July 2018

"I have a surprise for you" he beamed as he virtually bounced through the front door. He had text a few moments earlier and she had rushed to let him in, she always missed him when he was on a night shift but it made his lips all the sweeter when he got home. His lips moved against hers, his hand gently playing with her hair. As he withdrew, she noticed an envelope in his hand "I missed you" he spoke as he handed the envelope to her

"What's this?" she asked

"Open it" he grinned as he slipped his trainers off and headed towards the living room, she followed.

"Paris?" she asked, resting next to him on the sofa

"It's just a couple of nights and it's not until next month but I thought a break might do you good"

"Smithy, you didn't have to do this"

"I wanted too and besides" he pulled her closer "I am intending for you to be naked a lot of the time we are there"

"You have a one track mind, do you know that?"

"Now you come to mention it" he moved her into his lap "I seem to have one thing on my mind at the moment and that sweetheart, is you". They began to kiss once again.

A few weeks had passed since Smithy and Stevie's first night together and they had become increasingly closer, her bruising was fading and she had returned to work. Declan had been formally dismissed from the police service for gross misconduct and was awaiting criminal charges for assault but more to the point, she hadn't seen him, she hadn't heard from him, she was truly starting to believe it was over. Smithy was on his third late shift in a row, Stevie hated it but she must admit she loved the great big bed to herself. This evening she was waiting for Lexi to arrive, they were going to watch a chick flick and order a pizza. Hearing the doorbell, she stood quickly and rushed to let her friend inside. Opening the door, her whole body froze, she felt the bile in her mouth, her hands clammy and breathing quicken. "Hi Stevie, long time no see, you going to invite me in?"

"You aren't allowed to be here, I have an injunction Dec"

"Mmm, I know, but we both know I don't like to be kept waiting, so move aside"

"Smithy, he will be home any minute"

"That's funny, because I saw him arrive at the station about an hour ago, which makes me think, we have the place to ourselves for the night. Do not make me ask you again Stevie" she moved across so he could walk inside

"Declan, my friend is on her way, Lexi, if you just leave, I won't tell anyone you were here"

"Go and pack a bag"

"What?"

"I'm leaving Sunhill and you are coming with me" he grabbed her hair "Now move" he shouted as he pushed her through the place she had come to feel safest.

Once in the bedroom, she pulled a black holdall from the cupboard, it was Smithy's gym bag, and began to stuff her clothes inside. She moved to the bedside table and got her makeup and ipad. Noticing the framed photo of her and Smithy, she felt the tears burn her eyes. She turned to face Declan, he was rummaging through her underwear draw, he pulled her passport out and chucked it at her "You will need this"

"No" her voice was barely audible and she wasn't sure if he hadn't heard her or had chosen to ignore her. "Did you hear me Declan? No" she shouted

"What did you just say?" he growled

"I said no Declan, I'm not leaving with you, I'm not doing anything you tell me too. You need to leave"

"Look at that, you finally grown a back bone" he shouted. The pain shot through her face, he had thumped her and she had fallen on to the bed, he grabbed her hands and pinned them down as he began to rip at her clothes, his hands touching her, inside her underwear.

"Stop Declan, I said no" she knew what was about to happen, it happened enough whilst they were together, seeing the photo of her and Smithy she found her strength once again. Using the moves Lexi has taught her, she moved her leg into his crotch. He stumbled back and she wrapped her leg round him, she forced him to the floor, before running out the room. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her, pulling the front door open, she crashed into Lexi. "He is here, he is in the bedroom, he was trying to rape me" she cried. Stevie felt the sheer force behind her and she fell into the door, Lexi briefly left her side as she chased after the man but she was back virtually instantly and on the phone. Stevie sunk to the floor, tears streaming from her face, who was she trying to kid? It would never truly be over.

She sat drinking her glass of water, DI Watson had finished interviewing her about 5 minutes ago and this was the longest she had been alone. She had briefly seen Smithy at home before she had been escorted to the hospital for an examination and then the station to give a statement, she knew he would be angry, furious even. She had allowed that man into their home, she had began to pack to leave with him and stayed motionless on the bed whilst he touched her. She placed her head onto the arm of the sofa in the soft interview room and put her legs up, closing her eyes, it was fast approaching 6am and she was exhausted. Hearing the door open, her eyes flicked to see the man in the door way. "Hey beautiful" he smiled

"Smithy" she moved quickly to her feet "I'm so sorry"

"No Stevie" he moved over to her and pulled her into a tight hug "Don't you ever apologise for that monster"

"But I let him in"

"No, you were terrified Stevie, I have seen the footage, from the door cam and this is not your fault"

"I was so frightened, I thought he was going to kill me"

"Oh Stevie, I swear, you are safe now, I will never let him hurt you"

"Watson, she said that no one can find him"

"No but the whole of Sunhill and Barton Street are out there looking for him, they will get him Stevie and then they will throw the book at him"

"Yeah, I know Smithy, thank you"

"You have nothing to thank me for, I love you Stevie" he pecked her lips gently, before kissing her swollen cheek. "Eddie is still at home, I have booked a hotel for a couple of days, Jo has taken the cat. Let's go and you can get some rest".