Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 5

"On the phone again?"

She nodded. "Just some last minute arrangements."

"You didn't need to end your call just because I'm here." he said, his face unreadable, "Unless you've got something you're trying to hide from me?"

"Why would I hide things from you." Annie tried to keep her voice light and normal as she headed to the stairs once more, "You know all my plans Paul. I've not kept anything from you."

"OK."

He watched her walk away.

Annie glanced at her watch. She sighed in relief as she realised her friends Dave and Michelle would be there to collect her in just ten more minutes. She began to move her cases to the top of the stairs. As she stepped out of the room for her second trip she was stopped in her tracks... by Paul crossing the landing.

He eyed her cases.  "Going some where?" His voice was cold.

She shook her head. "Just organising things."

"Need a hand?"

"Paul...er...no, I'm...I'm OK."

"Sure?"

She nodded nervously. She had to push passed him to go back into the room. She waited for a few moments hoping he would go. However, when she came out with her final suitcase, he was still there. His expression had changed now. Softer.

"Don't go Annie, please?"

She shook her head. "Paul, we've discussed all this. I'm leaving and that's that!"

"No!" He reached out to her, forcing her to step back from him.

"Don't touch me!"

"I wasn't going to! Please Annie..."

"Please Paul, don't do this! I need to get moving Paul. Someone's coming to help me move my stuff." She turned from him and picked up two of her cases and began walking down the landing. 

"Wait" 

Without even turning to face him, Annie could hear Paul's footsteps coming fast behind her. 

In panic she dropped her cases and began to run towards the stairs.   "PAUL DON'T...." 

She screamed loudly as she rolled down the stairs and landed with a thud at the bottom of the stairs in a crumpled heap. 

"ANNIE!"

She didn't move. Paul rushed to her side, checking for a pulse when there was a loud banging on the door.

"Annie. You OK. It's Dave!"

Paul stood up and called and ambulance before answering the front door. A blonde haired man scowled at him. 

"We've come to see Annie," he told Paul.

Paul stood to one side, meaning the people on the door step could now see Annie clearly.

"Annie! SHIT!" The man knelt next to her, speaking softly to her. Worrying she remained unconscious. "What the fuck have you done to her this time?" he snarled at Paul.

"I haven't done anything! She fell." Paul said lamely. "I've called an ambulance."  Dazed, he sat on the bottom stair and watched as the ambulance arrived.

Annie lay in her hospital bed, her head pounding. The doctor had told her she was going to be kept in for a week after remaining unconscious for nearly 24 hours. She ached from head to foot and had a nasty cut on the side of her head. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

She didn't hear the door to her room open, nor did she feel someone take hold of her hand.

"Hello baby."

Annie turned sleepily then snatched her hand away.

"Go away! I don't want you here!"

"Annie love, I didn't ..."

She scrabbled for the nurse call button and began shouting in panic. The door shot open and in came a nurse and a doctor. The nurse immediately tried to calm her. 

"What's happened here?" demanded the doctor, "You were told she had to be kept quiet!"

"Make him go away!" Annie shouted, now sobbing hysterically, "Make him go away. He made me fall! Make him go!"

Paul found himself man handled from the room by a porter whilst the nurse and doctor stayed with Annie. He waited outside the door for almost fifteen minutes until the doctor came out.

"You were told to leave Mr McCartney."

"How's Annie? I didn't do anything to upset her! She just started shouting!"

The doctor eyed him. "The police will be informed of what Annie has said Mr McCartney."

"What do you mean? What did she say?"

"She says she doesn't want you near here whilst she is in hospital Mr McCartney. She has said you have been violent to her recently and you made her fall."

"That's not true! I wasn't anywhere near her when she fell!"

The doctor turned from Paul to two porters close by. "Please escort Mr McCartney from the building." He told them. He then turned to Paul. "Annie does not want you to visit her anymore. Please stay away." He then turned away then walked back in to Annie's room without another word.

Paul scowled as the door closed in his face. 

"This was sir."

Paul glared at the two porters.

"Fuck off!" he snarled, "Put one hand on me and I'll punch you!"

He stalked from the ward then back to his car.

By the time he had driven home, his anger had subsided and he worry about Annie returned.

.