Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

112: a Cello's Secret

'It's so loud, I can't hear myself think'

Navy Misspell complained as the two stood out the front of the old run down student housing complex in Bundoora, where they were still yet to decide if they should proceed.

'Yeah, the highway is just over there' Tom said, a feeling of anxiety settling into his chest - for the first time in his life, he hadn't slept much the night before. Bianca had ended up kicking him out of bed for sighing too loudly, on too many occasions.

'So what's the plan? Knock on the door, barge in and demand to see Ginnivan?' Navy asked, large mushroom earrings bobbing with each head movement. Tom sighed, again.

'What did Sam tell you again, all those months ago? You told me last night on the phone' he said.

'Oh, uh...a few months ago, we were on the phone just talking about nothing, and he told me he thinks, or thought he had a kid. It was really weird. He didn't elaborate much. Then, a month later he told me the mother's name and showed me a photo of the baby. I was really worried, but he had me sworn to secrecy' Navy explained.

'Yeah, he's always been that way. As secretive as hell' Tom said, rolling his eyes.

'I'm telling you, Tom. You don't need to go up there to know. I've met Ginnivan. He is a little Sam' Navy said, pulling her phone out and quickly replying to a text from her sister.

'I think we should at least speak to her, considering he can't even form a sentence. Plus, with Daicos still on the scene - I have my doubts she's giving Sam his full and legal rights' Tom explained.

'Oh, she's not. He already told me that. The baby's surname is Daicos, Nick is named as father on the birth certificate - Sam basically has no rights to his own son whatsoever. I tried to tell him to fight her, but he wouldn't' Navy said.

Tom glanced up at the block of flats, saddened to hear the news. Ever since Emily, his brother really had spiralled out of control, his depression and functioning alcoholism responsible for a number of bad decisions.

'Did you end up call your parents, after you called me?' Navy asked, wondering if Jackie and Terry were yet out for blood. Tom shook his head.

'Sam's given them enough grief with his injury for now, I thought I'd better at least check and get an explanation from Ashlyn. Although, I really am surprised you didn't tell one of us' Tom said, going back to the car and grabbing his jacket. For early October weather, it sure was cold.

'He made me promise not to tell anyone. I can't just breach his privacy or confidently like that, you know. There's a bunch of secrets he knows about me that he wouldn't tell anyone' Navy said, when Tom returned.

'Yeah, when we were kids he used to make me keep secrets too. Only thing is I was the older brother and ran straight to mum and dad. Oh well, no use arguing about it now - what he's done, he's done. How did you find Ashlyn's address anyway?' Tom asked.

'Sam told me she lived in student housing and that she lived out in the sticks, I did a quick search of her Facebook and found out that she studies at the La Trobe University. From there I used a university contact at my own school, a former La Trobe student, to find her' Navy explained, like it was nothing.

'Ha, Navy the stalker. Can't believe she's raising a baby in student housing, on her own?' Tom questioned, kind of astonished. But his sheltered upbringing, and then into money with Carlton, forced him to think with an elitist mindset, whether he wanted to or not.

'I'd say she's hiding from Daicos' Navy suggested. Tom nodded, sighing.

'It's 11am. I've gotta get back to the hospital by 1, and I seriously have my doubts I'll make it. Between here and Sam, I've gotta go to an appointment with Bianca - although she says she can go on her own. I don't know, Nav. I thought I was gonna get a restful off season. I think we'll have to cancel our trip to Europe' he explained, going up to the complex door, a sudden surge of bravery. Navy ran after him.