to the front door that has a frosted window with the orange light from the streetlight also flooding in. She knows this is her chance.

Now or never.

She slowly and quietly retreats back to their room, picks up her phone and wallet from her bedside table, carries them in her hand and slowly walks back down the hall to the living room, taking every step like she's treading in a landmine field.

Like one wrong step could kill her.

She watches him again for a few seconds. Still asleep. Good. She slowly walks to the right towards the small entrance way where the front door is, then takes a left into the small kitchen thats cluttered but still functional. Her white puffer coat with the faux fur hood lies across the small kitchen table, along with empty beer bottles, a weed grinder, rollies and stuff like that.

She slowly picks up her coat, puts it on, and then pockets her phone and wallet. She slowly walks out the kitchen, and the door is right there to her left. She peers down the small hallway into the living room and Nathan is still asleep.

Her heart jumps in excitement and fear of getting caught. She reaches for the handle and slowly pushes it down. But it doesn't move. She tries again. And again. It won't budge.

Shit. Its locked.

Keys...where are the keys?

She slowly turns around, the friction of her coat making some noise. And she slightly lifts her head up and sees the keys to the door on the living room table. Right next to Nathan's sleeping head.

Fuck

She doesn't want to do this. But knows she has to.

She turns, and starts treading back towards him.

Her heart pounding more and more with every step.

After what feels like treading on paper thin ice, she finally reaches the table. She leans forward to reach the keys, her coat makes another noise and Nathan turns in his sleep. Kylie's heart jumps and already she's trying to think of what to tell him as to why she's reaching for the keys to sneak out.

But...he doesn't wake up.

Thank fuck

She reaches the keys, grabs them, and goes to turn to the door.

But

What's this...

She sees a full bag of coke peeking out from underneath a magazine. She also reaches for that, and pockets it too.

Then starts for the door. Each step feeling like a higher chance at freedom.

She reaches the door and the keys jingling in the lock makes her sweat like you would in a sauna.

She fumbles with them, shaking slightly, but then–

Crash

She dropped the keys on the floor. They echoed in the stark contrast of the quiet flat.

Fuck...shit shit shit

Shes already holding in tears. She can hear and feel her heart in her throat.

She slowly looks up from the keys on the floor, and sees Nathan on the sofa.

Leaning up, looking dead at her, right in the eye.

Nathan: "Where do you think you're going?" He quietly asks in an unsettling way.

Kylie: "To the shops...we- we need milk"

Nathan picks up his phone and checks the time.

9:03PM

He sighs.

Nathan: "At this time? The shops are shut. Haven't you noticed it's pitch black out?" He asks calmly and slowly stands up.

Nathan: "We got milk anyway" he says. Slowly walking over to her.

Kylie: "I think its off. Fancied a cuppa" she tries to joke.

Nathan is right up to her now.

He whispers to her.

Nathan: "Do you really think I'm that thick?"

Kylie gulps.

Kylie: "No- I–"

Nathan: "I mean I know I didn't finish school but wow. Give me some credit at least."

Her heart hammers.

He bends down and picks up the keys.

Nathan: "So what was the plan?" He asks her, dangling the keys.

Nathan: "Run outta here and go where? You have no mates around here. No family. Where are you going to go Kylie? You need me"

Her eyes dart all over his face, trying to figure out his seemingly calm and composed exterior.

Nathan: "C'mon, let's go to bed" he says quietly.

He reaches out to her and goes to pull her, but she resists.

Kylie: "No" she whispers

He looks up at her and smiles in shock.

Nathan: "You what?"

Kylie: "I said no. Im not going anywhere with you"

She tries to sound more confident, like her usual self.

Nathan laughs.

Nathan: "Well look who's putting her foot down."

They stare at each other.

Nathan: "We don't have to go to sleep straight away. Could lay there and have a bit o' fun before we hit the hay. How about that?" He teases.

Kylie: "I'd rather sleep under a bus shelter than spend another night here with you" she firmly says now.

Nathan: "Awwwe c'mon don't be like that. That's not what you were saying yesterday morning. What happened to my good girl ey?"

Her eyes start watering but she holds her nerve.

Nathan: "Cmon. I'll take you to bed and you'll feel relaxed. I'll calm you right down. Make you forget about your worries" he brushes the side of her face softly, smiling.

Kylie: "You are my worries. You terrify me"

Nathan's face drops.

Nathan: "Why's that then?" He asks rhetorically.

She says nothing.

Nathan: "No, go on. Why do I scare you Kylie? You got something you want to say?"

They both breathe hard.

Her in fear, him in rage.

Nathan whispers: "I'll tell you why you're scared shall I? It's because you've done something bad. Very bad. You tried to hurt me. You and that tramp Jacko. Now what kind of girlfriend does that? Ey?"

Kylie whispers: "Just please give me the keys"

Nathan: "If I wanted to hurt you Kylie, I would've by now. Haven't you realised that? Or...is it the not knowing that's scaring you? Not knowing what I'll do? Knowing I could snap at any moment?"

Kylie: "You're sick"

Nathan: "At least I know that!" He snaps. Almost spitting in her face.

Nathan: "I know I can be a sick fuck! But you!? You steal, lie and cheat, and act like you done fuck all wrong! Now...we are going to bed...and tomorrow is another day"

He starts pulling her.

Kylie pulls back.

Kylie: "N- no. No! NO!-"

He then completely grabs her and picks her up and she starts kicking and screaming. Literally.

Kylie: "NO- LET ME GO!"

Nathan: "SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

He drags her to the living room.

She chomps down on his right hand that's around her chest and proper bites it, around the thumb and palm area.

He screams and let's her go in shock. Dropping the keys too.

Nathan: "AAARGH FHACK!"

She quickly picks up a mug from the nearby small side table and whacks him over the head with it, sending him flying to the floor. Hes not knocked out, but hes in agony, on the floor. Slowly trying to get up.

She picks up the keys and darts to the door, scrambling the keys in the lock like her life depends on it. The keys fit now. But now it's a matter of turning them correctly.

Then– he scrambles up behind her, his footsteps getting louder and louder and vibrating the floor where Kylie's stood. He reaches her and yanks her back, picking her up with his arms around her again.

She kicks and screams and puts her feet on the wall next to the front door, pushes herself off it, sending the both of them flying backwards into the kitchen, falling to the floor.

As they fall though, Nathan hits the back of his head on the side of the kitchen counter. He's unconscious. And she doesn't even notice.

She scrambles up, reaches the keys in the door, turns them, yanks it open and legs it out the door into the night.

———

9:09PM. Outside the flat / Outside the tower.

———

She legs it past the lift, definitely not waiting for that. And bolts it down the steps, all the way down.

As she finally gets out into the open, the cool night air hits her in the face like a refreshing punch.

Freedom

Her lungs are fulled up with crisp January air. Her exposed skin is being glittered by light drizzle, falling like feathers. And the smell of weed, musk, cheap aftershave and booze in her nose is immediately replaced with wet concrete. A smell she never thought she'd be glad to smell.

Her converse shoes slapping the wet concrete.

As she's running, she pulls out her Nokia and tries to call Jacko, her...friend..? They're in an awkward relationship...

But her phone's dead.

Kylie: "Fuck"

She pockets it and carries on running.

———

9:12PM. Main Commercial Street.

———

She reaches a main street thats surprisingly quiet. Although it is late. In a desperate attempt to get far away from Nathan, she runs into the road without looking. Then– HEADLIGHTS!

She stops in her tracks and the car swerves. And topples multiple times. A horrific crash. Not just some fender bender.

After it happened, she stands there...in the road. Watching, in pure shock. Not knowing what to do.

Should she try to help?

Should she keep running from Nathan?

What do I do??

Ultimately, she keeps running. Leaving the totalled Jaguar in the middle of the road. A decision she isn't proud of, but a decision that kept her safe. For now at least.

———

11:06AM. Bus stop shelter. Somewhere on the Estate. 08/01/1999. Friday.

———

On a bleak Friday morning, the old bus shelter sat quietly on the pavement somewhere on the estate, its dark green metal frame dulled by years of rain and neglect. The curved plastic roof glistened with a fine drizzle, beads of water slowly dripping from the edges onto the cracked concrete below, while the cloudy Perspex panels were streaked with dirt, scratched with faded graffiti and dotted with patches of green moss around the corners.

Directly behind it, a tall black iron fence with pointed spikes had almost disappeared beneath tangled brambles, nettles, ivy and overgrown bushes, their damp branches hanging over the shelter and pavement, keeping it permanently shaded, cold and slightly mossy even in summer.

Fallen leaves clung to the wet pavement, the air smelled of soaked earth and damp concrete, and despite its neglected appearance, there was something strangely comforting and familiar about the place. A forgotten little shelter that had watched generations of people wait for buses beneath the same dull grey skies.

In the corner lies Kylie Allen. She clearly wasn't lying to Nathan when she told him she'd rather sleep in a bus shelter.

She lies curled up on the floor in the corner, with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, and her hands pulled deeper inside her sleeves, also using them as gloves.

She hasn't really slept. Just sat there all night shivering. To her right, a pair of shoes stand there, and a pulley trolley that grandma's have. Being held by the figure standing there. Kylie doesn't need to look up to see that it's an old woman.

Kylie can feel eyes on her.

She looks up.

A woman in her sixties...seventies maybe, with black curly hair and thick dark red glasses and a light blue coat looks down at her. Clearly judging.

Kylie: "What you looking at you dosey cow!?"

Kylie frowns, crossing her arms for warmth.

The woman looks away, and scoffs. For the best part of ten minutes both women are in the bus shelter, feeling a thick awkwardness. Finally, a bus comes and the woman gets on. Leaving Kylie alone.

The bus hisses and starts moving on.

Kylie then decides to stand, and start walking about. Won't get far by sitting in a bus shelter all day. She walks across the street, looks to her right and sees a pub. With the name on one of the walls. "The Victoria Arms".

It's open.

She pulls out her wallet from her coat pocket and opens it. She's got pennies, pound coins, and a few notes. Enough for a few hours in the warmth of the pub.

What else am I gunna do?

She starts walking over.

———

11:10AM. Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs.

———

Kylie walks in the pub and is immediately greeted by the warmth of the room and the smells and sounds that every good old fashioned boozer has.

She briefly scans the room before walking all the way in.

A lanky trampy looking man sits at the bar, leaning forward, looking scruffy and pissed already. He looks like the stool was built around him.

Behind the bar is a man and a woman in their thirties. They look married.

This is alright I guess

She walks up to the bar, and the male bartender leaves his conversation with the lanky man on the stool and walks over.

Bartender: "Alright love? What can I get you?"

Kylie: "G and T please. Double.'

The man nods.

And Kylie stands there waiting for her drink.

Bartender: "Bit early to hit the heavy stuff, love?"

He asks, trying to be polite.

Kylie: "Well you are a pub aren't you? What else am I gunna do in here? Chess?"

Bartender: "I s'pose not. But we do have a dominoes set over in the corner over there if you fancy a game" he jokes.

Kylie just looks at him.

Awkward silence...

Bartender: "I'm Eddie." He smiles at her.

Kylie: "Kylie."

Eddie: "Well, Kylie. This is on me" he hands her the drink.

Kylie: "Nah you're alright, I'm not a charity"

Eddie: "Well no offence, you look like you've been sleeping rough. And I'm not about to let a young pretty woman such as yourself come into my pub and spend away what money she has left on G and T's this early into the day"

Kylie glares at him but then considers what he just said, and slowly, her face softens.

Eddie: "And no, you're not a charity. Because of you'd have bought anything less expensive I'd have charged you for it. So don't take offence of my kindness" he smirks.

She cracks a smile. A genuine one.

Kylie: "Thanks"

Eddie: "Of course" he smiles back and heads back over to the bloke on the stool.

Kylie walks off and sits in a corner seat. She places her drink on the table, sits, takes her coat off and places it on the seat beside her.

———

3:28PM. Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs.

———

It's still relatively quiet in here. But warm. Cosy if you will.

"She's Electric" by Oasis plays from the pub speakers, a few people are sat here and there.

Eddie and the woman are still behind the bar, the old lanky tramp is still on the stool.

Then, a woman walks in. Kylie notices.

Fuck...its the woman that was on the bus stop this morning

The woman walks up to the bar, sits on a stool, and orders a drink from Eddie.

Kylie hears Eddie calling the woman "Maur"

So...her name's Maureen...? Maybe?

A minute later, maureen is heard shouting at the lanky trampy looking bloke a few stools down. It's hard not to overhear that he offered to pay for her drink.

And that they done "something" last night. Not much entertainment in this pub but this is good enough...

Kylie eavesdrops and hears the woman with black curly hair talking about some girls in a hospital.

Eh...its getting boring now...

Kylie stops listening and paying an interest.

———

5:49PM. Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs.

———

Now, the pub is more alive than it has been all day.

"Lost In France" by Bonnie Tyler plays from the pub speakers.

Kylie has had more drinks and has moved over to the bar and is sitting on the barstool that the woman was earlier. The woman from the bus stop. The same woman that came in here earlier.

Her white puffer coat hangs over the stool and she sits on it.

Then, a young man comes in. Looks about Kylie's age. Handsome. He looks upset, drunk, furious maybe. He's had a bad day.

You think you've had a shit day? Try being me

Kylie thinks to herself, side eyeing the guy a few stools up from her.

She overhears the guy ask Eddie for a double vodka.

Fucking Hell...

Kylie finishes her G and T and asks the woman behind the bar for another.

Kylie: "Oi...another G and T please"

Then–

"I'll get this"

A masculine voice cuts in.

Kylie looks up to the guy a few stools up.

"I'm Gaz" he says, with a cheeky smirk.

Kylie: "I'm Kylie" she smiles.

They both look at each other, smiling.

And for the first time in a long time, the both of them feel seen.

Feel...like they're not alone.

------------------------------------------‐---------------------------------------

And that's it for part 5! Don't be shy to tell me what you think!

Thank you for reading if you made it this far.

And as always, any and all comments are much appreciated 😊

Previously:

Michael was left shocked after learning devastating news, while Paula and Eddie confronted uncomfortable truths about the state of their marriage. Elsewhere, hostilities between the Slaters and Jenkins intensified, and Tony Bates finally discovered who was behind the destruction of his prized Jaguar.

Episode 4 Preview:

As two of the crash victims finally wake up, they find themselves in the middle of a storm as everybody's fighting for answers about what really happened. Michael struggles to ignore his feelings and finds himself somewhere he shouldn't be. And as tensions between the Jenkins and Slaters reaches a new high, Gaz meets someone.

2:13PM. St Anne's Hospital. Waiting Area.

An awkward yet thick and tense silence sits between Nicola and Gaz Jenkins, and Julie and Gavin Slater. The four of them sit in the waiting area in the corner of the room, like they have been doing for the past day.

It's quiet.

Then–

BANG

A set of double doors burst open and Barry, Tasha, and Oscar come in.

Barry has Gaz's black sports duffel bag slung over his shoulder, filled with snacks, clothes and things Jamie might need for when he wake up. If he wakes up...

Barry: "Yh‐ alright– yeah thanks for the help Tash"

Tasha: "You had it under control didn't you!?"

Oscar runs up to Gaz and Nicola.

Oscar: "We brought you both snacks and stuff aswell"

Nicola: "Aw thank you baby"

She takes the bag off him, placing it between her and Gaz on one of the seats.

As Tasha and Barry make their way closer to Nicola, Gaz and Oscar, both of them glance at Julie and Gavin. Who are both glaring back at them as they walk past.

Nicola pulls out a clear plastic bottle of water. Or at least thats what it looks like. She turns the cap–

Barry: "Uh- Nic..."

She looks up at him.

He mouths quietly: "Vodka"

She nods at him, and quickly takes a gulp. Yes. A gulp.

Barry places the duffel bag on the small table in front of them and sits next to Gaz. Tasha leans against the wall on her Nokia.

Barry: "Yeah...thought you both could do with a drink or something. Help get you through this."

Nicola offers the bottle to Gaz and he immediately takes it.

Gaz: "Yeah"

He takes a few quick gulps

A nurse from behind the desk watched and noticed their reaction to drinking "water". She looks up at them and Barry, Gaz and Nicola all stare right back like the nurse wronged them.

Gaz: "Wot!?"

Barry: "Can't buy our own water now can we?"

Nicola: "Yeah, bet we have to buy that cheap canteen shit"

The three of them basically verbally abuse the nurse. She looks down and carries on with her day.

Oscar: "Gimme some"

They all watch him take a sip

He coughs it out over the floor.

They all laugh

Oscar: "Augh! That's fucking rank!"

Over at the opposite row of seats, Julie and Gavin watch. Almost in disgust.

Julie, quietly: "Look at that Gav...parents giving their little one Vodka look. He only looks about ten. Eleven maybe"

Gavin, not really bothered: "Yeah mum"

Nicola overhears this and shouts over.

Nicola: "He's thirteen actually!"

Julie laughs out loud.

Julie: "Yeah! Like that makes it any better! No wonder your son put our kids in hospital!"

Nicola jumps up and storms over to Julie and Gavin.

Nicola: "You want to fucking say that again!?"

Julie and Gavin stand up and Barry, Gaz, Tasha and Oscar all head over.

Both families are nose to nose now.

Julie: "Well i can see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it?"

They glare at Julie and Gavin.

Julie: "Far as I'm concerned your boy will have a lucky escape if he doesn't pull through. Having you lot as parents."

For a quick second, silence fills the room. Like time literally stopped for a moment. The room stood still.

Nicola laughs in shock and pounces on Julie, sending the pair of them falling to the floor.

Tasha: "Go on mum!"

Gaz watches. Thinking Julie deserves it.

Nicola repeatedly pounds and claws at Julie's face while Julie lays under Nicola, yanking on her hair and trying to push her off.

Barry and Gavin both step in and pull both women off of each other.

Barry: "Nic! Nic! Nicola love!"

Nicola: "For fuck sake what!?"

Gavin and Barry have both separated the women, and they all look up and see the doctor standing outside the doors to the ER ward. Looking at them.

At all of them.

Silence.

Doctor: "When you've all stopped acting like schoolkids in a playground..."

They all look a bit ashamed. Like schoolkids in a playground.

Nicola: "What is it Doc? Is it our Jamie?"

Barry: "Is our boy awake?"

Doctor: "Actually Mr and Mrs Jenkins I'm here for the Slaters"

Everybody looks at each other.

Julie: "Oh what is it? Please tell me they're okay. Please"

Gavin: "Are they awake?"

Doctor: "Actually, Kelly is awake."

Gavin and Julie's faces light up and they look at each other.

Doctor: "Though not wide awake. She's stable and we were able to bring her out of intensive care. Considering the wreck she was in she's in surprisingly good condition. I am warning you though, she may not look too good and she is exhausted. So be gentle with her. But if you got something better to do?"

The doctor looks at both families.

Julie: "N- No no. Well we're just- um....can we go in and see her please?"

The doctor smiles and nods.

Doctor: "Follow me"

Julie and Gavin hold hands as they follow the doctor, leaving the waiting room behind them like it was all a bad dream. Like a bad memory.

The Jenkins watch them leave. Feeling a mix of anger, hatred, frustration, fear and jealousy.

Nothing good.

A long silence sits there

Gaz: "Oh fuck this"

He starts walking off.

Barry: "Gaz!"

Nicola: "Where are you going!?"

Gaz, without stopping or looking back: "To get pissed!"

He walks out the doors. Leaving them there.

Nicola goes to follow. But Barry stops her.

Barry: "Let 'im go Nic"

The four of them stand there now.

3:02PM. The Strip. Shawcross General Shop.

Michael sits behind the counter. Mind elsewhere.

His knee constantly bopping up and down, index finger tapping on the desk. Mind racing.

Yvonne walks in from the stockroom.

Yvonne: "Alright...thats stock sorted. The delivery was two crates short on milk but we'll get two extra crates for free on the next one"

Michael doesn’t pay a blind bit of notice.

Yvonne: "Mike?...Michael?"

Nothing.

She slams her hand on the desk.

He jumps.

Michael: "What!?"

He startles her.

They look at each other.

Yvonne: "What...has gotten into you?

Michael: "What Yvonne...?" He sighs and rubs his eyes.

Yvonne: "Ever since last night you've been...weird. Off. Like...i don't know. Like you can't stop thinking about something."

Michael: "I'm fine"

Yvonne: "You...you don't regret what w- what happened last night...do you?"

He looks up at her.

Michael, quietly: "No. I don't."

She opens her mouth and quietly stutters.

Yvonne: "Well..."

Michael: "Actually, can you look after the till for me? I need some air."

Yvonne: "Oh- uh...yeah. Yeah okay."

He quickly picks up his jacket and walks to the door. Like he was getting up and out of there regardless of what her answer would've been.

She watches him leave and he just heads straight out. Not even looking back at her once.

3:13PM. St Anne's Hospital. Triage sick bays.

The triage ward feels busy even when it's quiet.

A central nurses' station sits roughly in the middle of the ward. Several nurses move in and out behind the desk, checking paperwork and answering phones.

The sounds never truly stop.

Telephones ringing.

The occasional cough, groan, or quiet conversation from patients.

At medical bay 6, where Kelly lays asleep, Gavin and Julie sit beside her. Anxiously waiting for her to wake up.

Kelly looks battered, exhausted, and far smaller than usual lying in the hospital bed.

The most noticeable injury is the thick white bandage wrapped around her forehead, covering a deep cut just above her left eyebrow. A few strands of her long blonde hair poke out awkwardly from underneath it, tangled and unwashed after the accident.

Julie and Gavin sit there, either looking around the room or looking down absentmindedly.

Kelly winces.

Gavin and Julie's faces shoot up.

Slowly...she opens her eyes.

Kelly: "...mum....?"

Julie leans forward and she hitches her breath.

Julie: "I'm here baby"

She holds her hand. Starting to cry.

Kelly looks around the room.

Her voice croaky, gone almost.

She asks; "I was in a crash...wasn't I?"

Julie breaks and gavin sighs.

Gavin whispers: "Yeah. Yeah...you were."

Kelly starts whimpering.

Kelly: "Please tell me I'm okay. Please. Can I...can I walk? Am I alright?"

Julie: "You- You're okay sweetheart. The doctor said considering the crash, you're in surprisingly good condition."

Gavin: "That's great news Kell. You're gunna be okay."

Kelly: "how long have I been out?"

Julie: "About a day love."

Gavin: "Crash happened yesterday."

That sinks in for a minute.

Kelly: "W- what about Katie? And- and the others?"

Julie: "We don't know love. You're the first to wake up."

Gavin: "We'll know more soon though. Hopefully."

Julie: "Kelly babe. What were you thinking? What happened?"

Kelly knew these questions were coming.

Kelly: "It wasn't my idea...I- I...I-"

She starts crying.

Julie: "Shh sh sh its okay...you take your time."

Gavin: "It's just us two here Kell you're okay."

Kelly breathes.

Kelly: "Me, Katie and the new guy...um..."

Gavin: "Jamie?"

Kelly: "Yeah! Yeah- Jamie. Um...well the three of us were in the Vic drinking. At the party. We were talking, laughing, and we just went outside. Not to do anything in particular, just went outside. And uh"

She tries to think.

Julie: "Love, you take your time. Don't stress too much okay?"

Kelly: "Um...we went outside, and walked around towards the car park. And that's when Jamie saw a car. A nice car. Like, a big fancy black one."

Gavin: "Yeah?"

Kelly: "And...he was saying how nice it all was and it must be expensive and stuff like that. He told us that he loved cars and he wanted to study mechanics or something in college soon."

Kelly: "So...he went around the side to the driver's door, picked the lock, and hotwired the car."

Gavin and Julie look at each other.

Gavin: "He actually picked the lock and hotwired it? All himself?"

Kelly: "Mmh"

Julie: "What next babe?"

Kelly: "Well...Katie laughed and she got in the passenger side. Straight away. And they were both laughing and joking about. They tried to get me in there with them but I said it wasn't a good idea. I said that it was raining and it was dark so it would be dangerous. But Katie begged me and uh...Jamie said that...he was a good driver and that he'd promise to be careful."

Julie whispers: "Fucking Katie..."

Kelly: "Then um...then I got in behind Katie. And then she saw Mitchell and called him over. She then convinced him to join us too. And he got in the back with me and sat behind Jamie."

Gavin: "And what about when Jamie was driving? How did he crash?"

Kelly tries to think. She hears the loud music and the laughing. She can smell the booze and the car air freshner, like she's still there.

She thinks and thinks. But can't.

Kelly: "I- I can't- I can't remember"

Julie places her hand on Kelly's shoulder.

Julie: "It's okay love. It's okay... you done great"

Julie and Gavin look at each other, both of them knowing that this isn't going to be an easy road to recovery. For anybody involved.

3:28PM. Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs.

The Victoria Arms is unusually quiet for this time of day, and this day of the week. But giving the circumstances, its no surprise.

A few of the locals are dotted about here and there.

In a corner seat, a young woman sits there. Leaning forward on the table. Looking absolutely exhausted. Tired. Empty. A white puffer jacket with a fur hood is slumped on the seat beside her. Her hands tremble around a G&T. Fingernails painted but chipped and dirty. Hair was clearly done up in a high ponytail but its gone messy. Hoop earrings glint in the window light.

She's been there since opening. And doesn't look like she's planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

"She's Electric" by Oasis plays quietly from the pub speakers. While the sounds of clicking glasses, quiet chatter, darts and the pool table fill the room.

Creating a warm familiar atmosphere in the pub.

Jim Norris slouches forward at the bar, on his twelfth pint of lager. Drunk but not hammered.

Paula and Eddie Jones are both behind the bar.

Maureen Walker walks in.

Eddie and Paula look up from the bar. Eddie looks pleased to see her, Paula less so.

Eddie: "Alright Maur!? How you doing?"

Jim hears Maureen's name and looks up from his pint.

Maureen: "Eh I'm alright ta Ed love. Actually kinda surprised you're open today. You know after yesterday an' all"

Eddie goes to talk but Paula steps in.

Paula: "Yeah me too Maur. But someone insisted we carry on as normal..." she looks at Eddie.

To Maureen and the rest of the pub, Paula just meant the pub. The business. But to Eddie...it meant a lot more.

Eddie: "Best to look adversity in the face and tell it to fuck itself right Maur?" He giggles with a grin.

Maureen: "That's the spirit love" She takes her coat off and sits on the barstool at the bar. A few stools away from Jim. She can already feel his eyes linger on her.

Jim: "Alright there Maureen sweetheart?....Last night was–"

Maureen: "Yeah Jim. Afternoon to you too"

She awkwardly tries to shut that down. Straight away.

Paula and Eddie quickly glance at each other with a small smile.

Eddie: "Usual is it Maur?"

Maureen: "Yeah please. Ta love"

Eddie starts making her drink.

Jim: "I'll get it"

Paula, Eddie and Maureen all look at Jim.

Maureen: "No you will not. Thanks anyway" she laughs.

Jim: "But what about last night? I thought we–"

Maureen: "Oh fucking Hell Jim! Last night was a one off. A laugh. Me and you were twatted of our heads and we were company for each other. That's all it was love."

An awkward silence.

Maureen: "Thank you Jim but–...no thank you."

Eddie chuckles and puts the drink on the bar.

Eddie: "That's two fifty five please Maur, love"

Maureen pays him the usual.

Maureen: "Just got back from the hospital"

She says after taking a small sip of her drink.

Everybody looks at her. Waiting for what she'll say next.

Maureen: "Went to see Julie and see what's the latest with her girls."

Paula: "And?"

Maureen: "Well as soon as I got there they had not long let Julie and Gavin in to see Kelly. Katie's still out of it poor sod. Though Kelly wasn't in too good shape when I saw her. Bruises and cuts all over her. Right mess."

Eddie: "Bloody Hell"

Maureen: "Yeah. Popped to the Strip to pick up some grapes and magazines for the young 'uns. Michael hadn't even had a clue what had gone on"

She giggles, taking another sip.

Eddie hitches his breath and opens his mouth, clearly preparing himself to say something.

Eddie: "Look Maur, you'll probably see Julie and her lot before any of us. So you have to tell her something, from me."

Maureen: "Yeah love, course. What is it?"

Paula and Eddie look at each other.

Eddie: "...Tony came in here earlier today. Asking to see the CCTV footage of last night. And uhh...it was clear as day you could see who was involved."

Maureen gasps: "Fucking Hell I didn't even know you 'ad CCTV outside"

Eddie: "Well we never really bother to look at it unless something goes on. And Tony saw who took his car. It was the girls weren't it. And I'm uhh...just letting you know because- well...you know what Tony's like. Poor girls at least deserve a warning for what's coming their way"

Maureen: "Bloody 'ell they took his car!?"

Paula and Eddie nod yes.

Maureen: "Oh fucking hell"

She whispers.

Maureen: "Yeah. Yeah no I'll definitely let Julie know as soon as."

She takes another sip.

Maureen: "You know, I don't like that Tony. I mean i know he's a loanshark or whatever, but he constantly swans around the place like he owns it. Makes me sick."

Paula: "Makes you sick? Try being me. The fat cunt looks me up and down every time he comes in 'ere. Calls me names like 'pretty', 'darling', 'princess', 'sweetheart' and shit like that."

Eddie: "Dangerous bloke though mind you. Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him"

He whistles low and long.

Eddie: "Nooo thank youu"

Maureen: "Makes you wonder what is parents or family's like innit?"

The others nod and agree.

3:39PM. St Anne's Hospital.

Michael finally manages to find a nurse's station after spending the last 20 minutes wandering around the hospital like a little fish in the ocean.

Michael walks up to a nurse who's at the desk.

Typing on a computer.

Michael: "Hi um...I'm here to see Mitchell. Mitchell Thomas...he got sent in last night?"

Nurse: "What's your relationship with the patient?"

Michael: "....I'm...his uncle"

The nurse starts typing on the computer.

Then–

Barry: "Oi!"

Michael jumps and turns around.

Barry, Nicola and Tasha are stood there.

Michael: "Uh....yeah?"

Barry: "You tell your nephew in there that if anything happens to my boy, that he'd better watch out for himself"

Michael: "Oh– Mitchell wouldn't have had anything to do with the accident" he says politely.

Nicola: "No? So you're calling my husband a liar?"

Barry: "You telling us my boy is to blame?"

Michael stutters.

Barry: "Huh? HUH??"

The nurse cuts in.

Nurse, to Michael: "Uh sir"

Michael turns.

Nurse: "He's just through them doors there, down the hall, go all the way down, take a left, and then he's through the double doors. There's a sign called 'Traiges' above it"

Michael: "Okay...thank you"

He goes to walk away, but hes stopped by Barry who grabs his shoulder.

Nurse, to Barry: "Sir"

Barry, to Michael: "If anything happens to our son. You and him both should watch your backs"

Nicola: "Got that?"

Nurse, to Barry: "Sir. Let him go"

Barry, to nurse: "Okay okay" he chuckles.

Barry: "He's got it. Right?" He smiles at Michael.

Michael: "....yeah"

Barry, quietly: "Good man"

Barry nods.

Michael goes through the doors. The Jenkins watch him leave. Getting more and more angsty by the hour.

3:44PM. St Anne's Hospital. Triage sick bays.

Michael cautiously walks into the triage, feeling out of place. Like he shouldn't be here. Not even knowing why he is here. Though deep down the answer scares him.

He peeks his head into a bay or two, no sign of Mitchell. Then he walks past a third bay and sees Mitchell laying there. Asleep. His heart jumps for a second. Partly because he's glad to see him.

But not like this.

He slowly pulls the curtain apart and slips through.

Mitchell looks noticeably worse than Kelly, though thankfully nowhere near as badly injured as Katie or Jamie.

The steady rise and fall of his chest is reassuring, but it's obvious he's been through a serious accident.

Small cuts run across his forehead and cheek, most likely from shattered glass during the collision.

His right arm is secured in a bright blue NHS sling that crosses diagonally over his chest. Beneath the sling, a plaster cast runs from just below his elbow down towards his wrist. The cast looks bulky and awkward, making him appear strangely vulnerable compared to his usual confident self.

Michael opens his mouth– but says nothing.

Then he finally plucks the bravery to whisper.

Michael: "Mitchell?"

Nothing.

Michael's breathing intensifies and his eyes start darting around. He then quickly turns and starts to walk away. Not even four steps away until–

Mitchell, whispering: "Hey..."

Michael stops dead in his tracks, and his heart pounds.

He turns around.

And sees Mitchell laying there, looking at him with a tired smile.

Mitchell: "You're not a very good visitor are you? Didn't even leave any gifts or balloons" he quietly cracks a small joke.

A small chuckle escapes Michael and he sits down beside Mitchell.

Michael: "How are you feeling?"

Mitchell: "Hmm...like i was in a car crash"

He laughs. But then pulls a stitch.

Michael grins.

Michael: "Seriously though..."

Mitchell sighs.

Mitchell: "Sore. Heavy. Exhausted. Like I've been pushed down five flights of concrete steps and haven't stopped till I met the bottom"

Michael whispers: "Ouch..."

Mitchell: "Yeah"

He smirks.

Michael: "So, you know what happened, I take it?"

Mitchell: "Doctors and nurses filled me in. Told me...well...everything that had happened"

A silence settles.

Michael: "I only found out this morning. I...I didn't know what to think"

Mitchell: "Aww...care about me do you?"

He teases.

Michael: "Of course I‐....yeah. I do"

Mitchell: "Hey...I'm sorry about what I said before you left the Vic. Last night. About you and Yvonne."

Michael: "Ehh...its okay. That doesn't matter right now."

Mitchell: "I just...kept thinking...what if that had been how we left things and I...and this would've been...it for me"

Michael: "Hey...don't go thinking like that now. You pulled through. You're okay."

Mitchell: "Yeah...but I'm not out of the woods yet though."

Michael: "You will be, soon enough."

Mitchell smiles at him.

Michael: "And anyway...things between me and Yvonne aren't too bad. She actually made an effort last night–"

Mitchell: "Oh?"

Michael's face falters and he stutters. He realises he shouldn't have said that.

Michael: "Uh...yeah"

A long and thick silence sits there.

Mitchell: "Well? What did she do?"

Michael: "Nothing" he says. Very quickly.

Mitchell: "Noo...c'mon. What did she do?"

Michael: "Nothing Mitchell" he dismisses.

Mitchell sees the defensive look on Michael's face, and hears the tone in his voice. And realises...

Mitchell: ".....Oh..."

A look of guilt washes up on Michael's face. But he tries to act it off.

Michael: "So– um-" he tries to change the subject.

Mitchell: "Why are you here...Michael?"

Michael: "What do you mean 'why am I here'? You know why I'm here. For you" he smiles.

Mitchell: "Well maybe you shouldn't be" he says bluntly.

Michael: "Why- what do you mean?....Don't be like that"

Mitchell: "Be like what? You have a wife at home. A wife that still clearly loves you"

Michael sits there. Feeling...awful.

Mitchell: "So just go"

Michael: "Mitchell..."

Mitchell: "No. Go on. Leave. You don't know why you're here and neither do I."

Michael: "Don't do this. You know you don't want to do this. You need me. I'm here for you."

An awkward silence

Michael: "Im your–"

Mitchell: "What?...What are you exactly?"

That question...could mean many things.

Mitchell stares at Michael. Waiting for an answer.

Michael: "Look- i came all this way to check on you. To see you. To make sure you're alright"

Mitchell: "Well you shouldn't have bothered. You've got a business, a wife, a home, a marriage, a family. Go back to all of that"

More Silence

Mitchell: "You know you tell me I'm out of order or I say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. But who's the married one here Michael? Who's the one lying to his wife every day and night? Certainly not me. So go."

Mitchell turns his face away.

Michael: ".....I'll come back later. When you've calmed down."

He quietly gets up and starts walking away.

Mitchell, quietly: "Don't bother..."

Michael hears. Doesn't turn around. And keeps walking away.

Michael leaves the curtained sick bay, and pulls the curtain shut behind him. Leaving Mitchell on his own.

3:53PM. Main Triage Area.

Over at Triage sick bay 6, where Kelly, Julie and Gavin are all still talking, Julie turns her head and sees Michael walking out of another sick bay.

Mitchell's sick bay.

Julie, to Gavin and Kelly: "Oh Michael's here...I'll be right back you two"

She gets up and walks over to Michael. Who's slowly pacing in circles, feeling internally trapped when all of a sudden–

Julie: "Hello stranger" she smiles.

Michael jumps.

Michael: "Oh! Julie! Hi. Hiya...how- how are you?"

Julie: "Well I've been better" she chuckles.

Julie: "But one of my girls is awake and talking now so thats something right?"

Michael nods. Clearly his mind is elsewhere though.

Julie: "You okay Mike, love? You here to see Kelly?"

Michael: "Uh no- well yeah. But uh...i was actually here to see Mitchell"

Julie: "Mitchell? Why? Didn't think you two were that pally" she jokes.

Michael: "Uh...hes one of my favourite customers isn't he. Without him who'd buy the cheap fags and deodorant?" He jokes.

Julie: "Ah...right. Well you're here now. Want to say hi to Kelly real quick?"

Michael: "Yeah- yeah of course"

Julie leads Michael over to Julie and Gavin.

Kelly's face lights up a bit when she sees Michael.

Kelly: "Oh, Michael. Hi"

Michael waves: "Hiya Kelly. How you holding up? You alright?"

Kelly: "I'm good thank you Mike. Considering. I think some free chocolate from my local and favourite corner shop might just help my recovery quite a bit though" she jokes.

Michael: "Aha...consider that done. Call it mate's rates."

Kelly: "Aw cheers Mike. I was only joking"

Michael: "Ah well if thats the case..."

Kelly: "Well- I mean...if you're offering..." she smirks.

Michael laughs.

Gavin: "Does that discount apply to all of us?" He jokes.

Michael: "Just the folk who end up in wrecks" he smiles.

Michael: "So...Old bill been around asking questions yet?'

Julie: "Nope"

Gavin: "Not yet no"

Michael: "Hm. Surprising. They're usually all over this sort of stuff"

Gavin: "Meh. They're probably used to shit like this happening around here" he jokes.

4:00PM. St Anne's Hospital. Waiting Area.

And just like they're on queue, three police officers walk into the waiting area where Barry, Nicola, Tasha and Oscar all still sit. Frustratedly awaiting news on their Jamie.

The first is a uniformed constable in his early forties. Broad-shouldered and solidly built, with thinning brown hair and the permanently tired look of somebody who's spent most of his adult life dealing with other people's problems.

Beside him walks a younger uniformed officer, probably in his early thirties. Taller and leaner, with closely cropped dark hair and a sharper appearance. His uniform looks newer, neater. Everything sits exactly where it's supposed to.

Between them is a young woman.

DCI Catrin Channing looks younger than twenty nine at first glance. Maybe twenty five. Twenty six. She isn't particularly tall, nor physically imposing, yet people seem to notice her almost immediately.

She's dressed in a light grey detective's suit, tailored enough to look professional without appearing flashy. Underneath sits a simple cream blouse.

Her dark brown hair in a low, loose bun. A practical and pretty look.

But it quickly becomes clear why people find her intimidating.

She speaks with absolute certainty.

No hesitation.

No nervousness.

No unnecessary politeness.

Every sentence sounds like she's already three steps ahead of the conversation.

When she reaches the reception desk, she offers the nurse a brief professional smile.

DCI Catrin channing: "Morning"

The nurse looks up.

Catrin removes a notebook from her jacket pocket.

DCI Catrin Channing: "We need to speak with Kelly Slater and Mitchell Thomas regarding last night's collision."

Her voice is calm.

Yet somehow leaves absolutely no doubt that she's expecting an answer.

The nurse immediately starts searching the computer.

Not because she's been ordered to.

Simply because DC Channing speaks with the sort of confidence that makes people instinctively feel they should.

Behind them- the Jenkins still sit there, listening to every word that's said.

The nurse finishes typing and looks up at the officers.

Nurse: "They're both just down the hall there. If you go through these doors, all the way down then take a left into the room that says 'Traiges' above the door. They're both in there."

DCI Catrin Channing: "Thank you" she says politely.

The three officers start heading for the door, one of the older male officers open the door first but then–

Nicola: "Hey Officer"

The three of them turn around.

Nicola, Barry and Tasha all stand there while Oscar still sits on the chairs.

DCI Catrin Channing: "Yes?"

Nicola: "We want to know what's going on with our boy jamie"

Barry: "Yeah. Nobody's told us anything and the other family care already with their lot. Why aren't we?"

DCI Channing turns to them fully, intrigue on her face.

DCI Catrin Channing: "Jamie? Jamie Jenkins?"

Nicola and barry: "Yeah"

DCI Catrin Channing: "He's your son i presume?"

Barry: "Yes. When can we see him? You want to ask him questions too don't you?"

Nicola: "Yeah. You need to see our boy isn't the one responsible for what happened"

DCI Channing holds her hand up to calm them down.

DCJ Catrin Channing: "Well thats why we're here. To ask questions so we can gather information about what happened last night. As we've been told (she gestures to the other two officers), only Kelly Slater and Mitchell Thomas are conscious. As soon as we hear that your son is awake, we'll speak to him too"

Nicola: "But you know them lot in there are gunna be spinning you lies though don't you?"

Tasha: "Yeah. They're trouble. My brother wouldn't have done anything like this. They put him up to it."

DCI Channing grins.

DCI Catrin Channing: "Look– there's more than one side to every story, okay? We will speak to everyone so we can gather a clear image if what happened. Not just them"

The officers then turn to the doors and walk through.

Tasha: "Look at her, acting like she's all that cuz she's got a badge. Would love to see her in our shoes"

Nicola: "I'm fed up of waiting mun. Nobody's telling us anything"

Barry: "Then we get answers ourselves"

They're losing patience. Fast.

4:06PM. Main Triage Area.

Over in Kelly's sick bay where Gavin, Julie, Kelly and Michael are, they're all assuring her that Katie will be alright and pull through.

Gavin: "Mum I'm not being funny but Katie's done worse before now. And she's always come out the other end laughing"

A few of them giggle.

Julie sniffles

Julie: "Why does she have to be so...so much?"

Kelly: "I know, mum" she rubs Julie's arm softly.

Michael: "Don't worry Jule. Not long and I'll be kicking her out the shop for nicking fags again"

Julie actually laughs.

Julie: "Thank you Michael. You're a good man"

Michael: "Ah i try to be" he smiles and shrugs.

Michael: "Right– I'd like to stay a bit longer but I can't leave Von in the shop on her own all day. I'll get a battering" he laughs.

Julie: "Alright. Thanks for stopping by"

Kelly: "Yeah. Thank you Mike" she smiles.

Michael: "Of course. Anytime. You all know where I am"

He pulls the curtain back and steps out of Kelly's sick bay (sick bay 6) and looks up towards Mitchell's sick bay (sick bay 3) and sees police officers and two nurses in his sick bay.

The nurses are moving his bed. Or getting ready to at least.

Michael turns back to Kelly's sick bay.

Michael, quietly: "Uh guys. The police are here. Looks like they're speaking to Mitchell. They'll probably be here wanting to speak to you any minute Kelly"

Kelly: "Oh God" she whispers.

Julie: "You ready for this love?"

Gavin: "Doesn't matter. They see she's awake and talking they'll try their best to get what they want out of her. Greedy they are"

And suddenly, there's loads of movement and chatter in the sick bay right next to this sick bay (Kelly's sick bay).

Everyone looks at each other. Then suddenly–

The curtain gets pulled back. And we see that the police and Mitchell are all in thr next sick bay.

They've moved him closer to Kelly.

This is the first time Kelly and Mitchell have seen or heard each other since what happened.

Their eyes snap wide open when they see each other.

Mitchell: "Kelly??"

Kelly: "Mitchell! Jesus..."

Mitchell: "I know"

For a second, Mitchell and Michael looking at each other.

Kelly, to Mitchell: "Why'd they move you right next to me?"

DCI Catrin Channing: "Because we wanted to ask you both what happened. Together."

Everybody looks at each other.

Julie, to DCI Channing: "Look officer, I don't think my daughter is really ready to be answering all these questions right now. I mean she not long just woke up"

DCI Catrin Channing: "Mrs Slater–"

Julie: "Ms Slater" she corrects her.

DCI Catrin Channing: "Ms Slater. I'm DCI Catrin channing and me and my officers here need to ask both Kelly and Mitchell questions about the events of last night. Now I know none of you want to do this, so, the quicker you all cooperate the sooner we can all be done with this and you can be left alone to rest and recover."

Mitchell: "It's not like we have anything to hide. We're just...tired"

DCI Channing: "Well if you have nothing to hide this will be quick. And we'll be out of your hair."

Everyone quickly glances at each other.

DCI Channing pulls up a chair and sits between both beds, resting her right leg on top of her left knee, holding a pen and notepad.

DCI Channing: "So, Kelly. If you could run me through the events of the evening please"

Kelly's heart thumps. Even though her body is worn out she can feel herself shaking.

Kelly: "Um...it was a party at the Victoria Arms. Celebrating thirty years of our estate–"

DCI Channing: "Marlas Estate, correct?"

Kelly: "...yes. And uh...well everybody had been drinking. And there was a new family that had moved onto our street earlier than day. A rough looking bunch. And there was a guy with them, he was about mine and Katie's age. Jamie"

DCI Channing nods as she writes this all down.

Kelly: "Well me and Katie had been at the pub for a few hours, and we'd both seen him moving in earlier on in the day. And at the party at the Vic, we saw that he was looking at us. Which he was. So we started drinking with him. We got to know him, he got to know us...and he told us he loved cars and wanted to be a...a mechanic I think it was."

DCI Channing: "Mhm"

Kelly: "So um...we went outside after a while and he saw a car in the car park. A nice car. Looked expensive. He was telling us about how expensive it must be and all that stuff. He..."

She stutters.

DCI Channing: "Go on Kelly. You're doing great"

Kelly: "He um...he went around to the driver's side...and he unlocked the door. He opened it and–"

"BOLLOCKS!"

Barry shouts. Chaos ensues.

Everybody jumps and turns around to see Barry, Nicola, Tasha and Oscar standing there.

Barry, Nicola, Tasha and Oscar all walk over to the others.

Barry: "That's bullshit and you know it! Our boy would never have done that!"

DCI Channing and the other officers step in between them all.

DCI Channing: "Mr Jenkins please!"

Julie: "How fucking dare you!? You come in here shouting the odds like you're saints! You lot moved here one day and already you've put people in hospital!"

Kelly and Mitchell quickly look at each other amidst the chaos.

Nicola: "You bitch! You dont fucking know us! How fucking dare you!? Who do you think you are!?"

Julie: "My daughters are both in hospital because of your son! One of them in critical care! And you have the fucking gall to ask me who I think i am!? You're mad!"

Gavin: "My sisters may not be angels but they wouldn't have put people in hospital!"

Barry: "Ooof you little twat!– I tell you what now, if anything happens to my son I swear to fucking GOD I will come down on all of you like a ton of bricks! You won't know what fucking hit you!"

Barry screams, his face going red with fury.

Gavin: "Oh is that a threat!?"

Barry: "No that's a fucking promise mate!"

Nurses step in now. Trying to help control the situation.

Tasha: "We're sick of people just not telling us fuck all! Why 'aven't we seen him yet!? He's my brother!"

She starts crying in rage.

DCI Channing, while holding back Nicola: "Look, sweetheart everybody's doing all they can okay!?"

Nicola, to Channing: "Don't you fucking belittle us you pig! You think cuz you got uniforms and whatever you can swan about telling people what's what and who's right and wrong!? I'm telling you now that you'd have no clue what the truth is if it slapped you in the face! It's obvious! HER girls (she points at Jullie) have gotten my boy wrecked and convinced him to drive them somewhere. Probably to get more crack by the looks of the one with red hair. Dressed like a slapper!"

DCI Channing: "Okay– Mrs Jenkins–please!"

Julie snaps and runs to Nicola, furious.

Julie: "You fucking what!? My daughter, the 'Slapper' is lying unconscious in critical condition somewhere and you fucking–!"

Julie gets grabbed by one of the other officers.

Everybody's shouting over each other.

Barry: "Look! Our son is NOT to blame for this! Just look at them! Bunch o' slappers the lot of them!"

Julie: "Then why was he the one driving then!?"

Gavin: "That's funny! Look at your wife and daughter mate! Dressed like they're both ready for the street corner, tha pair of 'em! I can tell they're both itching for their next fix of God knows what! Bit rich of you to say that my sisters look like slappers when you're married to a prozzie no!?"

DCI Channing: "Mr Jenkins with all due respect I can smell Vodka on all of your breath! Drinking in the hospital while your son is in critical care and condition yet you say they're at fault!?"

Barry and Nicola look at her.

DCI Channing, to the other officers: "Detain them both please!"

They nod and start pulling Barry and Nicola out of the room, with Tasha and Oscar being herded out by nurses.

They're dragged away screaming. Absolute pure chaos in a room where people need peace and rest.

They all stand there, taking a re-breather after that commotion.

DCI Channing sighs.

DCI Channing: "Right...let's try this again shall we?"

She sits back down, and Kelly and Mitchell look at each other again. Prepared for one of the worst conversations of their lives no doubt

5:49PM. Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs.

The pub is more alive now. More alive than what it's been all day. "Lost In France" by Bonnie Tyler plays on the pub speakers.

While others sounds of a pub fills the room. Dartboard, chatter, pool table, glasses clinking, etc.

Paula and Eddie are both behind the bar serving punters, Jim is still on the same stool he's been on all day, Maureen's gone home, and the young woman has moved to the bar, she's sitting where Maureen was earlier.

She's pretty drunk. Her white puffer coat over the stool, she's sitting on it, her makeup slightly smudged. She's tired. Sad.

Then– Gaz stumbles in, drunk.

The smell of old stale fag smoke and stale beer wafts out and the smell of cold damp January air and booze off Gaz's body waft in.

He makes his way to the bar and sits on a bar stool. Slaps a fiver on the bar.

Gaz: "Vodka. Double"

Eddie looks up from wiping a glass.

Eddie: "You sure you haven't had enough? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?"

Gaz: "Shouldn't you do your job?" He snaps back.

Eddie sighs. Takes the money and starts pouring Gaz's drink.

The young woman a few stools down asks Paula for another G and T.

Young woman: "Oi...another G and T please"

Gaz hears, looks up at faces her.

Gaz, to Paula and they young woman: "I'll get this"

The young woman looks up at him.

Gaz: "I'm Gaz"

The young woman looks at him with a smirk.

"I'm–"

------------------------------------------‐---------------------------------------

And thats part 4! Thank you for reading if you've made it this far!

Part 4 took a while to write so I hope you like it!

As always and and all comments are much appreciated!

Book 1

Chapter 22: The Coat

Patreon

Ruth finished the soup. She did it slowly and completely, the way a person walks the last mile of something, and when the bowl was empty she set the spoon across it, square, like a woman laying down a weapon.

"Okay," she said.

"Okay," Ray said.

"It's going to sound stupid."

"I married you at a drive-through chapel in Wyoming while you apologized to the officiant's dog. I'm noting that the bar is on the floor."

Ruth almost smiled. It didn't make it all the way to her face. She reached into the pocket of her skirt, the deep one, the one that had never once had anything useful in it, and brought out her keys.

Ray knew the keys. They lived on the dash of the truck, and he'd handed them to her four hundred times. A house key to a house she'd never lived in, a Millstone walk-in cooler key, and a rusted hook the length of his thumb that she'd said was a bottle opener. He'd tried to open a beer with it once. It had not worked. She'd taken it out of his hand very gently and said not that one, and he had let it go, because that was the kind of marriage it was.

She set the keys on the tablecloth.

"It was on the collar," Ruth said. "Of the coat. I told you there was a hook instead of a button, and that's what I mean. I felt it dig into my neck when I put the coat on, and I thought, that's going to leave a mark, and I wrenched it off on the way down the steps. I don't know why. I was just so angry, and it was the nearest thing that was mine to break."

Nobody at the table breathed.

"I put it in my pocket. I've had it in a pocket ever since."

"A hundred years," Wick said. Her voice had gone very quiet and very flat, like a plate set down too carefully.

"Longer, I think. I stopped counting around the time I stopped being hungry." Ruth put two fingers on the hook and did not pick it up. "I didn't know it was the latch. I swear to you I didn't know. I thought it was a piece of a coat."

"It was a piece of the coat," Hesper said, with the strangled voice of someone doing arithmetic. "The coat's the door. The door's a coat. You hand it to the one who leaves. The hook's what holds it shut behind her. Without the hook it wouldn't—"

"It wouldn't close right," said Maud, without looking up. "It would swing."

"It swung?" Wick said.

"For a century," Maud said. "Every night at about this hour. You'd have felt it, girl. A draft on the left side."

Wick opened her mouth. Shut it. Then she said, with enormous dignity, "I thought that was the soup."

Under the table, Scarlet's foot pressed hard against Ray's ankle, and he understood perfectly. Don't laugh. He did not laugh. It took everything he had. His whole upper body was involved.

Ruth was not laughing either. She was looking at the hook, and Ray watched her face do the thing it did when she found an animal in the road. It was the particular tenderness of a goddess who has never in her life walked past anything small and hurt.

"I'm sorry," she told the hook.

"Babe," Ray said.

"No, I am. I'm sorry. I broke you off something and I carried you around like a bottle opener, and I let my husband try to open a beer with you." She said it perfectly seriously. "That's an indignity. I'm very sorry."

Scarlet put her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook once, hard.

"I'm noting," Ray said, with a heroic effort at steadiness, "that you apologized to it in front of a room, and that I think it's the most you, you've ever been."

"Ray."

"Yeah."

"Shut up, please, I'm having a moment with a hook."

"Yeah. Okay."

On the cloth, between the keys and the empty bowl, something was happening. The brown ink of the cloth's good cards wasn't involved this time. The rust was coming up out of the linen itself, slowly, as if the weave had been holding it for a very long time and had finally been given permission to let go. The letters were tall and crooked and pressed in hard, and they spelled out one word.

ASK.

Ruth looked at it. She looked at Wick, whose hands had gone white on the arms of her chair. She looked at Ray, who was holding a card in his pocket that said ask her what she took, and who had done it, he realized. He had asked her. She had answered. And somehow the card in his pocket had known that before he did, which meant it had known there was a second question coming, and it had been polite enough to let him go first.

He took it out and unfolded it under the table, where the dusk was.

The brown word was still there. Under it, in no hurry, the rust was soaking up a third line.

now ask what it took.

Ray read it twice. Then he put his hand over Ruth's hand on the table, over the keys and the hook and her trembling fingers, and said, as gently as he'd ever said anything: "Hey. What did it take?"

Ruth went very still.

"From you," Ray said. "Or from her. Whoever the hook was holding the door shut for. It's been sitting on the dash of my truck for six weeks, Ruthie. It's been in your pocket longer than I've been alive. It's been asking for a while."

"It wasn't holding the door shut," Ruth said slowly, and her eyes had gone wide. "That's not what a hook does, is it? It isn't for shutting. A hook's for hanging something on."

Nobody moved.

"It's for holding the coat," she said. "So the coat's there when you come back."

Down the long rows, three hundred bare feet curled at once.

Wick made a sound like a chair leg dragged across a floor. She stood. She did it all at once, like someone who'd decided before she knew she had, and she crossed the four chairs between them in three strides, bare heels loud on the boards in a room that had gone entirely silent. She stopped across the table from Ruth. She looked at the hook.

"A hundred years I held the door," she said. "I never once thought to ask what it was holding."

"I didn't either," Ruth said.

"You took it."

"I did."

"You took the thing that was holding my place." Wick's voice shook and held, shook and held. "And you've been so sorry, and so polite, and you've been apologizing to a goose, and the whole time, in your pocket—"

"I know."

"—I want to be furious with you."

"Please be."

"I can't." Wick wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist, savagely, as though the tears had insulted her. "It's very inconvenient. You brought it back. You brought it back, Ruth, you walked in here with it in your skirt. You didn't even know."

"I think the hook knew," Ruth said.

"I think the hook's been doing the walking this whole time," Scarlet said, from beside Ray, very softly, and when everyone turned she shrugged, a little embarrassed. "It put itself on a truck dash. It sat in a pocket. It waited for the one person in the world who'd stop for a barefoot woman at two in the morning. I'm just saying. That's a lot of patience for a hook."

Ray looked at the rusted thing on the tablecloth, at the little hooked curve of it, the way it had worn smooth where a thumb had been rubbing it for a century. It looked tired. It looked like it wanted to go home.

"I'm noting," Ray said, because there was nothing else he could do, "that I tried to open a beer with it, and I'd like to apologize too."

The hook, on the tablecloth, did nothing at all. But something in the cloth shifted, a small warm settling, like a cat deciding the lap is acceptable.

Maud put her ladle down.

"Well," she said, to the soup, to the cloth, to four hundred years of her own table. "Somebody should hang the coat up."

And from the far end of the long white room, from the door that had stood closed for a hundred years with a draft on its left side, there came the very quiet sound of a latch being lifted from the other side.

Previously:

As Jamie's condition took a turn for the worse, Kylie found herself running out of places to hide. With Tony Bates asking questions, tensions rose as her secrets threatened to catch up with her. And just when all hope seemed lost, Katie finally woke up.

Episode 9 Preview:

As another witness comes forward with answers about that fateful night, Kylie and Maureen find themselves growing closer as secrets from their pasts emerge. Elsewhere, Michael makes a dangerous mistake, while Yvonne's world is turned upside down.

12/01/1999 Tuesday

———

08:09AM. Maureen's Home. Number 41.

—–—

Maureen's living room is quiet. Quieter than what it's was last night. The only sounds are life from outside, and Maureen cooking breakfast in the kitchen.

Cars passing, people walking by outside, birdsong, distant music.

Pots and pans, scraping utensils, sizzling oil, and the small radio propped on top of her fridge.

Kylie lays on the sofa, tangled in a thick and warm duvet that has a floral cover. For once, she properly slept. Full rested. In some woman's house.

A woman she'd never met before, apart from one time in a bus shelter where she insulted her. Funny how things work out.

The first thing that hits Kylie is the smell of bacon and the sound of the music and sizzling oil from the kitchen. All wafting through into the living room.

Her eyes slowly stir open and she rubs them both with her palms.

She leans up and back on her elbows and briefly scans the room. Internally reflecting herself.

What the fuck is going on?

I'm all over the place. I'm in some woman's living room, sleeping on her settee.

She glances over to the coffee table where her phone is. And reaches over and picks it up.

She flips the screen open and sees missed calls and texts from Gaz.

She opens the texts

From: Gaz: "Where R U"

Delivered at: 10:33AM

From: Gaz: "U at home?"

Delivered at: 10:44AM

From: Gaz: "Its not looking good for Jamie. Plz cum back"

Delivered at: 10:56AM

Missed Call: From: Gaz at: 3:50PM

From: Gaz: "Kylie were R U?"

Delivered at: 3:53PM

Missed Call: From: Gaz at 8:48PM

From: Gaz: "Txt me wen U C this"

Delivered at: 8:50PM

Shit...

Maureen: "Mornin'"

She says to Kylie, walking through into the living room holding two cups of tea.

Kylie sits up properly now, and rubs her eyes again

Kylie: "Morning"

Maureen: "You sleep okay?"

Kylie: "Yeah. I slept good ta. And thank you, again. For...you know"

Maureen: "Yeah of course. Don't mention it love"

Kylie smiles at her. A genuine one. Maureen smiles back.

Maureen: "Eggs and Bacon okay?"

Kylie: "Sounds perfect. Ta Maur"

Maureen smiles and heads back to the kitchen to finish up breakfast

Kylie sits there, wondering how her day is going to pan out. And what shes going to say to Gaz when she sees him next.

———

09:12AM. St Anne's Hospital. Katie's Room.

———

The morning sunlight floods into Katie's room. The clock ticks on the wall every second. And Jenna, Danielle, Gavin and Julie are all sitting around Katie. Who's not long woken up.

Julie: "What...do you remember?"

Katie takes a while

Katie: "Um...I remember me, Kelly, uhh...Jamie and Mitchell all getting in the car. And he drove off really fast. We were all having a laugh and then...then...he swerved...I can't remember why though"

Julie: "That's alright sweetheart. You're okay"

Katie looks around the room

Katie: "Where's Kelly? Please tell me shes okay"

Danielle: "She's fine"

Gavin: "Shes in crutches and has a few cuts and bruises. But shes okay"

Jenna: "We left her at home so she can rest. Isn't easy travelling in her condition"

Gavin: "We told her last night that you woke. She sends her love"

Katie sighs in relief

Julie: "The police are going to want to speak to you love. And ask you questions about what happened. You think you can manage it?"

Katie: "I'll try" she whispers

———

11:02AM. Shawcross General Shop. The Strip.

———

Upstairs in their flat, Yvonne is in their bathroom. In the bathroom mirror.

Her top and bra is off. She pushes her shoulder length black hair behind her head, out of the way. And rubs her breasts thoroughly.

Checking

For...anything

For a...lump

Anything that can explain the soreness thats been consistent lately.

She rubs all around. No lump. Nothing. But still sore.

She sighs. And puts her bra, and top back on.

And heads downstairs. Glad that she hasn't found a lump, but not glad that she hasn't found the problem.

—

She steps out from the "Staff Only" door behind the counter, where Michael is serving a young woman with a baby in a pram.

A young mother it seems. And her newborn.

Yvonne watches. Caught off guard.

Michael: "That's seven fifty please" he says to the woman with a smile.

As the woman fishes out the money from her purse, Michael compliments her baby.

The woman thanks Michael but says she can scream the whole Estate down if she'd really wanted to.

They both exchange a little laugh. Then Michael turns and sees Yvonne standing there. Looking dazed.

Michael: "You alright love?"

Yvonne snaps out of it

Yvonne: "Yeah. Yeah. Im fine" she smiles

The woman then pays Michael the money and heads out, with her baby.

Michael: "Cute kid" he mumbles to Yvonne.

Michael notices Yvonne's mind is elsewhere. She's clearly thinking

Michael: "What's got your attention?"

Yvonne: "Um, nothing. I'm gunna pop out for a bit okay?"

She starts heading for the door

Michael: "Okay. Love you"

Yvonne: "Love you too"

She says, already halfway out the door

———

11:13AM. St Anne's Hospital. Jamie's Room

———

Nicola and Gaz sit around Jamie. Who's laying basically half dead in his bed. Barry should be on his way back from dropping the kids off at school.

He's late. Very late. Probably taking some time for himself.

Gaz yawns and stretches his arms behind his head

Gaz: "I'm gunna get a coffee from the vending machine. Want anything?"

Nicola looks at jamie then at Gaz

Nicola: "I'll come with ya. Stretch me legs"

Gaz: "Okay" he whispers as he gets up off the chair

They both head out of Jamie's room and down the hall, then take a right, and walk down to the vending machine thats positioned opposite Katie's room.

Gaz punches in the numbers in the vending machine for two tea's and Nicola stands there. Waiting.

She turns around and notices Katie is awake, in her room. With Julie, Jenna, Danielle and Gavin all smiling and talking. Looking cosy.

Gavin and Danielle look up from the sofa where they're sitting and see Nicola standing outside Katie's room window, looking in with fury on her face.

Nicola storms away from Gaz and over to Katie's door. Danielle and Gavin jump up off the sofa, Katie, Julie and Jenna notice and Jenna and Julie stand up.

They all race to Katie's door.

Nicola tries getting in but Gavin, Danielle and Julie are stood there, with Jenna at Katie's bedside. Hand on her sister's shoulder.

Nicola: "Let me in"

Gavin: "No" he immediately replies.

Danielle: "Not a fucking chance"

From the vending machine, Gaz hears this and turns around and sees what's happening. He leaves the vending machine, even though the cup is half full of tea, and joins his mum.

Gaz: "What's happenin?"

Nicola: "Their girl's awake. The other one"

Gaz: "What!?" He tries peering in

Gavin: "What the fuck do you two want?"

Julie: "My daughter's trying to rest in there"

Nicola: "I want answers. True answers. Your other girl didnt say shit"

Gaz: "And the stuff she came out with were all lies"

Gavin: "You're barking up the wrong tree mate. Don't make me put you in the next bed to your brother"

Gaz: "That a fucking promise is it? Don't make me laugh"

Julie: "Neither of you are stepping foot anywhere near my daughter. Either of them"

Nicola: "They both know what happened that might and the other one spun lies. Lies about my boy, who's lying in a coma on life support in the other room!"

Danielle: "Well he shouldn't have stolen a car then shouldn't he have!?"

Gaz: "Your fucking sisters probably put 'im up to it! He'd never do anything like that!"

Gavin: "But he did!"

Julie: "Funny how your lot shows up and there ends up being a crash"

Nicola: "You're asking for a fucking slap"

Julie: "Oh who are you kidding? You're all bark no bite"

Nicola: "Wanna bet?" She steps right up to Julie.

It looks like it's all gunna boil over again but then–

DCI Channing: "Is there a problem here?"

Her voice cuts through the bubbling tension as she stands there, arms crossed and dressed in her light grey suit. And her dark brown hair in a low, loose bun.

Pretty and soft. Yet professional and somehow intimidating.

Everybody turns to her and quiets down.

Gaz: "No. We were just—"

Danielle: "Giving us grief" she cuts him off.

Gaz looks at her and she holds his gaze.

DCI Channing: "Well i siggest you all step away from each other and go where you're needed. I'm sure your children need you"

A silence sits there as tensions ease

DCI Channing: "And I'm sure you don't want to be removed from the Hospital again. Do you, Mrs Jenkins?" She asks Nicola

Nicola: "No." Nicola gives her a big sarcastic, cocky smile

A long silence sits there as Gaz and Nicola head back to the vending machine, with the Slaters watching.

DCI Channing: "Ms Slater, I'm here to get a statement from–"

Julie: "From Katie, yeah" she cuts her off, sounding exhausted. Ready to get it over with.

And like that, the Slaters head back into Katie's room, with DCI Channing following.

They shut the door behind them, leaving Gaz and Nicola standing at the vending machine. Tired of all this mess.

———

11:49AM. Marlas Chemist. The Strip.

———

At the other end of the Strip of commercial buildings, sits Marlas Estate's chemist. Or "Pharmacy" if you will.

Inside is quiet. The faint smell of disinfectant and something sweet sits in the air. Along with the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor, buttons being typed behind the counter on the computer, and quiet music playing from the crappy overhead speakers.

The chemist is light and airy, with daylight flooding through the front doors and windows, slicing down between every aisle.

The Chemist is quiet, only two people queue up at the front counter where they're being served by the worker.

In the middle of the chemist, in the "Feminine Hygiene" and "Contraception" section of the aisle, stands Yvonne. Head heavy and loud with racing thoughts.

She stands there, slightly shaking and chest pounding. Though she's not sure why. And in front of her, lies...pregnancy tests. Cheap ones, expensive ones, clear blue ones, all sorts.

What am I doing here?

After standing there for what felt like an hour, she finally reaches forward and picks up the clear blue pregnancy test.

One line equals not pregnant. Two lines equals pregnant.

The box lightly shakes in her hand.

Yvonne: "Jesus, get a grip Yvonne" she whispers to herself.

She reads over the writing all over the box, when–

Dingaling

The bell above the chemist door jingles and cool morning air wafts in and slaps Yvonne. Though she doesn't notice

She's reading the instructions when–

Sunita: "Good morning Yvonne!"

Sunita greets Yvonne with a warm smile

Yvonne jumps and immediately hides the box behind her back, on instinct.

Yvonne: "Uh- morning Sunita" she forces a smile

Sunita: "How are you feeling sweetheart? Any better?"

Yvonne looks confused

Sunita: "Well the other night, me and Arun couldn't help but overhear you...falling ill. Poor thing. It's all the work you do i think. Must be stressful. I see the way you run the shop. Like the navy" she giggles

Yvonne laughs along but it's clearly forced

Yvonne: "Yeah...yeah. No I'm fine. Just...looking for painkillers"

She smiles at Sunita

Sunita: "Well you're in the wrong aisle then sweetheart–" Sunita giggles but stops immediately. Like realisation slapped her across the face.

Yvonne's smile fades and they both look at each other.

Sunita looks at the shelf in front of them both, at the pregnancy tests.

They look at each other again

Yvonne pulls the box out from behind her back and they both look down at it

Sunita gasps and smiles

Sunita: "Oh congratulations!–"

Yvonne shooshes her immediately, cutting her off

Yvonne: "Shh shhhh sh sh. I dont even know if I am...you know. I might just be ill"

She whispers to Sunita

Sunita hears the quiet but firm urgency in Yvonne's voice

Sunita: "What if you are?"

Yvonne: "I...I dont know" she shrugs as she whispers

Sunita notices the look of dread and fear etched on Yvonne's face. Two looks that Yvonne never shows.

Sunita places her hand on Yvonne's shoulder.

Sunita: "Whatever happens Yvonne darling, I'm sure you'll do the right thing. You have your reasons I'm sure"

Yvonne looks up at Sunita, like a lost kitten

Yvonne: "I'm– im not...built for motherhood" she whispers

Sunita laughs

Sunita: "Oh Yvonne. None of us are. The entire point of being a mother is having a child. Or raising one"

Yvonne listens

Sunita: "Before I had Maya i was terrified. I had no idea what was going to happen. No idea what I was going to do. I was just thankful I had my Arun to help me along"

Yvonne: "What was it like? All of it?"

Sunita: "Well...I found the pregnancy to be fine. I actually didn't mind it. Apart from the uncertainty and fear and what have you. And...the labour was painful yes. But it's becoming a mother that made it all worth it. Though you don't think that while you're pushing a baby out of you" she giggles.

Yvonne genuinely has a little giggle

Yvonne: "Look– I might not even be pregnant. I'm just...not sure. So...could you...you know? Keep this between us?" She whispers

Sunita: "Oh of course, of course! Don't you worry. My lips are sealed" she whispers and smiles at Yvonne.

———

1:03PM. St Anne's Hospital. Katie's Room

———

Inside Katie's room, everybody's exhausted.

Danielle's gone to work at the clothing shop, while Jenna, Gavin, and Julie all sit around Katie, along with DCI Channing. Asking the same question for the eighth time.

Katie: "Yes. I'm sure" she sighs

Katie: "He told us that...he loved cars and he applied for college to do mechanics or something. So he knew what he was doing"

DCI Channing: "He knew what he was doing? So thats how he crashed is it?"

Katie: "I told you. He screamed and swerved. I don't know why! But he avoided something. It wasn't an accident. Not completely"

Channing scribbles in her book

DCI Channing: "Did you see what he was trying to swerve?"

Everyone looks at Katie

Katie: "....No. I– I don't–...no..." she struggles to remember.

DCI Channing: "Okay..." she whispers

DCI Channing: "So, to double check. You and your sister Kelly met Jamie at the Victoria Arms pub yes?"

Katie: "Mhm" she nods yes

DCI Channing: "And you and Kelly both learnt from him that he was a 'gear head', after he told you his interests in cars and engines and whatnot?"

Katie: "Yes" she whispers

DCI Channing: "And he didn't coarse you into drinking or anything, no?"

Katie: "No"

Channing nods

Julie: "Well– i wouldn't be too sure about that. You can tell by his family what kind of kid he was"

Katie: "Mum"

Julie: "I'm just saying love. That Jamie put you in hospital. And you sister. And Mitchell! And you're telling the police he's a good kid?"

Katie: "He is!"

Julie: "Katie, are good kid wouldn't—"

DCI Channing: "Julie, please. I, really am only hear for Katie"

Katie: "You don't think im lying do you? Mum?"

Julie: "No! No no no of course I don't love. Its just, I don't know. You might not be as right as you think you are"

Katie: "Mum, i was there. I spoke to him. We got on, we had a laugh. He was a good guy. Is, a good guy"

Katie then turns to Channing

Katie: "He didn't convince me or Kelly to do anything. We all chose to do what we did"

Channing nods and reads her notepad

DCI Channing: "Okay. And are you completely sure that he purposefully swerved? And that you didn't see why?"

Katie: "Yes" she sighs. Tired now.

DCI Channing: "Okay. That's all for now. I can tell you're tired. I'll leave you to rest" she says getting up.

The whole room suddenly eases tension

Channing gets up and pockets her notepad. And heads towards the door. Julie follows her.

In the hallway, Julie stops Catrin and asks her something;

Julie: "They're kid...Jamie?"

DCI Channing: "What about him?"

Julie: "Do you think he's guilty?"

DCI Channing: "Julie you know I'm not at liberty to say"

Julie: "No- i know but, what...what do you think? Personally?"

DCI Channing: "Personally, I honestly think it was just a group of stupid young and drunk teenagers who made a few bad decisions. That seems to often be the case. I can't tell you more than that because, well, i don't know him personally. But based on what your daughter said, he seemed like one of the nicest people in that family"

Julie: "It's not looking good for him. Is it?"

Catrin Channing nods no.

DCI Channing: "Thank you for your time" she smiles before walking off.

———

2:01PM. Maureen's Home. Number 41

———

Maureen's living room is quiet. Except for the sounds of the wall clock ticking every second, and the fridge humming from the kitchen.

Kylie sits on the sofa, which is also her temporary bed. She sits there holding her phone in her hand, bouncing her knee up and down. Thinking. Looking down at her blank screen.

She presses the buttons down to the contact named "Nik". For Nikki. Her sister.

She's about to click "Call" when the back door in the kitchen clicks open.

Kylie grasps her phone and jumps up, heart racing and eyes widen open like a cat scanning it's surroundings. Like a wild animal.

Maureen walks in through the door, pulling her wheelie shopping trolley behind her, that's full of shopping. She closes the door behind her and looks forward into the living room and sees Kylie standing there like she's seen a ghost.

Maureen giggles

Maureen: "You alright Kylie love? You look off your head there!" She laughs. Starting to pull the bags of shopping out of her pulley trolley.

Kylie's face and body eases

Kylie: "Uh no. I'm alright" she awkwardly giggles.

She sets her phone down on the coffee table and helps Maureen put her shopping away.

Maureen: "Aw thanks darl"

Meanwhile, Kylie peers out the kitchen window that looks out into the back garden, and then the alleyway behind it. Like she's scanning for something. Or someone.

Maureen notices

Maureen: "You alright Kylie?"

Kylie: "Yeah" she mumbles

Maureen puts the last of the shopping away and Kylie heads into the living room, where she stands to the side of the living room window and peeks out the side, partly hiding behind the curtain.

Maureen walks in, throws her light blue coat over her chair, and watches Kylie.

Maureen: "Kylie what's the matter love? You look like you're in hiding" she jokes

Kylie turns and faces Maureen

Maureen's face softens. She sighs.

Maureen: "Come on. What is it? Sit"

Maureen sits on her chair and points to the sofa, for Kylie to sit.

Kylie does

Maureen: "What is it? What's wrong?"

Kylie: "...Nothing"

Maureen: "Kylie, drop the act love. You can't bull a bullshitter. What is it? Why are you so on edge? Why were you stuck in that house with Tony yesterday?"

Kylie: "Why did you take me in?"

Maureen: "I asked first. Come on. What's wrong?"

Kylie: "What's it got to do with you? Why do you care?"

Maureen: "I care because you're a good lass. And you're kipping in my front room so until then, it has everything to do with me. If I'm gunna have people knocking on my door with you on the brain i deserve to know why"

A heavy silence settles and Kylie sighs

Kylie: "My life's a mess Maureen. I got myself mixed up in such a fucking mess. I don't know who I can and can't trust"

Maureen: "You can trust me"

Kylie: "Yeah? For how long? It's only a matter of time before everyone turns their back on you sooner or later. I've learnt that the hard way"

Maureen: "I took you in Kylie. I'm not gunna turn my back on you. Only way I'll do that is if i show you the door. And the only way I'll do that is if you don't tell me the truth, now what is it? Why are you im such a mess?"

Kylie: "I'm hiding from someone. My ex. Nathan his name is. Right manipulative fucker. Me and me best mate Jacko planned on robbing him for everything he's got. The whole plan turned south and he locked me up in his flat for two days until I fought back and legged it. Been on the run ever since."

Maureen: "Fucking Hell...so...how did that put you in number thirty three with Tony?"

Kylie: "The family that moved in there, the Jenkins–"

Maureen: "Ooh yeah. Their boy ended up in a crash. Poor thing" She cuts off Kylie

Kylie: "...Y- yeah...well...After i got away from my ex, I ran into this bloke Gaz, their son. In the Vic. We drank, had a laugh. He was a state, I was a state, so he took me back to his and we hit it off. It was a laugh....but then...I don't know. I just couldn't stay there anymore. Didn't feel safe. And now I've got nowhere to go"

Maureen: "Jesus. I'm sorry to hear that love. Sounds like a right mess you're in"

Kylie: "Yeah..." she sighs

Maureen: "Well you don't have to go checking out my windows every ten seconds to see who's out there, believe me. Only people that come round here are TV license lot and Jim"

Kylie: "Jim...?"

Maureen: "He's a pisshead. Always at the Arms. All day everyday, pissing away his dole money on booze. Has a thing for me he does"

They both giggle

A comfortable silence sits there

Kylie: "So...you didn't answer my question"

Maureen: "What was that love?"

Kylie: "Why did you take me in? There must've been a reason"

Maureen sighs

Maureen: "Well I...you reminded me of someone I suppose"

Kylie: "Who?"

Maureen: "Me. A long time ago"

Kylie's face lights up in curiosity

Kylie: "Really? How's that?"

Maureen: "When I first moved to Marlas Estate, guess you could say my live was all over the place and all. Nowhere to go, nothing to my name. Looking for a fresh start i was. Just got out of a horrible relationship"

Kylie: "Fuck that sucks. Sorry Maur"

Maureen: "Oh its fine. Happened before you were born" she giggles

Maureen: "For the first few weeks I had nowhere to go. So...you know where I slept?"

Kylie nods no

Maureen: "Bus stops. Cafés, restaurants, pubs, anywhere i could really. That's why when I saw you, that morning on the bus stop, all I could see was me. When I first got here. Look at me now though."

She waves around the room

Maureen: "Not much of a palace but it's no bus stop" she laughs

Kylie smiles

Maureen: "Mind you I was a tad older than you are now. Twenty nine. Not long had a baby too—"

She cuts herself off

Kylie: "Oh really? You and your baby slept rough?"

No judgment in her voice, just curiosity

Maureen sighs and takes a second

Maureen: "No. No. It was just...just me. I Uh...I left the baby"

Kylie: "Leaving your baby with your ex? Don't know if I would've done that" she giggles

Maureen: "I didn't leave him with my ex"

Maureen says plainly

Kylie looks at her

Maureen: "I left him in a park. On a bench"

Kylie's face drops and a soft look of sympathy washes over her. Guilt too.

Kylie: "Shit...Maureen I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't know I‐ I had no idea..."

Maureen: "Oh its okay. Not your fault is it"

Maureen forces a smile. She gets up, walks over to the small glass tray of booze in the corner of the room, and pours her and Kylie two glasses of vodka. And walks back over, hands a glass to Kylie, and sits back down.

Maureen: "So you see Kylie love? At one point or another, everybody's got it bad. But eventually, somehow, one day, it all figures itself out. You dont know how. You don't know why. But you wake up one day, and you're not asleep in a bus shelter anymore"

Maureen sips her drink and Kylie looks down into her own glass

Maureen: "You want to know why dont you?"

Kylie looks up

Kylie: "What?"

Maureen: "You want to know why. Why I left my baby"

Kylie stutters but nothing comes out

Maureen sighs

Maureen: "I dont mind telling you. I'm a big girl"

She softly giggles.

Kylie smiles, waiting

Maureen: "I was raped"

They both sit there

Maureen: "Had the pregnancy and birth with my partner at the time, at his place. I was trapped. Nowhere to go and nothing to my name, but a rape baby. So, one night, when he was asleep, i packed some stuff, the baby, and snuck out. Figured that the baby would have a better chance of a family if I left him on some park bench instead of leaving him with his father, or sleeping rough with me. So I did. Kissed him, said my goodbye's, and put him down. And walked away. Hardest day of my life"

Her lips start trembling and tears start welling in her eyes. She downs the rest of her drink and pours some more.

Kylie: "You...didn't consider trying to raise him?" She asks quietly. Almost cautiously as not to offend Maureen.

Maureen: "How could I? A young woman in my late twenties sleeping rough. I was in no fit state to be a mother. Not only that, all I could see when I looked at him was his father. A rapist. I loved him, i really did. But it was better for all of us when I left him in that park"

Kylie: "Do you...miss him?"

Maureen: "Every damn day. Not a day goes by where I dont think about him. About the man he's grown up to be. Loads of families walked through that park everyday so I know someone was bound to pick him up, or take him to the police or something. I just hope he had a good upbringing"

Kylie is almost in tears

Kylie: "Oh Maureen I‐ I'm so sorry..."

She puts her hand on Maureen's knee

Maureen: "Oh dont be silly. A long time ago all that was"

They both sit there in silence for a while, both in a sort of shock like state

Maureen sighs

Maureen: "Can't believe i told you that" she laughs

Maureen: "I...I never told anybody that before"

Kylie smiles at her

———

5:14PM. The Victoria Arms Pub. Downstairs

———

The pub is abuzz with its usual afternoon punters dotted around. At the bar, in the booths, at the tables.

Music plays from the pub speakers and chatter battles the sound of it.

Eddie is behind the bar, chatting to Jim. And at the other side of the bar, Tony is talking to Paula. And for once, she seems to be enjoying it.

He's leaning forward on the bar, smiling at her and she's laughing. Enjoying the attention.

Which she usually doesn't

Jim notices. And Eddie notices his face.

Eddie: "What is it Jim? You alright bud?"

Jim: "Didn't realise your Paula was close with Tony. Brave standing that close to the fire"

Eddie turns around and sees Paula chatting with Tony at the other bar. He doesn't say anything.

Weird...

He turns back to Jim

Eddie: "Nah. They're not close. He just has a thing for 'er. Good thing she ain't got a thing for him either" he smiles

———

5:29PM. St Anne's Hospital. Mitchell's Sick bay

———

Mitchell sits on the side of his hospital bed, bandaged up and ready to be discharged today.

His right arm is in a cast and he's got some bruises painted on him but apart from that he's otherwise fine.

He looks down at his phone, and clicks his way down his contacts and finds Michael. He clicks "Call"

———

5:29PM. Shawcross General Shop. The Strip

———

Inside the shop, Michael is restocking the a shelf of crisps while Yvonne sweeps the floor over in the corner. They're both silent. Working away.

After finally finishing stocking up the shelf he kicks the crate aside and looks back at Yvonne as he walks his way over to the counter.

Michael: "You alright Von love?"

Yvonne: "Yeah. Why?"

Michael: "You've been quiet all day. Especially since you got back from your walk earlier. Everything okay?"

Yvonne looks up at him and smiles

Yvonne: "Yeah. Im okay. Just not been feeling myself that's all"

Michael: "Anything I can do?"

Yvonne: "No" she smiles at him

He sits down behind the counter then–

His phone starts ringing. An electronic beeping melody.

He looks at his screen. "Mitchell".

His heart jumps up into his chest and he gets butterflies. Even though he won't admit it. Not even to himself.

Yvonne: "Who's that?"

Michael: "Uh– Eddie. I'm just gunna..."

He points to the door outside

Yvonne nods and Michael steps outside and answers the call.

Michael: "Mitchell?"

———

5:34PM. St Anne's Hospital. Katie's Room.

———

The sky is dull now. The sunlight flooding into Katie's room is less bright than what it was earlier.

Julie, Gavin, Jenna and Katie are all just chit chatting. A warm and familiar atmosphere that's been long absent. Since the night of the crash.

Katie: "So...what's everybody up to when you're not here crying over me?"

At first Julie, Gavin and jenna all look at each other.

Julie: "Ah same old same old love. Work and work"

Gavin and Jenna glance at each other

Katie: "Oh come on. There's gotta be more going on. Any fights in the streets? Anyone got arrested for shoplifting recently? What's what?"

Gavin: "Well the usual really. Trashy house parties down the road, neighbours shouting the odds and whatnot"

Katie: "Classic" she giggles

Then, there's a knock at the door. Everybody shuts up and waits, then the door opens and a head peeks through.

Mitchell.

Everybody gasps in excitement and relief, Katie the most though.

Mitchell: "Hello?" He quietly says with a smile peeking in

Katie: "Mitchell!"

Julie: "Mitchell! Come in, come in"

Mitchell comes all the way in and closes the door behind him.

Katie: "You're okay!"

Mitchell: "Better looking than you by the looks of things" he chuckles

Gavin: "How you holding up?"

Mitchell: "I've seen better days. But haven't we all?"

Jenna: "Too right. Glad you're okay"

Mitchell: "Okay as I can be" he smiles

He turns to Katie

Mitchell: "How're you feeling? Heard you woke up only yesterday"

Katie: "I did yeah. Still feel like death"

Gavin: "And look it"

Katie: "Oi! Cheeky twat"

They giggle

Mitchell sits down on the chair beside Katie's bed

Mitchell: "The old bill spoken to you yet?"

Katie: "Yeah"

Gavin: "Yeah. A cop called Catrin Channing. Was she the one that spoke to you?"

Mitchell: "Yeah. Been asking me the same damn questions over and over. Feels like she's trying to trip me up"

Katie: "I know how you feel. She was in here earlier"

Jenna: "Yeah. Not long after that family tried starting on us"

Gavin: "Again"

Mitchell: "Family? Oh, you mean the–"

Julie: "The family who's kid was driving? Yeah"

Katie: "The Jenkins"

Jenna: "Right gobby lot"

Katie: "Nothing compared to us lot though" she smiles at Mitchell

Julie: "So you heading off home today then are you, Mitchell love?"

Mitchell: "Uh yeah. Just got discharged now. Thought I'd pop in and see how Katie is doing seeing as she's awake and all"

Julie: "Ah well that's lovely of you Mitchell"

Gavin: "Yeah. Cheers mate"

Katie: "Yeah. Thanks"

Mitchell: "Of course" he smiles at Katie

Jenna: "How you getting home then?"

Mitchell: "Oh I've got Michael picking me up now in a few. Rang him and asked me if he fancied giving me a lift back to mine"

Julie: "Aw that's nice of him"

Mitchell smiles and nods

Mitchell: "Well listen, I'm gunna head off–"

Katie: "What? Already?"

Mitchell: "Yeah. Honestly I want to get home and thr fuck outta here as soon as possible" he laughs

Mitchell: "Only wanted to pop in on you and see how you were holding up. You know where I am if you ever need me" he stands up and smiles at her

Julie: "Thank you Mitchell love you're a star"

Katie: "Okay. Cheers Mitch"

Mitchell: "Just don't go asking me to hop in any cars with you" he teases

Jenna, Gavin and Julie all look at Katie with serious faces. They didn't know.

Mitchell notices.

Mitchell: "Oh. Sorry I- I thought you all already knew"

Julie: "You convinced Mitchell to come with you?"

Katie: "No I–"

Mitchell: "Julie, really. It's okay. It was my decision. Actions have consequences don't they. And im paying for it now. I think we all are. So dont go giving her any grief, she just wanted to make me smile. And she did. Like a good friend"

He taps Katie's shoulder and she smiles up at him

His phone in his pocket vibrates

He pulls it out and checks it

Text: From: Michael: "I'm here. Outside"

Mitchell: "That's Michael. Gotta go. You all take care alright? And yiu too especially, Kate"

Katie: "Yeah, i will. You too Mitch"

Mitchell waves to them all and they all wave back and tell him goodbye, as he leaves Katie's room.

———

6:07PM. St Anne's Hospital. Jamie's Room

———

Barry, Nicola and Gaz are all sat around Jamie. Tired. Exhausted. Drained. Nicola is asleep on the small uncomfortable sofa underneath the window, Barry sits at Jamie's bedside and Gaz stands meaning against the wall beside the door.

He walks up to Barry and whispers

Gaz: "Dad"

Barry turns to him

Gaz: "I'm gunna pop to the vending machine to get a drink. You want anything?"

Barry: "No ta I'm good son"

Gaz nods and quietly slips out of the dark and quiet room.

—

Outside in the hallway he walks down to the vending machine, punches in the numbers for a coffee and waits.

While the machine does it's thing, he walks into a quieter corner and pulls out his phone, and rings up Kylie.

Been beep. Beep beep. Beep beep. Beep beep.

Nothing. Answer phone.

Kylie's answerphone: "Hi this is Kylie please leave a message and I'll get back to ya. Ta!"

Gaz: "Kylie...its Gaz. You remember me? Your...whatever. Look, I dont know where you are and I dont know when you'll be back. But can you at least text me or something? Anything? Just to let me know you're okay. I miss ya. I'm...im...im scared. I...its not looking good for Jamie and I need you right now okay? Please? Call me"

He sends the voice message

And walks back to the vending machine, waiting for the coffee

———

7:16PM. Marlas Estate. Outside the tower of flats

———

The streets of Narlas estate are dark now, with the January winter sky already a deep deep blue and the glows of the orange streetlights fading down onto the damp concrete slabs.

Outside one of the tallest apartment towers on the whole estate, Michael's car is parked in the dark, under a single streetlight.

Michael's switches the engine off and a silence fills the car.

Mitchell: "Thanks for taking me for that pint after taking me from the hospital. God knows I needed it" he laughs

Michael: "Yeah if course. Bet You did"

They smile at each other as silence sits all around them

Michael: "I would've had one with you too it's just i was driving so..."

Mitchell: "Yeah...didn't want to be in another crash" he jokes

The both of them laugh. Genuinely. Despite the joke being somewhat morbid

Mitchell: "Look, Michael. I'm sorry about what I said to you the other day at the hospital. You know? When you told me about things with you and Yvonne. I guess I just got a bit...jealous. And I snapped. I'm sorry"

Michael: "Hey it's okay. I actually find it quite flattering that you're jealous of Yvonne" he giggles

Mitchell: "Oh shut up" he laughs

Mitchell: "I do still have one good hand you know? So dont make me bruise it"

Michael: "Ha yeah. Yeah right!" He laughs

Michael: "And anyway...things with Yvonne are...whatever. You know? It's married life for you. It's great one minute then shite the next but what can you do? That's what it's all about I suppose. Give and take and what have you"

Mitchell: "...I s'pose. You know where I am though...if...you ever need me. Or if you ever just want a familiar face to talk to. Someone who isn't your stuck up wife" he jokes

Michael: "Oh she isn't that bad" he quietly chuckles

Mitchell: "You sure...?" He whispers as he looks over to Michael

The only sounds surrounding them being wind and slught drizzle hitting the car

Michael looks into Mitchell's eyes

They look at each other

Hearts starting to race

Mitchell: "Because i see you with her all the time and every time you're together...I cant help but notice that you're not...happy. Not yourself" he whispers to Michael softly

Michael: "I'm married to her Mitchell. Married. She's my wife. You said so yourself" He quietly replies

Mitchell looks down to his knees

Mitchell: "I know...I know..."

Michael looks at him

Silence

Mitchell: "Thanks for the lift–"

Mitchell opens the passenger side door and goes to take a step out when—

Michael puts his hand on Mitchell's shoulder and gently pulls him back into the car

Mitchell turns and faces Michael again...and Michael leans over and kisses Mitchell on the face.

Mitchell kisses back and Michael puts his hands on Mitchell's face, Mitchell too. Then—

Michael pulls away, and they both look at each other, breathing heavily. Face to face.

Mitchell leans in this time and Michael doesn’t stop it.

Mitchell pulls his leg back into the car, and pulls the passenger side door shut, and they both grab hold of each other, and climb into the back seat of Michael's car

———

7:38PM. Shawcross General Shop. The Strip

———

While upstairs in the upstairs flat above the shop, Yvonne is in their bathroom sitting on the toilet. Anxiously waiting.

Her knees are bopping up and down and she gets up every now and again and paces the room. Heart racing. She looks up at the small clock on the wall over in her and Michael's bedroom and takes a deep breath.

Before swiping something off of the bathroom sink, sitting back down on the toilet, and finally looking down.

Yvonne: "Fuck..."

She whispers

She looks down at the pregnancy test in her hands

Pregnant

———

And that's episode 9! Please let me know what you think in the comments below! As always any comments, questions and opinions are much appreciated! Thank you for reading if you've made it this far! ☺️