Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 4

"You came home very drunk last night Paul. In fact I think you were probably drunker than I've ever seen you. You woke me. You kept apologising about my birthday then you tried to make me have sex."

"Oh."

"I refused you. I told you to go to another room to sleep it off. You wouldn't so I got out of bed instead. I was going to go to another room. Do you remember that?"

He shook his head. "Not clearly." He whispered. "Then what?"

"You followed me and at one point you grabbed me and pinned me against the wall, trying to kiss me. It was revolting!" She angrily brushed tears away. "I tried to stop you. I pushed you away but that didn't make any difference because you hit me. You hit me so hard across my head and face that I lost balance and fell. I hit the table on the landing as I fell. It's how this happened." She lifted her hair to reveal the angry still blooded gash on her head. "So I left. It's over Paul. Three times you've used violence against me. THREE! No more! I'M NOT PREPARED TO PUT UP WITH YOU ANY MORE."

He stared at her for a moment. "Please Annie, I don't know what to say other than I am so so very sorry! I don't remember any of this! I promise! When I left the studio last night all I was focused on was being with you! Infact..." He paused and rummaged in the pocket of his trousers,  "I was going to ask you something important."  He took out a small black box and opened it. Even from her side of the table she could see a stunning solitaire diamond ring. "I was going to ask you to be my wife Annie. I love you."

"But getting pissed then hitting me was more important Paul!"

"NO!"

"Then why am I here? Why do I have a cut on my forehead, a mother of all headaches and feel so sad? Because of the choice YOU made!" She looked at him, more sad than angry now. "So I've made my choice Paul. I want to end our relationship. I don't want to be with you anymore. I can't trust you. I'm just going to be waiting for the next time you hit me because there will be a next time. It doesn't happen three times for it not to happen again. I've left you now and I'm not coming back except to collect my stuff."

"Where will you stay? I want to know you're safe!"

She eyed him. He gave her a sad smile. "Look, I still care about you Annie."

"Cyn said I can stay here for a few days until I can find a flat."

"NO!"

"What differences does it make to you?"

"It's hard enough them knowing what's happened without you staying here. They don't need our shit in their lives Annie. Please. Come home. Stay til you get sorted. I'll move into the spare room. I won't give you any grief, I promise."

"No Paul. If I do that you'll start trying to make me stay."

"Annie love," he reached over and took her hand. She was about to pull it away but something in his expression stopped her, "I won't cause you any more problems. I promise. Come back to Cavendish and stay till you're sorted. Please."

She sighed then pulled her hand away. "OK. You keep the bedroom though. I'll have the little room. No daft ideas though Paul. It's over."

Three days later Annie sat in the small back bedroom at Cavendish Avenue. She was surrounded by cardboard boxes, all packed and sealed ready for her move. She just had a few bits to throw into a suitcase and she was done. She was due to move into her new flat in just three days time. She was sad in many ways. She still loved Paul and for the last few days he had been the perfect host. Apart from offering her food and drinks, he'd left her alone as he had promised. It was painfully polite and, at times. uncomfortable. She couldn't wait to move out!

"Annie! Annie!" 

She heard Paul calling her from downstairs. She stood on he landing.

"Yes?"

"Phone."

"Thanks."

She slipped down the stairs and took the phone from him. 

"Hello."

It was her friends who'd offered her a few nights on their sofa if things were difficult. Initially she'd said no but...

"....thanks Dave. So if I you arrive about 10 tomorrow? Paul? No, he's at work by then. es, I'm sure ...OK....Thanks. See you tomorrow. Bye!"

She hung up and turned to return upstairs. Paul was stood in the doorway of the living room, just staring at her. She gave him  a swift smile then headed up the stairs. 

"Who's Dave?" He asked slowly.

She stopped half way up the stairs. "Sorry?"

"I asked who Dave is?"

"Just a friend."

"Yes...you seemed very friendly." 

There was something in the tome of his voice that Annie didn't like.

"Do you remember Michelle? I was her bridesmaid a few months ago?"

He nodded.

"Dave's her husband.  Michelle and him have said they'd help me move my stuff."

"I thought you were moving on Friday."

"I am."

"Then why make arrangements for tomorrow. When I'm at work you said." He glared at her.

"My new landlord has said the redocorating is finished in two  of the rooms. That means I can start to move my stuff in if I want. It's OK to store stuff but I can't move in properly until Friday."

He nodded then watched her as she walked back up stairs. She shut the door to her room and sat down. She was shaking. The tension between herself and Paul was becoming very unpleasant. She sat tense for a while then heard the front door slam. She listened. He'd gone out. She heaved a huge sigh of relief. After waiting for a few more minutes, she then ran downstairs to the phone once more.

"....please now. Yes.....no nothings happen but I just feel that....." The front door opened suddenly. "...Sorry...yes I'm still here. I need to go Dave. Yes, just now. OK." She hugn up then smiled guiltily at Paul. "Hi..."