Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 3

Annie helped Cyn clear away the breakfasts dishes before going to find Julian in the sun room. He was totally absorbed in a game of cars, having made tunnels, bridges and ramps using his books.

"Looks fun." Annie couldn't help but smile.

Cyn groaned. "What a mess!"

"I'll clear up for him Cyn, let him play, he's having a ball!"

Cynthia looked down at Julian. "He does look happy, doesn't he?" She laughed. "Oh to be a four year old!"

"Cyn! Cyn love!"

"I'm in the sun room John love."

Annie turned as John padded into the room.

"Hiya Annie. Macca with you?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm on my own."

"Oh. OK." He looked puzzled form a moment. "Any food going Cyn love?"

"Come on then," she took his hand and lead him to the kitchen. "Feeling better? You slept really well love."

"Tonnes better! I'm glad we didn't go for a full on night of drinking!"

Cynthia grinned. "Where did you get to then?"

"Just for a couple with Paul." He stopped. "How come Annie's here? I'd have thought she'd have been celebrating with Paul!"

"Celebrating what?"

John turned.

"What would Paul and I be celebrating?"

"Annie love, it's not my place to say anything. Sorry. If Macca got cold feet then..."

"Cold feet? John what are you talking about?" Annie tutted.

"Look," said Cyn, "Perhaps I should explain. Annie turned up here in the night John love. She's left Paul after he hit her. She has a nasty cut on her head. I've said she can stay whilst she sorts herself out."

John walked over to Annie, deeply shocked. "He's hit you? I don't understand. When I left him last night he was on his way to you really happy and excited. He had your ring and everything!"

"A ring?"

"He was going to propose to you Annie. We had one drink together then I left him."

"What time was this?"

"About half five. He said you and him were going out a 6."

"We were meant to be going out." Annie sat down suddenly, tears in her eyes. "However Paul finally turned up rolling drunk at three o clock this morning. He could barely stand up. And when he tried mauling me to have sex with him I refused. He got angry, hit me and succeeded in knocking me off my feet. Some proposal!"

"Oh Annie!" John put his arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure Paul didn't mean anything. It will have been a sudden drunken movement, he'll have not realised how much force was behind it! He'll be gutted when he realises what he's done! He loves you!"

Annie  shook her head sadly. "It's not the first time John."

"What do you mean?"

"Paul has hit me three times in the last six months John. It wasn't a one off. It's happened three times, it'll keep happening. I have no choice but to leave him."

"Annie you can't! He'll be gutted!"

"AND I'M NOT? For fucks sake John, the man I thought loved me thinks knocking me off my feet so that i cut my head is acceptable behaviour!" Annie burst into tears. "I've loved Paul for over two years. I thought we had a future...but not now! What else will he do to me?"