𝐈 𝐁𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐆𝐒

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐬𝐢𝐱

|| 30th April 2013

♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎

Joanne sighed as she finished dressing Matty, she knew her daughter was in a drunken slumber in the next room and she didn't want to expose her grandchildren to that. Courtney looked over at her mum, clearly confused as to what was happening.

Courtney's concerned eyes were fixed on Joanne as she gently rocked Matty in her arms. "Mum, what's going on?" Courtney whispered, her voice tinged with worry. "Is everything okay?"

Joanne's expression softened as she looked at her daughter, torn between answering truthfully and protecting her from the grim reality. She knew that Gabby's drinking was a serious issue, but she also knew that her children didn't need to be burdened with such things right now. "It's...it's complicated, love," she finally replied softly.

Courtney frowned in mild annoyance, clearly unsatisfied with her mother's vague answer. "But it's something bad, isn't it?" she persisted, her voice taking on a more demanding tone.

Joanne let out a weary sigh, not wanting to hide the truth from her daughter but also knowing that she didn't have the emotional strength to explain everything right now. "Yes, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice barely above a sigh. "But don't worry, we're handling it."

"I'm gonna go and see if Liam's alright." Courtney sighs deeply before grabbing her bag and leaving the house, kissing Matty's head softly before she left.

Joanne watched as Courtney left, a mixture of worry and exhaustion etched on her face. She knew that her daughter could be headstrong and impulsive at times, but she also trusted her to make her own decisions.

She continued to soothe Matty, her thoughts consumed by the current state of her family. The silence in the house was filled with a heavy weight of worry and sorrow, and she couldn't help but feel the strain of it all.

Gabby stumbled off the sofa and smiles softly at her mum before grabbing a bottle of beer from the fridge. "Alright, mum?" she snorted, taking a big swig from her beer bottle.

Joanne's smile stiffened at the sight of Gabby, her heart sinking as she saw her daughter drinking again. "Gabby, please put that down," she pleaded softly, setting Matty down in his crib before walking over to her daughter. "You know you shouldn't be drinking, love. Not like this."

"it's not gonna bring her back, is it?" Gabby stammered, burping slightly. "Connie and Matty have lost a sister, I've lost a daughter!"

Joanne's expression softened at Gabby's vulnerable words, her heart aching at the pain her daughter was going through. She reached out and gently touched Gabby's arm, offering a small comfort. "I know, darling. Losing Mika has been devastating for all of us. But drinking is not the answer. It won't bring her back, and it will only make you feel worse in the end."

"It blocks it all out, though." Gabby slurs, taking yet another swig of the bottle before slamming it down on the table. "Worked for you, didn't it?"

Joanne's expression hardened at Gabby's words, a hint of anger and hurt crossing her face. "That's a low blow, Gabby," she snapped, her voice laced with a mix of pain and disappointment. "I may have turned to drinking in the past, but it solved nothing. It only made things worse. And I do not want to see you go down that same path."

"Yeah you do" she snorts, rubbing her nose. "I was clearly a mistake, you never loved me mum." she yelled, moving her hair back.

Joanne's eyes widened at Gabby's angry outburst, her heart breaking at her daughter's pain and insecurity. "Of course, I love you," she spoke softly, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and hurt. "You were never a mistake, Gabby. You've always been one of the greatest blessings in my life, even if I didn't show it."