Shattered Perfection

Six

A/N Domestic Abuse and SA warning.

Bang!

Roger's fist hit the sofa next to her head. Siobhan woke instantly, terrified.

'What do you think you are doing down here?!' he yelled. Siobhan sat up, the now warm ice pack slithered onto the floor.

'My wrist was hurting and I thought icing it would help,' she replied meeting Rogers eyes.

'You should be in bed next to me where you belong,' he spat. Siobhan lowered her eyes and looked contrite.

'I'm so sorry my darling, would you like me to make you a coffee?' Siobhan tried.

'No, I have meetings with Janice this morning and golf this afternoon, you will be here when I get home, do you understand?' his finger was close to her face.

'Yes absolutely,' she confirmed knowing she had no choice.

Roger gently grasped her chin, turning her face from side to side. 'Cover that up if you go out, otherwise there will be talk,' he whispered. Siobhan nodded. His fingers slipped to her throat and squeezed. 'If you are not here when I get home there will be consequences,' he said dangerously quietly. He waited a moment before releasing her, Siobhan sucked in the air gratefully.

'I will my darling boy,' she said, her voice rough from the abuse. Inside, Siobhan felt herself curl up. She hated the mummy dynamic but sometimes it helped to calm him and she would use any tool in her kit to save herself. Roger stood up and stroked his moustache.

'See you later.' He turned and walked out. His smart shoes clip clopping over the tiled entrance. Siobhan deflated. Sagging down onto the sofa she looked at her wrist. It was still swollen. She couldn't move her fingers without flames of agony licking up her arm. 'Damn it Roger, what have you done,' she muttered quietly. She checked her watch. 'Great.' She was also late.

Siobhan had managed to wash and dress herself but it hadn't been easy. However, she walked confidently through the main door of the nursery. Her ice-cold demeanour in place and her spine straight. Turning into the office she was met with Autumn and Marjorie.

'What time do you call this?' Marjorie cried, 'Must be nice to have a lazy morning and swan in when it's almost lunchtime.'

Autumn smirked towards her computer not bothering to look at Siobhan.

'Marjorie, for goodness sake, the nursery has only been open for half an hour at the most.' Siobhan used her most scathing voice. She turned and placed her handbag on the desk she used when in the office. She went to turn on her computer forgetting for a moment about her injured wrist. She hissed audibly before trying to cover it with a cough.

'What's the matter?' Marjorie said suspiciously, narrowing her eyes at her.

'Really Marjorie, NOW you're concerned?' Siobhan replied scathingly, 'I'm fine, I just caught my nail.'

Marjorie rolled her eyes, 'Sorry for caring,' she muttered before returning to her own work.

Siobhan was careful during the morning to not use her wrist, resting it on the keyboard to not be obvious. At lunchtime she took her handbag into the bathroom. She was conscious of her bruised face. She didn't want anyone to notice. She checked that the stalls were free before taking her make up to reapply. Her wrist was agony. She fished some painkillers out of her bag and was trying to pop them out one handed when the bathroom door suddenly opened.

'Oh, I'm sorry,' Charlotte apologised seeing she had startled her. Siobhan had dropped the pill packet in her fright.

'For goodness sake Charlotte, stop crashing about,' Siobhan replied angrily. She was cross with herself for reacting like that.