Sing For Me

Opening old wounds

Ben's Point of View

"Gran?" I turn to her and she ushers me back into the hall, Lisa goes to see Zoe. "How did she get here" I ask 

"Lovey she found out where you lived, she said she followed you the one night, she's been before but couldn't come to the door" I don't understand "She's been hurt lad, its trouble at home I think, she would only tell me bits, she's got bruises on her arm which she's tried to cover and on her neck, I think she is being abused Ben" dear god no, this isn't right though what can I do 

"But why me?" I ask 

"She trusts you Ben, and she likes Lisa you know that" she starts 

"But this could get me into trouble its wrong in so many ways that's she's come her Gran" I say 

"I know lad and you have to play this by the book be careful for Lisa's sake especially now with the babby coming" she's right I cant risk it can I 

"But I have to help her somehow" I tell her 

"Go and speak to her, but not on your own, let Lisa stay" she says which makes sense to me.

I head into the living room and sit opposite Zoe who is sat with Lisa holding her hand I can see now the extent of her bruising "Zoe what's happened you can tell us" I say to her she's shaking where have I seen this before. 

"I'm really sorry sir I just had to talk to someone" she sobs 

"It's OK Zoe darling you're safe here" Lisa tells her rubbing her arm where have I seen that before. 

"Just take your time who did this to you can you tell us" I say to her she just sobs her heart out "it's OK Zoe don't be afraid you're not in any trouble you just need to tell the truth so we can help you" I say to her Lisa looks across and smiles at me for encouragement. 

Zoe looks up at me "it was my Dad sir" she says dear god the poor girl 

"OK Zoe well done darling, has he done this before?" Lisa asks and she nods I'm full of all those old feelings the anger the shame and the hate. 

"What about you're Mum Zoe have you spoken to her?" I ask 

"Mum left when I was five" another similarity "Dad was never the same after and started drinking then when he gets mad he hits me but this......." she starts to sob again 

"It's OK Zoe you are doing so well" Lisa tells her she is doing her mothering act on Zoe making her feel safe she can't help it. 

"This is the first time he's hit me in the face" she says 

"It's OK Zoe, we are going to help you" I tell her 

"I don't want to get you into trouble sir" she says 

"You wont" I tell her 

"What would like to do Zoe would you like to go to the police?" Lisa asks she's been here before, do I, don't I this must be hard for her too. 

"I don't know if I can" she says 

"If it's what you want then we can do that if that will make you feel safe" she tells her 

"I don't want to go home again, I can't face it anymore" she says 

"Have you told anyone else about this Zoe" I ask her 

"Only your Gran sir and Dean" she says I smile gently at her 

"Well she won't tell a soul" I whisper 

"Is there someone you'd like us to get in touch with somewhere you can go darling?" Lisa asks her 

"Dean I'd like Dean to be here" can he bring her through this like I did Lisa yes I think he could