Going Back

Chapter 5 - Revelations

Stacey walked home in silence. She was thoroughly embarrassed by Martyn's behaviour and knew that it stemmed from the basic fact he didn't like her having friends outside their marriage.
From day one, their whole relationship had revolved around him and his friends – and he'd certainly made no attempt at making any new ones today.

He had managed to insult them all in one way or another, causing Dave and Jimmy to retaliate, wind him up to the max, not liking his attitude at all. And if Lee and Bob had not joined them when they had, calming down the inflamed situation, a brawl would have certainly ensued ... but none of them would have been prepared for the brawl that did ensue once Stacey got home.

'So, what was all that supposed to be about, eh?' he shouted the moment they set foot in the house.
Stacey said nothing, knowing whatever she said would only make matters worse.
He pushed her to get a reaction.
'Don't!' she said, frowning at him.

He pushed her again. 'Slagging it up the moment my back's turned!'

She threw him a look of disgust and started to walk away when suddenly he grabbed her and threw her against the wall, hitting her head against it with a thud.

'Ouch!' she cried aloud. 'Stop it!'

'Why, I thought you liked a bit of rough, hanging all over those two arseholes!'

'I wasn't "hanging" over anyone!' she told him, defending herself. ' ... And you're the arsehole!'

Instantly, he smacked her around the side of her face with the back of his hand, before grabbing her under the chin and thrusting her head back against the wall with a thump. 'Yeah, so what was that Manchester low-life doing buying you drinks, eh?'

'He wasn't buying me drinks.'

'No, that's right - he bought you a whole fucking bottle, didn't he! Trying to get into your pants, was he?'
Stacey refused to answer such a ridiculous question and went to move away, but he wouldn't let her.
'Well?' He suddenly shouted, causing her to flinch. 'ANSWER ME!'

'No!' she shouted back. 'Of course he wasn't! He's one of Linzi and Lee's friends - they both are, Katie knows them too. That's why they came over and sat with us in the first place, no other reason - and he didn't just buy it for me,' she then fibbed, hoping to calm him down a little. 'He bought it for the both of us.'

'Bullshit!' he spat, 'and you know it! Guys like him don't go buying birds bottles of wine unless they think they're in with a chance - and it wasn't her he was ogling!'

Stacey glared at him with contempt as she shook her head. 'You're nuts ...'

'And you're a fucking bitch! He, he, he ...' he went on, imitating a real cheap girly laugh, in a particularly belittling manner. 'You were all fucking smiles and laughter until I turned up!'

Yeah, and no bloody wonder! She thought bitterly inside.

'Well, that's the last time you'll be going out with her,' he then announced, full of contempt.

Stacey couldn't believe she'd heard that right and just stared at him. 'You what?'

'I said that's the last time you'll be going out with her – you deaf or something?' He raised his voice, tugging on her ear, and she slapped his hand away angrily.

'Who won't I be going out with again?'

'That red-haired slag.'

Stacey's mouth fell open in shock - she was astounded. 'Don't you ever call her that again! And who the hell do you think you are to tell me that?'