➺ 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐁𝐘 - C.Cawood

Chapter 12: Echoes of the Past

The next morning, the golden light of dawn filtered through the windows of Catherine's kitchen, casting a gentle warmth that felt strangely out of place with the tension still lingering in the house. Catherine moved around quietly, making tea and planning out her day, her mind half on Ryan's recent challenges and half on the case files awaiting her at the station.

As she poured the tea, the sound of footsteps drew her attention to the doorway, where Charlotte stood, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "You're up early," Charlotte noted, grabbing a mug and helping herself to tea.

"Couldn't sleep," Catherine admitted, letting out a soft sigh. "Thought I'd get a head start on the day." She hesitated, then glanced at Charlotte. "Have you noticed anything different about Ryan lately? Maybe at school or with his friends?"

Charlotte sipped her tea thoughtfully, then nodded. "He's been quieter. I think he's feeling... unsure, like he doesn't know where he fits in." She paused, her face softening. "And, of course, he doesn't know about his dad. He doesn't understand why he feels the way he does."

Catherine's face clouded, and she felt a familiar pang of regret. She'd always kept Tommy Lee Royce's presence in Ryan's life a secret, wanting to shield him from the darkness and violence that had once scarred their family. But now, that silence was breeding confusion and frustration in him.

"It's hard to know how much he should know," Catherine murmured, more to herself than Charlotte. "I've tried so hard to protect him from it, from the pain I went through with... Tommy. But sometimes I wonder if he deserves to understand, even just a little."

Charlotte put a hand on her mother's shoulder. "When you're ready, I think you'll find the right words," she said gently. "And he'll listen. Ryan loves you, Mum."

Their conversation was cut short by the familiar buzz of Catherine's work phone, breaking the quiet morning with the reminder that the outside world was already demanding her attention. She answered, exchanging a few curt words before hanging up and turning back to Charlotte.

"There's a callout. Looks like it might be a domestic on Eastfield Lane," she said, gathering her jacket and keys. "Can you keep an eye on Ryan today? Make sure he gets to school?"

"Of course," Charlotte replied, watching her mother with a mix of admiration and worry. "Be careful, Mum."

Catherine gave her a small smile before heading out the door. The cool morning air hit her as she stepped outside, the sky painted in hues of pink and orange. Her job was relentless, and the toll it took on her family was undeniable. But this was who she was—a protector, both at home and on the streets.

At the Scene

The scene on Eastfield Lane was already active, with a small crowd gathered around as Catherine and her colleague, Shafiq, arrived. A young woman was standing by the gate, her face pale, arms wrapped around herself protectively as she tried to avoid eye contact with the neighbors.

"Morning, love. I'm Sergeant Cawood," Catherine said softly as she approached, motioning for Shafiq to manage the crowd. "Can I have a quick word?"

The woman nodded, clearly shaken. Her gaze flicked nervously toward the house before settling on Catherine. "My boyfriend... he got angry. Threw things. I didn't want to call, but... it was getting out of hand."

Catherine's expression softened as she guided her gently away from the commotion. "You did the right thing. No one deserves to feel unsafe in their own home." She spoke calmly, helping the woman feel reassured. "What's your name?"

"Ellie," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Ellie, why don't we go over there?" Catherine gestured to the quieter side of the street. "You can tell me what happened, and we'll work out a plan together."

As Ellie began to open up, describing the increasingly volatile behavior of her boyfriend, Catherine felt a surge of empathy. The cycle of violence was all too familiar, and each story chipped away at her resolve, leaving her silently furious at the world's cruelty. But she kept her expression calm, nodding as she listened, letting Ellie know she was truly heard.

Returning Home

By the time Catherine wrapped up the call and finished her reports at the station, the day had faded into early evening. Exhausted but eager to see her family, she drove home, letting her mind drift back to Ryan. She knew that someday, they'd have to face the truth about Tommy Lee Royce together. It was a truth that weighed on her as heavily as any secret she'd ever kept.

When she finally walked through her front door, the smell of dinner filled the air, and the hum of familiar voices greeted her. Ryan and Charlotte were at the dining table, plates in front of them, though Ryan was barely touching his food.

"There she is!" Charlotte greeted, feigning cheerfulness to cover the obvious tension. "How was work?"

"Long day," Catherine admitted, slipping out of her jacket and moving to sit beside Ryan. She noticed his sullen expression and reached out to ruffle his hair, trying to draw him out of his mood. "How was school today?"

Ryan shrugged, pushing his food around his plate. "It was alright," he mumbled, clearly not wanting to talk.

Charlotte glanced at her mother, a subtle encouragement in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Catherine decided it was time to break through the wall between them.

"Ryan, love," she began gently, "I know things haven't always been easy for you, and I'm sorry if I've made it harder by not being open about... certain things." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "If there's ever anything you want to know or talk about, you can come to me. You don't have to feel alone."

Ryan looked up, surprised at the offer. His eyes flicked to Charlotte, who nodded, encouraging him.

"There is something," he said slowly, his voice barely a whisper. "It's about my dad."

Catherine's heart tightened, and she nodded, steeling herself. "I understand, love. I'll tell you what I can, but know this—whatever I say, it doesn't change how much I care about you, alright?"

Ryan held her gaze, a spark of vulnerability visible in his expression. For the first time, he seemed willing to let her in, and as they sat there in the quiet warmth of their home, Catherine felt a fragile hope take root.

She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, and the truth would hurt. But together, with the strength of their family, she believed they could face whatever came next.