No One Will Ever Hurt You

NO ONE WILL EVER HURT YOU

Where have you been? Edward snapped as soon as my wife stepped into the flat.

I was at work, she answered quietly.

Its Saturday!

I work Saturdays too, you know that.

Youre barely workingtheres no money.

You havent worked in ages yourself

Watch your mouth, he growled, stepping towards her threateningly. Get yourself to the shops, now! Theres nothing to eat in this house.

Edward, weve only got twenty pounds left until I get paid next week. You could at least try to find a jobor drive the car as a minicab.

What, do I look like a cabbie to you? You should be grateful youre living in my flat. He yanked open the door. Go on, get to the shop, now!

***
Tears welled in Emilys eyes. The injustice of it stung. Was it her fault their life had slowly fallen apart? Theyd been married four years now, and at first things were promising enough. Both sets of parents chipped in, and they managed to buy a two-bedroom flat in Reading. Later, they saved up enough for a modest carhardly a luxury, but theyd been thrilled, all the same. Everything was put down in Edwards name, as he was the head of the family. Emilys parents back in a Hampshire village had contributed too.

Edward and his dad ran a small businessnothing spectacular, but it paid the bills. Then Edward, arrogant as always, decided he was destined for more, fell out with his father, and lost everything. He hadnt worked for a year now, waiting for…something.

Hed started shouting at Emily, and then the shouting turned to shoving and hitting. Emily worked six days a week, but the money never stretched far enough. Edward only criticised her, as if everything was her fault. Shed considered moving back in with her parents, but her two younger sisters already lived there, and she didnt want to be another burden.

***
Wiping away her tears, Emily left their block of flats and walked, not to the closest corner shop, but all the way to the big supermarket further awayit was cheaper, and she could stall her return home.

Outside the supermarket, she saw a man get out of a Range Rover, slightly limping. She caught him in her peripheral vision.

Emmy! he called out enthusiastically.

She turned abruptly. Michael!

It was her old classmate. Michael had been disabled since childhood, his legs and arms affected, spending much of his school life in and out of hospital. The boys picked on him, but Michael never let it get him downhe studied harder than anyone, not just in class but in the whole school. Every round of treatment brought improvements. Hed had to be carried into Year 1, but by the time they finished their A-levels he collected his top grades and walked, albeit with a limp, up to collect his awards.

Now here he was, getting out of a posh car, grinning as he approached her.

Emily, I cant believe its you! Havent seen you in ages. We had that reunion a couple years back. Sophie said she invited you but you didnt turn up.

Just busy, thats all, she replied a little awkwardly. Michael caught her tone but didnt mention it.

You off to do the shopping? he asked, changing the topic.

I am.

Come on, lets go together, he said, leading her towards the supermarket. It was the expensive one, and she hesitated. Michael quickly figured out why, looking her over with a gentle concern.

Emily he started carefully.

No, Mike, not this shop. Sorry. She withdrew her hand and set off for the budget supermarket around the corner.

***
She picked up groceries, counting every pound and penny. Outside, Michael was waiting by the kerb next to his car. He walked right up, took her hand, opened the door, and insisted, Get in.

Without a word, Emily slipped into the passenger seat. He jumped in beside her.

Go on, he said, tell me whats happened.

Nose sniffing like a child, she told him everything.

Leave him then. Its as simple as that!

Mike, where would I go? Everythings in his name.

Emily, Im one of the best solicitors in Reading. Doesnt matter whose name is on the deedshalf of its yours. Now he pulled out his phone, give me your number.

She hesitantly did so. He dialled right away and her phone buzzed in her coat pocket.

Its Saturday now. Monday morning, you file for divorce. Ill tell you what to do, what to write. He started the car. Ill give you a lift home. Where do you live?

Chepstow Road, near the Post Office.

I just moved into that new block over there last week, he nodded towards a shiny nine-storey building.

***
They arrived at her flat. Michael got out, opened the door for her.

Right then, Emmybe brave! Ill call on Monday. If anything happens at the weekend, you ring me straight away.

Mike, Im scared of him!

Dont be, he said warmly, encouragingly.

***
Emily only had time to close the front door before Edward stormed into the hall.

Who was that you were driving about with?

An old school friend, Edward.

Husbands at home starving while youre out having a laugh!

He unleashed a stream of insults and then hit her.

Emily dropped the shopping and, choking back sobs, ran. She fled down the stairs and bumped… straight into Michael, waiting at the entrance.

Get in the car.

He helped her in, and without another word, they drove off.

***
Emily only realised where she was when Michael led her into a spacious three-bedroom flat.

Mike, where are we?

This is my place. Youre safe here. I live alone. No one will ever hurt you here.

Her phone rang. Edwards angry voice thundered down the line:

Where are you?

Again, the shouting, the insults. Michael took her phone and firmly replied, Emily is filing for divorce. The flat will remain with her

What?! Who the hell are you?

Argue, and youll find yourself behind bars for a couple of years.

And who are you, exactly?

I said what I needed to. Michael ended the call and returned her phone. Emily was still crying.

Thats enough now, Emily. Go and freshen uphave a wash. Well have a bit of lunch in a minute.

While she was in the bathroom, Michael brewed tea and made a call.

***
After a cup of tea neither of them could really stomach, Michael said firmly, Lets sort this with your husband.

No, she trembled, Im frightened

Emily, he said with a reassuring smile, this will go exactly as you want it to.

Outside waited a police car. A young constable hopped out and saluted Michael.

Mr. Williams, at your service.

They shook hands and gently helped Emily into the car.

***
Minutes later, they knocked at Emilys flat.

Whos making all that racket? Edward called, opening the door with a scowl.

Edward Merton? I need to ask you a few questions, the officer said sternly.

Edward glared at Emily through narrow eyes. Come in, then.

Michael and the constable sat at the table, and the officer began writing up a report.

Emily, get your documents and whatever else youll need, Michael instructed gently. Just hearing a calm, confident voice lifted a burden from her shoulders; lately, there had been nothing but cruel words and endless troubles.

And now, her school friendsomeone shed always likedshowed up out of the blue. Back in school, shed thought of Michael as a sweet friend, but not once had she dared dream beyond that. Back then, every girl pictured herself with a prince in a white Mercedes, not a limping boyno matter how kind he was.

She handed her documents to Michael, who gave her a gentle smile. She began to pack her things, not thinking too hard about the future, but certain nothing could be worse than her life with Edward. As she packed, she realised a strange warmth was growing in her chesta feeling she hadnt known in years.

Finished with your report, constable? Michael asked as the young officer stood.

All done, sir.

Excellent. Give me a moment alone with him.

Michael sat across from Edward.

Edward, on Monday your wife is filing for divorce. Youll need to sign some forms. You have no childrenyour divorce will be handled quickly. All shared possessions will be split fairly.

What if I dont agree? Everythings in my name anyway, Edward sneered.

Then Emily will press charges for assault as well. Im the head solicitor of Thames Valley Chambers, and you can be sure the court will be fair.

Ill talk to my beloved wife tonightin private. Well see what she really wants.

And what makes you think shell be left alone with you?

Shes my wife. I have the right to require her to stay here.

Then Ill have you remanded in custody for the weekend on charges of domestic assault. Youll sit in a cell until Monday, while she stays here without you. Is that what you want?

Edward glared, but eventually nodded. Fine. Let her go where she wants.

Good. Ill pick you both up Monday morning and well sort out the paperwork together.

***
Emilys phone rang. It was her mum. Since the separation, things had been tenseher parents had always believed in till death do us part.

Hi Mum! Emily beamed.

Hello, love! Her mums voice sounded weary.

Whats wrong, Mum? You dont sound yourself.

Well, you sound chipper. Glad to have gotten shot of your husband, by the sound of it.

Ill be honest, Emily replied, I am glad.

Well, its your life now, isnt it?

Did you want something, Mum?

Olivias thinking of getting married, too.

Really? Who to?

Some chap from the city. Wants her to move therehes got nothing behind him but a bit of love. Whole family lives in a three-bed with his brother still at home. So weve agreed to pitch in and buy them a one-bedroom flat, and not have a big doshes miserable though.

They can stay in my flat for a while, Mumsort it out later.

Emily, what are you saying? Where will you live?

Mum, Emilys happiness was bursting through her voice, Im getting married!

Barely divorced and already?!

I promise, this is for life! His name is Michael. And I love him so much.

***

That night, as I finished writing, I suddenly understood something profound. Sometimes the real strength isnt in gritting your teeth through misery or clinging to empty promises, but in having the courage to walk away and say, No one will ever hurt me again. Life handed me a second chance and for the first time in years, I feel truly at home.