past four, did Norm just say five past four? Oh God, I can’t think straight.
‘Okay, we’ll probably be there in about an hour.’ I heard Norm say, then he hung up and turned to me and said, ‘Come and sit back down and I’ll tell you what’s happening.’
My eyes ran around the kitchen as if I was just seeing it for the first time. It was a bloody mess in the true sense of the word. There was blood everywhere, some of it was congealed, some too thick to congeal and in places it looked like thick, dark plum jam that had been flung around the floor. I felt nauseous and I put my hand to my throat in an effort to stop myself from becoming violently ill. I could feel a chill run down my spine and the goose bumps, which had risen, over my body, seemed enormous. I hurried into the living room and sat heavily down on the same lounge chair I had risen from less than five minutes previously.
Norm ‘That was the hospital, it’s not good news, but it’s not bad news either.’
Amelia (groaning,) ‘He’s still alive then, Thank God. What’s the bad news?’
Norm They’ve taken him to surgery, he’s lost a hell of a lot of blood, four litres to be exact. He’ll probably be in the theatre about five hours.’
Amelia ‘Christ, four litres?’
Norm ‘Yeah it’s a lot, there’s only five litres in a human body so it’s touch and go for him, Amelia.’
Amelia ‘I know. I didn’t think he’d make it down the stairs let alone to the hospital. He’s a plucky little bastard, isn’t he?’
Ignoring the question,
Norm ‘How did you meet him Amelia?’
Amelia (smirking) ‘An ex-girlfriend introduced us that’s why she’s an ex-girlfriend.’
Norm Kennedy laughed ‘How long have you been married?’
Amelia ‘Almost fifteen years.’
Norm ‘Does Frank drink much?’
Amelia ‘No, not really, he only has to have a couple of beers and he’s in a world of his own.’
Norm “He’s a two-pot screamer?’
I smiled, because I had never heard the expression before, but I thought it described Frank perfectly.
Amelia ‘Yes, that would hit the nail right on the head.’
Norm ‘Has he ever hit you before, Amelia?’
Amelia ‘Oh God that’s a good one. Yes, many times.’
Norm ‘Why?’
I frowned and looked at Norm shaking my head
Amelia ‘Why? Why does he drink? Why does he bash me? Why does he do any bloody thing? If I knew the answers to those questions, mate, I wouldn’t be sitting here now, would I?’
I burst into tears and tried to wipe my face with the now almost shredded tissue.
Amelia ‘I’m sorry, I only wish to God, I could answer that.’
Detective Keith Fletcher walked into the room followed by Vivian, Heather and Claire
Detective Keith Fletcher ‘Amelia, your father and brother are going home do you want the children to go with them?’
Amelia ‘Yes please, if they can unless you both want to speak to them.’
Detective Keith Fletcher ‘I’ve already had a talk to them. That youngest one can talk can’t she? She’d talk the leg off an iron pot.’
Amelia ‘Has she been giving you a hard time?’
Detective Keith Fletcher ‘Not at all, she’s been making me laugh though.’
Amelia ‘God. What’s she been saying?’
He laughed a little chuckling sound
Detective Keith Fletcher ‘She’s been mainly complaining that it’s her father’s fault that she’ll miss out on seeing Mary Poppins at the movies tomorrow.’
Norm Kennedy roared with laughter as I glanced disdainfully at Claire who was smiling innocently at me.
When Norm stopped laughing, I said, ‘It’s bloody pathetic isn’t it?’
Heather and Claire kissed me goodbye and Vivian came up to me and put her arms around me.
Vivian ‘I’ll see you when you get back to Granddad’s place.’
I fought to choke back the tears.
Amelia ‘I’ll be okay, love, don’t worry. Where’s Granddad and Uncle Edward?’
Vivian ‘Just outside on the patio.’
Amelia ‘Can I just say goodbye to Dad please?’
Norm ‘Sure.’
Dad put his arms around me and whispered into my ear that everything was going to be alright, and not to worry about a thing.
He kissed me on the cheek and gave me another hug. As he withdrew his arm, I noticed tears filling his sky-blue eyes.
I thought to myself, Poor Dad, he should be enjoying his retirement, instead of having all this worry heaped onto his lap. I wish I could undo all the heartache I’ve caused him.
‘See you tonight, Amelia, and don’t worry too much, ring us if you need us.’ He hugged me reassuringly and walked down the stairs behind Edward and his two oldest granddaughters. Claire was perched on Edward’s shoulders.
As he sat down on the lounge chair
Keith Fletcher ‘What a day.’
Amelia ‘It hasn’t been a very Happy Christmas for any of us has it? You two look as if you’ve missed your Christmas lunch completely.’
Keith Fletcher ‘No we’re right, we had just come on duty when you rang. But we’d better finish this report or you’ll miss out on your Christmas tea. Just tell us in your own words what happened.’
I took a deep breath and began, ‘I’d better go back to last night.’
I told them of the hair rising drive home and how Frank had demanded to be driven to the pub, then the fight that had ensued when we arrived home.
Keith ‘What time did he get back?’
Amelia ‘I’m not too sure, about nine-thirty, I think. The kids were in bed asleep and I ran and got into bed as soon as I heard the car. I didn’t want him to know that I was awake, so I pretended to be asleep. I heard him making a hell of a din in the kitchen. It seemed like an eternity. Then he eventually came into the bedroom and told me to get up. He wanted me to put the kid’s presents under the tree. And as soon as I came out he began to argue about this that and the other and I just said, ‘Look, Frank, if you want a blue go back to the pub because I don’t want any more fighting ever. I was pretty tired and I had a stinking headache where he’d belted me. He eventually went to bed and flaked. I was very thankful of that, but I was feeling sick and sorry for myself and I sat out watching TV. They were singing Christmas Carols and I couldn’t cop that garbage, so I turned the set off and made my bed here on the lounge. I couldn’t get to sleep though until about four o’clock. The kids got up at five and woke me then they went in and woke Frank. I sat up until about eight o’clock until I thought I was going to keel over. I went into the bedroom but I couldn’t get