Panic Attack
Pacing back and forth, fingers twisting together, a rhythm to match her mounting pulse. Muttering, though the words were clearly heard in the silent room. Mrs Hadleigh continued to sputter and whisper before turning around and glancing up at the other woman for the first time in several minutes.
"I-I can't… I don't know how."
Mary Poppins watched her steadily, unflinching. Even in the circumstance that had landed upon them.
"With all due respect, ma'am, I can have the children's bags packed and ready within ten minutes. You only need to say the word."
Mrs Hadleigh thought on it, pacing once more, falling into the nearby armchair. Short bursts of air escaped her lips as her head fell into her hands, the once neat bun releasing streams of red hair. They fell about her face, merely a cover for the forming bruises along her jaw and cheek.
"He'll kill me…" came the wail.
Even whilst sitting, her body seemed to curl into a foetal position, as if begging to reverse time itself and forget this nightmare had ever happened.
Mary crouched down in front of her, one hand pressed firmly but comfortingly on Mrs Hadleigh's back.
"I am afraid he may kill you anyway," she said, honestly. Adamantly.
Hoping that the pieces would fit together, enabling the woman to see the full picture- think of the children, of herself. The beating she had taken, the one that the kids had seen, and one which Mary promptly ended. Even with all of his shouting and swinging arms, he would not approach Mary- not when she was so furious. He scampered from the house, terrified to look back and see the look on her face. But he would be back, eventually, and Mrs Hadleigh had her choice.
Back shuddering from her cries, the small whispers that said she couldn't possibly, but those that followed saying she must. Whatever happened, Mary Poppins would be with her, with the children. That was a comfort in itself. No more harm would fall upon her if she were to follow the nanny. Sometimes, families needed mending but they must learn to do it for themselves. And in that, Mrs Hadleigh did.
My beta is taking forever to get back to me, so I've decided to post these as they've been ready for weeks. Sorry for the delay but I'll start posting them more regularly if I'm not waiting for my beta.