Shattered Perfection

Seven

Later that evening, Siobhan was curled on the floor of the bathroom, the cool tiles soothing on her back. She cradled her arm to her chest and sobbed silently. Before dawn, she returned to the bed, lying on her side as far away from him as possible. When the alarm went off she quickly got up and went into the bathroom locking the door and turning on the shower. There was no way she could tolerate the water on her burned skin but it would give Roger time to go downstairs. When she walked into the kitchen dressed impeccably with loose fitting clothes, he was just finishing his breakfast.

'You look lovely this morning,' he said almost cheerily.

'Thank you darling,' Siobhan played the part well.

'I have meetings all day, not to be disturbed. I'll be home at 6.30pm' he kissed the top of her head before leaving the house. Siobhan released the breath she was holding. Wincing she gathered her things and got into her expensive car. Her car, she huffed to herself, Roger's. He own's everything, even her. She pulled up at the hospital and sat in her car. The pain was making beads of sweat appear on her brow. She sighed and stiffly got out of the car and made her way towards accident and emergency.

Reaching the reception, she answered the questions posed. When it came to what she has done she took a breath, 'I fell and hurt my wrist and back.'

'Take a seat,' replied the receptionist.

Siobhan sat in the corner of the waiting room, bolt upright to stop her back touching the back of the chair. She closed her eyes as yet another wave of pain washed over her. Nausea filled her mouth with saliva. She tried resting her head on the wall to relieve the pressure.

'Siobhan, Siobhan' a voice called to her. She opened her eyes blearily, meeting warm kind but worried eyes. Vivian was crouched down in front of her, her hand resting on Siobhan's knee. She tried to sit up but groaned. 'Stay still love, I'll get a wheelchair,' Vivian said softly getting up. Siobhan closed her eyes again until she heard her returning with the chair. She took Vivian's proffered hand with her uninjured right hand but shuddered and flinched as Vivian tried to wrap her other arm around her back.

'No,' Siobhan's voice was rough from disuse. 'I can manage,' She slowly turned and sat down in the chair, refusing to sit back. Vivian wheeled her quickly to a bay, drawing the curtains round fully. She helped her sit on the side of the gurney.

'What happened?' she asked.

Siobhan repeated the lie, 'I fell and twisted my wrist and injured my back' she said softly hanging her head.

Vivian kept a careful eye on her, taking in her stiff posture and pain lines round her eyes and mouth. 'Can you get into a gown?'

'I'm not staying,' Siobhan answered quickly.

'It's just so we can examine your back,' replied Vivian, 'do you need help?'

Siobhan tried to remove her loose-fitting top. She hissed as she twisted. Without a word, Vivian helped Siobhan first to remove her uninjured arm before sliding her top up. Her fingers lightly ghosted over Siobhan's arms. Siobhan shuddered at the contact, goose bumps rose where Vivian touched her skin. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach despite the pain she was feeling. Siobhan had been unable to put on her bra that morning so attempted to cover herself with her arm. Vivian lifted the gown to cover her front, keeping her eyes on Siobhan's face. She didn't miss the scattering of bruises over Siobhan's fragile frame. She walked around the gurney to do up the gown and failed to stop the gasp which escaped her. Siobhan hung her head, letting her hair hide the shame on her face. Vivian couldn't believe what she was seeing. Long red burns crisscrossed Siobhan's back. She let her fingers rest on Siobhan's shoulder lightly. 'I can help you,' she said softly.

Siobhan didn't say a word but a tear dropped between the curtains of hair. Vivian walked slowly round in front of Siobhan. 'First, you need some pain relief.' She turned to go but was stopped by Siobhan's hand on her arm.

'Thank you Vivian,' whispered Siobhan finally meeting her eyes. Vivian nodded giving her a small smile.

'I'll be back in a moment,' She replied. Vivian sped to the counter where a doctor was typing into the computer. 'Carl, I need a favour.'

Siobhan was given some pain relief which made her feel rather fuzzy but did help with the pain. She was taken for an x-ray which showed a bruise on her bone but thankfully no break and her burns were treated and dressed. As time was ticking away she was becoming more anxious and kept checking the clock. Vivian kept up a stream of quiet murmurings, trying to reassure and relax her. But it wasn't working. As Vivian came back into the cubicle with some more dressings she realised that Siobhan was out of bed and attempting to get dressed.

'Whoa, where are you going,' she said holding her hands up to stop Siobhan.

'Home.' Siobhan replied firmly, 'thank you for your help today but I have to be going.' The painkillers and wrapped wrist had helped with the pain and she was able to muster some of her ice cold exterior but Vivian could see the panic in her eyes.

'You know you can't go back there,' Vivian said shortly.

'Why ever not?' Siobhan was haughty now. 'I had an accident, you have treated me, I need to go.' Vivian moved to stand in front of her speaking quietly,

'I can see what he does to you, you can't keep going back, you know how it will end.'

Siobhan's eye's flashed, 'you don't know anything, I fell. Nothing more.'

Vivian was desperate now, 'please let me help you.' She reached out and Siobhan closed her eyes briefly as Vivian's fingers ghosted over her cheekbone. But the moment was broken by an alarm from Siobhan's phone. She jumped in fright, grabbed her bag and almost ran out.

'Siobhan!' Vivian called after her but she was gone.

Siobhan reached her car and slumped against it. Fumbling for the keys she managed to drive out of the car park. Luckily it was an automatic car but the painkillers in her system were making her reactions slow and sluggish. She finally reached the gates of the house which she shared with Roger. His car was not in the garage. She breathed out as she entered the house. She started dinner, knowing he liked seeing her in a 'proper' female role. She internally rolled her eyes. Her back and arm had started to throb. Suddenly the front door slammed.

'Siobhan!' he called,

'In here darling.' She tried to make her voice seductive.

Roger walked in, undoing his cufflinks, tossing them on the side and rolling up his sleeves. His eyes narrowed, 'What's that?' pointing to her wrapped wrist.

Siobhan looked down at her arm, 'I tripped at home and I had it checked, there's a small bone bruise.' She looked up to gauge how that had landed. Roger kept her on a knife edge, was he going to be the kind, caring Roger she first met or the monster he was turning into? He lifted her arm.

'Poor mummy, let your boy take care of you,' he simpered. He led her to the table and brought the plates over. They ate in silence. Finally, Roger placed his cutlery down. 'Upstairs, now.'

Siobhan opened her mouth to protest but closed it quickly. She stiffly got up from the table and made her way upstairs. The bedroom door clicked behind her as she heard a belt being undone.