Beating You

Chapter 34

This chapter isn't exactly dramatic, but I found it quite emotional to write, so I hope that you find it a little touching to read as well :) thank you so much for voting and commenting and the lovely messages! It means so much, so thank you! :) Enjoy!

Chapter 34

I was sitting in the room behind the stage in the pavilion with my head in my hands. I didn’t want to upset Cooper, nor did I want to seem like a stupid little girl, but my mind was set on seeing my dad. Maybe he didn’t know what he was doing? Maybe he didn’t mean to hit me and was struggling under mental conditions? I didn’t really know much about him or how he thought. Up until a few weeks ago, I’d convinced myself that I’d hated the man, but I didn’t. I could never hate him. There’s a thin line between fearing someone and hating someone.

I ran my hands down the soft skin on my face and flinched. I wondered what it felt like when he’d hit me there. Did he get joy from it? Did it help him cope? For all I knew, it might’ve hurt him almost as much as it hurt me.

I’d talked everything through with Victor, Sadie and Cooper last night. None of them were overly happy, Cooper being the most irritated. I knew that he wanted to protect me and make me happy, but the only thing that would be able to settle my nerves was facing my dad before the court case. I didn’t want to stand up in court, take one look at him and then not be able to say anything else. I needed to face him, that’s what all the mental doctors on TV say, isn’t it? Face your fears.

I stood up and paced, listening to the hushed chatter of people that were walking around the pavilion, living out their lives. If it wasn’t for hearing and seeing that, I would’ve had a hard time believing that life went on.

I glanced up at the wall that held all of my memories. The pictures were staring right back at me and I sighed. The people weren’t familiar; they were like ghosts, even though the photos were taken a mere eight or nine years ago.

Taking the photo of my dad and I down from the wall, I brushed my finger over the smooth glass that kept the photo prisoner. I slipped the photo out of the frame and folded it carefully, slotting it into my pocket.

The room brushed cool air over my arms, as if it was trying to tell me that it was okay and that it would all be over soon. I sat back down on the plush sofa and took my phone from my back pocket before dialling Inspector Skid’s number. I was going to call Inspector Marks because I knew him better, but I had a feeling that he’d try to stop me doing what I wanted.

“Hello, Inspector Skid, Truro police station,” he replied through the phone. His voice was crackly and professional, hearing it made me physically relax.

“Hey, it’s Ally, I was wondering if I could ask for a favour,” I started, running my hand up and down the fabric of my jeans nervously.

“Sure, what is it?” I clutched the phone tighter as if it was only thing stopping me from crying and sighed.

“I want to see my dad.”

There was a pause on the end of the line because I heard him let out a breath.

“Are you sure that it’s what you want?” he asked and I grinned. He understood and he would let me do it. I hated it when people tried to hold me back and tell me what I needed or what I wanted. Only I knew that.

“I’m sure,” I answered.

“Have you thought this through?” His voice was firmer and I heard some papers being tossed around in the background.

“Yes, so can I please see him?” I asked again and this time he puffed out a breath before giving me a yes and asking me when I was free.

I had to wait at the pavilion for him to show up. He’d told me that I’d be able to see him that day because they were having meetings at two. I didn’t know if he would actually come out to see me but I had to try and I had to get it over with. In a way, I just wanted his forgiveness.