The night it happened - Part 4

I have absolutely no idea how I got home, but I found myself in bed with my muddy clothes still on and a blood-stained towel wrapped around my throbbing arm. There was a knocking at the door. “Lucy, Dan’s here. Shall I tell him you don’t feel well?” I struggled over to my wardrobe and looked at myself in the mirror. My usually beautiful long hair was dirty and bedraggled and my face looked puffy and swollen. Were those leaves in my hair? I was sweating profusely. I looked totally dreadful, but had never felt better. I smiled at myself. “Tell him I will see him tomorrow night,” I shouted back to my mum. It had begun.

The day it happened - Part 1 (Morning)

The day it happened started off like any other day, except I knew it was going to get worse as it was my birthday. The only day I hated more was Christmas. It was a Sunday and a small family gathering had been planned for later at my Aunty Susan’s house, except she wasn’t really my aunty at all (we just always called her that). Breakfast was the usual - Coco Pops (other breakfast cereals were available), coffee and orange juice. Mum never bothered to make an effort these days. She stopped bothering with anything after trying to have another child after me and miscarrying three times. I think she somehow held me personally responsible, at least it felt that way. I hated the fact I was still living at home, but I couldn’t get enough of a deposit together for my own place. My attempts at house-sharing had been disastrous- one was an obsessive guy who checked everything I did, another was a complete psycho we found on a Facebook advert, and the last one cried herself to sleep every night and drove me crazy. I couldn’t take anymore and moved back home, a complete failure. “I’ll see you a 3pm Mum,” I shouted from the bottom of the stairs as I left. No reply. No Happy Birthday Lucy. Nothing. Dad was at the garage, even though it was Sunday. It was his place of refuge, and those cars were his life. I went to see Dan, the only person I actually cared about today. “Hi sweetheart,” he said as he hugged me. His hugs were crushing but I tolerated them. Besides, his huge presence always calmed me down and made me feel safe. “What’s up?” He could tell I was not happy and dreading the party. “I’m okay, I’ll be better when it’s over,” I replied. He went over to a drawer and got out a small blue velvet box. “It’s just something little,” he said meekly, looking embarrassed. Dan, my ray of sunshine! I could have cried but held my composure. “Oh, thank you!” I opened it and inside was a cute silver heart necklace. “It’s lovely.” I kissed him softly then pulled away. “I have to go now. I may see you later depending on how I feel,” I said. I quickly left. He didn’t try to stop me.

The day it happened - Part 2 (Afternoon)

The food was great. Aunty Susan had really excelled herself this time. Pizzas, hot dogs, crisps, and my absolute favourite- her famous sherry trifle! It was a small group of ten people, including Susan and Dave’s teenage kids, my cousin Eddie and Susan’s neighbours who were always up for free grub and booze. “Thank you,” I said through gritted teeth to all their happy birthday wishes. I dazzled them with my big, happy smile. I wished Carol could have made it. I missed my bestie who was on holiday taking a well-deserved break which she said she really needed. However today I really needed her here more. I kept glancing at my watch and looking out of the kitchen window. I could see the late autumn sun was starting to set. It was getting dark early tonight. “Hey birthday girl.” I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder and turned round to see Dave’s grinning face. I moved away quickly and went back to looking out of the kitchen window, trying to ignore him. “Thanks,” I said coldly. I could feel him still staring at me. “How’s things?” he persisted. “Yeah, good,” I replied. I really needed to get out of there now. “There you are!” Susan suddenly appeared and went over to her husband, putting her arm around him. “Could you bring some more beer in love,” she said. “Janet is already pissed and it’s only half five!” Saved by Aunty Susan, I executed my well-rehearsed excuse. I hugged her and thanked her for all the lovely food. “I’m sorry, I have to go now. I promised Dan,” I lied. She smiled at me with a twinkle in her eye. “You go enjoy yourself love, don’t worry about us.” She nodded towards my mum and dad in the lounge, both sat on the sofa, each with a hot dog in their hand having to listen to the kids’ endless chatter. Mum looked bored. Dad was having a good time (I could see at least two empty beer bottles in front of him) but I noticed he had already dropped ketchup and onions on his trousers. Mum would not be pleased- he would get in trouble for that later. It was time for me to leave.