‘Yes. She was shopping when I went to get the food today.’
Martha tried to keep her breathing even. All through the rest of the evening she remained on edge, knowing that every time Thomas stared in her direction, he had a look of accusation in his eyes. Yet nothing in his manner changed.
It was only when they were alone that Thomas revealed his true feelings. The table needed clearing. As she went to pick up the plates, he stopped her and roughly grabbed her arm. She turned to face him. Tried her best not to move.
‘You met Laura.’
‘It was . . .’ Martha said. ‘I can’t ignore her.’
Thomas glared into her frightened face, ‘but-I-told-you-not-to-see-her!’
His large hand was raised high. In a terrifying instant, he hit her three times with a closed fist, making her stumble into the table. The glasses flew into the air. Crashed on to the floor, where Martha joined them moments later.
‘Why do you always make me so angry?’ Thomas loomed over Martha’s shaking form, before he strode back into the bedroom.
Writer Ravenclaw 