‘In case ya hadn’t noticed, me son is missin’ and even you aren’t gonna stop me being here so ya can threaten me all ya fuckin’ like. Now, I want to talk to my wife.’

‘Stay there. I’ll get her.’

‘You do that,’ Danny said, clearly attempting to regain his composure but his voice was shaking.

‘Step into this house and you’ll lose that leg.’ Fred pointed to his good one. Danny took another step back.

Maisie was standing at the kitchen counter, her head in her hands, listening to the radio. She looked up to greet him as he came through the door.

‘I think if I keep listening maybe the newscaster will tell us something we don’t know. Stupid.’ She laughed.

‘Mai?’

‘Yes?’

‘Danny’s outside.’

If I haven’t lost her already I’m gonna lose her now. He moved closer to catch her if her knees gave way.

Maisie

Maisie’s face collapsed, her breath quickened, and she held her chest with her left hand. Fred helped her sit down. Tears stung her eyes. Every inch of her wanted to run. Run, run, run. She had escaped. He was gone. She’d never wanted to look upon that snarling face again. Can’t, can’t, I just can’t.

‘Maisie?’ Fred said. ‘What can I do for you?’

He was so kind and so honourable. She broke down and wept on his shoulder. ‘I’m sorry! I’m so sorry I was mean, Fred.’

‘Ah, now, stop,’ he said. ‘Stop right there. You’re going through hell, Mai, you’ve nothing to be sorry for.’

She held on to him tight. Please, please, please don’t leave me alone with him. Every hurtful thing Danny had ever said or did rolled around her head, so much so it threatened to explode. A searing pain sliced through her left eye. After all this time he could still physically hurt her.

‘You don’t have to do this. I can send him away,’ Fred said.

But Maisie knew she’d have to face him sometime, and she’d sure as hell rather do it when Fred was there. She knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Valerie! Oh, no. Valerie. She had to gain control and get on top of the situation. She needed to delve deeply into her last reserve of strength. She rose up from the chair. ‘OK.’

‘I’m here.’

‘Oh, God.’

‘Mai, it’ll be all right.’