HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE CHAPTER 4 HELP!
Jude and Lucy were walking home from a drink at the local pub, a route that took them close to where Jude's old home had been. Jude had often walked this way with Molly after a night out. He wondered how she was, he had heard nothing about her. He hoped that git Phil Scully was taking care of her.
Just then they heard what sounded like sobbing from around the corner. When they turned into the alleyway, they saw a woman cowering against the wall.
"Are you OK?" Jude began to ask as he ran towards her. The woman raised her head to reveal a bruised face – and Jude gasped "Molly."
Lucy stopped in her tracks. She had briefly met Molly the last time she had been in Liverpool with Jude but had said little more than "hi" to her. Jude now had his hand on Molly's shoulder and said gently.
"What happened, Molly? Who did this?" If it was Phil then he would deck the bugger. But for all his faults Phil had never been violent.
Molly looked around in fear, hardly recognizing her former boyfriend. "It was Bert."
"Who?" asked Jude. Molly again looked around as if she were afraid he would appear any minute.
"I think we'd better get her indoors," said Lucy, taking Molly's arm. "Come on, Molly, we'll get you cleaned up and you can tell us what happened."
Once they were back in Michelle's house, Lucy tended to Molly's face. She had a black eye, a cut on her cheek and a swollen lip. Molly told them her story. Phil had left her and gone down South.
"Bastard!" muttered Jude.
"Shush," said Lucy. "Go on, Molly."
Molly told how she had moved in with a man named Bert but within weeks he had turned violent. He was OK most of the time but when he got drunk he became abusive.
"Then why don't you leave him?" asked Lucy.
"I can't! I'm scared!" wailed Molly. "He might try and find me."
"Well, you can't go back to him tonight," said Lucy. "Have you anybody you can stay with?"
"What about your Mum and Dad?" asked Jude.
"I can't go back to them," said Molly. "They disapproved of Bert in the first place
and -"
"You can stay here tonight," said Jude cautiously, stealing a look at Lucy. How would she react to his ex-girlfriend staying under the same roof?
"Well, it's OK," said Lucy, sounding slightly doubtful. "But what about your children?"
"They're spending a few days with Phil down South. Thank God! I don't know what I'll do when they come back."
Jude went to his jacket pocket to get his cigarettes but to his consternation they weren't there. "Shit!" he said. "I must have left 'em in the pub. I'll just go to the shop and get some more. Won't be long," he called as he made his way out the door.
Lucy and Molly were left alone. It could have been awkward but Lucy saw that Molly needed comfort. She might be Jude's former girlfriend but she was also a woman in distress. Lucy had written an article about domestic violence only a few weeks ago and the stories from certain women had been horrific. How lucky she was to have a husband who loved and respected her. She made Molly a cup of tea and watched as her hands shook while she held the cup.
Lucy knelt down in front of Molly and reached up to push her hair away from her face.
"Molly," she said softly. "You've got to go to the Police and tell them what happened. He's got no right to treat you like this."
"I can't," said Molly. "If I did he'd come after me."
"He deserves to be in jail for what he's done to you," said Lucy bitterly. "You mustn't be afraid. If you keep letting him get away with it – what kind of life is that for you or your kids? You can't stay with him."
"But I can't go back to my family. I'd have nothing and they'd say I told you so."
"Isn't that better than him abusing you like this?" exclaimed Lucy. She took Molly's hands and looked up at her pleadingly. "Please, Molly, don't risk yourself just because of pride. I'm sure your family will understand. If you don't do something now you could end up regretting it. He could end up really hurting you – maybe even killing you." Lucy paused. "There are times when I've had to admit that I was wrong and haven't liked it." She remembered a huge row she had once had with Jude and had walked out on him, taking three year old Julie with her. But she had gone back when she had realized they had both been to blame.
Molly looked at Lucy. God, she was beautiful with her shining golden hair, her soulful blue eyes, her perfect skin and teeth, her delicate features. No wonder Jude had fallen for her. She made Molly feel so plain and dowdy. Lucy might be a mother of three but it didn't show on her trim figure or her well-groomed appearance. Her face was made up, her fingernails painted. Molly wanted to resent her but Lucy's assistance now was sincere and not the patronizing of a woman who had what she once did.
"I bet Jude never laid a finger on you," said Molly, not a little enviously. "He worships you, you know – more than he ever did me."
"And I love him too, Molly. But we have had our ups and downs."
"If only Jude hadn't gone to America," said Molly wistfully. "I wouldn't be sitting here with a black eye now."
"There's nothing any of us can do about the past, Molly," said Lucy, not unkindly. "You've got to focus on the future – for yourself and your kids." She then added to change the subject "Jude's been gone quite a while. I hope he's OK."
A few moments later there was a loud knock at the door and Lucy went to answer it.
"That must be him now," she said but it was strange that he was knocking when he had a key. He must have forgotten it.
It was not Jude at the door but a heavy set, menacing looking man who glowered at Lucy. She was about to close the door but the man pushed past her.
"Where is she?" he demanded roughly. "Where's that bitch, I know she's here."
"What do you think you're doing?" cried Lucy, grabbing his arm. "You can't push your way in here."
The man pushed her off him and stormed into the sitting room.
"Alright, bitch, you're coming home," he snarled at the cowering Molly. "And don't you ever run off like that again or I'll give you a real hiding."
Lucy managed to run around him and interpose herself between Bert and Molly.
"She's not going anywhere," she said, facing the menacing Bert. "But you are. So get out of here or I'll call the Police."
"And what good would that do, darling? Before the cops even get here I'd have time to do what I'm gonna now."
"Leave her alone, you animal!" shouted Lucy.
"I'm warning you, you Yankee bitch, get out of my way or you'll be sorry."
"Really tough, aren't you? Hitting women! You're just a pathetic piece of shit."
She stood resolutely in front of Molly who was practically hiding behind her. Bert grabbed Lucy and pushed her against the wall. Lucy ran to him, trying to pull him away from Molly but he was too strong for her. Desperately she dug her nails into his arm.
"You bitch!" spat Bert as his fist slammed into the side of her head. Lucy felt herself crashing into the chair and she knew no more.
The local shop had been closed and Jude had had to go to a shop further away. He hoped he could persuade Molly to go to her family. He felt sorry for her but it was surely awkward for Lucy. He cursed Phil for leaving her. Molly had always been needy where men were concerned. No doubt she had rushed into the arms of the first guy who had paid her attention. Bert Jones had been a couple of years ahead of Jude at school and even then he had been a vicious thug. Molly was definitely better off with Phil even if he was a smug, grabbing git.
Lucy felt herself coming to as Jude approached the front door. The side of her head hurt as she pulled herself up, dazed and confused. It took a moment to remember. And to her horror she saw that Molly had gone. What had happened to her? Had Bert dragged her off and was he now beating the living daylights out of her?
Just then the door opened and Lucy saw, to her relief that it was Jude.
"Lucy!" he cried, running over to her. "What happened?" He saw a bruise on the side of her head.
Lucy told him – about how Bert had come in and threatened Molly. She had tried to defend the other woman but when she had come to Molly was gone.
"The bastard!" exploded Jude. Any attack on a woman disgusted him and the thought of anyone laying a finger of his beloved Lucy filled him with a wild rage. "I'll f-ing kill him. I'll find him and beat him to an inch of his life."
"Jude, please," murmured Lucy. "I'm worried about Molly. God knows what that bastard might have done to her. I tried to stop him."
"I thought you might resent Molly – 'cos you know, I used to go out with her," said Jude. She was some woman, his wife.
"Why should I? It was a long time ago, wasn't it? You've both moved on. She's not going to come between us now. Besides she was hurt, she needed help. How could I ignore that?"
"You've been hurt yourself, sweetheart," said Jude, gingerly fingering the bruise on the side of her head. "I'm calling the doctor."
"Oh, Jude, that's not necessary. I feel OK."
"You've had a knock on the head. I'm not taking any chances. And meanwhile drink this." He poured a glass of brandy and handed it to her.
Lucy made a face as she didn't like the drink. "Drink it! I insist!" said Jude firmly.
The doctor was called despite Lucy's protestations. He examined her and confirmed that there was no concussion and that she should get a good night's sleep.
"Well, that was a waste of time," said Lucy after he had left.
"You heard what he said," Jude replied. "Up to bed!"
Jude sat on the bed, stroking Lucy's forehead.
"Jude," murmured Lucy. "Promise me – you won't do anything stupid – like going after Bert."
"Yeah, I promise," said Jude half-heartedly although he wasn't sure that he would be able to keep it if he came face to face with the bastard. He felt guilty for not being there to protect his wife. If only he hadn't left his damn cigarettes in the pub.
He was also worried about Molly. That animal could be half killing her. The Police had undertook to look into it but they might not intervene in time. If anything happened to her Jude didn't think he could live with himself. He might have split from Molly but he was still fond of her.
He knew what he had to do. Lucy was asleep so he gently drew the blanket over her and tenderly kissed her forehead.
