He gunned the car and roared off, and when he’d gone, Ilifted the letterbox flap and started calling to Rachel to please let me in.But there was just a stony silence from within, and I started to panic that Darrenhad attacked her again.
When a police car drew up a few minutes later and two policeofficers – a man and a younger woman – got out, I rushed to them in a panic,explaining the situation. But their attempts at gaining entry were alsofruitless and I was beside myself with worry. Then, while they were around theback, I glanced up at the bedroom windows and I saw Rachel staring down at me. Reliefsurging through me, I signalled for her to let me in, but she stepped back fromthe window and I knew I was pleading in vain. At least she was okay. Being metwith nothing but silence had made me fear the very worst, although her facialinjuries were shocking enough.
In the end, the police could do nothing. I could tell theywere reluctant to leave, but if Rachel didn’t want to talk to them, they werepowerless to force the situation. They drove off after reassuring me they werethere for Rachel, if she decided she wanted to report Darren for assault atsome time in the future.
Feeling bad for leaving Poppy with Karen for so long, Ihurried home. But Karen was really understanding – especially when we chattedin lowered voices in the kitchen and I told her what had happened.
She looked horrified. ‘But she needs to report him!’ shehissed. ‘He can’t be allowed to get away with it.’ She glanced in concern towardsthe living room, where Poppy was watching TV.
I nodded wearily. ‘She won’t, though. She’s too scared ofhim.’
‘And Darren’s gone?’
‘For now. But for how long?’ I shrugged helplessly.
‘Maybe she’ll let you in now that the police have left?’
I sighed. ‘I guess it’s worth a try.’
Karen offered to stay to look after Poppy a bit longer, butI knew that if I was going to persuade Rachel to break with Darren and reporthim, I needed to take Poppy with me. I had to convince Rachel that whileshemight not care about her own safety, it was imperative she took action for herdaughter’s sake.
So I waved Karen off, and with a heavy heart, I went throughto talk to Poppy.
I didn’t want Poppy to see Rachel like this – her poor,battered face – but there was no avoiding it. I desperately wanted to protectPoppy from the harsh reality of the situation, but she already knew what wasgoing on. Children were often aware of far more than you imagined. She neededto know the truth.
I gripped her hand and we were silent on the walk over tothe house.
Poppy let go and ran ahead of me when we got to the gate,and she started calling for Rachel through the letterbox.
And a minute later, the front door opened.
This time, Rachel seemed willing to talk honestly to me. ‘He’sflying to Brussels on business today and he phoned from the airport just now tosay he was sorry.’
‘What did you say?’
She swallowed and looked down. ‘I told him the police hadbeen here and they knew what he’d done so he’d better not come back. But oh, Kenzie,he was so angry.’
‘Did he threaten you?’
She nodded. ‘He said I couldn’t prove he’d hurt me. He’djust say I was a compulsive liar and I’d thrownmyselfdown the stairsso that I could pretend he’d hurt me. He said he’d call social services and I’dbe deemed an unfit mother and Poppy would be taken away from me.’
‘What?The bastard!’
Just then, her mobile rang and she answered it, staring atme in fear. She listened, not saying a word, then she dropped the phone on thecarpet. ‘He’s called off his trip and he’s coming back from the airport now.’
I stared at her in horror, my mind reeling. Rachel wasn’tstrong enough to stand up to him, even with my help. How long would it take himto drive back from the airport? We didn’t have much time...
‘What am I going to do, Kenzie? Tell me what to do.’ She shookher head as if trying to sort out her thoughts. ‘Darren’s turned me into a worthlessfool who can’t even protect her own daughter.’
‘He’s sapped you of all your confidence. Absolutelynoneofthis is your fault,’ I muttered angrily. Taking a breath to calm myself, I tookher arm. ‘But you’re going to be fine, Rachel. And so is Poppy. We just need togo now, before Darren gets back.’
‘Go?’ She stared at me as if I was suggesting somethingreally outlandish, and my heart lurched at her bewilderment. The bastard hadobviously brainwashed her into thinking she could never leave him. I felt sickwith revulsion at the thought of him controlling her like that.
‘Come on. Pack a bag for you and Poppy,’ I said urgently.‘Go upstairs and do that now. And I’ll do the same. I’ll be back for you in tenminutes, okay? I’ll take Poppy with me to make sure she’s safe. We’ll leave inmy car and we’ll find somewhere to stay the night. Somewhere he can’t find you.Then we can decide what we’re going to do.’
She stared at me, motionless, and I had to guide her gently towardsthe stairs. ‘Go on, love. Pack a bag. I need to grab some things and get thecar but we’ll be back here before you know it.’
She nodded and disappeared upstairs, and I called for Poppyand took her with me. If Darren did come back before we could escape, I wasn’trisking Poppy being there and having to witness any more nightmarish scenes...
