Chim - Traffic

Epilogue

Epilogue

Cheryl's POV

"Ok, so we've got the two new admissions in the shelter, how are they settling in?" I ask Rachel, me assistant.

"They're doing as well as can be expected. Are you going there today?"

"Aye, I'll pop in. Did you follow up with that donation as well?" She nods, looking down at the clipboard she's holding.

"Yes, I've sent the email to you." I thank her and she leaves me office. In the past six years since going through the worst experience of me life, I had founded a charity to help victims of abuse, mostly sexual or domestic, and running it was now me full time job. It hadn't been easy, but it had certainly been worth it. In that time, Kimberley and I had tied the knot and three years ago, she had carried our twin boys, Isaac and Noah. I was currently three days past me due date with our third child, a little girl, currently without a name. Once I've finished checking and replying to emails and everything else I need to do in the office I leave, driving over to the charity's shelter slowly, only just able to reach the wheel behind me massive stomach. I'm greeted by Penelope, a kind woman with a huge heart, and one of the few people I trust with the shelter and its occupants.

"Wow Chez, you're bigger than yesterday, if that's possible! Cuppa?"

"Thanks Pen! Aye, a quick one please." I follow her into the kitchen, seating meself at the table as Penelope prepares the drinks, handing mine to us. As we drink she catches us up on what's happened since yesterday, mostly about the new arrivals. Once me cup is empty I decide to go and introduce meself to the new people, finding the first girl, Angie, in the living room, staring at the television but not watching it. I knew her history, she'd been in a marriage for seven years, beaten by her husband for the last five of those years. "Hi, I'm Cheryl. Is it ok if I sit down?"

She nods and I lower meself next to her, frowning at the obviously cold cup of coffee in front of her. "I know you got here late last night, did you manage to sleep much?"

She shakes her head, finally meeting my gaze. "You're the woman in charge of all this?"

I nod, smiling slightly. "Aye, I am."

It takes her a few moments to respond, tears filling her eyes. "Cheryl, what am I going to do now?"

I take her hand, squeezing it gently. "Now you get out. Get a job, find a nice place to live, reconnect with your family and old friends, and make new ones. Now, life gets better."

Unexpectedly, she hugs us, her tears dampening the shoulder of me t-shirt. A few seconds pass before she pulls away, trying to smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, I have a favour to ask, will you please help us to me feet?" She laughs before getting up, taking me hands and helping us stand. "Thanks pet."

I leave the room and find the other new girl, Sophia, outside, puffing away on a cigarette. She's also a victim of sexual abuse, at the hands of her mother's long-term boyfriend. Her demeanour is quiet, withdrawn, and as I'm walking back to the car I pull out me phone and type an email to our counsellor, Leila, arranging an emergency session for her. The drive home is long, drawn out by rush hour traffic, and I'm relieved when I finally arrive, Kimberley presenting us with a steaming mug of tea.

"It's too quiet. Where are the boys?" I ask, not used to the peace currently settled over the house.

"Your mum took them to the park, help them burn off some energy before tea." Me mother had been our house guest for the past two weeks, offering to baby sit when I go into labour. "So, any more activity today?"