one person can change everything

chapter 8 Lonan

"Okay I'm going to go.. ring me if any problems yeah?" I shoved my wallet in my back pocket

"You look smart"

I looked down at myself, dark jeans, smart shoes and a plain shirt.... okay okay all designer names and all expensive.

"Always try too look good. Okay well don't stay up as I don't know when ill be back, but make yourself at home there's plenty food in.." tapping my pockets for my keys

"Go have fun" she basically pushed me out the door

"Ring me if any problems yeah?"

"Yes have fun."

I felt bad leaving her on her own but I couldnt not see the boys. The boys were on form and we all didn't stop laughing.. I still checked my phone just in case Alex had tried to contact me.

"Oui stop reading work emails. No work talk!" Danny glared at me

"Alright alright can't blame me I've not been in office all afternoon" I came to my defence raising my hands up.

"Yeah heard you bolted.. Emma hinted you weren't alone" Jay playfully said to me with a wink

"I was alone believe me mate.." I played it cool as a cucumber.

I was waiting to be served when Jay came over to me.

"So sarah... you left her?"

"She left me. Long story"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah yeah.. she just wasn't happy I guess.."

"You guess.. haven't you tried to speak to her?"

"Nah.... not got the energy" I tried to brush him off to leave the subject.

"Dude you can't just ignore her"

I rolled in at 11pm, I quietly made a coffee grabbed my brief case and pulled out the Brown envelope that Linda had handed me this morning, switching the lamp on I sat down rested my feet on the foot rest opened the letter...

straight away I knew this was not going to be fun. Sarah's solicitor letter was professional and saying all the correct things as it would. Just asks me to buy her out the house or sell the property even though I own more of the property than her... Tutting I grabbed my iPad and sent a email to my solicitor for them to start processing a letter to be sent to her stating I owe more and she is the one who did wrong not me.

I could hear the stairs crecking and Alex appeared in her over sized pjs.

"Sorry did I scare you" I quickly asked placing my mug on the side

"No no... I heard your car on the gravel.. just needed a drink... a good night?"

"Yes yes good to see the boys.. " I slid everything back into my brief case

"Umm drink? Going to make one?" She offered softly

"No thanks kettle just boiled."

"Okay.." she shifted into the kitchen.. I followed her and she quickly pulled her sleeves back down.

"Whats happened?" I pulled her sleeve up slightly

"Nothing..." she, pulled away

"Clearly something has happened.."

"Please leave it..." she left the mug and kettle boiling & she went back upstairs.

I made the drink, turned all the lights off then knocked the spare door and opened it, she was all curled up in the darkness. I put the mug on the side and closed the door behind me.

Not able to sleep i sat up in bed wearing just joggers. rested my iPad on my lap and started to read and reply to all the emails I had received while not being in the office this afternoon. Before i knew it was 2am and nearly finished all the emails, just this one last email and I was done. All cleared for the day to start again tomorrow but not feeling one bit tired I googled Alex cooper. Up popped a few things but not much else, then a picture of Alex with Richard. Straight away didn't like the guy and I have met him before.

Knock knock i quickly closed google down and Alex came in.

"Alright?" I tried to act calm

"Yeah... thank you for the drink"

"No worries."

"Can I..." she paused and sat down on edge of the bed.

"Sure.." i adjusted myself and sat up a bit straighter.

"Umm sorry for how I reacted."

"Dont worry.. so whats been happening.." I asked her but I didnt really want to know as I'm not sure of my reaction.

"My dad thinks the sun Shines out of Richards arse and yet he thinks I'm always in the wrong. He instantly blamed me that day I turned up home... he never let me tell the truth..dad jumped to everything wrong."

"Why didn't you tell him the truth"

"I couldn't he wouldn't listen... dad instantly guessed that I had cheated on Richard and I should be grateful he wants me back. But it wasn't the truth at all i didn't cheat, I wouldn't cheat on anyone, dad... well dad always told me I wouldn't do better than Richard who can give me everything and anything I wanted..."

"Materialistic stuff.." is all I could manage to say as i listened to the sadness in her voice. Yet here I was judging Richard but I did same gave Sarah everything she requested.

"I went home and dad laid into me again... I had to get out of that house, and I thought I would feel safe at my parents yet I knew I wouldn't have been really"

"The marks.... Richard?" I knew but needed her to tell me

"Just some of many..." I watched her whince with pain.

"How many times?"

"Too many...."

"Can I see? Do we need to get you to a hospital?" I lent forward to put her at ease as I rested my hand on her knee. She lifted the back of her top to reveal bruises all sizes and shapes.

"Shit... " is all I could manage to say while I looked at them trying not to sound too shocked

"You won't tell anyone will you?"

"No course not...but I think we should get you check out, you might have broken ribs." I softly run my fingers over a couple in a shocked state

"No I'm fine its just sore.."

I lent back and I felt mixed feelings, here's a girl sitting on my bed with bruises mainly over her & I haven't even scratched the surface with what's really been happening. Considering I've known ALex since school and past few years we weren't friends we were acquanises, when we saw each other we spoke but would never have thought we would be here. She was always a bouncy happy girl, her parents were so proud of her too yet clearly not now. She pulled arms around her body tight like she was uncomfirtable or on edge.

"You can stay here for how long you need.. but you need to do one thing for me" she studied me as I did her, she took a deep breath and her chilling words which clearly showed she didn't trust me.

"Okay.. what?"

"You stay here where your safe, you don't answer the door to anyone. And you tell me if Richard says or does anything... deal?"

"Thats four things not one" a weak smile appeared amongst the sadness in here eyes.

"Deal?"

"Deal.... but can I use your gym?"

"Yeah you can use anything but just not my office." I smiled at her

"Deal...fancy a drink?"

"Nah I better try to sleep I got be in work in couple hours.." she walked to my door and she quickly said to me

"Lonan... You should be proud of what and who you have become and your ex fiancee is the one who lost out..night" she closed the door behind her