Laughter, two deep male chuckles echoed from behind the closed door.  The club, as it often used to in the Eden, looked different in the light of day that poured through the window panes – illuminating the empty booths that were usually occupied by drunken men, hands resting on the legs of their chosen harlots.

Scarlett Ebson sat alone in a booth nearest the door labelled 'PRIVATE' at the Tranquility Base club– where Arthur and Eli Valentine kept having their few-weekly meetings to discuss whatever affairs they fancied. She had been forced to go everywhere with Arthur ever since the club was destroyed, as he pandered over her and whittled about her welfare. The former Eden club singer sat in silence, the daytime staff preparing for the night ahead around her. A heaviness was pushing at her stomach, and she didn't know if it was the baby or the wash of disgusted guilt that swept over her every so often. She feared that her existence, her place hung in the balance – Eli had divulged her darkest secret to Verity, and Scarlett worried sick over the fact that he could do the very same to Arthur. Then what would become of her? She panicked nightly, laid awake, sick with stress at the thought of ending up on the street like she had done all those years ago.

A shaky breath left her lungs then, as the ruminations swirled tauntingly in her head, like a witch chanting curses and dark spells.  Her shaky hand traced smoothly over her protruding stomach, and she set about worrying again over how her feelings and emotions could be affecting her unborn child.

Before she could ponder anymore, the door labelled 'PRIVATE' opened – and out stepped her Arthur, suited in his finest brown tweed three-piece suit, a smile upon his face. The pleased look on his expression settled her anxiety... for now.

"Meeting go okay?" she asked with a loving smile, masquerading the mental torment going on inside.

Arthur nodded plainly, leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss to Scarlett's cheek.

"Eli wants a word with ya'." Arthur said, and the statement immediately sent chills down her spine – like frost creeping over a winter's landscape. Her heart was already hammering, a hot yet cold sweat and thrumming feeling in her head suddenly taking centre stage.

Scarlett tried to hide it, forcing a wane smile as she drew back to face Arthur.

"Whatever for, babe?" she remarked, and Arthur just kept smiling.

"I've sorted something for ya." Was all he said, not instilling any sense of calm in the mother of his unborn child, "I'll wait outside." He hummed, and continued past, a saunter in his step that her brain tried to translate into some sort of security and safety for Scarlett. Surely this could not be all bad if Arthur seemed so cheery?

Walking into that office felt like marching into the path of death itself. She may as well of been looking at the grim reaper sat at that table in the low lit room, expect in place of a scythe was a tumbler of whisky. Valentine smirked, a cynical look about him. Scarlett's anxiety sat firmly in her stomach, inking it's way across her chest in a tight clenching of her muscles – as if a cold hand was squeezing at her lungs. Her dark eyes noted the sly glint in his own – and she knew he had every idea about what had happened with Verity... and that Scarlett's life was now his to puppeteer.

"What is it?" Scarlett said, not meaning to sound so abrupt but her racing heart and shaking body made her feel as if she wished to dart from the scene.

Eli scoffed sarcastically, cocking his head. He could've chose to interpret that as a nervous young woman having a blip – but instead he chose to perceive it as her being rude and arrogant, simply to amplify his point.

"Now there's no need to speak to me like that when I'm doing you a bloody favour..." Eli scorned, leaning back in his chair and scanning his eyes over the singer with an intensity that made her feel even more uneasy. He smirked to himself for a split second, in a secret gesture of triumph at all he had managed to succeed... and all he had managed to control.

"Arthur's asked me to give you a job, once all your..." he gestured his hand at her, rolling his wrist slightly, "... baby shite is over with."

Scarlett found herself with a lump in her throat that felt the size of a golf ball, impossible to swallow and suffocating.

"A job?" she found her breath hitching. "Doing what?"

His chuckles then sounded again, the type now that it was so easy to identify with his arrogant, cocksure and selfish attitude. Even the low rumbles that emitted from his throat sounded like that of a pompous fool. The club owner ran his hand back through his dark gelled hair, pushing back the strands – the bold mustard coloured shirt he wore unbuttoned to the top of his chest, sleeves rolled up in a casual manner.

"What do y' think? Singing, of course. Here, in my club." Eli told her, although as he was addressing it – it did not sound as if she was going to get much of a say in it. "After all..." the dark and condescending smirk appeared on his face, wolffish eyes settling on her own. "It's not exactly like you've got anywhere else to sing, after your little mishap at the Eden..."

Scarlett felt an instant pang in her chest, a shooting pain that seemed to go all the way through her body – and it ended in a painful point in her abdomen, and she let out a small yelp. Her indications of discomfort did little to disturb the tyrant at the table.

Her small hand reached forwards, finding the back of a chair to help support her to stand – whilst her mind and body steadied once again. Her face screwed with the remnants of aching, she eventually managed to gravitate herself back to the rather shoddy situation.

"I... never intended for you to go through with it..." she gasped, her heart heavy as she recalled her foolish, drunken mistake – words said on the whim of a few gin and tonics and fuelled by the empty corner of her heart she feared Arthur was abandoning forever. How she wished she had never uttered a word... if she knew this was how things would have been.

"Oh, but you did, didn't you love?" Eli crooned in a mocking voice, standing from his chair as he tucked one hand into the pocket of his trousers, dark brown eyes never once leaving her figure. "You told me you wanted to get him back for the way he was mistreating you. I did as you asked, darlin'." His voice was crooning and patronising, only further fuelling the sudden irritation and anger that bubbled heavy in Scarlett's stomach.

"You did it for yourself as well." She snarled, "I know you wanted the Eden gone because it threatened your turf. Don't fucking lie." Her words were poison, but they were lacking in pure venom as she felt the familiar exhaustion, palpitations and sick feeling creeping back in. A few more days of feeling like this and she was sure her body would reject this baby she was so dying to meet.

"But it's much easier to say you wanted it done, ey love?" Eli chuckled, "the story makes good sense too. And it will to Arthur, if I have to tell him." He threatened, circling the table to meet Scarlett's side.

Being in such a close proximity to the man made her wish she was in a fitter state to put up a fight with him – but instead, all she could do was glare with all the hatred her body could muster up.

"You wouldn't dare."

He cracked a smirk, reaching out with the hand that previously settled in his pocket. His fingertips caressed at her face, not in a gesture of warming or affection – but as if he were a master, appreciating a pretty little songbird he had locked away neatly in a gilded cage.

"I told Verity, so what's gonna stop me?" he grinned, stroking a thumb across her cheek – her pressing silence having given him the answer he so desired.

"All you've got to do is be a good girl – sing the songs here, draw me in a big profit – and then go home to your lovely little family." His voice dripped with insincerity and malice. "Now even with your thick American brains, that ain't so hard, is it?"

Scarlett audibly growled, out of rage and frustration at her inability to get on up on him in this dire situation. She was well and truly boxed in.

"Why do you want me here? I know you don't like me, Eli. That's no fucking secret." She asked furiously, turning her head away from the hand cupping her face – but he only succeeded in reaching out again – this time with the more threatening and dominant gesture of wrapping his ring adorned hand around her slim throat.

"Because you earned the Eden big bucks. You were one of their big stars." He pressed his fingertips into the side of her throat ever so slightly. "No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get anyone that performed to match."

He then violently let go, almost pushing her away as he did so – turning on his heels and retreating back to the other side of the table with a slow, leisurely and almost swanning type of wander.

Frozen on the spot, Scarlett wrapped her arms around herself – her petrified eyes fixated on the ground as all the restrictions she was now under finally fell around her, tightening up like chains – suffocating her already tight and stuffy feeling chest.

"And y' know why else?" he smirked, "Because I couldn't have Verity."

Scarlett held his gaze for a few moments, it had been clear in some ways about Eli's obsession with the former singer. He seemed more her type, the way he had tried to come onto her – the constant obsession with asking about her affiliations to Tommy. Maybe Verity's biggest draw had been that she could've been Eli's fast-track ticket to ruining the Shelby company straight at it's heart – via it's leader, the notorious Thomas.

"I bet she didn't think too much of you when she'd heard what you'd done." He added, not only had it felt like he'd stabbed her but now he was further driving the stake in. "I know you two were close. Such a shame, she found out what you really are." Eli started to chuckle to himself, he didn't really seem phased about winding her up or tormenting her – because he knew no matter what he said or did, she could not utter a bad word or he would destroy her life.

Scarlett fled for the door, having excused herself from this shit show and wishing to escape before she really burst into tears. As she made it to the door, her hand merely made contact with the wood when she heard his drawling Sheffield accent again.

"So glad to be working with you, Miss Ebson." The statement felt sordid, and Scarlett just pushed on for the bile was rising her throat. As she stormed out, the sound of his arrogant sniggers did not miss her ears.

To be trapped in this awful web was the last thing she could of ever needed, and working with Eli seemed like the definition of a nightmare. Yet, as Scarlett headed for the main doors of the Tranquillity Base club, she dried her eyes quickly and plastered on that fake smile she had been so good at adopting lately – meeting her beloved partner on the street outside, the false airiness about her person could kid even the smartest person that everything had been milk and roses in that meeting room.

However, it was not. Her lips could never let anything slip, for her entire existence was now in ownership of Mr Eli Valentine – and if she dared so much as to threaten to make a stand, he could reduce her existence to ashes.

-

Castle Combe

No other morning had felt as vital as this one in a fair few months, as Verity stood in front of the full length mirror in her quaint cottage bedroom. She hadn't had to dress with some eloquence or formality before now, she had been happy to work in simple shirt dresses and ballet flats, but this morning as she once again discovered the older section of her wardrobe – she felt an all too familiar sense of anxiety at the uncertainty of this new situation.

Her green eyes criticised the few outfits she had cycled between this morning, before finally settling on an oxford blue ruched blouse, with red details, black skirt and a pair of red heels that felt unusually high considering her recent transition to flat shoes.

As she wobbled down the narrow stairs that morning, she was met by Edna in the kitchen – who had already cooked up a monstrous portion of pancakes and a large pot of tea.

"And where are you off to this morning looking so smart, Miss Grant?" she cooed, looking up and down the psychologist who smiled meekly, taking a seat at the table.

"I have an interview." Verity replied, she wasn't exactly lying. She supposed it would be an interview of sorts, although she hoped it wasn't too formal – it already reminded her too much of her university days, where she was constantly having to prove and justify herself to men. Although, a small part of her had a feeling Dr Gunthorn was different.

"What about the Greengrocers?" Edna flapped, but was quickly reassured as Verity confirmed she had already requested the morning off and Mr Guild was happy to let her do so.

Reassured, like a grandmother Verity had been missing out on all these years – Edna wished her the best of the luck and sent Verity off that morning with an encouraging kiss to the cheek, like a parent seeing their child off at the school gates.

There was a rather low settling of thin fog that covered the village today, as Verity made her usual route to work, but passed by the Greengrocer's this morning, watching with a smile as Mr Guild waved at her figure passing by.

Even though she was looking to move on, she was amazed at the support shown by everyone she encountered here. She wondered whether there was something in this country air, or magic flowing through the By Brook that made everyone so much kinder, she had never felt more backed and supported in her entire life.

Her red heels carried her to the front of the doctor's surgery far too quickly for her liking, as the nervousness bubbled like a potion in her stomach. Checking her watch, she noted she was 10 minutes early but hoped it would show she was eager more than anything.

Stepping into the front door, she avoided the general practice's main reception foyer and instead took the set of stairs in the spacious, tiled hallway – following the curling staircase up to the second floor where there was signs of new inhabitants, what with the unpacked boxes still laying around and tins of paint, and brushes alike, tucked in a corner.

Clearing her throat, Verity paced up to the door of the office, signs of movement behind it's frosted glass. Her knuckles almost hesitated to knock, a flash of hesitation in her mind... was this too soon? Would this be the right move?

Her mind was no longer allowed any further time to ruminate, as her presence had been quickly noted by Henry – who reached the door at the precise moment her hand hovered over it hesitantly.

He greeted her with a smile, a smile as warming as the sun that was attempting to break through the smog this morning. It all but settled those nerves in Verity instantly – and this felt more like greeting a friend that trying to secure a position within the practice.

"You're early." He remarked, but his smile contradicted that there might be any potential dislike to the fact. Immediately, just to protect herself, Verity shied away.

"I know, I can wait outside if you're not ready?" she suggested, not wanting to impose. Luckily, he set aside any further fears that she had of being a nuisance by being early – as he opened the door a fraction further to allow her inside.

"Nonsense, I like that your early. It's always a good sign." He smiled down at her as she passed by and into the office, her senses quickly twigging to the delicious scent of aftershave that radiated from his person.

Closing the door promptly, Henry held back somewhat as Verity paced the relatively unfinished office with a gentle smile. She appreciated it's charm, it was clear this office was trying to attain a professional feel but also seemed to maintain a person touch – it was a little rough around the edges, some imperfections here and there but to Verity, that was a big part of being involved in the mental wellbeing of others. Showing people it wasn't all white-coats and asylums, and plain, matter of fact boring old doctors. It was time to change the tune and bring more character- human touches to remind patients that they weren't any less of a person for the things they were going through.

It was safe to say she was already a little charmed.

"So, what do you think?" Henry asked with a kind tone of intrigue, as Verity stopped by the office window that looked over the town, with the view of the bridge and the large trees that slumped whimsically over the By Brook. She turned to face the Doctor, who sat on the edge of his desk – dressed in a one tone dark blue coloured jacket and similarly coloured jumper, somehow making it work with alongside his otherwise smart black trousers and brown brogues.

"I think it's wonderful." Verity replied, unable to contain her smile. "It's certainly the best view of any office I've ever sat in, that's for sure." She added, her green eyes flickering back out to the picturesque view with a fond warmth growing in her heart.

"Oh aye, you can say that again." He chuckled, his Scottish accent oddly refreshing to hear. "This place takes the cake. I'm lucky to be practicing somewhere as beautiful at this."

His blue eyes settled on her figure standing by the window for some time, looking on wordlessly – only drawn back to the present reality when she turned to face him once again, and he became acutely aware of the fact he might have been staring.

"So, about the psychologist role?" Verity started, clearing her throat rather nervously as she hoped she didn't come across to be cutting to the chase – but her nerves were getting the better of her. Henry quickly nodded to her in agreement to the switch of topic, happy to address it now.

"Yes – I thought it might be good to have a psychiatrist and psychologist here, then we'd be covered on both bases." He explained, "You'd be in the office next door, it's currently vacant and needs a lick of paint though." He further added, his tone sounding hesitant – as if the thought of needing to smarten the place up a bit would put Verity off. She could only laugh, it would take more than a brush and a tin of paint to scare her off.

"I've dealt with worse." She humoured him, red lips curving into an angelic-like smile – a smile that which most men often felt drawn in by, like a light suddenly appearing on a dark horizon, or the first summer rose appearing after a long and harsh winter.

"So, does it sound of interest to you?" Henry was quick to ask, "I mean – I'll have to check your certificates first to make sure you're not telling porkies-" his voice was suddenly interrupted by a smile and a bout of cheeky, boyish laughter at his teasing statement, "But if all is in order, the job is as good as yours, Dr Grant. I think I've been very lucky to find someone to fill the post without even really having to look." He added with a docile grin, "one might even say it's fate."

A flourish of happiness swelled in Verity's stomach, she quickly fished the paper wallet from her handbag containing the paper certificates and handed them across to Henry with little hesitations. She felt as if she was truly floating on a cloud in that very second.

"Thank you, Dr Gunthorn." She said, as his eyes looked over the documents she had presented, "It truly means a lot to me to be given this chance."

Glancing up from the papers, and gesturing them back into her hands – Henry broke into a softened smile.

"It's fine, love." He said, "And please, call me Henry. No need for formalities here."

Her fingertips blindly found the files pressed into her grasp, as Verity found herself unable to really take her eyes from the warm smile and equally as kind gaze of the man who had just given her the first real bought of hope in a very long time.

"Of course." Her brain said without really having to think much of it, the surge of happiness making her feel a swell of what she had thought was long forgotten confidence. "And thank you, once again – I really don't know how to express how grateful I am." She felt foolish repeating herself, but it really did mean a great deal to her.

Shaking his head, Henry remained perched on the desk as he watched her pace her way backwards towards the door.

"It's honestly fine." He further reiterated, the charming smile creeping back in, "I wanted to see if you could start as soon as possible?"

Verity felt much like a dog promised a much-needed walk, and internally she felt like jumping up and down. She was sure something could be arranged with Mr Guild, he seemed an accommodating chap who wanted the best for her.

"I'll let my employer know," she replied earnestly, red painted fingertips curling tightly around the handle of her bag, "I'm sure I can start soon." It made her feel even better that he seemed keen to have her onboard so quickly.

"That's grand," Henry then replied with a pleased tone, stifling another chuckle, "The other thing was that I was going to ask If you wouldn't mind wasting an evening helping me sort the office out before you get in there? I know it's not the most appropriate or lady-like job but it might mean we can get it ready sooner...Scruffs and a paint brush sound appealing?" he remarked playfully, and as much as he was making it a joke – that sounded perfect to Verity. It meant she was all the more close to getting back to what she loved doing the most.

"I'm a modern lady, I'm not bothered if it's deemed appropriate or not." She exclaimed with a truthful smile - she was very much a modern woman, something most men were growing to hate. "I've had worse evenings, so, why not?" Verity added not too soon after, her laughter rung all the richer now she had the confidence of knowing she had her own slice of security for the first time in months. For the first time since Tommy. No blood money, no being kept like a pet under the blind pretence she mattered to him.

She bid Henry good day for now, strutting out of the doctor's surgery on a high – a new confident and empowering swing to her step, her head held high and feeling more like the Verity she used to be. Little did she know her proud strides down the lane were being watched from the window, as a doctor smiled in secret sweetness to himself at the woman who had just walked into his life at perfect timing.

Headed straight to tell Mr Guild at the Greengrocers of her news, Verity felt like this was her long-awaited slice of freedom – from all the control and restriction she had been wrapped up in six months ago.

She was finding her own path and new friends in a place that felt more and more like home each day.

-

A/N: I feel so strange, like Verity is my child or friend or something? I've grown so attached to her as a character, and I know I'm the one controlling her actions etc. so it feels strange to say I feel really soft/wholesome about giving her some REAL happiness and hope for the first time in this story since, well, pretty much when it started!

I'm so excited to give you more on this story and thank you all once again for supporting me. It's really encouraging and so touching when I get votes or comments, it means the world to me. <3 x