“She never told them. He said he would start on me if she ever told my uncle. She was trapped.”

It was no wonder Mack was so sensitive about violence against women and bullying.

Mack had a faraway look in her eyes as she recounted, “One time he beat her up so badly, and I was so frightened. Ma was just lying on the floor. Dad had left after, and I went to the phone and pressed the button that Mum had told would get through to ma uncle. I just said, Dad hurt Mum.”

Flora wiped a tear from her eye. It was a heartbreaking story. “Did they help?”

“Later that day, Uncle Thomas and Aunt Chrissy arrived, and I was so relieved, because I was frightened. I’d always loved my aunt and uncle. Aunt Chrissy took me and my ma home in a car with a couple of ma uncle’s men.”

Flora could probably guess what happened next but was frightened to ask.

“Ma uncle and some more of his guys waited for my dad to show up home. From that day on we lived right next to my aunt and uncle, and I learned how a real married couple should treat each other. If my uncle had ever lifted his hand to my aunt, not that he ever would, she’d have killed him.”

“Did you ever hear from your dad again?”

“No, I never did,” Mack said quickly. “That’s why I hate—detest—bullies.”

“I can understand that. I’m really sorry you had to see that.” Flora tried not to dwell on what probably befell Mack’s dad.

“It’s okay, I got brought up by a great man. My uncle Thomas is the man I look up to as a father.” Mack rubbed her face with her hands. It looked like she was trying to cover emotions that had gotten the better of her. “I’ve never told that to anyone outside my family before.”

“Thanks for trusting me,” Flora said.

“Course I do. What about your mum? Do you mind talking about her?” Mack asked.

“No, she passed away when I was one, so I can’t remember her. I have this image in my head, but I think that’s just because my aunt and grandad told me so many stories about her, you know?”

Mack nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“My auntie Catherine and Grandad brought me up, but then Aunt Catherine died when I was seven. Breast cancer,” Flora said.

“I’m sorry,” Mack said.

Flora was overcome with the need to perform her rituals. She was still embarrassed doing them in front of Mack. “Sorry.”

“Hey, I told you—you never have to feel awkward about anything like that in front of me. In fact, I’ll do them with you if you want.”

Flora felt panic rise in her stomach and chest. “Please don’t. I’d just have to repeat it again.”