Keep the Faith

Slowly she opened her eyes, the glare of daylight making her wince. Putting a hand up to shield them from the light, she squinted at the room from where she still lay on the sofa, unwilling as much as unable to move yet. Everything looked as she had left it, broken table and glass littered the floor. The pounding in her head, her fragile ribs and the metallic taste in her mouth added to the devastation. It was just like the old days. But in so many ways it was now different. She was different. No matter how much he tried to beat it out of her. She was aware of snoring coming from the bedroom so she knew David was asleep, for now. Carefully she sat up, easing herself upright, guarding her ribs. She winced slightly but it was nothing she wasn't used to.

Carefully she made her way across to the kitchen, where her handbag lay on the floor. In his hurry to mete out his twisted retribution, David had become sloppy. Gone was the meticulous attention to detail, the careful planning, the emotionless actions and careful mitigation of any possibility of reporting the beatings. This had been pure revenge. Raw and savage. She was still able to smile inwardly, her phone was still in her bag and charged. She swiped the screen. What she saw made her heart lurch , multiple missed calls and texts from Tom plus a couple of voicemails and even a text from Ben. Creeping into the bathroom, she took her phone and opened a text to Tom. She knew she didnt have long - in any sense of the concept. If she crossed him again, he would surely kill her.

'Help me. David's found me here, he's deranged. Bring help, if the police come first he'll kill me. Dont reply, hiding this phone. He's locked us in and hidden keys. I'm scared Tom. Have to go. Hurry. Please.' She pressed send and prayed he would come. She didnt call 999, she knew if he saw the police arrive before she was somewhere safe, he'd take her out before they got in the door. She had to believe Tom would know what to do and save her. There was a sudden noise, she held her breath. David was awake and roaming the flat looking for her. She hid the phone under the sink and flushed the loo. She had just moved to open the door when he burst in, despite it being locked.

"What the fuck Rose? Did I say you could use the bathroom? DID I?" He bellowed. She knew what to do. Lowering her gaze to the floor and putting her hands together in front of her she quietly said " No David. I'm sorry, it wont happen again"

" You're damn right!" He replied, his hand colliding with her cheek. She didnt react. She kept staring at the floor, tasting blood in her mouth. " now get back through there" he commanded and she meekly complied.

He commanded her to make him breakfast and as she picked up the kettle it crossed her mind to throw the boiling water over him but realised the futility. She would try to string him along until Tom or help in some form arrived. She wasnt alone, whatever Tom may or may not have thought about her leaving, he would help her. He just needed to do it quickly. She was just about done making the food when David came blundering over. Yet another blow. "Food. NOW"She served him and stood in silent compliance as he ate. Grudgingly he nodded and said "at least you can still cook. Now clear it all away. " she slowly cleared the dishes trying to play for time. Placing them in the sink she began to wash up. She winced as she moved but kept going, determined to avoid another beating. This time she would fight back her own way - she would survive. Lost in her thoughts, she moved too slowly for his liking and he showed it."Get a move on. You've got lazy you little...." he raised his hand to strike her but his attention was drawn by a knock at the door. "Who the hell?" He pushed her into the hall "get rid of them" he growled

She shuffled to the door, barefoot and still only in last nights torn shirt, aware of how she must look. Trying to calm her racing heart, she pulled the door open a crack. She almost fainted when she saw Ben at the door, his back to her, staring into the street. Hearing the door open he turned round.

Instantly he saw her dishevelled state and bruised face. His eyes widened in horror but said nothing, just stepped to the side , finger to his lips letting the 3 figures behind him barge past. Tom , Chris H and Lee almost took the door off its hinges as the 3 of them barrelled in. Tom scooped Rose up and carried her outside, covering her with his jacket, while the sounds of shouting and furnture crashing came from the kitchen. Rose dissolved in hysterics in Toms arms unable to speak, just clinging onto him. He stood clutching her to him as if he would never let her go, making soothing noises and telling her it was all going to be ok. After a couple of moments it all fell quiet and just at that moment a police car screeched up, 2 officers jumping out and racing inside.

Ben appeared and motioned for Rose and Tom to stand back. Rose buried her face in Tom's neck as they led David away in handcuffs, unable and unwilling to look at him. What she couldn't see was his blackening eye, his cut lip where he'd been punched and his potentially broken wrist where he'd been detained by a raging Lee. Being 6'5" and well built, it hadnt been a problem to make sure David wasnt going anywhere. He may not have known Rose as well as Tom, but he knew what was right and what was wrong. And this, he knew, had been very very wrong.

The police took basic statements, more questions would come later. Tom held her close the whole time. Rose found an inner strength she had never known before. Ben Chris and Lee left soon after, making them promise to call later, leaving just the 2 of them alone.

"Tom" she began as he tended to her cut lip, "I'm so sorr..." he cut her off, holding up his hand, "No. You dont. You dont apologise. This is not your fault. " he set aside the cotton swab and the bowl of water. They were sitting together at the kitchen table, he gently took her hands in his. "If I hadn't neglected you, taken for granted you were comfortable in my chaotic world, you wouldn't have come home alone. I pushed things too far and this is the result. If I'd only paid more attention, been more careful of you, he wouldn't have been here and you..." he stopped rambling, his breath now hitching and his eyes filling with tears. He pressed his forehead to hers, his tears falling on her face now. "I'm so sorry my darling girl, I promise, I PROMISE never to let you down like that again. If you'll still have anything to do with me that is" he pulled back and looked at her , she could feel him trembling, scared he'd lost her again and her heart broke for him.

"Oh Tom, neither of us are to blame. Life is sometimes shitty, really really shitty, and doesn't go the way we plan, but no-one is to blame. Well, maybe except David. He is to blame. " for a moment she paused. It had been a difficult decision to leave the party, to leave him. Every fibre of her being was screaming that he was good for her. But even now, she still couldnt believe she truly deserved him. Her heart wanted to hold him and kiss him and never let him go but her head said she was damaged and trouble and he would be better off without her. She felt sick and confused, but it was probably the adrenaline subsiding. For a moment she closed her eyes, letting the panic wash away, then opened them again as if seeing things clearly for the first time."The thing is Tom, today has made me realise...." she began, taking his hand and gently playing with his fingers trying to maintain control. Her mind racing, she wanted to make sure he understood exactly what she felt, this was her only chance. She looked up at him, opening her mouth to speak but just as she was about to continue, Tom's phone rang....