"I was so worried because I couldn't reach you anywhere." At that moment Waltraud can smell the alcohol on her husband's breath. "Have you been drinki...g?" she asks in consternation and looks at him searchingly. Something extraordinary must have happened, as her husband never drinks alcohol in large quantities."It's been a shitty day today", Stefan growls, shaking his head. "That creep Dieter has actually been promoted to deputy head of department, even though I did all the work for him.". Uncle Gamlen just laughed as my mood deteriorated more and more as the day went on. Between solicitously checking Carver’s burns – healed without even a scar, not that it stopped him from whining about it – and bringing him home-baked treats, I felt completely ill ... and then began the veiled remarks about Bethany, as if her dying was also my fault.And in truth, I’ll never stop feeling guilty about that. No matter how many times Aveline tried to convince me there was nothing I could do, I saw. Like you said, if he fucked me, it wouldn't be the end of the world. If I must let him rape me to protect my girls, then I must, mustn't I?" I suppose you must, mustn't you." Joy, I want you to take the girls aside and explain this situation to them. Take them into your room, but I'll be listening at the door. You'd better make me out to be a sacrificing hero in their eyes. I'm sure they'll be seeing things. My attire alone will cause confusion unless they understand my motives. Be very careful. ‘I did get something for you, and I’m sure you want it to be a surprise.’ ‘OK – you can do that one last. I’ll find scissors and sticky tape.’ I went into the box room that functioned as Mum’s study, and found the tape and scissors. When I got back down to the living room, Tim had fetched the presents from upstairs. I helped him wrap and stick labels on. ‘Isn’t there anything else?’ I asked. ‘What about Mum and Pam?’ Tim grinned. ‘These,’ he said, holding up two ordinary-looking envelopes..