Hiding bruises wasn't something I found hard anymore, being married to David for 5 years had helped me in that respect. I was a master at covering everything he inflicted upon me with make-up, of course wearing long-sleeved blouses and skirts helped hide the scars.

I'd had enough of my boss, she'd been on my case all week about being nice to my NQT 'desk buddy' so as she had requested, I was nicer, I smiled at her, I sat by her in staff briefing and most importantly, told her how to deal with Year 11 students that tried to take advantage.

For the most part, I was content, but that was until I slipped up, and my carelessness almost cost me dearly.

It was stressful being a teacher, but what made it 100% worse was making sure I had successfully covered my face in makeup so no one to noticed the marks my husband constantly seemed to decorate my body with.

But today wouldn't be my lucky day, as today was the day I got caught short. Today was the day Emily noticed.

XXX

I managed to get into work early. As I walked across the school complex the rain was lashing down so hard, that, by the time I reached the office I was drenched. I could feel my makeup running down my face like greasy, peachy, tears. I rushed up the stairs and threw my things in the office. I grabbed my makeup bag and went into the bathroom to fix my face.

I watched myself in the mirror I removed my makeup, being careful of my tender cheek; gently I moisturised my face, and grabbed my brushes out, at that moment Emily walked in. Her eyes locked onto mine in the mirror and I watched her face fall.

She walked over to me as I turned away to continue putting on my makeup. "Who did that?" She whispered, resting her hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged her hand off and sighed. "Look it doesn't matter who did it. All that matters is covering it up." I cussed inside, nobody was allowed to see, I didn't want the questions. I pumped foundation onto my hand, then using my brush, gently started to dab it around my cheek. I flinched slightly as I hit the tenderness of the bruise.

"It does matter. Who are you so afraid of anyway? Why is it such a big deal?" Her face was confused like she couldn't make any sense of it.

I turned around and glared at her. "I'm not talking about this now, not ever, especially not here. So stop asking." I snapped

Once I was happy with the coverage I pulled my powder out along and started putting it on; watching Emily as I did so.

Unless you looked very closely you wouldn't notice the bruising or swelling, I mentally high-fived myself. No one would know I had had a beating the night before. 

Emily looked down as I packed my makeup away. We walked out the bathroom together and I took it as my chance. "Please keep this to yourself, Emily." I watched her intently. Her face looked conflicted, but she didn't say anything more on the matter.

The staff room was full by the time we arrived for briefing. Small talk was being made between teachers; Emily stuck to me like glue. I was slightly irritated by it, but actually I remembered when I first started, and how I knew no one, how I wished I had someone to stick by.

As I glanced around the room I noticed new faces in among the crowd. A few I had seen the night before, a few I had not had the pleasure of meeting. I pointed across the room, nudging Emily as I did so. "Watch out for him, he is known for being a bit, rude." I raised my eyebrows.

She nodded and gulped. "Don't worry too much, but if you need help-" I scribbled my number down on a piece of paper, "-this is my number, just give me a ring." I smiled, hoping to relieve her of the panic.

Jayne kicked off briefing by welcoming the new staff, and setting all the department goal posts, explaining the roles we had and all the procedures surrounding safety and student wellbeing. It was then followed by Tilly who gave her normal inspirational talk to try and raise everyone's spirits as we all went in for our first full day of teaching.

I still had my form class from last year, I had taught for 3 years now, and I'd had this form class from the start when I joined them in year 8 - teaching at an all girls school had its challenges, one of them being stopping the constant bickering between girls. But as I walked into that form room, hearing them cheer that I was still here, it lit a spark - it was the reason I wanted to teach.

XXX

I had a free period last, and I decided to take advantage of Tilly's offer to me from last year - I found her, and she agreed, allowing me to leave work at 2:45, allowing me to pick up the children, only Xavier was at school, and Autumn went to the local nursery.

Today was a lucky day - I got to pick up from school. Picking my children up was something I didn't do very often, which David used against me much of the time. I dropped him a text telling him and picked Xavier up from school.

His crystal blue eyes shone as he saw me, his little legs ran towards me as fast as they could, I grabbed him, picking him up and spinning him around. "How is mummy's gorgeous boy?" I asked kissing his head gently.

"We did spelling and I got them right mummy!" He squealed in elation.

I squeezed him tighter and set him down on the floor. I could feel the throb from my beating the night before as I held him up against my side, but the pain on the outside was surpassed by the joy and smiles from my son.

"Awe well done Zay! Shall we go and get Autumn, and then, go home?"

The nursery were surprised to see me turn up, but nice none the less. When I returned home, I sat for a moment. It was blissfully quiet. Outside, the sun was shining - making me decide to do something I hadn't done in years.

I loaded the kids in the car and drove down to Hastings. I dropped David a text, telling him to join us.

At 17:30 on a September evening, the beach was blissfully quiet. I sat on the rocky bay and watched as the sea crashed in and out, I felt peaceful.

Smiling as I watched Xavier and Autumn walking around collecting rocks and shells in their buckets. I felt free as the sea breeze whipped through my hair. Standing up, I wandered closer to the kids, Xavier has holding onto Autumns hand gently, helping her clamber across the rocky beach.

David arrived half an hour later, and we all paddled in the cold sea. He was being charming, reminding me of the boy it was that I fell for years ago. Still dressed in his shirt and tie, he looked ruggedly handsome with his sea tussled hair, I felt warm inside. I longed for days like this.

His hand hung loosely in mine as he smiled at me. David's ebony eyes shone as reflections of the sun hit off the waves of the sea. "How was your first day back with the kids at school Angie?" He asked, his features softening.

"It was good!" I smiled back, mentally treading on eggshells around what he may or may not say next.

But I was surprised, in a nice way.

"I heard that Tilly is leaving at the end of the autumn term?" He questioned, his tone easy going. "Will she be throwing another of her fancy parties to say goodbye?" He asked, tossing a pebble further into the sea.

"Actually all of us staff are throwing her one, we couldn't have her sneak off without a party." I laughed thinking back to some of the wild things that she had organised over the past 3 years. "It's on the last Friday of term, can you make it?" I asked in a lowered tone, fearful of what he would say once more.

He sighed. "I can't actually, I checked your term dates earlier and I'm going up to Manchester the day before and coming back on the Saturday for our final court case on NCA FLP." He stroked my arm. "You can go without me, I don't mind, your mum can have the kids."

My mind was racing. I was rarely allowed to big things without him. "Thank you honey." I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest. This was the guy I fell in love with.

We went out for dinner, he was kind, and made me feel special.

I forgave him, in hindsight, I was weak and easily lead this charming behaviour, but that was clearly my coping mechanism, coping with the years of abuse he had put me through.

As we walked back to the car David held my hand, he was gentle and careful with me, he held onto me like he used to when we were kids. His charming behaviour continued, the manipulative man was gone, and in his place was the playful, happy man I knew he kept locked up inside.

Xavier fell asleep along with Autumn in the back of the car, and I smiled to myself, my little family seemed perfect again.

———

If you enjoyed this chapter please leave me a star - and leave a comment if you'd like to, or if you have any opinions/suggestions on the chapter, maybe even if you want to share your thoughts on what may happen next!

Next chapter will be up within the week.

Jessie x