Forgotten Memories

Forgotten Memories

By Eve Bentley

Copyright 2012 Eve Bentley

Smashwords Edition

Smashword Edition, License Notes

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Chapter 1

The snow was coming down thick and fast on Justine Road. The road had never been so quiet, there were very few cars or people around that evening and the houses, built in the sixties, took on a softer look covered in a think blanket of snow. It hid the ugly architecture.

Outside number 91 Justine Road stood a big snowman on the small lawn in front of the house. The snow had been cleared from around the old Volkswagen Golf car that stood on the small drive in front of the house. The snowman had a purpose; it had been built using the snow cleared from around the car to assist in a quick get away if needed.

Inside the house a young long-haired blonde slender woman with green eyes and a beautiful face was looking very anxiously at the clock above the kitchen window as she was cooking the evening meal. Perspiration ran down her back, it was not the heat from cooking it was fear of what may happen when Derek arrives. Her twin children were in the small sitting room unusually quiet for eight year olds.

The walls between the houses are very thin and she could hear her best friend Maggie and her family, next door, laughing at the television. If only my life was as good as my friend Maggie’s Vic was thinking, just at that moment the back door opened.

Maggie came in laughing. Close the door it’s freezing Vicki said. Maggie was a contrast to Vicki; she had lovely dark curly hair and laughing brown eyes. She was wearing her husband Ian’s old boots that were far too big for her.

Hi Vic, can you let me have a few onions, I ‘m making a curry tonight and because it’s snowing so hard I don’t want to go down to the shop.

Have a look in that bag, the one beside the fridge, there are about five in there help yourself.

Vic, you do not look good, what is the matter?

Derek is coming home in about ten minutes.

Oh no, you have only just got over the last beating he gave you.

I know, but fortunately he is not here very often, working away so much as he does.

You are only alive because he is never here. I think he stays at Chris’s flat even when he is back from overseas.

I know. You’re right, last Saturday was bad. I have taken a lot from him but he pushed Alistair so hard that he fell over and banged his head on a chair. I have made my mind up, if he starts hitting me tonight I will leave. I have cooked him a lovely meal and the twins are in the sitting room out of the way. I am ready for him. You remember when I was at the hospital last year when he fractured my jaw I met Janet, the woman who had cut her hand while she was chopping carrots. Well we got on very well and I kept in touch with her, she has moved to Scotland to look after her Auntie May who has broken her hip, she phoned on Monday I told her what Derek had done and she said that if I want to leave him we could live with her until I got on my feet. Her aunt’s house has five bedrooms. So, Maggie, if you hear him shouting tonight don’t be surprised if you do not see me tomorrow.

Vic you could not have picked a worse day to leave, the snow is a foot thick out there.

I know, but it is now or never. I am worried about the twins, they have had this all of their lives. Eight years never knowing peace. Charlotte is not sleeping after she saw Alistair being pushed over, she thinks it is her turn next. I have told the twin to get ready and if they hear him start rowing to get in to the car and wait for me. I have put two duvets in the boot as well as hot drinks, and sandwiches.

Vic. you can come around and stay with us. Ian will make you welcome, he hates Derek.

Thank you Maggie but if I go next door he will know and it will only make things worse for me, we both know how evil he is, Derek would probably do you or Ian harm.

Well Vic if you have made your mind up then I wish you all the best in the world, could you just wait until the weather gets a little better, you are the best friend any one could have. I will miss you, good friends like you are very rare, but you are far too good for him.

Maggie left out of the back door just as Derek came in the front door. Vic took a deep breath here we go lets see what he is like tonight.

Hi Derek I am in kitchen is it still snowing out?

What, snowing, is it still snowing out, do you think I put all of this snow on my bloody self? You stupid bitch.

Please don’t start Derek, have your dinner.

What’s for dinner?

"I have done a beef casserole, roast potatoes and veg. Is that okay for you? Derek for once please let’s have a meal in peace.’’

Derek grabbed her arm and swung her around. She pulled away and ran into the dining area. It was a very small house and she could not escape him. He grabbed her and pushed her against the small sideboard which had on it a small stone ornament of a lady that Maggie had bought her for Christmas last year. Maggie had said when I saw it I thought that’s Vic, it’s a lovely lady just like you. The twins heard him shouting so they sneaked out of the house got into the back seat of the car. Alistair was thinking this is the last time I will have to see or hear him. Charlotte was very quite all she could think of was he will not be able to get us now.

Derek put his hands around her neck and banged her head against the wall on which hung a photograph of the twins, the glass in the frame broke and a piece of glass embedded itself in the side of her face by her left ear. No more please, you are hurting me, no please I cannot take it. Vic grabbed the statue off the sideboard with her right arm and hit him on the side of his head. He let go of her neck and she ran for the door, jumped into the car where the twins were waiting hurry mommy please

Have you got your seat belts on?

Yes mommy but you do not have yours on

Ok I will in a minute.

Mommy where are we going

Charlotte I am not sure yet I will just drive to get away from the East End in case he follows us. Alistair are you ok? you are very quiet.

Yes mommy I am does this mean we never have to go back home again.

One more time, but not to worry, it will be when he is out.

Why Mommy?

Alistair we need clothes and a few things. Oh my God I have left my purse in the wash basket. We haven’t got any money. Never mind I will go back tonight when he has gone and get it. You both will stay in the car. I promise you Alistair, you will never have to see him again. Vic was driving now, the adrenalin was keeping her going through the snow and she was not thinking of anything except freedom. After half of an hour she looked around and saw where she was, what on earth am I doing in Knightsbridge? I will pull in to the next side road and think what to do.

We are going to stop here, I will lift the bonnet up so we don’t get a parking ticket. Not that we will get one tonight, the snow is so thick it is coving all of the yellow lines.

Across the road a car was pulling up outside a block of expensive looking apartments. The driver got out and looked across at Vic he came over to her to offer help thinking she had broken down.

Can I help you?

No thank you I am able to manage.

You are bleeding, have you had an accident?

No, no it is nothing I am fine.

Ok.

Vic got back into the car turning to talk to the twins they saw her face.

Oh Mommy your face is covered in blood, it is running down your neck.

Charlotte started to cry, mommy I hate him, Alistair said, When I grow up I will kill him

Vic put her hand to her face and it hurt like hell now that the adrenalin had gone she was in a lot of pain, the tears came to her eyes but she brushed them away so the twins could not see them.

The driver from across the road came back, knocked on the window of the car Vic opened the window; he said, I think you need help this time Vic said yes I think I do.

My boss is waiting over there, he said, to ask you to come over to see what we can do to help.

Vic and the twins got out of the car and crossed the road to the apartment block entrance.

The driver of the car introduced his boss this is Mr. Roberts.

My god girl you look a mess, what has happened to you? asked Sam Roberts Charlotte said, Derek hit her again and we are running away and never never going back.

You know we are not to say anything about what Derek does Alistair told his sister off sticking his elbow in her side.

I think we have to get you lot upstairs and sort your face out young lady. Sam Roberts was only 38 years old himself. He had the air of someone who was a lot older and is used to being obeyed. He was in a very expensive suit. He looked very rich.

I can’t leave Betsy!

Who is Betsy? asked the driver.

Charlotte pipes up again she’s our car, we call her our freedom car.

Sam Roberts said to George the driver get Betsy and take her to the car park.

No please don’t do that, Vic said, we have come away without any money, and we cannot afford parking fees.

Its ok said George the car park is under this building, I will park it in the visitor’s parking space.

Sam Roberts said, it is too cold to be standing out here and you young lady and the children have only got slippers on. Your feet must be soaking wet.

They went up in a lift to the penthouse apartment. Under normal circumstances the twins would have been overwhelmed at the luxury of the apartment. Vic told the twins to take their slippers off, as she was taking hers off; the carpet was a pale cream colour. Sam was surprised at Vic’s concern. Sam took Vic into the bathroom to clean her face up. When he looked at her face he could see it was in a bad way. He said she needed a doctor. He had a friend who was a consultant on the 2nd floor of his building, he gave him a call. Mr. Brooks came up to see Vicki. He was very gentle with her he saw a piece of glass embedded in her face. He had a word with Sam in his sitting room, where Sam was giving the twins a hot drink. He said he would get his black bag from his apartment and will take the glass out and stitch Vicki’s wound. After Mr. Brooks had attended to Vicki. He had a chat with Sam and told him she needed a warm bath and bed, he gave Sam a tablet to give to Vicki after her bath.

Sam told Vicki what Mr. Simon Brooks had told him Vicki said she did not want to put Sam to any trouble, they would leave now. Sam said you can’t take the children out in this weather, he would be pleased if they stayed tonight and he would help her tomorrow, she could do with a good night’s sleep. He ran a bath for her, she was so grateful, her body was aching. It was a lovely bath and he gave her a dressing gown that he kept for guests.

While she was having her bath George went out and bought pyjamas, underwear, socks, toiletries and boots for her and the twins. When she came out of the bathroom Sam had cooked them a meal. The twins where watching the TV and drinking hot chocolate. They where starting to relax now. Vicki thanked Sam and said they would get ready to leave now. Charlotte heard her mommy

oh no mommy, do we have to go yet, it is lovely here.

We cannot impose on Mr. Roberts any longer

there is no way you are leaving here tonight, and please call me Sam. He said

George came back with the shopping for the children and Vicki; he asked Sam if there was anything he could do for them tonight.

No thanks George you get on home.

I will come over in the morning to see if you need any help, he said goodnight to the twins and Vicki and left. Sam, Vicki and the twins sat down and watched television.

Sam had never felt like this before it was an odd feeling, he was thinking that this is what it must be like having a family. Looking around at the children sitting on the floor and Vicki in her dressing gown on the sofa it gave him a feeling of warmth.

At nine o’clock Vicki said to Alistair it is time for bed now, you go into the bathroom first. Sam told Alistair that there were new pyjamas on the bed and a toothbrush for him; George had laid them out in one of the bedrooms that had twin beds. The room had an en suite. Alistair did not moan about going to bed he was worn out. Five minutes later Charlotte went to bed without any moans. Vicki went in to say goodnight. Both of the twins said are you sure we never have to go back home again.

Don’t worry, it is all over now; we will sort it out tomorrow.

Back in the sitting room Sam made Vicki a milky drink, he said Simon gave me a tablet for you to help you sleep, you have to take it half an hour before you go to bed. Do you want it now?

No thanks, I will take it little later, I need to think what I am going to do. I do not see us getting to Scotland within the next week, as the weather is so bad. Eighteen months ago I took the twins to Cornwall for a week’s holiday, we stopped in Bridgeworth at a caravan park. When we got there it was as if I had been there before. Alistair said I could have been, of course I may have been, but I will never know. I just knew where the beach was and the shops. I felt as if I had come home. I think maybe I will go there. I could go back to the Blue Star Park and see if they have a caravan to rent for a month or so, I could get a job and then find a flat to rent. What do you think?

Bridgeworth! You mean Bridgeworth in Cornwall.

Yes why?

I know Bridgeworth very well. What do you mean you will never know?

Oh I had an accident nine years ago and I cannot remember any thing prior to the accident. I am so used to it now that I forget other people do not know about it.

What do the doctors say about this?

I have not seen a doctor as it happened abroad.

Tell me about it.

Do you mind if I tell you tomorrow, I need to get some sleep now.

Of course, you have been through a lot, here take your tablet. I will see you in the morning.

Good night Sam and thank you for your kindness. I am so grateful that the twins did not have to sleep in the car tonight.

I am glad that I could be of some help. Sam said

Sam poured himself a large drink and stood looking out on to his roof garden watching the snow falling thinking about the last few hours. How could any man do what this chap has done to this lovely girl, and two beautiful children? She looked very young to have two children, more like their big sister. He decided that he would do all that he could to help them. There is no way they can travel to Bridgeworth tomorrow in their little freedom car Betsy. He gave smile thinking about the car.

Chapter 2

When Vicki woke up it took her a few minutes to get her thoughts together. Lying in the bed she looked around at the room. So this is what it is like to live in luxury. I wonder what Sam does to be able to afford all of this? I’d better get up and see to the twins.

Vicki went into the kitchen; Sam was cooking and talking to the twins and George.

How do you feel? George asked Vicki

"A lot better now thank you’’ Vicki replied.

Tea? Sam asked.

Oh yes please.

You are looking a little better this morning, how is you face?

A little sore.

Simon said that he would pop up to see you in an hour or so. The twins looked very relaxed drinking hot chocolate.

Mommy, Sam is going to make pancakes after breakfast with chocolate sauce all over them.

George laughed and said "Sam makes the best pancakes in town, why do you think I am here now’.

George came to see if he could be of any help to you

Thank you George that is kind of you. What are the roads like this morning?

"Bad I’m sorry to say. I don’t see you getting away today’

Are you in a hurry to get off today? You can stay here and rest, the twins are happy.

Mommy it is great here please let’s stay Charlotte said.

If it’s ok with Sam Vicki said.

Great! Sam said sit down, a good breakfast is what you need young lady.

Simon came up to see Vicki, he took her in to the bathroom and changed her dressing. He said you were very lucky, if it had been any further towards your eye you would have been in hospital having a major operation by now.

How is the patient doing? Sam asked.

Not fit to travel yet, and anyway, even if she were the weather is too bad. A good rest is what she needs Simon said.

The rest of the day was spent watching television, eating and