Nobody Will Ever Hurt You
Where have you been? snapped Peter, his voice echoing through the small flat as his wife stepped inside.
I was at work, Alice replied quietly, averting her gaze.
Its Saturday!
I work Saturdays too, you know.
You work, but theres still no money on the table.
At least I work at all
Dont you start with me, Peter growled, teeth clenched as he closed some of the distance between them. Go on, off to the shop! Theres nothing to eat in this house.
Peter, weve only got eighty quid left until payday. Cant you try for a job, or drive the car for minicab fares at least?
What am I, a cabbie now? Be grateful youve got a roof over your head my roof, he said, holding the door open wide. Enough. Go on, get to the shop!
***
Tears spilled down Alices cheeks as she trudged down the stairs. How unfair, she thought bitterly. Was it her fault that their lives had come undone at the seams? It had been four years since theyd married. At first, things werent so bad. Both their parents chipped in so they could buy a two-bedroom flat on the outskirts of Reading. Theyd scrimped and saved and managed a small, reliable old Ford. It was all registered in Peters name, as he was the head of the family. Alices parents, still in a little village outside Oxford, had given everything they could.
Peter and his father had run a modest construction businessnot exactly booming, but it kept things comfortable. But then Peter decided he deserved better, had an almighty row with his father, and lost the business. He hadnt worked in over a year, always waiting for something to fall in his lap.
Now he yelled at Alice, and sometimes she flinched from his hands. She worked six days a weekbarely enoughbut Peter still shouted, blaming her for everything. Shed thought about running back to her parents cottage, but her two younger sisters still lived there. She couldnt burden them further.
***
Outside, Alice wiped her face and headed for the shop. Not the closest Tesco; the one further away, where things were a bit cheaper, and it let her stall on coming home.
A dark Range Rover pulled into the supermarket car park as she passed. Out climbed a man who limped slightly. She caught the movement in her peripheral vision, but kept walking.
Alice! he called, voice warm and surprised.
She turned sharply. Richard!
Her old school friend. Richardalways clever, always gentle. As a boy, hed had trouble with his arms and legs, in and out of hospitals for ages. The other boys teased him, but he never lost his spirit, always top of the class. Treatment helped some after each stayhed leave junior school almost carried, but stride out of sixth form for his gold medal A-levels with pride, even if his walk was still a little uneven.
Now, he stepped over with a broad grin, beaming at the classmate he hadnt seen in years.
Alice! It really is you! Havent seen you sincewhat, the school reunion? Jane said she let you know, but you never came.
I things happened, she said awkwardly. Richards perceptive eyes narrowed slightly.
Shopping? he changed the subject.
Yes.
Well, lets go! I need a few things myself.
He started toward the more upscale Co-op, but Alice hesitated, glancing at her battered purse. He noted it immediately, scanning her faded coat and tired posture.
Alice he began, trying to gently reach out, but she interrupted.
No, Richard, I cant shop there. Sorry.
She pulled her hand away, head bowed, and made for the discount shop next door.
***
She pinched every penny, then left, clutching a sturdy bag.
Richard was waiting by his car, determination in his eyes. He strode over, gently took her arm, opened the passenger door, and commanded, In.
She obeyed, quietly folding into the seat. He climbed in beside her.
Tell me. All of it.
So, like a little girl, she sniffled her way through the truthyears of hopes dashed, of working as hard as she could, only to be met with his shoutingand worse.
Then leave him! Simple.
Richard, its not simple, she whispered. Everythings in his name. Ive nowhere to go.
Alice, Im one of the best solicitors in Reading. It doesnt matter whose name is on the paperworkhalf of all thats yours. Give me your number. He fished out his phone.
She obliged, and he calledher mobile played its little tune in her pocket.
Its Saturday. Monday, you start the divorce process. Ill tell you what to do, step by step. He fired up the engine. Ill take you home. Where are you living?
On Chaucer Road, near the post office.
Ive just moved into that new block opposite, he nodded toward a gleaming, modern high-rise.
***
They stopped outside her flat. He came round and opened the car door with a flourish.
Go on, Alicetake the first step. Ill ring Monday. And if anything happens before then, call me. Immediately.
Im scared of him, Richard.
Dont be, he said with a gentle smile full of encouragement.
***
She stepped quietly into the flat. Peter was waiting, face thunderous.
Whos that driving you about, then?
Peter, I ran into an old classmate.
Oh, you did, did you? Husbands sat home starving, while youre being chauffeured
The words turned ugly, then came a blow. Alice flung her shopping down and sobbing, ran out. Down the stairs, outsideall but crashing straight into Richard again.
In the car.
He ushered her in and they sped off.
***
She was only aware of herself again as Richard guided her into his spacious three-bedroom apartment.
Richard, what are you doing?
This is my flat. No one will ever hurt you here. I live alone.
Her phone rang, Peters furious voice thundering at her.
Where are you?
More shouting. Richard calmly reached for her mobile and said, voice iron-hard, Alice is filing for divorce. The flat stays with her.
Whatwho do you think you are?
If you keep this up, Ill see you sent away for a good stretch.
The line went dead. Alice wept quietly.
Shhh, Alice. Go wash your facethen well have a bit of lunch.
As she tidied herself in the bathroom, he put on the kettle and rang someone.
***
They barely touched their tea and sandwiches. Finally, Richard said, firm and clear: Lets finish this. Were confronting him.
No Fear flickered in her eyes.
Alice, he smiled gently. Itll happen only as you wish.
A small police Vauxhall was waiting outside Alices block. A young constable saluted. Mr. Bennett, at your service.
They shook hands. Alice slipped into the car.
***
Soon, they knocked on her door. Peter opened it, arrogance in every line.
Can I help you? he sneered.
Peter Turner, is it? I need to ask you a few questions, the policeman replied curtly.
Peter scowled at Alice and stood aside.
Richard spoke quietly, Alice, fetch your passport and whatever you need straight away.
His calm, steady words gave Alice more comfort than shed felt in years. Her life recently had been nothing but sharp words and nervy dreadbut now, unexpectedly, the friend shed always trusted as a schoolgirl was standing by her. As a teenager shed dreamed of knights in white Audis, not good-hearted boys with a limp yet when she handed her documents to Richard, his smile lit with pride, and she started gathering her belongings, moving on instinct, without fear of the future at last.
The officer finished taking down details. All done, Mr. Bennett.
Thanks, could I have a moment with him?
He squared up to Peter, voice low and level.
Listen here. On Monday, your wife will be filing for divorce. Youll need to sign as well. No children, so itll go through quickly at the registry. The property will be split evenly.
What if I refuse? Peters sneer was sharp. Everythings in my name anyway.
Then Alice will submit additional paperson property, and most crucially, domestic violence. Im the senior partner at Bennett & Fellows; you can count on the court to do right.
Ill Ill speak to my wifealone. Well sort this. There was a dark threat in Peters voice.
You wont be left alone with her. If you insist, Ill have you detained until Monday on charges of assault. Your wife, in the meantime, will live here in her flat. Are you happy with that arrangement?
Peter fumed, then nodded sullenly. Fine, let her go where she wants.
Excellent. Ill collect you on Monday and well do the paperwork together.
***
Alices phone pinged. For the first time in ages, her smile was real as she answered. Her mothers voice, usually cheerful, was subdued.
Mum? Whats wrong? You sound upset.
Well, you sound rather chipper. Glad about your divorce, are you?
I am, honestly, Mum.
Well, its your decision. By the way, your sister Emilys planning to marry. Some chap from the cityno money or home, just love. Were buying them a little place together, weddings off,but shes gloomy about it.
Theyre welcome to stay in my flat for a bit. Well see what happens.
Alice, what are you saying? Where will you go?
Mum, Alices voice was bright with hope. Im getting married.
You havent even finished divorcing, and already
I promise, Mum, this is for life. His names Richard. Ive never loved anyone like this.Alice heard her mothers little gasp of shock, then a weary sigh, as if a burden was lifting. Well then, darling, her mother finally said, emotion trembling in her voice, if he makes you truly happy then thats all I wish for you.
Alice hung up, a sweet certainty blooming in her chest. The years of shadows and walking quietly on eggshellsending, at last. She gazed through Richards window at the silver-blue dusk, the towns lights blinking awake with the promise of something new.
Behind her, Richard was waiting, making tea with far too much milk, as always. She smiled, not minding at all.
He looked up from the kitchen. All right there? he said softly. She crossed the sunlit parquet and, for the first time in forever, took someones hand without flinching.
Outside, the evening was growing gentle. In this place, thered be laughter, quiet kindness, warmth by the window, dreams that didnt hurt. In this place, love was not a cage but a shelter, and nobodynobodywould ever hurt her again.
