It feels like hours go by as I sit on the floor with my hands covering my head, trying to block out everything that’s just happened. When I feel an arm come around me I flinch. “It’s okay Izzy, it’s me.” I hear his voice and I break further. My body crumbles and I slump into his warm sturdy arms. “Shush baby, you’re safe now. He’s gone. He won’t ever hurt you again, I promise.” His hand strokes my back and I curl into the foetal position on his lap. He strokes my hair as I cry. I think about all the things David said, the things about my mother’s death. Dad always told me that she died quickly and she didn’t know it was coming. Obviously that was a lie to protect me from the truth. I imagine my poor mother; all she wanted was gas for her car and she ended up alone, frightened, scared and begging for her life. I wretch, as the thoughts of what that man did to her enter my mind once again. I hear a noise and then shouting as police enter the room, followed quickly by Jenny.
