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said Ryan. “No more fuck-ups.”
    “There won’t be any,” said a determined Battler.
    Ryan gave him a hard look before leaving. He had a lot to do but first and most importantly, he had to call his daughter.

CHAPTER 5
     
    Fortunately the Relative’s Room was still empty so Ryan slipped inside to call Leah. Before dialling he sat for a few minutes trying to figure out what to say, the phone gripped tightly in one hand. This was not going to be easy.
    He dialled, half-hoping no one picked up. He hated it when his little girl got upset.
    “Hello?”
    It was Gill and he groaned inwardly. No doubt she would have questions too.
    “Hi Gill, it’s Ryan.”
    “Ryan, thank God you’ve finally called. What’s going on over there? Rick called me but he was very vague. I know he doesn’t want to worry me but I’m going out of my mind. How’s Rachel?”
    “She’s okay but she’s not well enough to fly yet so we’re going to be stuck in Manchester for a bit longer.”
    “What exactly is wrong with her?”
    He heard the strain in her voice and was determined to reassure her. “It’s just the after-effects of the fire. She needs some rest.”
    “Can I talk to her?”
    “She’s sleeping.”
    “You’re not keeping anything from me are you Ryan?”
    “No Gill, I wouldn’t dare,” he said, making his voice light. In the background he could hear Leah demanding to talk to him.
    “Alright Leah, just a minute,” Gill told her.
    “Do you like where Battler and Bruiser took you?” he asked in an attempt to distract her.
    “Yes it’s beautiful. The boys are having a great time but Leah’s very worried.”
    “If you put her on I’ll put her mind at rest.”
    “So Rachel’s really okay? You would tell me if it was anything serious, wouldn’t you?”
    “Course I would. Don’t worry Gill, just relax and enjoy your holiday.”
    “Alright,” she said, sounding relieved. Ryan knew she hated to worry, she’d been saturated with it when Rachel had been married to Danny and now she couldn’t go through it all again. Unlike her first son-in-law, she trusted Ryan so she was willing to take his word for it.
    “I’ll put Leah on. She’s going to explode if she doesn’t talk to you.”
    “Thanks Gill. Bye.”
    “Dad?”
    Ryan swallowed hard. He missed her like crazy. “Hi Cupcake, are you enjoying your holiday?”
    “No. I miss you and Mum.”
    “I miss you too Sweetheart, so much.”
    “Uncle Alex hurt Mum, didn’t he?”
    “Where’s Grandma?”
    “She can’t hear, I’m in my bedroom.”
    “Good girl and yes, he did.” There was no point lying to her because she’d know, she was Rachel’s daughter in every way. “But she’s going to be okay. He couldn’t beat your mum.”
    “Is she hurt bad?”
    He hesitated before replying, “no.”
    “I don’t like it when you lie to me Dad.”
    He forgot this girl was actually older than her nine years. Alex had done that to her, as had their old way of life. “Yes she is Cupcake but I promise you she’s going to be alright. She just needs time to get better.”
    “I want to see her,” she said, starting to cry.
    Ryan pressed a hand to his eyes. “You can’t I’m afraid, it’s too dangerous. When she’s better we’ll fly out to meet you. Soon we’ll all be together again.”
    “Will Uncle Alex try to hurt her again?”
    “No because I won’t let him. I promise Leah,” he said determinedly.
    “I know you won’t, you’re stronger than he is.”
    “Yes I am. How are your brothers?”
    “They’re fine. Grandma can’t get Ethan out of the pool, he loves it.”
    “What about Aaron?”
    “He’s getting braver in the water but he still cries if he gets splashed. He’s such a wuss.”
    Ryan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Leah, you can’t tell Grandma anything about Uncle Alex.”
    “I know, Mum already told me.”
    “But Granddad knows about it. He’ll be back with you soon and you can talk to him about it if you want to.”
    “Is