by Mel Sherratt
‘I’m on my way,’ was all she heard before he disconnected the call.
Josie turned to Philip, who didn’t seem to scare her anymore. ‘I haven’t got time for you, or your games. Pay up by Friday or we’ll evict you. It’s as simple as that. You’ve had enough chances now.’
Josie ran through the scratty jungle of a garden and jumped over the low wall. She could hear the police siren coming closer. Andy screeched to a halt beside her moments later.
‘Get in!’ he yelled.
The living room curtains were drawn when they pulled up outside Charlotte Hatfield’s house. Andy banged hard on the front door while Josie ran round to the back. She fiddled in frustration with the bolts on the make-shift gate. Eventually, it gave way and she pushed it open. She could hear the children crying. Through the rear window, she saw Charlotte lying on the floor, blood running from a gash on her head. The twins sat either side of her, Joshua hiding his face behind a cushion.
‘Charlotte!’ Josie banged on the window to get her attention. Charlotte turned her head slightly. She looked dazed; Josie knew that she wouldn’t be able to recognise her. She banged on the window again.
‘Callum! Jake! Go to the front door and let the policeman in!’
Callum ran towards the window and held up his hands. His tiny palms were smeared in blood. ‘Mummy’s bleeding!’ he screamed.
‘Go to the front door!’ Josie urged him, her heart going out to the four-year-old.
Suddenly, she heard a loud bang and Andy appeared in the room. She watched him drop to his feet and switch on his radio before coming to her senses. Quickly, she ran round to join him and stepped into her worst nightmare.
Charlotte’s injuries were more severe close up. Blood oozed out of the gash and down her neck. She wore only her underwear, the white cotton bra soaking up her blood. Her arms and torso were covered in cuts, her face a mass of swelling.
Andy spoke into the radio while the kids continued to cry. He threw Josie a latex glove. Josie pulled it on and knelt beside Charlotte.
‘Charlotte?’ she whispered. ‘Charlotte? Can you hear me? Please say something.’
Charlotte’s breath came quickly. Her mouth moved but there was no sound.
Josie reached inside herself for the strength she needed to deal with the reality. She picked up two-year-old Joshua, who threw his arms tightly around her neck. The little boy’s complexion was white and he was shivering uncontrollably.
Glancing across the room, Josie could see that the baby was safe in her cot. She beckoned the two older boys towards her.
‘I’ll be back in a minute, Andy.’
If Sharon Watson, the next door neighbour, was amazed to see Josie pushing past her with three small children in tow, she never batted an eyelid.
‘I haven’t got time to explain what’s going on,’ Josie told her, ‘but I need you to look after the boys from next door. There’s been an accident and I don’t want them in the room. Will you help me?’
‘Of course I will,’ Sharon said, following closely behind. ‘Come on, boys. I’m sure I have a packet of chocolate biscuits somewhere. Then we can see what’s on the telly.’
By the time Josie ran back to the house, half the neighbours were out on the pavement and the paramedics were running in front of her. Andy moved away as they took over. Within minutes, Charlotte was moved onto a stretcher. Two more police officers arrived and Josie sent one of them round to next door while she checked on the baby. Thankfully, Poppy had slept through most of the commotion.
Josie sat down on the settee and put her head in her hands. How many times would she be in this situation, feeling anxious, inadequate, and fearful? There was only so much she could do. She wasn’t Wonder Woman, nor did she profess to be, but unlike the views of the Philip Matsons on this estate, sometimes what she did was more than a job. It was a lifeline.
Her mind flipped back to the previous summer when Liz McIntyre, another one of her tenants, had been beaten up by her husband. He’d left her for dead before hanging himself – fortunately, Liz had survived, but it was seeing Charlotte Hatfield in the same state that really upset Josie. Why do some men do this to women?
A tear spilled down her cheek. What the hell was she going to do with four kids under five? Charlotte’s injuries couldn’t be fully assessed until she got to the hospital, and there was no family near who could look after them. Someone from Children’s Services was needed. Until then, she’d be left holding the baby herself.
Andy collapsed into the settee beside her. ‘The reason I joined the force was that ‘not a single day is the same’ they say.’ He shook his head. ‘But days like these make you want to pack it in on the spot.’
Josie wiped at her eyes. It seemed strange to see Andy’s face without his usual trademark grin, but today wasn’t a day for smiles.
‘There was nothing else we could have done,’ she assured him. ‘We set up everything, just in case, and it all went as planned: the telephone and pendant system that I fitted served its purpose, the control room staff reacted swiftly and you did your job brilliantly.’
Andy’s eyes widened. ‘You call that a good result?’
‘Yes! We can’t stop the bastards from doing what they do, but we can make it easier for the victims. If I hadn’t fitted the emergency telephone, if you hadn’t responded so quickly, Charlotte could have died.’ Josie pointed a wobbly finger at the floor. ‘Right there, Andy – she could have died right there. That’s the reason we do what we do.’
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It had taken Josie the rest of that day to deal with the attack on Charlotte Hatfield, and her children. Claire Tatton had arrived from Children’s Services and taken all four. She’d arranged for them to be looked after until there was any news on how badly hurt Charlotte was.
Josie got back to the office a few minutes after five, thankful that, at least with the doors closed to the public, there would be no interruptions. She wanted to crack on with the paperwork before she left for the day, get down as much of her report as possible. That way she wouldn’t have to go over it again tomorrow, although she knew she’d be thinking about it for a long time to come.
At five thirty, her mobile phone rang again. It would probably be Stewart: he’d called twice already to see where she was.
‘I’m still at work,’ she told him and then sighed, waiting for his torrent of abuse.
‘For God’s sake, you said you were finishing up ages ago. How long will you be now?’
‘I’ll be home soon, I promise. I’ll bring something in with me to eat. Is there anything you fancy?’
Once she’d pacified him and made a swift call to Andy to learn that Charlotte was in a stable condition for now, she switched off her computer and headed for home.
As soon as she opened the front door, it was pulled from her grip. Stewart seized her arm, pushed her into the hallway and slammed it behind her with a crash.
‘What took you so long? I told you to come home straight away.’
‘And I told you I’d be home soon,’ said Josie. ‘Show a little compassion, I’ve spent most of the day dealing with a domestic violence incident.’
‘Bollocks. You’ve been to college again, haven’t you?’
Josie faltered. How had he found that out?
‘No, I –’
‘Liar! I saw you at Mitchell Academy on Wednesday. I checked at the reception and they said there weren’t any residents’ meetings that night.’
‘Okay, okay. I have started a college course,’ she admitted, ‘although I haven’t been there tonight. I wanted to tell you but I knew you wouldn’t want me to go.’
‘Too right, I wouldn’t. You spend too much time away from the house as it is.’
‘Stop saying that to me – you only want me here so I can be at your beck and call, to cook your meals, wash your clothes and clean up your mess.’
‘That’s what you should –’
‘And I’m doing this course for me,’ Josie ret
aliated, pushing him away. ‘It has nothing to do with my work.’
Stewart huffed. ‘So what’s so important that you had to lie to me?’
Josie had already worked out what to say when Stewart eventually found out.
‘I’m doing a computer course,’ she fibbed. ‘Spreadsheets, data input and the likes.’
‘I wasn’t talking about that,’ Stewart answered. ‘I was referring to the bloke who you were with when you left.’
Josie cast her mind back to Wednesday evening, then nodded in recognition. ‘You mean Brian.’ Then, after a moment’s pause, ‘have you been spying on me?’
‘It’s true though, isn’t it? I can’t stand it when you sneak around behind my back and –’
Josie pushed past him and went in to the kitchen. ‘I’m hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat all day except a bar of chocolate. I managed to get a cooked chicken and a pack of fresh salad on the way home. Shall we eat?’
Stewart quickly followed her through. ‘So you’re not going to deny it?’
Josie opened the fridge. ‘There isn’t anything to deny. Brian is my course tutor. I gave him a lift to the George and Dragon on Drury Street. He was meeting up with his son for a drink.’
‘I don’t believe you.’
Josie turned back to face him. ‘Think about the logic of what you’re insinuating, even for one minute. When have I ever got time to see anyone else? I’m always pandering to you. And, come to think of it, when was the last time that you did anything around the house?’
Stewart held up his hands. ‘Not my problem.’
‘It’s your mess!’
‘It’s not my frigging house.’
‘For god’s sake! You’ve been saying the same thing now for the past five years. It’s obvious this house isn’t good enough for you. I’m surprised you find it in yourself to come through the front door at all.’
Stewart’s face clouded over again. ‘Trying to turn the tables now, are we? Trying to blame me for something instead?’
‘Yes, I am,’ said Josie, with annoyance. ‘I don’t want to come home to this every night. You treat this house like a hotel and I’m not having it anymore.’
Stewart moved across the room. Pushing her forcefully down into the chair, he sat opposite her at the table.
‘What exactly do you mean by that?’
Josie looked behind him through the kitchen window while she tried to put her thoughts into some kind of order. After no more than a few seconds of silence, Stewart reached across and squeezed her chin.
‘Get off.’ Josie slapped away his hand. ‘Why don’t you tell me how you knew I was at college on Wednesday? And why you knew I gave Brian a lift. You followed me, didn’t you?’
‘Wouldn’t you like to know!’
Josie felt disgust building up in her stomach as Stewart started to laugh. Not wanting to be near to him a moment longer, she stood up and walked towards the door. He reached for her arm again but she pulled it away from his grasp at the last second.
‘Don’t touch me,’ she spat.
‘Don’t walk away from me, then. I’m not finished yet.’
‘Not finished ..?’ Josie shook her head. ‘You think you can treat me badly and I’ll stand there and take it? Well, I might have done yesterday, but after what I’ve seen today, I sure as hell won’t. You don’t own me!’
For a moment, Stewart recoiled at Josie’s raised voice, but it didn’t take him long to retaliate. ‘You don’t know how lucky you are to have me,’ he threw back. ‘No one else would want you, little miss housing officer.’
‘Make up your mind. You’ve just accused me of having an affair.’ Josie moved away again.
‘I said don’t walk away from me!’ This time when Stewart grabbed for her, he didn’t miss. He swung Josie round to face him. ‘I think you’d better remember who you’re talking to.’
‘And who exactly am I talking to?’ she seethed. ‘A lazy bastard who can’t be bothered to do anything for himself? A selfish bastard who thinks his woman should be his servant? An inconsiderate bastard who never does anything nice for anyone without expecting something back in return? Even worse than that – you’re a bully.’
Stewart’s grip on her arm tightened but Josie switched off from the pain.
‘You’ve turned your own wife against you with your controlling ways. No – wait! What you’re actually thinking is, shit, there goes my free meal ticket. Perhaps your plan was to use me until someone better came along.’
Stewart stared at her before pushing her away roughly. He went back into the kitchen but Josie followed him.
‘But guess what, Stewart? I’m not going to do anything for you again until I get something done in return. It’s about time someone looked after me for a change.’
‘I would if you’d come home early for once.’
‘Home to what exactly? You’re hardly here to welcome me with open arms.’
‘That’s because you’ve always thought more of that fucking job than you have of me! What is it that turns you on, Josie? Do I have to smack you one before you take any notice of me?’
‘You sick bastard! Do you think that’s funny after what I’ve seen today? I can’t believe –’
Whether it was the picture of an injured Charlotte lying unconscious on her living room floor that wouldn’t leave her mind right now, she’d never know, but in that split second, Josie saw red. Stopping suddenly to catch her breath, she was left with a rush of energy as adrenaline sloshed through her veins. With both hands, she pushed him in his chest.
Stewart lurched forward and punched her in the face.
Josie slumped to the floor. Trying hard to focus through watery eyes, she cautiously put her hand to her nose and pulled it back. It was covered in blood.
‘Fuck… I…’ Stewart’s words failed to materialise.
Josie struggled to get to her feet, but her legs had other ideas. Stewart dropped to his knees in front of her, looking distraught as the realisation of what had happened – what he’d done – began to sink in. They sat on the floor for what seemed like hours. Neither of them spoke – how could they possibly put into words what had happened?
Finally, Stewart broke into the silence.
‘Josie?’ He looked into her eyes, frantic for some sign of reassurance.
‘I’ll be fine,’ she eventually spoke.
‘No, you won’t. Let me…’
She flinched as he reached out to touch her. ‘I can manage.’
‘I don’t know what came over me. I must have –’
‘Leave me alone,’ she whispered.
‘No, I’m not leaving you like this.’
‘Please, Stewart.’
‘But, I want to –’
Ignoring his offer of support, Josie managed to get to her feet. One arm stretched out in front, she walked slowly into the conservatory. Stewart joined her again when she sat down in the chair, his face racked with emotion. She couldn’t be sure if it was concern for the pain he’d caused her or for the trouble he might be in now that he’d hit her.
‘Go away,’ she said again.
‘At least let me –’
‘WILL YOU JUST FUCK OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE?’ Josie screamed so loud that what blood was left in Stewart’s face drained away rapidly. Getting the message at last, he made a swift exit.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Josie was still sitting in the conservatory two hours later. The last time she’d tried to get up, the agonizing pain that shot across her forehead had sent her reeling back into the chair. When she’d known for certain that Stewart’s car had gone, she’d staggered into the hallway to inspect the damage he’d caused. Peering into the mirror, painful though it was, she’d let the tears fall. Stewart’s fist had caught her top lip as well as her nose. Tenderly, she’d touched the swollen mess and winced in pain. How she was going to explain it away at work was beyond her imagination. She might be able to hide the inevitable bruising, but no amount of makeup would get rid of
the swelling. She’d have to book some time off.
Josie wasn’t sure what hurt the most – her face, her heart or the humiliation. She should have seen that coming, especially after hearing Tim talk about his actions the other night, and how they had escalated. And she knew that if it was someone else with this problem, she’d be able to tell them exactly what to do – but herself? She wouldn’t be able to take her own advice. No wonder she sometimes felt inadequate to hand out advice to the likes of Amy and Charlotte. How could she, when she wasn’t prepared to practice what she preached?
Was it too much to ask for a show of affection now and then, for him to reaffirm his love? Stewart must have loved her at one time. Josie wanted to be wined and dined. The girls at work were always being treated to things. Only last month, Sonia had stayed in a plush hotel in the Lake District, drinking mugs of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire. The nearest she’d got to that with Stewart had been a walk around the local reservoir and that had been a very long time ago.
She moved back into the conservatory, wondering when the house had stopped being her home. Had it ever been a home to her? Sure, she’d felt safe when she was younger, but lately it had felt more like a prison, like she’d never be in control. Maybe she’d always feel like a fifteen-year-old here.
Perhaps you should leave.
Oh, what was she thinking? Josie began to cry again. It was okay for her to be brave at work as she wasn’t dealing with her own problems. But here, the one and only time she’d stood up for herself, Stewart had lashed out. She couldn’t let the incident pass. For once in her life, she would have to take note of the advice that she dished out on a regular basis. Tonight she’d had a warning. She knew there could easily be a next time. Was she sure she wanted to stick around?
With thoughts of Charlotte rushing through her mind again, Josie reached for a cushion and pulled it to her chest. What a mess you’ve made. She wept hot tears through swollen eyes. You bastard, how could you do this to me?
Kelly woke up sharply as Emily nudged her arm.
‘Mummy, your phone is ringing. I’ll get it for you.’