What about us?

8

He lifted a pill to his mouth, the thought of his mother finding him playing on his mind. Could he really do this to her?

"Charles?" She shouted. Making him jump out his skin.

"Molly?"

"I've been ringing that bleedin' bell for bloody ages. Had to get the key off that nosey cow next door. I was worried" she surveyed the scene in front of her.

"Charles what have you done?" She said in a panic as she finally noticed the pills littering the table in front of him. He shook his head "Nothing. I haven't done anything" she noted the stress in his voice.
"Charlie look at me" she kneeled down in front of him "Look at me now" He couldn't look her in the eye as she took his face in her hands "please tell me you haven't done anything stupid"

He shook his head "No. I knocked them over that's all" she frowned at him "they aren't in a bottle, don't lie to me. They're in packet that you've popped out yourself. How many have you taken?"

"Just three for the pain. I wanted to but I didn't" His eyes filled with tears "Can't even get that right"

She took him in her arms as he sobbed. Her hopes that he had worked through some of his issues dashed. "Oh Charles. I should never have let you leave earlier. I'm so sorry" They stayed that way for what felt like hours while she comforted him. He just needed to be held.

"What you doing here anyway?"

"Bleedin' charming. I wanted to check on you and I bought you some shopping. Although your chicken nuggets are probably a bit soggy by now" she teased.

He smiled at her "You bought me chicken nuggets?" She enjoyed the amusement in his voice "Let's not pretend you don't like a chicken nugget. Charlie James loves a nugget. Especially when it's off my plate and you think I ain't seen you nick it. Thieving bastard"

He laughed "I didn't think you'd care much. I don't deserve for you to care" she placed a hand on his shoulder "I'd never let you fend for yourself, especially when you're like this. And let's face it, you'd starve with two functioning legs if it wasn't for m&s ready meals and my marvellous cooking so I'd make you screwed at the moment mate"

"I don't deserve this" he almost whispered "No you don't deserve this. You don't deserve to be so badly injured. You don't deserve to be unwell in your nut and you don't deserve to be here on your own barely able to care for yourself. You don't deserve any of that, it's shit! And as for the rest of it, You've just got a bit lost that's all. You're a good man Charles and yes you've made mistakes. I know that more than anyone, it doesn't mean you don't deserve to be looked after. You're the father of my baby, I owe it to her. We will always be family"

His eyes lit up "her?" She nodded. "Yes Charlie. A little girl. So put them bloody pills away and get your arse into the kitchen. I've got cooking to do. You can provide the company" she gave him that wife toothy grin that he loved so much

"I'm not sure heating up soggy nuggets counts as cooking James" she smirked at him "Cheeky bugger. You won't be so cocky when you realise you're at my mercy until your mum gets back"

She helped him to his feet, making sure he was steady "ready? Go easy okay" he smiled to himself as he hobbled to the kitchen behind her. She never ceased to amaze him.

"You don't have to do this you know"
She smiled at him across the breakfast bar and it reminded him of old times. Happy times.

"I know I don't. I'm doing it because I want too. Didn't think I was that much of a witch you'd think I wouldn't care" she sighed sadly.

He ate like he hadn't eaten in weeks. "Did they not feed you in there?" She quizzed, climbing to her feet to dish him up some more. "Hospital food... it's, how can I put it?" He laughed "Shit?" She offered sarcastically.