Saying Goodbye Forever by H. Pearce

Author:H. Pearce [Pearce, H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: H Pearce
Published: 2022-07-15T05:00:00+00:00

Visiting An Old Friend

Three days later, my morning is busy because I travel to do an in-home visit with Claudia. Melissa secured her a council flat in a semi-decent area, provided she ceases contact with her husband. With the assistance of her social worker, they filed a non-contact order and now Claudia seems in good spirits when I arrive, despite her eye looking swollen and sore. Aside from her obvious physical injuries, she appears lighter – as if a weight has lifted from her shoulders.

“You’re looking good,” I remark, taking a seat across from her.

She smiles. “I am feeling hopeful for the future.”

“That is the best news. How are the children?”

“They miss him.”

I nod, taking notes. “That’s natural. Melissa said she’s in the process of organising supervised visitation.”

“She is,” Claudia replies, nodding, but her shoulders visibly tense.

“And how do you feel about that?”

She pauses, and I watch her arms cross over her chest. “I guess… I guess I’m worried one of the children will slip the tongue and he’ll find us.”

“Melissa will sit in with them. She will do her best to make sure that won’t happen.”

“Her best isn’t a guarantee, though, is it? What if he finds us? He… Gemma, he told me he would make sure I never saw daylight ever again if he found me.”

I lean forward, reaching for her right hand. “I assure you, that won’t happen.”

With her spare hand, she swipes at her eyes and sniffles. “Thank you. It just… scares me.”

“You have every right to be scared, but we are doing our best to keep you safe. Between you and me, if he ever lays hands on you again, he’ll have me to answer to.”

She laughs and thanks me. Then she stills a moment, aside from wringing her hands. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Will I ever meet someone good? I don’t mean right away… I… I just…”

“I know what you mean,” I answer, holding in the deep sigh that wants to escape. “And the answer is yes. There are plenty of good men out there or women, if you prefer.”

She laughs again. “I hope so.”

I remove my hand from her arm and stand. “Trust me; when the time is right, you will.”

Even though I can’t predict the future, I know that Claudia, hard-working and kind, deserves nothing but a good man and role model to her children. I believe she’ll find it – just as I’d found Lewis – even though I ruined that opportunity. Until her day comes, I hope Dominic will allow the space for Claudia to find her feet again.

I head back to the office, and when I enter the staff room, Kirsty is waiting for me. Before my departure earlier, I’d told her what happened with Claudia days earlier, and subsequently, my blow up with Lewis.

I sigh, avoiding her stare as I sit down. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You need to talk to him,” Kirsty remarks, shifting to a seat opposite me.

“There’s no point. I made a fool of myself.

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