NO ONE WILL HURT YOU
Where on earth have you been? Johns harsh voice echoed in the hallway as his wife stepped through the front door.
I was at work, Emily replied, exhaustion in her voice.
But its Saturday!
I work on Saturdays too.
You work, but theres never any money, is there?
Youre hardly bringing anything in yourself
Watch your mouth, John muttered through clenched teeth, looming closer. Now, off to the shop with you! Theres nothing to eat in this house.
John, weve only got twenty pounds to last the week until I get paid. You could at least try for a job, or drive the car as a minicab.
What, do you take me for a taxi driver? You should be grateful youre living under my roof, he snapped, flinging open the door. Thats enough! Get to the shop. Now.
***
Tears welled in Emilys eyes as she left the flat. How bitter all this was! Could she really be blamed for the way their life had fallen apart? Four years of marriage already. It had started decently enough. Both families had chipped in to help them buy a modest two-bedroom flat here in Sheffield. Later they scraped together enough for a small carnot fancy by any means, but it was theirs. Naturally, everything was put in Johns name. He was the head of the family, after all. Emilys parents sent what they could from their village just outside Leeds.
Johns father and he had once run a small businessnever a fortune, but it was enough to live on. Then John, always thinking he deserved better, lost it all through his own arrogance. He fell out with his father and hadnt worked in a year, waiting for some miracle to save him.
Now he shouted at Emily daily, sometimes worse. She slogged away six days a week, and still the money didnt last, while John barked blame at her as if she alone caused their misfortune. Thoughts of returning to her parents in the village crossed her mind often. But both younger sisters still lived at homeshe couldnt simply become a burden to them all.
***
She wiped her face and headed not to the nearest shop, but one farther away, where the prices were lower and the prospect of returning home less immediate.
Outside a shop car park, a large Land Rover pulled up, and a man climbed out with a limp she caught from the corner of her eye.
Emily! someone called joyfully.
She turned sharply. Simon!
It was her old schoolmate. Simon had suffered with his legs and hands since childhood. She remembered how hed spent much of their school years in hospital beds. The boys teased him, but Simon had never lost his spirithe outshone them all in schoolwork, not just in their class, but in all of York. Each treatment improved his gait just a touch. Hed started secondary school carried by his mother; by graduation, he strode across the stage himself, tall and steady despite a pronounced limp.
Now here he was, stepping confidently from a fancy vehicle, his face lit with happiness.
Emily, is it really you? There was confidence in his voice. I havent seen you in ages. We had a class gathering a couple of years ago. Rachel said she invited you, but you never turned up.
Oh, I things got complicated, Emily replied, a bit shy under his gaze.
Are you heading into the shop? he asked, steering the conversation away from awkward ground.
Yes.
Lets go then! I need a few bits too.
He led her toward the shop, the expensive one shed never have dared enter. Her moments hesitation made things clear to him. He looked her up and down with concern.
Emily he began gently.
No, Simon, I cant go in there. Sorry. She slipped from his grasp, head bowed, and headed instead to the discount grocers.
***
She bought what she could, counting every penny. On her way out, she saw Simon waiting by his car. He strode up, took her arm gently, opened the passenger door and said quietly:
Hop in.
She obeyed, and he joined her.
Tell me everythingwhats happened?
Emily, sniffling like a child, poured out her troubles.
Just leave himproblem solved, Simon said without a moments doubt.
Simon, Ive nowhere to go. Everythings in his name.
Emily, Im one of the best solicitors in the city. Doesnt matter whose name, half is yours by law. Heregive me your mobile number. He handed her his phone.
She hesitated, then gave her number. He called it and her phone rang, confirming the exchange.
Its Saturday, so Monday morning, first thing, you file for divorce. Ill walk you through it. Now, where do you live?
On Dickens Avenue, by the post office.
Ive just moved here, that new block opposite, Simon replied, nodding toward a gleaming nine-storey building.
***
He drove her to her flat and opened the door for her.
Thats it, Emily. Take heart. Ill call Monday. Anything happens before then, ring me straight away.
Simon, I Im scared of him.
Dont be afraid, he said, his smile reassuring.
***
Emily entered her home. John immediately stormed into the hallway.
Who was that driving you about, then?
I bumped into my old schoolmate in town.
Husbands left starving at home while shes out gallivanting He hurled insults, then a hand.
Emily dropped the shopping and, stifling pain and shame, fled the flat. She dashed outsideand there stood Simon.
Come onget in, he said, holding open the car door.
***
Emily came back to herself to find Simon leading her into a tidy three-bedroom flat.
Simon, what is this? Where have you brought me?
My place. No one will hurt you here. I live alone.
Her phone chimed suddenlyJohns voice crashed down the line the moment she answered.
Where do you think youve gone?!
Another barrage of abuse.
Simon reached for the phone. Calmly, he said:
Emily is filing for divorce. The flat is hers by law
What? And just who do you think you are?
If you keep this up, youll spend a couple of years behind bars before you know it.
Who the blazes are you to talk to me like that?
Ive said all I needed. Simon hung up and handed the phone back.
Emily was still in tears.
Thats enough now, Emily. Off you gofreshen up, wash your face. Afterwards, Ill make us some tea.
While she cleaned up, Simon boiled the kettle and made a call.
***
Barely able to eat, the two sat at the table with their cups of tea.
Well then. Time to sort things with your husband, Simon said, voice firm.
I cant A look of terror flashed in Emilys eyes. Im frightened
He gave her a kind smile. Dont worry. This time, everything will be as you wish.
As they reached her building, a police Land Rover waited for them. A young officer sprang out and saluted.
Mr. Browning, here as requested.
Hands were shaken, and Emily was invited inside.
***
Within minutes, they stood outside her flat.
Whos knocking now? Johns contemptuous voice sneered as he opened the door.
Mr. John Harper? the officer said sternly.
Yes.
I need to ask you a few questions.
John stared daggers at Emily as he let them in.
Simon and the officer sat at the table while the officer began writing a report.
Emily, fetch your documents and any essentials for the next few days, Simon instructed, voice calm but strong. It was good having someone on her side for once. Life had been nothing but grind and scolding lately.
And suddenly here was Simon, whom shed only thought of as a friend back in schoolnever a prince on a white charger, mind you, let alone a white car! Girls her age had dreamt of that, not a limping but kindly classmate.
She gathered her documents and, on a whim, handed them to Simon, who smiled and looked at her with bright eyes. She began packing a few belongings. Everything was happening in a daze. But whatever lay ahead, it could hardly be worseand she knew Simon would never abandon her. Hope warmed her heart.
Im done, sir, the officer announced as he rose from the table.
Good. Leave us; I want a word with Mr. Harper alone.
Simon sat in the officers chair.
Heres how it is, John. On Monday, Emily files for divorce. Youll need to submit your statement. With no children, itll go through quickly. Youll split all jointly acquired property.
And if I refuse? John sneered. Its all mine.
Then Emily will file charges for assault and for division of the assets. I happen to be Head of the County Bar Associationand you can be sure the court will see justice done.
Ill have a word with my dear wife alone tonightshell change her mind, John grinned nastily.
And who says shell be here alone with you?
Shes my wife and I have the right to insist she stays in my flat.
In that case, Ill have you arrested for assaultthis minute. Youll spend the weekend in a cell, while Emily stays here. Does that suit you?
Fine, John muttered after a pause. Let her go where she likes.
Splendid. Ill come for you Monday morning and well sort this in person.
***
Emilys phone rangher mothers number lit up, a rare smile crossing her lips. Relations with her mother had been tense since the splither parents never approved of divorce, having spent more than a quarter-century together, never harsh words spoken.
Mum! Emily cried, joy in her voice.
Hello, love, her mother replied, but her voice was sad.
Whats happened, Mum? You sound down.
And you, it seems, are all smiles now that youve left your husband.
Truth is, Mum, I am, Emily said firmly.
Well, its your life to live
Mum, why did you ring?
Olivias thinking of getting married.
Oh, to whom?
To a lad from the city. Wants her to move up here like you did. Hes got neither house nor landonly his love. His family came round. They live in a three-bedroom flat already filled to the brim. So, we thought wed help the young couple buy a tiny place together, but put off the wedding for now. Olivias been in a mood ever since.
They can stay in mine for the time beingthen well see whats what.
Emily, where are you going to stay then?
Mum Emilys voice brimmed with happiness Im getting remarried.
You havent even finished your divorce and already!
I promise, this is for life. His names Simonand Im utterly in love.There was silence, then the softest tremor of hope in her mothers voice. Is he good to you, Emily?
She smiled, tears welling in her eyes. Better than I ever thought possible.
All right, then, my darling. Just come home and visit soon, you hear me?
I promise, Mum. As soon as I can, Ill comeand Ill bring Simon.
She hung up, her heart lighter than it had been in years. Simon waited at the door, coat in hand, his steady eyes warm with understanding. He reached for her hand without a word, and together, they walked out into the early evening, where the city lights blinked on beneath a violet sky.
For the first time, every step forward felt like one she could claim as her own. She squeezed Simons hand, her laughter rising, spilling free. Shadows of old fears fell away behind themdoorways closing foreverall while ahead, there was only the gentle promise of peace.
No one would hurt her now. And as Simon glanced at her, smiling, she knew shed never have reason to fear again.
Together, they went onhome.
