Oasis: Time Flies...

Sunday Morning Call

I woke up in the cold light of day. I'd fallen asleep only a few hours before. My mind had been drowning in thoughts. I was desperate and helpless but what could I do?

Peggy was my best friend, it was the way it had been for years and years. I'd known her for as long as she and him had been in Manchester. She'd confided in me and everyone knew what he was like but she couldn't leave him. He paid for the family home, they were married with children, there was no easy way out.

She was tough, so tough, she thought she could handle him, put up with all of his shit and raise her boys right. They grew up alright Paul, Noel and little Liam. I was one of those friend/ aunties, I knew about them and cared about them more than their dad ever did.

Why is this circling my mind after all these years? Because Peggy is at the very end of her tether with him. She told me she's taking the kids and leaving him for good as soon as a council house comes up. It was a relief to hear it but I wanted it now, she shouldn't have to wait around him and I was scared of what he'd do when he knew she was gone.

They needed to get out of there as fast as they could at the right moment, we all knew it. I prayed the day would come sooner rather than later.

The phone rang. I got out of bed, wrapped myself in my dressing gown and leant against the wall as I answered it.

"The fecking bastard's fucked off working." Peggy revealed. "Left a note. That's all I get from him."

He was probably off with another woman again or off drinking in some hole somewhere, maybe he really was working but whatever was keeping him away it was time to act.

"You'd better get on to the council first thing in the morning." I told her.

She had to chase up the council because they weren't going to just give her what she needed. Resources were stretched and there were so many others who were higher priority with much younger kids than Liam. I wished I could help them myself but I was in no position. They wanted to stay in Manchester, I didn't want them to go too far but anywhere was better than there.

"I will."

I milled about the house wasting away my Sunday waiting for Monday to come. I didn't know what to do with myself knowing they were free of him for now.

My mind wouldn't wander from him, it kept just going down a long and winding road of everything he'd ever done to Peggy and the boys, the stories they created to protect him. I was haunted by the lies I'd been sold and fell for them hook, line and sinker.

I wondered how the boys were going to take the move if it were to happen. Paul and Noel were about old enough to be out on their own and they had chosen to live like that to avoid him. Liam was a different kettle of fish altogether, he was still a kid, he'd have to move schools and everything. He didn't always realise just what his dad was really like.

I laid awake until the early hours a second night hoping for good news. I didn't know what I'd do if there was nothing the council could do for them now our hopes were up. They all deserved it so much, the council had to see that.

The phone rang, dragging me out of bed the same as yesterday.

"The post's come." Peggy announced dully.

"Anything interesting?" I pressed, knowing she wouldn't tell me that for nothing.

"One letter from the council."

"From the housing department?"

"From the housing department." she repeated with a nod no doubt.