STARVING, hollyoaks

"𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕"

Maddie stood in the doorway of Annabelle's bedroom and sighed. She looked to her and smiled. "Your dad called. He's asked if you want him to take you into school?" She asked.

"I'm not going."

Maddie sighed and smiled to her. "I know it's hard for you at the moment sweetie. But you need to try and get back to normal," she told her.

Annabelle sat up and looked to her mum. "There's nothing normal about this place. It's overrun by people. I don't have space to breathe. It's too overwhelming," she said.

Maddie saw the look on Annabelle's face. She knew she needed to do something to get her little girl back to normal. "How about you go to school, and I'll look for our own place. What do you think?" She asked.

"I don't mind. I just... I hate how crowded it is here."

"Maybe you could go and stay with your dad for a little bit? If you're feeling that overwhelmed."

Annabelle shook her head. "No. You're my mum. And I'm staying with you," she said.

****

Maddie had gotten Annabelle out of school again. She knew she needed to speak to Patrick. She knocked the door to the flat. She felt anger hit her when Sienna answered it. "You!"

"Maddie-."

Maddie grabbed Sienna and slammed her against the wall. "Do you know what you have done to my daughter! She is in bits!" She yelled.

Sienna looked to her. "I didn't mean it. I was unwell. I'm better now. Let me see Annabelle. I can make it right," she said.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you anywhere near my little girl? As far as I'm concerned, you are nothing to my child anymore."

"Madeline?"

Maddie turned to Patrick. She glared. "You really are the limit aren't you? She has broken Annabelle. And you're letting her back here? Do the police know she's here?" She asked.

Patrick sighed. "I was giving her a couple of days before I took her myself," he told her.

Maddie shook her head. "I came here to talk to you about Anna coming to stay for a couple of days. But after seeing her here, no chance at all. Say goodbye to your daughter Patrick. She won't want to speak to you again."

****

Annabelle looked up as her mum walked in. "Did you see my dad?" She asked.

Maddie nodded. She knew she wasn't going to lie to her daughter. "Yeah. I did sweetie. You're not going to like this. But Sienna is there. She's back in the village."

Annabelle paled. She looked to her. "No. She told me she was going to come back for me. Mum, don't let her," she sobbed.

"She's not going anywhere near you. I promise you my girl. I won't let anyone hurt you again," Maddie told her.

Annabelle blinked back her tears. "My dad knew she was here?"

"He did. I'm sorry Angel. I know you and him were just getting close again," Maddie said.

Annabelle shrugged. "Well he chose Sienna over me. So I don't wanna talk to him again," she told her.

Maddie held her close and sighed. "You're always going to have me. I promise. I don't ever let anyone hurt you," she said.

****

Annabelle and Maddie walked through the village. Patrick came over to them. "Annabelle."

Annabelle looked to her father. She shook her head. "No. I don't want to have anything to do with you. You're willingly letting Sienna stay with you. Do you not remember what she did to me? She locked me up. Made out she was my mum. And then she caused me to lose my baby. As far as I'm concerned, you're no longer my father. Keep away from me. And keep that psycho away from me," she said.

Maddie sighed. "Babes, go to the pub. I'll catch you up," she said. She turned to Patrick. "I told you she would be hurt. Now you've lost her for good. I don't think she can forgive this. I'm not saying turn your back on Sienna. But Annabelle is fifteen years old. She needs her dad too. Make this right Patrick. Or I'll take her and leave."

****

Annabelle smiled as she saw Warren. He pulled her into his arms and held her. "I heard what happened. You good?" He asked.

"I'm fine. My dad has Sienna there. After what she did. So I'm now only a mum girl."

Warren smiled to her. He knew there was something different about Annabelle. And he found himself wanting her. But she was too young for him.

He just had no idea how close he was about to find himself with Annabelle.