When we walk in the house, my dad and Sophie both stand to their feet.
“Hey guys,” Sophie greets. She comes round to meet us and with a warm smile she slips her arm around Emily’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll take you up and show you where you’re sleeping. Abi is excited to have you here.”
Ems smiles up at her and says a quiet thank you. She briefly looks at her brother and he nods his head and winks. “Go get settled. I’ll see you in the morning.”
My dad comes over to us and his jaw tics with anger when he takes in Grayson’s face. “Grayson, son, we really need to go to the police over this. He’s hit a minor.”
Grayson shakes his head resolutely. “No police, I don’t want us to end up in foster care.”
My dad looks conflicted. “We’d make sure that wouldn’t happen.”
I shake my head at him. “They wouldn’t let them stay with us when there isn’t the room here, Dad.”
“Well then, we’ll convert the loft space, or we can turn the den and my office into two bedrooms,” he says determined and I step towards him and wrap my arms around his waist and hug him. “I love you, Dad. Can we say he’ll sleep on it and let you know tomorrow?”
“Of course,” he replies, kissing the top of my head and squeezing me tightly. “All of you get to bed, you must be exhausted.”
Dom pulls Grayson in for a manly hug before he disappears upstairs and Grayson and I head to my room. Grayson throws himself down on my bed and stares up at the ceiling. I lie down next to him and rest my weight on my elbow and study his bruised face.
“Hey, stop letting your thoughts runaway with you. Tell me what you need?”
Grayson pulls his faraway gaze back to me. “I just need you here with me. Can we get in bed and just watch some mindless TV?”
“Sure thing. Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll find something we can watch?”
He nods in agreement and pulling himself to his feet; he takes off to my ensuite. When I hear the shower, I stand to my feet and change into my pyjamas. I decide to nip downstairs and get us both something to eat and drink, as we have had nothing for hours. Sophie is in the kitchen deep in conversation with my dad when I enter the kitchen area.
“Hey honey,” Sophie says brightly, “How are you feeling?”
I rest my hands on the kitchen counter and shake my head. “I honestly don’t know. It was horrible. How can anyone speak to their children the way he does?”
Sophie puts her cup down and hurries around to pull me in for a hug. “They can stay here for as long as they need to. Your dad and I have already discussed it.”
I look up into her eyes, feeling so grateful. “Thank you. No one will ever replace my mum but well, you’re the best step-mum I could ask for.”
Sophie’s eyes tear up, and she smiles down at me. “We’re a family now and we pull together to support each other, always.”
I nod, wiping a tear from my eye. “My mum would have really liked you,” I tell her.
She shakes her head, fighting tears. “Stop it now,” she says softly, “You’re going to have me sobbing my heart out.”
I nod in agreement, and she releases me from her arms. “You both hungry?”
I nod.
“I’ll make you both something. What do you fancy?”
“Oh, it’s okay,” I protest, “I can do it.”
“Nonsense,” she says, batting away my comment with her hand, she’s already at the fridge. “How does a chicken salad sandwich sound?”
“Perfect,” I tell her with a big smile. “I’ll grab us both drinks and head back up then.”
My dad smiles at me and winks.
“I’ll bring them up when they’re ready.” Sophie insists.
When I enter my bedroom, Grayson has showered and is lying on the bed in his boxers, flicking through Netflix.
“Sophie’s making us food, and I got us both a drink,” I tell him, placing the drinks down on my bedside table. I settle down on the bed beside him and rest my head on his shoulder.
“Found anything?”
“Yeah, there’s this new like spooky one.”
I nod, “I’ve heard about this one, it’s supposed to be good.”
Grayson presses play and we both get comfy and settle in. A few minutes later there’s a knock at the door and then Sophie pops her head round, holding a tray.
“Here you go. I did you both a sandwich and I cut you a piece of chocolate cake too.”
We both sit up and I take the tray from her.
“Thanks, Sophie. I really appreciate you and Andy letting us both stay here.” Grayson tells her.
Sophie smiles at him, wrapping her arms around her slim frame. “You don’t need to thank us, Grayson. Now eat up and we’ll see you both in the morning for breakfast.”
I wake up in the morning, to find Grayson still soundly asleep. His face looks worse in the daylight, his cheek is swollen and he is definitely going to have a black eye. I hate that he has such a shitty excuse for a father. I hate that the only real family he has is his sister and my family.
“You’re staring Manchester,” He says, making me jump. He opens one eye and smirks at me. “I know you’re obsessed with me, but staring at me when I’m asleep is kind of weird.”
I punch him playfully in the arm. “Good morning to you too.”
He grabs me by the waist making me yelp in surprise and he rolls us until I’m underneath him.
“Thank you, for being there for me last night and I’m so sorry Ev, for the horrible things he said about you.”
I shake my head, reaching up to
