After venting to Rob for ten minutes, we both walked toward the exit of the gym. I came face to face with Jade as I neared the door, and tried to avoid her eyes.

"I'm surprised you're still coming here, now that she's gone," she said.

"What do you mean she's gone?" I asked, confused.

"Larissa quit yesterday," she said, with a satisfied smile. "She didn't tell you?"

I frowned at her and walked past her, not wanting to play her games. Rob followed, looking just as confused as I was.

"Did Alice not mention Larissa leaving?" I asked.

"No, I don't think she's spoke to her since she left her house the other day," he replied.

"Maybe Jade's lying," I shrugged and walked to my car. "Thanks for coming with me today, Rob. I really needed to beat you up."

"Any time," he laughed. "And don't worry about your mum, she can't do anything to get in the way of Liam moving with you. Maybe it's best to mention it to Tracy though, just in case."

"Yeah, I will. Thanks," I smiled.

Rob hugged me slightly, then walked to his car.

"See you later," he shouted across the car park. We were both working this afternoon.

I waved at him, and got into my car. I hoped that he would let me know if he heard anything more about Larissa, but I thought that I may call Alice later.

After driving home, I showered and got dressed for work. I still had a couple of hours before I started, but I didn't want to rush around ten minutes before I was due to start, like normal.

My phone started to ring, after I sat on the sofa with a cup of tea. Alice's name flashed up on my phone screen, and I picked it up quickly.

"Hey, Alice. How are you?"

"Hi Ivy, Rob told me about Larissa quitting the gym. I've just spoken to her, and Jade isn't lying," she said.

"Oh... Is she alright?" I asked.

"I don't know how she is really, she didn't speak much. But she told me that Brandon moved out, and she's got a new job at the hospital."

"Really?" I asked, smiling.

"Yeah, she said she can't afford to pay for the house on her wages from the gym, so she needed a change. I'm going to see her later so I'll try and find out more," she said.

"Thanks, Alice. Thanks for letting me know. Could you maybe ask her to call me... when she has time, please?"

"Yeah, I'll ask. I'll speak to you later, Ivy."

"Bye," I said and hung up the phone.

I had mixed feelings about my conversation with Alice. On one hand, I was happy that Brandon had moved out because he didn't deserve her. But on the other hand, she told me she hated working at the hospital before. I really hoped that I would hear from her soon, I missed her so much.

I tried to distract myself from thoughts of Larissa by cooking. It wasn't very often that I would cook a real meal, so I took my time deciding what to make. After searching my cupboards and fridge, I settled on making a chicken and vegetable pie.

Every time I made a pie, Tom and Rob would request leftovers so I made it large enough for both of them and Alice.

When I had put the pie into the oven, I cleaned around the kitchen, then went to the living room to watch TV while I waited for the pie to cook. I tried to consider ways to get my mother to leave me and Liam alone.

Restraining order was my first thought, but I wasn't sure that it would matter with her. I wasn't scared of her anymore, but I knew how crafty she could be and I was worried that she might find a way to interfere with Liam moving in.

Although my father took the blame for her when he went to prison, Liam was taken out of her care. He had told the police about everything that she did and he asked to be taken away from her. He was horrified when they said I wasn't old enough to be his guardian. I didn't want to see him upset again, so I couldn't let my mum mess it up.

I tried to think of ways to get the money she was asking for. I knew that Tom would loan it to me, but I couldn't ask him. He had already done so much for me.

There wasn't enough time to earn the money through overtime, and I wasn't about to start robbing banks, so I knew it would be impossible. I would need to find another way to get her out of my life.

Killing her would be easy enough, but I didn't want to set a bad example for my little brother.

I sighed. It was hopeless.

The oven timer buzzed, and I went to take the pie out. It smelled and looked delicious. I waited a while for it to cool down, then covered the dish over with some foil to take with me to work.

When I got downstairs, Tom and Rob were sitting at a table, each with a coffee.

"Busy are we, boys?" I joked.

"Very," Rob laughed, then looked at the dish in my hand. "What've you got there?"

"Lunch," I smiled, and placed the pie on the table and uncovered it.

Tom stood up quickly and walked into the kitchen. He reappeared seconds later with some plates and forks. Before sitting down, he went to the coffee shop door, locked it, and turned the 'open' sign to 'closed'.

Rob and I laughed.

"Ivy, you're gonna make a great wife," Tom smiled, cutting a piece of pie for each of us.

"I don't think that's for me," I laughed.

"What? Marriage?" He frowned.

"It's not really my thing," I replied.

"Are you sure? Jack told me Larissa has finally got rid of that waste of oxygen."

Rob gave me an awkward look, which Tom picked up on.

"What?" He asked Rob.

"She's not really speaking to me at the minute, Tom."

"Oh... Well don't give up on her."

"Last time we spoke about her, you were warning me not to hurt her," I laughed.

"Yeah but I can see that you actually like her now, Ivy," he said. "You're such a lovely girl, and I know you. She would be a lot better off with you, rather than that moron she was with before."

"Thanks, Tom," I smiled. "I'm not sure there's much I can do about it now, though."

"Take her one of these pies," Rob said with his mouth full.

"Yeah, that'll do it," Tom laughed, taking another fork full of pie.

I wished that it was as simple as giving Larissa a pie.

"So, what's happening with Liam?" Tom asked.

I told him about the arrangement with the foster home, and then told him about my mother's interference.

Rob finished his pie and opened up the shop again by the time I had finished talking.

"I can give you the money, Ivy," Tom said.

I stared at him gratefully, and I couldn't help but wonder how he had got to be such a kind and thoughtful man.

"I can't take your money, Tom. You've already helped me so much, and she doesn't deserve a penny. I just need to figure out another way to get rid of her."

"Ivy, I'm not offering you the money because she deserves it. I'm offering the money because you deserve it. You and Liam deserve to be happy, and that boy is gonna be so damn happy when he finally gets to live with you... without social workers, and without worrying that the woman who made his childhood hell is gonna turn up on your doorstep at any time."

"Thank you, Tom. But there's no guarantee that she wouldn't come back if I paid her," I said. "But thank you so much. I really do love you, you know."

"You better," he grinned. "But seriously, if I can help in any way, just let me know. And when Liam's living here, he can come work here to earn some pocket money if he wants."

"I think he'd like that," I smiled.

"I hope so. I'm considering taking a back seat soon and letting Rob take over. If Liam's working here, then I can stay home all day," he laughed.

I talked with Tom for a little while longer, before I joined Rob behind the counter and actually started to do some work.