STARVING, hollyoaks

𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑

Annabelle knew that she had told her mum she would give Patrick a chance. She didn't want to though. But she wouldn't let her mum down.

Annabelle stood in price slice getting some Pringles. She wasn't paying attention at all. "Annabelle."

Annabelle turned and jumped a mile. "What the fuck? Are you actually a psychopath?" She asked as she saw Sienna.

Sienna smiled. She looked to her. "I just wanted to know if you were up to going shopping? I could treat you," she told her.

Annabelle blinked a couple of times. She shook her head. "I can't. I have something important to do," she said.

"What's that?"

"A date with two men. Called Ben and Jerry. And I can't cancel on them again. It's an important meeting," Annabelle said as she walked off.

Sienna sighed and saw Patrick. He walked over to her. "What have you said to her?" He asked.

"I just asked if she wanted to come shopping. Dad, she's my little sister. And I want to get to know her," Sienna said.

****

Maddie looked up to see Annabelle as she walked into the house. She frowned at the bag of sweets and crisps. "I don't think so missy."

"What?"

Maddie snatched the bag off of her. She smiled. "You're not eating all of this. You'll get sick. And I'm not cleaning it," she told her.

Annabelle rolled her eyes. She looked to her. "You're actually mean. Do you know that? Creepy sister was lurking around me again."

Maddie looked to her. "Give her a chance. She's been through a lot," she said.

"Yeah. I heard. She locked some kid up in a basement. Pretended to be pregnant. Almost killed a couple other kids and left someone for dead. Wonder if she's got any tips for to get good hair. I already know where to go if I wanna commit a dozen crimes," Annabelle said.

Maddie smiled. She tucked a strand of hair behind Annabelle's ear. "You really so beautiful. I love you," she said.

"I love you too mum. Now can I go and eat my snacks?" Annabelle asked as she looked to her.

Maddie shook her head. "No. No you cannot. You're gonna get sick. And I'm not dealing with it."

Annabelle smiled and sat down. She sighed. "Have you talked to my dad?" She asked.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing. Just thought you'd have talked to the man you were almost swapping saliva with," Annabelle said with a shrug.

Maddie rolled her eyes. She looked to her daughter. "You know, you're rather dramatic. It wasn't meant to happen. But it did," she said.

"Yeah. You have tension. I give it so long before you're in his bed. But you're not allowed to have another me. Because I am the one and only," Annabelle said.

Maddie sighed and smiled. "You're gonna stay my only child. Because child birth is something I don't recommend."

"No baby is ever coming out of my vagina."

"Good. I'm sure your father would be happy to hear that," Maddie said as she winked to her daughter.

****

Patrick looked up as Sienna walked in. He frowned. "What's wrong with you?" He asked.

"Annabelle. I try and spend time with her. And she doesn't want to know. How am I meant to have a relationship with my sister if she won't let me," Sienna said.

Patrick sighed and looked to her. "You have to give her a chance Sienna. She has only just found out about you and I. And it's hard for her. She needs chance to adjust," he told her.

"It wouldn't be this way if that tramp Maddie hadn't kept her from you. We could have had a close bond."

"Don't call Madeline a tramp. She has done what she thought was best for Annabelle. And I respect her for that," Patrick said.

"Dad. She kept your daughter from you."

"For good reason Sienna. I did hurt Madeline. It's understandable," Patrick told her. He sighed. "I hit her. And I choked her. It's why she left."

Sienna shrugged. "So what? You're not going to fight for your daughter?"

"Stop it Sienna. I want to be Annabelle's father. But on her terms. I will not pressure her into anything," Patrick said. Knowing he understood why Maddie had taken Annabelle from him.

He would do the same thing too.

****

Annabelle was walking through the village. She saw her dad who walked over to her. He smiled. "How are you Annabelle?" He asked as he smiled.

Annabelle nodded. "I'm fine thank you. Just going for a walk. My mum is arguing with my gran. So I wanted to get out of there," she told him.

"Well maybe we could go for a coffee? My treat."

Annabelle looked to him for a moment. She nodded. "Okay. Let me text my mum and tell her."

Annabelle grabbed her phone. She typed out a text to her mum,

your favourite daughter
Going for coffee with my dad. Rescue me in half an hour please

Annabelle smiled as she looked to her dad. "Okay. I text her."

****

Maddie walked into the coffee shop and saw her daughter with Patrick. She walked over to them. "Hey darling. You okay?" She asked.

Annabelle nodded. She smiled. "I'm okay. My dad was telling me that I have the potential to go far with my dancing," she told her.

Maddie smiled to Patrick. She turned to Annabelle. "Go and get yourself a sandwich babes," she said as she handed her some money.

When Annabelle was out the way, Maddie turned to Patrick. "Listen, go easy on her. And don't put pressure on her. She... she's recovering from an eating disorder. She almost died. So I don't want any pressure on her to do well."

Patrick frowned. He looked over to Annabelle who was standing at the counter. "She looks so healthy," he said.

"She does. But it's been a struggle for her. She still has her off days. But she's strong. I'm helping her through it," Maddie said. She smiled. "Thank you. For doing this. I'm sure she'll appreciate it."

"She's my daughter. I want to be there for her."

Patrick knew he was going to do all he could to be in his daughter's life. But would he ever have a relationship with her?