Leaving For Good

He punched her splitting her lip as he snatched her purse, sending her reeling backwards . ‘Piss off bitch I need that money.’ he spat.
 
‘But how will we eat if it’s spent on drugs?’
 
'Use the food bank like the other tossers' he shouted slamming the door.
 
Sarah came creeping downstairs clutching her Teddy her frightened eyes staring ‘are you all right mummy? Can I get you mended?’
 
‘Sarah darling you’re only five and mummy is a big girl she can mend herself.’
 
'Why does he hit you Mummy?'
 
‘Cos he takes drugs Sarah he’s sick sweetheart that’s all.’
 
‘I don’t like it when he hits you Mummy I’m scared.’
 
Mandy sat down on the settee and gathered her daughter to her breast. She’d been devastated after Sarah’s father had left then, a year later, she’d met John. At first things were fine, they both worked hard and Sarah seemed happy; then he got into drugs.
 
‘Why do people take drugs mummy?
 
She dabbed her mouth with a tissue 'they get sick in their heads sweetheart and do silly things.’
 
‘Will he leave us and go to another lady like daddy did?’
 
Oh if only she thought I've had enough of this and Sarah is terrified. ‘Angel I can’t say, why don’t you ask him when he’s well again?
 
Sarah flinched her eyes widened ‘No mummy he’ll punish me again.’
 
Awful fear gripped Mandy ‘punish you? When did he punish you baby?
 
‘I can’t tell mummy it’s secret.’
 
Mandy’s soul froze ‘Sarah, darling, has he touched you anywhere?’
 
Sarah’s eyes welled and she burst into uncontrollable sobs ‘he says if I tell he’ll hit you until you die then some people will come and take me away’ Sarah wailed. ‘Please mummy, please if he doesn’t hurt you it’s alright.’
 
Mandy’s heart almost burst as she rocked Sarah in her bosom; the bastard, she thought, the unspeakable bastard.
 
Mandy put Sarah to bed. She thought hard. If she reported him now Sarah would be taken into care immediately. This had to be done right. Raiding her meagre secret fund Mandy bought rum. An hour later he returned contrite. ‘Mandy, I’m sorry I hit you baby, really I am, it won’t happen again love honest.’
 
With great difficulty she forced a smile and shrugged ‘ah well shit happens, have a drink. Peace offering.’
 
Soon he was snoring. She went through his pockets finding his remaining drugs. Having watched him she knew what to do. Feeling cold hatred she inserted the needle into his vein then, sitting astride him, she slapped him awake. ‘I thought I’d tell you before you die I know what you did to Sarah.’
 
Terror shone in his bulging eyes ‘I'm sorry Mandy, honest, I won’t touch her again, I swear.’
 
‘Correct arsehole’ she sneered pushing the plunger ‘you sure got that bit right.’
 
His was just another tragic junky O D death. Sarah would get her treatment now without being taken into care.