‘None of your business,’ barked Paul. Maggie had to bite her lip to stop herself giving the man a piece of her mind. She didn’t want to embarrass Tom further.

‘If you’re looking for the two half-bottles of whisky, I found those first so they’ve gone down the drain with the rest,’ said Maggie, matter-of-factly. ‘Would you like a coffee or, better still, some water? Maybe wait until you’ve sobered up before you have a shower.’

‘Why you…’ Paul swung around, his clenched fist heading with force for Maggie’s face.

‘Maggie!’ yelled Tom, his tone desperate. The sound rang in her ears.

23

TOM

I screamed at him. If he’d landed that punch he could have killed her. In a flash I had an image of me rolling up Maggie’s body in a carpet. I dived forward but I was too late. It all happened too fast. As the punch came in, Maggie darted to one side and a lightning fast kick to the back of Dad’s shin had him twisting in mid-air and he landed hard on the kitchen floor. He crumpled into a ball muttering swear words.

I dashed to Maggie’s side. ‘Maggie, are you all right?’ I asked, as we both surveyed my father.

‘I’m absolutely fine.’ She held up her palms as if to prove it.

‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, Maggie.’ I couldn’t stop shaking my head. What the hell was happening? Nothing made sense tonight. My dad wasn’t an alcoholic; he didn’t go around hitting old ladies. Temper rushed through me and I clenched my fists. I wanted to lash out. To kick, to punch and break something. To hurt Dad how he’d hurt me. I knew inflicting physical pain wouldn’t even come close but it would temporarily relieve my anger. I hated myself for even considering it.

I had to get out of there or I was going to do something I would always regret. I legged it out of the kitchen. I went to grab my jacket but Maggie’s was on top of it and I had to wrestle it free. I yanked at the front door, tears blurring my vision and infuriating me further. I felt her hand land firmly on my shoulder.

‘Tom.’ Her voice was gentle. ‘Please take a moment to stop and think.’

I froze. My pulse was racing. ‘I’ve got to get away from him,’ I said without turning around.

‘Think about you and your future. Don’t you have exams coming up?’

I took a deep breath and nodded. ‘But I can’t stay here with him.’ My head dropped to my chest as my fury tailed off.

Maggie let go of my shoulder and I turned around. ‘What’s the alternative?’ she asked.

‘I dunno.’ I had nobody else.