Thank you Elva, for your continued support! Your kind reviews are very much appreciated. I promise I will continue to update as often as possible xxx

October 2013

John looked at the bleak view through the hotel room's not-so-clean window. His room looked over a highway, and it was raining heavily. But despite the gloomy surroundings, he felt better than he had ever felt for the last three years. Earlier in the day, they had been to Vera's parents' for lunch, and at some point, he had unwillingly made a comment that had unleashed Vera's violence. She had not exploded in front of her family, oh no, she knew better than that. She was cleverer than to act in front of witnesses, be they her family. She had smiled sourly at John, and waited until they had been back home. Then had John been faced with her fury. He had been copiously yelled at, insulted, and in the end, slapped hard in the face and pushed against the wall. Later that night, as Vera was enjoying a bath, he had hastily packed a small suitcase, his laptop and phone and fled. He had no car, since the household's only car was Vera's, so he had taken the first train that came into the nearest station, and put some distance between him and Vera. He had to breathe. She was choking him, day after day. Now, alone in this low-cost hotel, he finally managed to relax. No one was here to yell at him, criticize him or belittle him. Now he could take a few days to put his thoughts together and think about the future. Maybe he could try and call Robert? He'd thought of Anna right away of course, but he felt he had no right to come barging into her life again, after how he had left her, and not knowing where she was in her life, if she was with someone or not… Sighing, he decided to allow himself one night of good sleep before making any decision. Fortunately he had taken his medicines with him. For almost two years now, his doctor in Dublin had put him on anti-depressants and sleeping pills. He had never told him what truly caused his depression though. Officially he had difficulties at work. Who would take seriously a guy who claimed to be abused by his wife? It was already hard to admit for a woman, but for a man… It would only make him laughing-stock. He quickly went down to the nearest store for a pizza and a bottle of whisky, and went back to his room, to enjoy the quietest evening he had had for a long time.

The next morning, after a restoring night (a sleeping pill and a few glasses of whisky had seen to that), John decided to go out for a walk, since the weather had cleared. From what he had seen on Google Maps, the hotel was not that far from the seaside, and he thought he could reach it in about half-an-hour walk. The exercise would probably do him good, and he could sort his thoughts out while watching the sea. He put his coat on and made his way downstairs. As he crossed the hotel lobby on his way out, he startled and froze when he saw Vera sitting in one of the chairs near the reception. His heart sank. How on Earth had she found him? In the split second it took him to understand how foolish he had been to pre-pay the hotel with their joint account credit card, she jumped to her feet and threw herself into his arms.

- Oh John! God I was so worried! I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry!

Tears shone in her eyes as she hugged him tight. He stood there, rigid as a stick, not knowing how to react. She was so different now than she had been the day before. Could this really be the same person?

- Have you had breakfast?, she asked.

- Er, no, but…, he stuttered.

- Come on then, I saw a nice-looking coffee shop across the streets. Let's go grab a bite and talk this mess out.

She took his hand and dragged him out. When they were sitting in the coffee shop, waiting for their orders to arrive, Vera bent over the table towards him, and covered his hands with her.

- John, look, I know I messed up yesterday. I was completely over the line. I lost it, because I felt you were making fun of me in front of my parents. You know how I am, you know I have trouble with my anger. Why do you do this?

- I didn't…, he tried.

But she didn't let him elaborate.

- Anyway, I've cooled off now, and I'm so very sorry. Please, you have to forgive me. I promise I'll change. I'll see someone about this. I can't lose you John, you're too precious to me. What we have, it's worth something, don't you think? I can't live without you, ever. I love you so much.

John sat silent across the table, unease creeping through him. The waitress brought their coffees and doughnuts, and he thanked her curtly.

- Vera, what happened yesterday… This has got to stop. You can't treat me like that.

- Yes, I know, she said firmly. I totally realize that. I told you, I'll go and see someone. I promise. I'll do better.

- You've said that before. You said things would change. You said you'll work on it. And look where we are.

- I know. I know, and I'm sorry really. But this whole baby thing, it turned me upside down, you know…

- It's been three years now.

- Yes, I know. It's been really hard moving on, you know. But now, I feel I'm finally getting over it. Now, I think I might be ready to… try again?

She looked up at him with a hopeful look on her face.

- You mean… for a child?

- Yes. Isn't that what you wanted? You could be a daddy. Even a stay-at-home dad, if you wanted to. I know it'd be a little weird in my family, but who cares. We'll do it our own way. We'll love them so much. Oh, our baby would be so lucky to have you as a dad. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful father.

They were silent for a minute. John's mind was whirling with hopes and fears. Could she really change? Could becoming a mother really change her? Maybe they could go to couple therapy, and work through their issues together…

Vera sipped on her coffee, then put the cup back on the table, and squeezed his hand again.

- So, what do you say my love? Shall we go home and start over?

With a sigh, and a faint nod, John agreed. Vera happily brought his hands to her mouth to kiss them, and beamed:

- Oh, I'm so happy. Thank you. I swear I won't disappoint you this time.

x x x x

November 2017

John's heart raced when he heard the front door closing on Vera. After three days of watching him like a hawk, she finally had to go back to work. Her last words before leaving were:

- And I'll thank you to clean up this mess…, as she gestured to the dirty kitchen and living-room.

Now that she was out the door, John seized his replacement phone and immediately texted Anna:

"She's out. You can come over."

"I'm on my way", she answered only seconds later.

As he waited for her arrival, he gathered all the belongings he had prepared for his final escape. Or at least what he hoped to be his final escape. He had been there so many times before, and so many escapes had been short-lived. But this time was different, he knew it. Now Anna was here, and she had sworn not to leave without him. This time he knew it was the real thing. All his things were gathered near the front door, but unfortunately he still missed his passport. He was pretty sure now that Vera had tampered with it. Could she have burnt it, thrown it out, or taken it with her? Anyway, without it, things would be harder to leave the country and go back to Britain.

About ten minutes after he had sent the text, Anna knocked on the door. When he had let her in, and closed the door behind her, they hugged silently, holding each other quietly for several minutes. It seemed it was all he could do to breathe in the sweet scent of her hair.

- Oh God I'm so glad you're here, he finally whispered.

- And I'm glad to see that you are better, and ready to break away from this witch. How long is she supposed to be out?

- She's left for work, so until this afternoon, hopefully.

- OK, then we can put a nice amount of distance between her and us before she knows you're gone. Maybe we can even fly back to Britain before she even notices.

- Hum, about that. I haven't been able to find my passport, so I can't fly right now.

- Oh. That's a problem.

- I think she's hidden it or made it disappear somehow…

- Are you sure you've looked everywhere?

- Pretty much.

- Shall we look up again, just in case?

- Yes, maybe.

As Anna turned around and made to start the search, John held her back, tugging on her hand.

- What is it?, she asked softly.

- Just… Thank you. For being here. Helping me. I'm so grateful.

She smiled.

- I want you back, so… I'm being selfish really.

- This is so not true, he replied.

She came back to him, and left a gentle kiss on his cheek.

- Come on, let's look for this wretched passport.

They had been turning the house upside down for the best part of an hour, when Anna called out:

- John? I think I got it!

She had been searching the basement, and at the bottom of a cardboard box containing some out-of-season clothes, she had found it. Or rather, what was left of it. As John hurried up to meet her, she warned:

- Don't get too excited, I'm afraid she slaughtered it…

As she talked, she handed the remnants to him. The outside cover looked right enough, but as he opened it, his heart sank when he saw that she had cut out all the pages.

- Shit…, he murmured.

- I do wonder why she kept the cover though. Why not throw it all away. It makes no sense.

- I don't know. Maybe so I'll find it, and know what she's done. So I know I've not just lost it.

- She's not right in the head, that one.

- Yeah…, he said downhearted. So, now how do I leave Ireland without a passport?

- Do you have anything else to prove your identity? A driving license at least?

- Yes.

- Well, we'll go to the British embassy and see what they have to say to this.

He pocketed the torn passport, and concluded:

- Well, I guess we can leave now. I've got nothing else to collect. Everything is waiting downstairs.

- Good, let's go and put everything in the car.

They were working on filling the car's trunk with John's luggage, when a furious voice yelled in their back:

-I knew it! I knew I couldn't trust you!

Anna startled and turned around, only to see Vera slamming her own car's door shut, and storming up to her rented car.

- You bitch!, Vera hissed in Anna's face. Don't you have anything better to do than steal other women's husbands?! Can't you leave us in peace?!

- I'm not stealing anyone from anyone, replied Anna coolly. John wants to get away from you. He'll do it with or without me.

- That's not true John, is it? You can't do this to me! After everything we've been through! Everything I did for you! How dare you! You will really leave me for this blond trollop?!

- Hey!, shouted Anna. Watch your mouth, lady!

As she came closer to Vera, the dark-haired woman, who was a good head taller than Anna was, pushed her back, so that she banged her back against the rented car. Anna whimpered when her back hit the rear-view mirror. John's blood boiled when he saw Vera attacking Anna, and he quickly crossed the few feet between him and Vera, and seized the front of her jacket.

- Vera, I've never retaliated, every time you've kicked and hit me. But don't you dare touch her, or I will.

A glimpse of fear went across Vera's face, quickly replaced by a wicked grin.

- Please, be my guest. Right here on the pavement, where all the neighbours can see what you're doing to me, it's perfect. Then I can go and have the marks photographed.

John looked around worriedly, and noticed that their next-door neighbour, an old lady, was watching them through the curtains of her living-room window. Vera saw her too, and shrieked:

- Mrs Finnigan, help me please!

John quickly let go of her, and she stumbled backwards, shooting a malevolent look to John and Anna. While they were arguing, the latter had filled up the trunk and closed it, and she grabbed John's arm, pulling him towards the car.

- Come on, let's go. I'd rather we leave this place before the neighbour calls the cops.

- Yes, let's.

They both hurriedly jumped into the car, and slammed the doors shut. As Anna was turning the engine on, Vera came back and hammered against the passenger's window.

- You'll regret this, both of you!, she yelled venomously.

In her fury, she seized the rear-view mirror and tore it backwards until it broke, just before Anna managed to put her foot down on the accelerator and finally leave her behind.

They drove in silence for a moment, until Anna put her hand on John's knee, and noticed he was shaking.

- It's alright John. She's gone. We're together now. It'll be alright.

- I hope so, he breathed.

Chuckling bitterly, he added:

- She'll manage to make me look like the violent one, you know.

- I know.

- I'm so sorry for the mirror. This will cost you your deposit…

Anna waved her hand.

- I don't care. What matters is taking you away from that harpy.

- I feel so ashamed. Look at me, in need of a girl ten years younger than me to defend me against my own wife. How stupid does that sound. I'm a complete fool.

- Hush now. Every person can be in need of help at any point in their life. I'm that help, today, for you. That's all. No one is a fool, or stupid or anything.

He looked at her, with a small sad smile on his face.

- Thank you so much, he uttered.

She shot him a quick sideways glance, and a bright smile before putting her eyes back on the road. Her hand left the steering wheel and squeezed his knee.

- You're welcome. As I told you before, I'm doing this for myself as much as for you.

His smile grew wider. He still had a hard time believing she really cared for him, enough for her to go through all this trouble in order to set him free. He felt the heavy load on his chest was getting a bit lighter.

- So, where are you taking me?

- Well, my hotel first, I was thinking. If you don't mind sharing my room? It has twin beds, she added.

- Sounds perfect to me.