Way Of Life - H.S & N.H

You're Not Okay, But That's Okay

"What's he done now?" Heather scoffed as she invited Shay, Haley and Sienna in.

Shay's eyes were puffy where she'd been crying. But Heather could tell she was trying to be strong for the kids.

Haley gave Heather a hug and then ran off in search of Uncle Niall and the kids.

Both Shay and Heather walked into the living room. Shay set Sienna down on the rug, she happily lay there, gurgling away.

Neither woman had said anything at all. It worried Heather.

"Shay seriously what's going on? You haven't said two words and it's making me panic?!" Heather urged her to sit down, to which she did.

The tears began to fall from Shay's eyes again as she tried to pluck up the courage to tell Heather.
She opened her mouth the speak just as Niall emerged in the doorway with Haley and Isla at his feet and then Angus in his arms.

"Well this is a lovely surprise! Wasn't expecting..." Niall stopped mid sentence once he saw Shay.

"Shay what's going on? Are you okay?!" He rushed in, planting Angus back on the ground.

Heather sensed that Shay wouldn't want the kids around to hear what she had to say so shot Niall a look and then gestured at the kiddos.

Niall caught on and nodded.

"Hey Gus! Why don't you go and show Hayley you're new books yeah?" Niall cooed.

"Okay. C'mon Haley. I got this really good one..." Angus happily obliged.

"Take your sister too." Niall added.

"But I've already seen them." Isla whined.

"And you can see them again. Do as your dad says please!" Heather replied sternly.

Isla huffed but joined the older kids as they made their way upstairs.

Once they were out of earshot all eyes were on Shay again.

"He's a complete arsehole." Shay mumbled through her tears.

"No guesses as to who you're talking about." Niall replied, trying to lighten the mood but once Heather glared at him his smile faltered.

"What's he done?" Heather asked calmly.

"You know that big event that he was supposed to go to and I asked him not to because he hasn't been at home for a while and the kids miss him a lot." Shay managed to mumble out.

Both Heather and Niall hummed.

"Well... I caught him getting ready to go and we had this big fight about it. And... and... he went anyway." Shay sobbed at her last words. Her head falling into her hands.

"He did what?!" Heather cried.

"Even after you asked him to stay?" Niall asked, anger evident in his voice.

Shay nodded meekly, sobs still escaping her mouth.

"What the fuck is he playing at?!" Niall whispered the word fuck, he'd gotten used to doing this even when the kids weren't around.

"My sentiments exactly!" Heather replied angrily.

"Where is he now?" Niall shot up from his seat.

Both Shay and Heather shot him a look.

"I... don't know. I guess at Jeff and Glenne's maybe. I haven't... haven't spoken to him since the fight last night. I'm so angry at him. But I'm also... also really scared." Shay whimpered.