Jack nodded fervently, his gaze flitting to the door behind her. He was worried their father might overhear something that would set him off. It wasn’t difficult. A simple hello when he was drunk, or in one of his foul morning-after moods, was enough to do it.
‘I’ve written my number down for you,’ Kim said, giving him a reassuring smile and getting to her feet to grab the note with her mobile number on, should there be an emergency. ‘You’re to call me if you need me. Any time, Jack. If you’re frightened or worried about anything, ring and I’ll come.’
‘Promise?’ he asked, his hazel eyes wide.
‘Promise,’ she assured him, taking hold of his hand to lead him back to his room.
He was scrambling into bed when her phone signalled an incoming text from Cassie.Hope everything’s OK. We’re not far from you. Are you good to go?
Kim keyed in a short reply.Ten minutes. I just have to tuck Jack into bed and grab my things. See you outside. Taking a breath, she went to give Jack a firm hug.
‘Mum will be home soon,’ she assured him, her heart aching for her little brother, who would be lost without her. She didn’t want to leave him, but what choice did she have? ‘Close your eyes and dream about superheroes and magical things,’ she said, reaching to turn on the fairy lights she’d taken from her own room and strung around his headboard. ‘I’ll see you very soon, okay?’
Jack nodded, but didn’t close his eyes. Swallowing back a lump of emotion in her throat, Kim ruffled his fringe and then hurried back to her bedroom. Quickly she stuffed the last of her things in her bag, did a final sweep of the place she couldn’t wait to see the back of, then tiptoed along the landing. Part way down the stairs she stopped, her heart skidding against her ribcage as she heard the downstairs loo flush. There was a loud belch as her dad emerged to head across the hall to the lounge. She gave him a minute before continuing down.
The front door squeaked as she opened it. Adrenalin pumping, she waited a minute, heart sinking as he reappeared. ‘Oi, where do you think you’re going without a sodding word?’ he demanded in his usual polite tones. ‘You’re supposed to be looking after your brother.’
‘To get some milk,’ Kim informed him. ‘For Mum’s tea when she gets back. I’ve just tucked Jack in.’
‘Don’t be long,’ he muttered grudgingly, ‘or the bolt will be on.’
‘I won’t. Course you could always go and get it yourself, couldn’t you, assuming you could walk in a straight line.’ Kim glanced back over her shoulder. That had pissed him off. She noted the deep crease forming in his forehead. She didn’t actually care, not now that she was getting out. She couldn’t have risked Samuel being dragged into anything yesterday, but she would have loved to have seen Adam cut the obnoxious slob down to size. Samuel wasn’t here now, though, was he? Her dad might just be in for the biggest surprise of his life if he came out after her, which he undoubtedly would, and which, also undoubtedly, would cement her in Adam’s mind as a vulnerable person in need of support.
Stepping out, she scanned the road. He wasn’t here yet. A knot of apprehension tightened inside her, until she saw the car approaching and breathed out a sigh of relief.
She waved and hurried towards it as Adam slowed, headlights sweeping the road as he reversed into a side road to turn around. She was poised on the kerb, ready to climb in, when she heard her dad’s slurred voice behind her.
‘Oi!’ he shouted. ‘Get back in ’ere now, you cheeky little cow!’
Kim didn’t answer. She wanted to – wanted very much to give her loving father a mouthful – but knowing that that wouldn’t paint her in a very good light, she decided that keeping quiet was her best option.
‘Don’t you fucking well ignore me!’ he seethed, lumbering towards her and grabbing her jacket.
‘Let mego.’ As Kim struggled, Adam screeched to a halt and leapt out of the car.
Her dad froze. So did Kim, apart from her heart, which was fluttering like a terrified bird in her chest.
Adam looked her dad over, clearly assessing him. ‘I think you should back off, mate, don’t you?’ he suggested, his expression stony, his tone quiet. Dangerously quiet. Kim could feel his anger. It was emanating palpably from him. Her awe-filled gaze went to his eyes, which were hard-edged and flinty under the glow of the street lamp, the eyes of a man who wasn’t about to take no for an answer.
‘Mate?’ Her dad laughed. ‘I’m her father,’ he sneered, and yanked her proprietorially towards him. ‘Who the fuck are you when you’re around?’
Adam surveyed him unflinchingly for a second longer. ‘I’m the guy who’s about to do you a serious injury if you don’t heed my advice,’ he informed him evenly, a small tic playing at his cheek.
Kim’s gaze shot to her dad, who gawked at Adam and then narrowed his eyes. ‘Piss off,’ he muttered. ‘And take whoever that silly cow is with you.’ He nodded past him to where Cassie had climbed out of the passenger side of the car.
‘I’ve called the police,’ she warned him, unperturbed. ‘I’d let her go if I were you.’
‘Yeah, right,’ her dad jeered. ‘She’s my daughter, luv. She does whatIsay while she’s under my roof. Now why don’t you piss off an’ all? Coming round here in your swanky car, thinking you can tell decent, law-abiding people what to do. Get inside, you.’ He attempted to tug Kim in the direction of the house.
Lunging forwards, Adam grabbed hold of her dad’s shirt, bunching it tight to his throat with both hands. ‘I have a suggestion,’ he growled, lifting him almost off the ground. ‘Why don’t you let her go before I kill you where you stand?’
Kim noticed the lump sliding down her dad’s throat. He was bricking himself.Good.Not so big and brave now, was he? ‘Get off, you mad bastard,’ he rasped, letting go of Kim and attempting to prise Adam’s hands away. ‘You’re strangling me.’
‘I know,’ Adam assured him, his face an inch away from her dad’s. ‘And trust me, if I see you anywhere near her ever again, I’ll finish the job.’ With a hard stare, he held him a fraction longer before dropping him and stepping back.
Gasping for breath, her dad staggered, but didn’t go down. More was the pity. Kim would have very much liked to leave him on his knees.
‘Go to Cassie, Kim,’ Adam said, his gaze locked meaningfully on her father, warning him not to follow her.
