A bang at the door, followed by a yell out for help was what woke Abby, she opened her eyes and grabbed her turtleneck jumper which lay on the dresser.

"I'm coming" she muttered half asleep. Her bare feet padded across the wooden floors and out of the corner of the eye she saw her alarm clock flashing 3:37. Abby paused reluctantly at the door fearing that she would open it to a violent and brutal Brian, a fear that had been with her ever since that day.

"Who's there", Abby called out sleepily.

"Abby it's me, its Ashley please can I come in"

Abby opened the door with the chain still on, and briefly seeing that Ashley was alone she let her in. It had been just over a week since they had had a meal together and Abby hadn't heard from her since. Ashley pushed past Abby and strode into her living room, her whole body was trembling in anger. It wasn't until Abby turned on the lampshade that she saw the state of Ashley's face. It was tear-streaked and puffy but worst of all her left eye was swollen and her cheek had turned a shade of purple.

"Ashley what happened?" Abby asked gently, walking cautiously towards her.

"She hit me, the bitch hit me! I can't believe it I'm so angry I didn't even deserve it Abby I honestly didn't."

"I know you didn't"

"She came home with some creep that she met in a bar with her psycho friends. Bud I think his name was, what kinda name is Bud?" Ashley stopped and saw that Abby was in her pyjama bottoms, she groaned, "Abby I'm so sorry I shouldn't of come here I just needed to get out and I didn't know where else to go". Ashley gulped and tried to hold back her tears. Abby approached her and pushed her in the direction of the bathroom.

"Come on let me sort your eye out"

Abby sat her down on the toilet seat and rummaged around in the bathroom cupboard.

"I'm just going to get some ice to stop your face from swelling". She left Ashley sitting in the bathroom and retrieved a pack of ice from her freezer. Seeing that Ashley was trying her best to hold back the tears, Abby made a comment that related as much to her as it did to Ashley.

"You know its okay to cry it front of me"

With that Ashley let out a large uncontrollable sob and her whole body began to shake as she put her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry", she gulped in between her sobs, "I didn't know where else to go".

"Ssh, Ssh", Abby soothed rubbing her hand across Ashley's back, "here sit up for a minute let me take a look at you". Ashley sat up slowly and rubbed her good eye with the back of her hand.

"Here we go, keep this pressed against your face ok?" Abby handed her the ice pack and stood up taking a backward glance into the living room.

"Does she know you're here?"

Ashley shook her head and winced from the sharp pain that shot up the left side of her face.

"I know, this might not sound appealing but I think you should phone to tell her that you're safe and where you are"

"No", Ashley said flatly.

"Ashley she'll be worried if you stormed out like that after a fight".

"Let her worry", Ashley muttered quietly but forcefully.

Abby looked down at her realising that she was not going to win this argument.

Ashley looked back up and Abby realised that they shared the same stubborn streak she had at that age when someone had tried to tell her what was best.

"Okay Ashley do you want to stay here tonight?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah, I can keep an eye on you, but I think a visit to the hospital can go a miss I'll check how you're doing in the morning". Ashley yawned and handed the ice bag back to Abby.

"Yeah I'll be fine, feel better already. Are you working tomorrow?"

"Yes"

"What time are you on?"

"I'm on at seven", Abby smiled and glanced at her watch.

"In the morning! Oh my god Abby I'm so sorry"

"It's okay, I've had less sleep. Do you need to borrow something to sleep in? I've got a spare room for you but it's quite small".

Ashley stood up, "yeah a t-shirt or something would be great and I don't mind how small it is just so long it has a bed", a smile crept across Ashley's face and she followed Abby closely through to the room.

"I'll just go get a t-shirt for you"

Abby walked through to her bedroom and rummaged around in her wardrobe for something suitable. When re-entering Ashley's room she saw that she was flat out on the bed fast asleep. Abby paused and looked down at her, feeling a sense of sympathy, she took off Ashley's sneakers and lay them down on the floor beside the bed. Abby gently pushed Ashley's fringe away from her eye, and left the room quietly. Climbing back into bed, Abby lent her head against the back board.

Thoughts swarmed Abby's mind and she gradually dozed off to sleep.