Fatal attraction (Waterloo road)

016

Harper had been discharged from the hospital. She had been told to take it easy. But she wanted nothing more than for Rachel to stop fussing over her.

When she woke that morning, she saw Rachel walking in with a plate of breakfast. Harper rolled her eyes. "I'm not hungry."

"Darling you need to keep your strength up. You've been through a hectic few weeks."

"I lost my baby. Of course I've had a hectic few weeks."

Rachel nodded. "I know darling. I'm sorry. I just don't want to see you hurt or upset again. Do you understand that?" She asked.

Harper nodded. "Yes. But I'm fine. I will be fine. I just have to grieve in my own time. There's no rushing on how I feel."

"I know. Just try and eat something. Please."

***
Harper looked up as Charley walked in. She had Esmè with her. "She wanted to come and see you. And to give you her picture she drew."

"Aw thank you cutie."

Esmè giggled as Charlee put her on the bed. She crawled next to her aunty and cuddled into her. Harper sighed. "I'd have been a good mummy. Wouldn't I?" She asked.

"Without a doubt babes. You would have done better than what I did. I walked away from my baby. And she did nothing to deserve it. You'd have done so much better than me," Charlee said.

Harper sighed. "You weren't well Charlee. No one blames you. I don't. You came back. And that's what matters," she told her.

"You're too wise for your own good. But thank you. For being there for Esmè when I couldn't."

"Anytime. You're my big sister and I love you."

"I love you too."

***
Tom sat at home thinking about Harper. He wanted to see her. But he knew Rachel wouldn't allow it. He sighed knowing that it was his baby that she lost and he wanted to be there for her.

Tom looked up as josh walked in. He smiled. "Hey dad. You okay?" He asked.

Tom nodded. He sighed and took the beer josh handed him. Josh smiled. "You know that you're the best dad in the world don't you?"

"Thanks son. What you after?"

Josh laughed. "Nothing. I just wanted to let you know. I know you're going through a hard time right now."

***
Harper looked up as Rachel walked in. She sighed. "Mum. I don't need you to keep on checking on me. I just want to sleep," she said.

Rachel nodded. "I've been thinking. Maybe we should send you away for a little while. To get your head straight after losing the baby."

Harper frowned. "I don't need to be shipped off. I'm fine. I just need to rest. So don't even try with that crap," she told her.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I want to help you love. And this is the only way I can think of doing that. Please understand it," she told her.

Harper scoffed. She shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere. And if you try to force me, I'll go missing. And trust me, you won't find me."

Rachel walked out and sighed. She knew she had to do what was best for Harper. But would she really send her own daughter away?