Nothing Compares To You

Retribution

"You fucking little BITCH!" Iain slapped her hard and she clutched her cheek. "You've been fucking HIM all along haven't you?" he snarled at her as she backed away. "Made me look a real twat haven't you?" he raised his hand again and she ducked, sprinting to the other side of the room.  

"Don't you bloody well TOUCH me you bastard!" she shouted at him angrily. Surely someone would hear them?  They'd been arguing nonstop for the last hour.  "Touch me again and I'll get you arrested.  If you can't discuss this like an adult, GET THE FUCK OUT!"

"Oh yeah?  And where will I go?  You forget this is YOUR little backwater, not mine you deceitful cow." he walked towards her, finger wagging. She picked up her phone and started to dial. He snatched it from her hand and went to throw it across the room. 

There was a knock at the door "Miss?  Miss is everything ok?  It's Gary from reception. Open the door please Miss."

Iain froze, the reality of what he'd just done hitting home harder than his slap.  She glared at him and marched to the door, a huge red weal on her face, tears in her eyes.

"Gary, hi, thank you.  I'm fine, but I will require another room, as soon as possible please.  Mr Walker will be moving into it.  I will be checking out of this one tomorrow." She was cool and calm in the face of her near total humiliation.  Gary looked at her and his eyes focussed on her marked cheek.

"Are you sure you're ok Miss?  Can I call anyone for you? Would - would you like to come with me while we organise that?" he looked at her pleadingly. There was no way he wanted to leave her if she was in physical danger.

"No." she looked over her shoulder at Iain  who now sat slumped on the bed. "I'll be ok now.  Just get him out of here as soon as possible please?"  she went to close the door then paused. "Oh and Gary?"

"Yes Miss?" he smiled at her encouragingly,

"Please send up a whisky and ice?  Plenty of ice." she smiled and he nodded. 

"Certainly Miss - on the house." She watched him walk away then closed the door.

Turning to Iain, she walked over and stood, arms crossed, looking down at the snivelling shell of a man. "Pack. Now. We can talk while you do it. Touch me and I'll scream bloody murder. I mean it."  she left no room for argument.

As he gathered his belongings, he apologised over and over.  "I don't know what happened darling."

"DONT call me that." she hissed.

"Sorry, but honestly?  I really don't.  I guess I just love you too much." he paused and looked at her. "Where will you go?  Back to him?  I'm guessing the two of you are planning a reunion once the collateral damage is out the way?" his voice was full of bitterness but she couldn't care less.  Not hurt HIM?  That had gone out the window the minute he'd turned on her.

"Love me TOO MUCH?  Do you even HEAR yourself?  For fuck's sake Iain, you fucking HIT me?  How is that love in ANYONE'S world.  Look, just clear your stuff and go.  Even if there was no Tom - which is none of your fucking business now anyway - the fact you hit me means we're over." she crossed her arms tightly, scowling.  The swearing was unlike her, but it stopped her crying, or being sick, or both.

"But darling I LOVE you" he whined. "I will ALWAYS love you."  he put the last of his stuff into his case. "This isn't over, I will prove to you that I'm a good person; that it was all a mistake and that I'll never do it again." he smiled and went to approach her.

"OUT!" she barked and pointed to the door. "Out and don't even THINK about approaching me, or Tom or ANYONE. Sit in your room and book your bloody flight home.  If you don't have the money, after wasting it on that horror..." she indicated the ring now sitting on the dressing table where he'd thumped it down during their fight, "then I will PAY you to leave.  Just..." now she began to falter, "Now just get..." she took a ragged breath "out."

Iain looked at her and shook his head, gathering his bags he left the room.  The door closed and she raced over, throwing the deadlock and putting on the security chain.  Only then did she allow herself the luxury of tears.  Great heaving sobs, of fear, of relief, of physical and mental pain. Her cheek ached and her head pounded.  Sliding down the door, she sat, head on her arms, arms on her knees and cried.  Exhausted, she fell into a deep sleep.

It was dark when she looked up again.  Standing up, cold and stiff, she stretched. Wandering into the bathroom, she switched on the light and winced.  As she looked in the mirror, she gasped.  Her eye was bloodshot and her cheek swollen and purple.  He'd landed a good one on her.  No hiding this one.

Something in her made her ashamed.  That she'd been hit, that she'd allowed it to happen.  That she'd handled it so badly that he'd WANTED to hit her. Basically, she blamed herself when she should really have blamed Iain.   She decided to tell no-one, see no-one and go nowhere until it was a bit less obvious.  Then a decent layer of concealer would save her blushes.

In the meantime, she realised she was starving.  Picking up the phone in the room, she called reception.

"It's Gary speaking Miss, how can I help you?" his voice was warm and concerned. "Are - are you ok Miss?"

"Yes, I am now.  Thank you.  Is Mr Walker settled in his new room?" 

"Yes he's in 212.  As far away as I could get him.  Is there something else I can do for you?" he asked gently.  

"Yes, I'm a bit hungry but I don't want to come out of my room at the moment, I'm sure you understand.  Could you arrange for some soup and sandwiches to be sent up please?  And coffee.  Lots of coffee." 

"Of course Miss, I'll bring it personally.  No need for you to have to see anyone. I won't be long." the line went dead with a soft click.  She held the receiver against her chest, letting out a sigh.

She needed to speak to someone.  About a house.  First part of the plan actioned, now she needed somewhere to stay.  Lick her wounds and heal.  Simon, he would know.  He wouldn't judge and he would help.  She began to cry again, once upon a time, Tom would have been the one to turn to. Now?  That option was gone and in it's place a gaping hole more painful than any bruises.

She replaced the receiver and picked up her mobile.  

'can you come over to the hotel?  I need to talk houses with you. As soon as you like.  I'm alone.  Permanently. D xx'

She pressed send and waited, Simon was a speed demon at replying.  She didn't wait long.

"On my way sweetie. On my way xxx"

She smiled and sat on the bed.  Remember tonight girl, she told herself, for it is the beginning of always.

Always is a long time and doesn't always start right away though.