Run away with me

“I don’t know who you had sex with last night but I’m fairly certain it wasn’t me.”

“Aye? I wasn’t talkin’ ta you. And don’t you dare tell Imogen what you just over’eard.”

Natalia shrugged. “I think it was you… I was quite drunk, though. Why is that such a bad thing, anyway?”

“Yeah, me too. And yes, because I’m engaged. But also no because wow, I mean look at you. I’d be a fool to say it was bad.”

Imogen rolled her eyes at what seemed like more lies coming from Stephen. She felt like she was doing all the work, and it was really starting to take its toll. She had no idea about how Stephen was feeling, so she genuinely believed he was just being incredibly lazy. “I don’t know why, Ste,” she replied quietly, not wanting to get angry but finding it difficult not to. “I don’t know why ya do a lot o’ things. Bu’ I’m tired o’ ya lyin’ ta me. Really fuckin’ tired, so jus’ stop! Ya know, ya meant ta be me fiancé an’ everythin’ an’ yet I can’t trust a fuckin’ word ya say anymore. Wha’s tha’ all about, eh?” She sighed and carried Violet back to her little carry-cot. “Look, maybe I should leave for a bit wi’ Violet. Go an’ stay with Em for a bit or summat. Should I do tha’, Ste? Would ya like tha’?”

Imogen was currently doing half-days at uni, not wanting to miss out on her work but not wanting to spend too much time away from home either - especially after finding out Stephen wasn’t even looking after Violet properly. When she got home, she opened the door and hung up her bag as she saw Stephen coming over. “Alright?” she greeted sullenly as she looked around. “Finn not around, then?” she asked, somewhat surprised. When she caught a glance of Violet lying on her own in the kitchen, she hurried over. “Wha’ are ya doin’, jus’ leavin’ her here?” she snapped as she lifted the baby up and held her. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She was sure she had some sort of postnatal depression, but with Stephen’s odd behaviour she didn’t have time to see whether she did or not. “I know wha’ ya’ve been doin’, Ste,” she said after a few moments. “Ya’ve been payin’ Finn ta look after her, an’ I wanna know why.”

Stephens expression flicked to concern when Imogen didn’t greet quite in the way he’d hoped or expected. He didn’t think she’d find out his secret. Especially since Emilia and Finn were the only ones who knew. Though it wasn’t like he trusted Finn very much, but knew the guy was too desperate for money to betray him. ”No, he’s at work,”Stephen replied to Imogen hesitantly. His eyes flashed quickly to the baby when Imogen noticed her. “I didn’t- I can’t remember. She wasn’t here... I didn’t put her- I wouldn’t! Why would I do tha’?” Stephen questioned, with no memory of putting Violet in such place. His body stiffened and his hand rubbed against his head, trying to get his memory back. “What? I ‘aven’t been doin’ anythin. Why would I do that? He’s an alcoholic and a twat. I don’t want ‘er anywhere near ‘er. W-Who would say such rubbish?”

“Yeah, I’m Evan Sayer. I’m on the U17 Rugby team because of you.”

“I know now! Congrats, mate. Good to see you doin’ so well. I’m proud!”

“Finn???? I thought ‘e was with you but…ya do know ‘e like constantly drunk? Ya can’t leave a baby with ‘im when e’s like tha’. Jus’ let me come round an’ sort it out ‘cos ya not thinkin’ straight. Tellin’ Imo might make it better for ya.”

“Shit. Thought he was just bein’ happy or something. Seems unlikely now ya say it... I can’t tell ‘er. She does not deserve a fiance who hates her baby. When I’m with the kid I just space out, I lose my mind. I freak out and go as still as a statue. I leave her around, I leave ‘er crying. It’s not intentional. I thought I was so ready for this. Lou lost our baby, then another of my girlfriend’s 'ad an abortion... I’m fucking stupid. I should be happy!”

“Oh.. my I can not believe this. What the freak am I going to do?” Kayla thought to herself as she felt tears start to swell in her eyes.

“Aye, calm down love,” Stephen whispered, crouching down to the ground upon seeing the upset girl. ”Anythin’ ya need ta talk about?”

“Finn’s not her dad though, is he? She’ll start thinkin’ he is at this rate. Babies need their parents early on, I read it in one o’ those books. Wha’s goin’ on wi’ ya, Ste? I jus’ want ya ta talk ta me.”

“Every kid has a baby sitter. Not my fault ya let Finn live ‘ere at sch a stressful time. I mean ‘e does my flamin’ ‘ead in. It’s stressin’ me out, so I get tired more an’ need to sleep more. Then I ‘ave to work loads to get all the money so we can afford to look after ‘er. It’s overwhelmin’, that’s all.”

“Ya not crazy, Ste. Ya not at all. I believe ya. An’ she ain’t gonna notice cause we’re gonna sort this like a team alright?”

“Em, I’ve gone and payed Finn ta look after ‘er for me. Now tell me I’m not crazy! He’s...he’s hidin’ out at ours and needs the cash. I just don’t wan’ it to always be like this. Finn is not gonna stick around ‘ere forever.”

“…Um, what was the homework again?”

“Are ya in my PE class at school? Don’t recognise you...”

“Sorry. I’m jus’ so tired. Would it kill ya ta get out o’ bed at night jus’ once ta see ta her when she’s cryin’?” Imogen suddenly remembered her choice of words and winced. “I’m sorry, I din’t mean– It’s jus’ stressful.”

“I’m a deep sleeper. Nothing can wake me. Just go back to sleep. Finn will sort ‘er. We deserve a rest.”