Shadows moving behind the front door.
A leg,
a head,
and I hear it too,
a thud,
a scream
and when I go in
Mum’s lying in the hallway,
blood seeping into the rug,
Terry standing over her,
his phone on the hall table.
I’m afraid to help Mum.
But I can’t just stand here and do nothing.
I can’t be his accomplice any more.
‘I’ll call the police
if you touch her again,’ I say.
My voice wobbles.
I know she’s in for it now,
and that my big mouth has caused it.
But I’m wrong.
Terry sniggers,
looks like he’s been expecting me to say
something like this,
and in one sharp movement
his hand is around my neck,
pressing me up against the wall.
‘You speak to me like that again
and I’ll give you something
to go to the police about.
You hear me … sweetheart?’
he hisses.
I can’t breathe.
He holds me there,
squeezes.
‘Now fuck off!’ he shouts,
and pushes me away.
I walk backwards to my room.
‘Mum,’ I croak.
I don’t think she hears me.