Shards of Glass

Part One

Leanne stared at the ceiling in her bedroom. Lost in thought as usual. She began to try and imagine the day ahead of her. What Simon would say to her, if he would hit her. More importantly, Leanne wondered what Nick was going to do. It frightened her that Simon had concocted a story of lies to Nick; which he believed over Leanne's honest words. If Simon had managed to turn the man who knew her better than she knew herself against her, what else could he do?

It was that time again. Time to leave the safety of her room and face the trials of the day. It felt like a relief knowing Nick didn't work the morning shift but he would be there in the evening. That made Leanne feel even worse. Then she remembered Simon would be at home with her too.

Gently washing her face, Leanne saw her bruise had started to fade. The violent shades of purple and black had turned into a deep yellow colour. With a bit of make-up it wouldn't be that noticeable, she thought. There were no more bruises or scars when she looked that morning. It wasn't because Simon had stopped, just because he was staying with Grandad Ken and Auntie Tracy.

Leanne sat, staring at her mobile whilst drinking her tea. She wasn't sure what she wanted. Did she even want to talk to Nick? Probably not. Leaving her empty flat, Leanne walked to her safe house, the Bistro.

Opening the door, Leanne realised immediately that someone was already inside. Great, just what she needed. As Leanne entered the office, Nick was sat behind his desk.

"Morning," Leanne muttered. Putting her handbag and coat away quietly.

"Morning? Is that all you have to say for yourself?"

"Nick, I really haven't got the energy for this. I came here to do my job, so let me do it." Leanne had her back to Nick and made her way towards the door.

"What about Simon? He's just a kid and you're making his life miserable."

That had really hit a nerve. Leanne turned around and stared at Nick. "Are you for real? I told you what I've been going through yesterday and then you go and accuse me of abusing Simon!"

"I know and I can help you. If you need anger management or counselling I can go through it with you."

"Anger management?! Is that supposed to be a joke?! I told you what was going on, whatever Simon said is a pack of lies! Why don't you believe me Nick, you know me better than anyone else?

"Why would Simon lie about such a thing?" Nick asked, it sounded as though he was asking himself the question too.

Leanne made her way back into the main area of the Bistro. Steph soon came in.

"Morning!" Steph said, grinning as she came over to Leanne.

"Oh, hiya Steph. You alright?"

"Good thanks! Andy and I are going to that new bar tonight, you know the one in town?"

"...Aw, that'll be nice," Leanne sounded flat as she spoke; gazing off into the distance. The shimmering lights that hung from the ceiling giving her a much needed distraction.

"Leanne, are you alright?" Steph touched Leanne's arm, causing her to jump; just as Nick walked in.

"She's fine Steph, can you do what I pay you to do please?" Nick asked, glaring directly at Leanne.

Steph looked between Nick then Leanne, she could sense the awkwardness in the atmosphere. "Okay. I'll start setting the tables then."


A number of hours later, the lunchtime shift in the Bistro passed rather uneventfully. As the final customers left just before two, Nick walked over to Leanne, who was stood behind the bar.

"We need to talk about this, now we have chance," Nick began, just as Erica strutted in.

"Talk about what?" Erica questioned, beaming at her boyfriend. Leanne spun around so fast she felt dizzy.

"Hiring new bar staff," Leanne lied, nudging Nick slightly to back her up.

"Yeah, now that Gavin/Andy doesn't work here we need bar staff who can make cocktails and what not."

Erica laughed, "Ooh, sounds dead boring to be honest. I'd love a drink though Nick, now you mention it."

"Er, yeah, sure. What do you want?"

"Let's have a double vodka and tonic please." Erica said, giving Nick a cheeky wink. Leanne felt something inside. It felt like the green eyed monster had reared its uglyhead. She hated seeing Nick with her, and especially with Carla.

"Leanne, can you sort our drinks?" Nick asked, refusing to make eye contact with her.

"Yeah course. Here you are, enjoy."

"Thanks Leanne," Erica grinned a smile that Leanne could have slapped into the following week. Erica kissed Nick and wrapped her arms around him as they sat together.

"I'll be in the office if you need me. I have some admin bits that need sorting." Leanne hurried out quickly and rested her hand in her hands in the office.


Half an hour had gone by and Leanne knew it was time to leave the office. As she stepped out of the room and into the entrance hall of the Bistro, Erica and Nick were hugging. She was whispering in his ear and saying, "Can't wait to see you later love," and "Don't be home too late tonight."

It made her feel sick. Seeing him with her. She was so wrong for Nick. It had become clearer and clearer to Leanne of late. Even Nick himself admitted he didn't have feelings for Erica. Why be with her then? It drove Leanne crazy. She wanted to wipe that smile off of her face so badly.

"Bye then Erica," Leanne sneered, watching Nick pull away from his girlfriend quickly and usher her out the door. He looked uncomfortable whenever she was around. Every time Erica flung herself at him, he stayed rigid; almost as if a complete stranger had approadched him and cuddled him.

Leanne smiled as she walked back into the Bistro, finally rid of Erica, the fifty-something cougar who had successfully snared her Nick. Her Nick. Crikey, she hadn't said that in a while.

"Was there any need?" Nick asked, gritting his teeth as he leaned across the bar, his forehead just inches from Leanne's.

"Yeah, I'd say there was. We have customers coming in shortly and your pensioner girlfriend was not exactly helping set up, now was she?"

Nick rolled his eyes. "She's not a pensioner! She was fifty just a couple of..."

"What centuries, decades ago?" Leanne laughed, she really did not like Erica one bit. It made her skin crawl to think about them. Them together. They had slept together and conceived a baby in the bed she once shared with Nick. Her stomach churned at the thought.

"At least she's not abusive," jeered Nick.

"Oh St Nicholas strikes again! Does Erica know you gave me a good slap across the face on Christmas Day the other year? No, didn't think she would. Dear old Nicky isn't abusive. Didn't give me a black eye for Christmas."

Nick looked furious but devastated too. Leanne hadn't brought that up in ages and they agreed it was the brain damage that took over, Nick would never have done such a thing ordinarily. Nick frowned and opened his mouth to speak but Steph came rushing over. "What are you two scrapping about now?! It needs to wait, tables need setting up!"

Nick glared at Leanne as she walked off to set up the tables with Steph. He knew what to say to her, what mistakes she had made. He could even have yelled the real reason he had slapped Leanne. He was brain damaged because Leanne went to Peter on their wedding day and he ended up sleeping with Kylie. David found out and well, Nick was in a coma for two months.

The phone in the Bistro soon started ringing. The three looked at each-other and again, waiting for someone to go and answer it. "I'll get it," said Steph, rolling her eyes as she took the phone into the office.

Leanne glanced at the watch on her wrist. It was four in the afternoon. Simon would be in any minute. The doors inside the Bistro opened an Simon flounced in. Leanne turned on her heels quickly, seeing who had just walked in. She was sure she felt her heart stop for a minute. He looked calm on the outside but she could tell there was fury burning on the inside of him and he was ready to get payback on her.

Nick opened his mouth and said, "Hi Si, do you want a drink?"

Simon sat at a table near the bar and smiled sweetly. "Yeah please, I'll have a lemonade."

Nick handed Simon his drink. Leanne could feel all eyes on her. She just wanted the ground to swallow her whole.

"Nick!" Steph called from the door. "Nick it's urgent! Somebody wants to talk to you about having a wedding reception here. I said I wasn't the manager so they said get the manager but I didn't know who to get. Leanne could always tal..." Steph trailed off, she was talking out of her backside.

"Steph! It's fine! I'll do it, just please be quiet!" Nick shouted, and the two rushed off into the Bistro office together. Leaving Leanne all alone with Simon.

Leanne avoided making eye contact with Simon as she headed behind the bar.

"So why did you tell Nick I had been hitting you and saying horrible things to you," Simon snarled at her.

"I didn't, he erm, he saw my bruises."

"You deserved everything I did to you! I hate you, you're ugly and a whore! I wish you had died in that fire not Kal!"

"Simon! Don't talk to me like that I'm your Mum!"

"No you are not!" He screamed, grabbing a bottle of wine off the table and throwing at Leanne. She didn't have enough time to dodge the bottle and suddenly there was blood oozing from her cheek and staining her top.

"I'm bleeding," Leanne whispered, horrified at what had just happened.

"You deserved it! You'll never ever be my Mum! I wish she was alive and you were dead!" Simon roared ferociously at Leanne before walking over to the bar that she was using as a shield from Simon. He threw wine glasses, plates and then moved behind the bar to attack her with his hands and feet.

"Stop! Stop please!" Leanne cried as Simon kicked her legs and used his fists to hit her arms and face.

Leanne cried louder as Simon hit her across the face, "You are a dirty whore and I hate you!" He screamed as Leanne looked at him. Her face was bloodied and badly bruised. Shards of glass had cut her cheek and lips. He went to hit her again but was stopped in his tracks.

"Don't you touch her!" A voice screamed at Simon, he immediately stopped in his tracks and turned to see who was stood at the door. Leanne looked too but she could barely see her eyes blurry from desperate tears and her blood. Simon was well and truly busted and there was no lying his way out of it this time...


Thanks for reading again! I hope you have enjoyed the story so far and please do stick with it! It would be lovely if more of you could review and let me know your thoughts! It doesn't really motivate you to continue or help me improve my story! If you have any suggestions or comments for the future of the story let me know! Thanks again!

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