Finding my mum

Reporting Ashley to the police

When Bex stopped the car I knew what Chloe had asked her. I knew that it'd be taking all of her strength to do this and I couldn't be prouder of her. I offered to go in with her but she told me to wait with Bex so I did.

I must have fallen asleep as the next thing I knew was Chloe was back.

Me: "how was it?"
Chloe: "pretty bad, I'm just glad I did it"
Me: "have I ever told you how proud I am of you? What happens now?"
Chloe: "I'm pretty proud of myself. They're going to try and find him, bring him in for questioning and take it from there"
Me: "what do you wanna do?"
Chloe: "go home, have a relaxing bath and take it from there"
Bex: "next stop your house"

After Bex had dropped us home, we checked to make sure there was no sign of Ashley. Bex made me promise to call if we needed anything. I ran Chloe a relaxing bath then went to put dinner on. I yelled up the stairs to make sure that she was alright.

We had just finished our food and were in the lounge watching tv when there was a knock on the door. Chloe and I looked at each other, I told her to stay where she was and I'd go. When I got there I found a police man and woman on the door step. I let them in as they said they had news about Ashley.

As we went through to the lounge, I saw Chloe's reaction and said it'd be ok. I offered them a drink but they declined as they weren't staying long.

Me: "what's going to happen now?"
Police woman: "he's going to be with his friend. He has to attend counselling. We're going to need to take some of his things with us so can one of you go get him a bag packed"
Chloe: "I'll get him one now"
Me: "is it just him that has to go to counselling or will we have to go as well?"
Police woman: "you'll have to go to some with him and separately"
Me: "does Chloe know?"
Police woman: "not yet. Do you want us to tell her?"
Me: "don't say anything. Trust me it'll be better coming from me"
Chloe: "here you go. What's better coming from you?"
Me: "I'll tell you later. Do you need anything else?"
Police woman: "no thank you"
Me: "I'll see you out"

Chloe: "Ava don't lie to me please, what is better coming from you?"
Me: "sit down and I'll tell you"
Chloe: "you're scaring me"
Me: "you know how they said that Ashley has to go to counselling?"
Chloe: "yeah"
Me: "we'll have to go as well but don't freak out"
Chloe: "tell me"
Me: "we have to go to some of Ashley's sessions so he can understand how you feel and so you can understand how he feels"
Chloe: "Ava I can't. The thought of having to be in a room with him is a no"
Me: "it's not for a few weeks and the counsellor will be there as well"

I knew Chloe would take it bad but I didn't think it would be this bad not that I could blame her. As soon as I finished my sentence she ran upstairs upset. I decided to leave her for a bit then I'd go check on her. I text Bex to fill her in on what the police woman had said, she told me to give Chloe time to get her head around everything.

I went up to check on Chloe, who was crying again. I don't think I've ever heard her cry as much as I have over the last few weeks and I know it's not going to end any time soon. I knocked on her door but she wanted to be left alone. I told her I'd be downstairs if and when she wanted to talk.