Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 2

Several hours later Cynthia Lennon woke up and opened the curtains. Having come home exhausted the night before, John was buried under the covers, fast asleep. Looking out onto the bright sunny morning, Cynthia was surprised to see what looked like one of Paul's cars in the driveway. Had he come here last night with John? Collecting four year old Julian for his breakfast, she headed downstairs. She stopped and opened the front door on her way to the kitchen. It was definitely Paul's car but why was Annie was asleep in the driving seat? How strange? She went out to the car and knocked on the window. Annie was immediately awake. Seeing Cynthia, she opened the door.

"Oh Cyn!" Suddenly she burst into tears, "I've left Paul. Please can I stay whilst I sort myself somewhere to live?"

Shocked, Cynthia helped the sobbing woman in to the house. A solemn Julian sat at the table watching as Cynthia made breakfast.

"Auntie Annie?"

Annie turned to Julian and smiled. "Yes sweetheart?"

"Why are you sad?"

Annie slipped her arm around the little boy. "You know that sometimes you have arguments with your friends at playgroup?"

He nodded.

"Well that's what me and Uncle Paul have done. We've fell out. It's made me cross and sad so I thought I'd come and see you and your mummy and daddy to cheer myself up."

"Has Uncle Paul come with you?"

Annie shook her head. "No love, he's at home. I'll talk to him later on." She smiled at the little boy as he ate his breakfast. It made her feel sad again, she'd always imagined that her and Paul would one days have a family. Not now.

"Can I go and play now mummy. I've finished my breakfast?"

"Of course you can."

"I'm going to the sun room to play cars again." Julian scampered off.

Cynthia placed a cup of coffee in front of Annie. "Do you want to talk love?"

Anne sighed and pushed her hair from her face.

"What's that?" Cyn asked suddenly, "On your head? It looks like blood."

"It is blood." replied Annie softly.

"What's happened Annie?" Cynthia held her hand. "Talk to me."

Annie explained what had happened the previous evening, how her birthday plans had been forgotten then Paul arriving home, very drunk. "... he grabbed me and because I tried to push him away, he hit me."

"Paul?"Cynthia couldn't believe what she was hearing, "He wouldn't hurt someone! He's not violent!"

"Not generally he's not." she replied, tears rolling down her face, "But when he's drunk, he' nasty." She wiped her eyes. "It's not the first time he's hit me Cynthia. It's happened twice before." She whispered. "I can't be with him anymore Cynthia. He scares me." She began to cry.

"Feeling any better?" Cynthia asked. She'd wrapped her arms around Annie as she had cried. It had taken twenty minutes of crying before she had stopped. Annie nodded.

"Thanks."

Cyn gave her a slight smile. "How long has Paul been like this with you Annie?"

"It's all happened in the last six months. The first time was after having an argument with John about something, the other two times were after he'd been drinking and he wanted sex and I said no."

"That's what happened last night?"

She nodded. "He came home drunk, completely forgetting he promised to take me out or my birthday. He was all horrible leary, gropey drunk Cynthia. It was revolting and I didn't want him like that. I pushed him away and went to sleep in the other room. He followed me and grabbed me. He pushed me up against the wall and tried again. I struggled against him then he hit me. I fell and hit my head."

"How bad is the cut?"

Annie shook her head. "No idea. I didn't look. I just wanted to get away from him."

"Can I look at it for you?"

Annie nodded. Cynthia gently lifted her hair, Annie winced, it hurt.

"It's a nasty cut Annie. It looks like it needs some stitches."

"It's not bleeding now so I'll be OK."

"But Annie..."

"Cyn, I'm known as Paul's girlfriend! How can I turn up to a hospital like this! They'll know what's gone on! I can't do that to Paul!"

"So what will you do?"

"I'm leaving Paul." she looked up at Cynthia, "I just need somewhere to stay until I've found a flat. Please Cyn, can I stay here?"

"Of course you can but are you sure you want to end it between you both. It's not like he'd hurt you intentionally."

"He's got angry and hit me three times Cyn! How many more chances do I give him before he beatsme properly!" She looked at her friend, "Would you put up with it from John?"

Cynthia shook her head. "No, and you're right. It can't carry on. What does Paul do when he's sober again? Does he remember?"

"The first time he hit me he was sober. In a foul mood but sober. When he's drunk, he remembers. He apologises, says he loves me and promises that it will never happen again...but it has. I can't live like this."

"He loves you Annie."

"He did, when we first got together." She shook her head, "But not anymore. If he loved me he wouldn't hit me, drunk or not. Apart from sex, I don't think we have a relationship anymore. I never see him or spend time with him, quality time....except in bed." She looked sad. "And any sex we have is always on his terms. It's never for me or what I want. No,  we're over. I want to get away as soon as I can." She looked at Cynthia, "You won't let Paul know I'm here will you?"

"No of course not, If that is what you want, I won't."