Sherri is quiet for a moment, I can see the wheels turning in her head as tears track down her cheeks. She suddenly grabs hold of her phone which makes me panic thinking she’s calling the police, when I see her texting I relax a little “Well you can move in here then! I can’t let you go back there Becks, not now I know what’s really going on. I always thought maybe it was her, but I never wanted to believe it. Years you’ve been going through this, I can’t believe it. You do have more family, you have me and I know you have Brady and Reid too” she tells me. We both hug each other tight, sobs racking us as I let out some pain “I know I have you Shez, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted to pretend it wasn’t happening at first. Back then I had you and Reid as my escape, when Reid broke it off I couldn’t stay here, not with her and without him” I tell her. Before I could live with the odd smack around and toxic words, because I had Reid. But without him, I didn’t know how to survive it anymore, so I ran “I’m serious, I’m not letting you go back. I’ve text mum, she’s already replied and said you can move in here, we have the spare room, you are moving tomorrow” she tells me with no room for argument “Are you sure Sherri, this is your home. I don’t want to take advantage” I tell her, in truth, being here would be the relief I need, an escape I lost when I couldn’t stay at Reid’s anymore “Don’t be so fucking stupid, of course I’m sure. Tomorrow we pack up your things and you are moving in. I will not let you go back” I wrap my arms around her thanking her from the bottom of my heart, this is the new start I’ve been wishing for. Finally, it feels like it’s been granted.
Chapter Five
Pulling up at my mums house I’m thankful to see she is still nowhere to be seen, it’s going to make today a hell of a lot easier. Sherri pulls up behind me in her car ready to load up all my belongings and I’m glad to say she’s stopped crying. When we woke up this morning, she made me go into as much detail as I could about everything, we both shed some more tears, wishing I told her years ago.
As I get out my car a strange van pulls into the drive, Brady, Gavin and Reid jump out of the cab and start towards us “Sherri what’s going on?” I ask as I move towards her “I mentioned to Gavin that you were moving today, I asked him if he had a van. Seems he brought help” she says with a sad smile “You didn’t tell them though right?” Oh god, if she told them I’ll probably have to run again “Of course not. I don’t agree with not reporting her. But it’s for you to tell people, not me” she says with irritation. I know she doesn’t get it, but her mum is how mums are supposed to be, she wouldn’t understand what it would feel like to have to send her to jail, because she knows her mum would never do anything worthy of being reported. “Hey guys. Ready to get this shit show started” Gavin says as he walks up the drive. I really didn’t want them to see the house, they are going to have questions. Turning round I get out my keys, I decide to get this over with and open the door. I try not to let them see my face, I’ve put enough make up on to look like I’m heading to a club. Waking up with a red puffy face and a black eye was not on my list of things I wanted to look at.
Walking in the house, my body goes on high alert. Even though I know she isn’t here, it’s a subconscious reaction to being in this place. Sherri and Reid have been here once or twice before when I knew mum wasn’t home, but Gavin and Brady have never seen the inside before. I’m so embarrassed when I see bottles littering the coffee table, an ashtray full of fag buts sits next to them, I try to ignore their gazes and turn to
