FORTIETH INSTALMENT

Mum walked out as she had heard the same familiar sound. I pulled the curtain to the side and looked out. There parked out the front was Jay. He pulled up on the road directly in front of our house. 

His windows were tinted so we couldn't see who he had brought to deal with my Mum. I pulled back and looked at mum. My entire body was on fire. My chest tightened and I told mum to hide. 

I heard the car door close then another door close, there were two people. 'Who's coming' was all I had running through my head. "Mum take Ava" I managed to say. She just looked at me. Viv and the boys had left so it was Mum, Barry, Ava and me all alone.

 Mum picked up the phone and called Viv. Viv said she would be right over with the boys. They were at least 45 minutes away. I was really freaking out but trying to stay strong.

I finally got the courage to pull the curtain aside again. I couldn't see anyone, Jay's car was running so I know he was still in it as he never left his keys in his car. As I was still peaking out behind the curtain I heard loud knocking on the door. Mum walked to the kitchen and peaked out from behind the curtain in there. "It's Arthur and Heff" she whispered from the doorway to the lounge room. "Barry take Ava and hide, please!!" I said desperately. He took her to his room and pulled his blind down so no one could see in. He closed his door behind him ever so quietly as Arthur and Heff (my step brother) could hear everything through the fibro walls. 

The banging continued then I heard Arthur "Open the door" he yelled. I wasn't so much frightened of him or Heff to me he was a drunk and no matter what I knew he wouldn't hurt Mum. The chain was attached to the door when is opened it and looked through. I wanted to make sure Jay wasn't there. 

"What do you want?" I said to them. Arthur looked at me with those eyes. "Just get your Mother" he spat at me. I looked at Heff and could see he wasn't angry at me. We had always gotten on. I closed the door and went and got mum. Mum repeated my steps when opening the door checking to see Jay wasn't there.

She opened the door and they pushed past her. I grabbed the door and pushed it shut and locked it and put the chain back on.

Mum and Arthur went to the kitchen and Heff just sat on our lounge. He couldn't look me in the eyes. "Why did you come here?" He didn't answer and he didn't look at me. "Heff! Answer me" I said giving him a shove. He looked up "you just pissed off and left Dad, why do you think we are here". I asked why he had come with Jay and what a stupid question that was. "He knew where you were and he said he would bring us to you so Dad could sort out your mum" Heff stated. We spoke for ages and mum spoke with Arthur. 

Heff told me to watch Jay as he was going to kill me. Jay thought that Arthur would do something to hurt mum but Jay didn't know him well. Arthur being a drunk can say anything to get what he wants and he wanted to see mum but he wouldn't hurt her. 

I heard another car door then yelling. Jay's car started sped off. I looked out the front just as I moved towards the door I heard Viv "Emily! Let me in". I opened the door and hugged her. "Where mum?" She asked. I pointed towards the kitchen. The boys where following her. The moved straight in and walked toward Heff and they were not happy. I had run over and stand in front of Heff. I explained that they were just here to talk to mum. I heard mum saying the same thing to Viv. 

A few hours later the phone rang. I was afraid to answer but I had some courage because Viv and the boys were there. I picked up the phone, there on the end of the line was Jay "put Heff on the phone" Jay said to me. I handed the phone over. I only heard one side of the conversation but it really was just to say where Jay was going to pick them up from.

Heff handed me the phone back "he wants you!" Heff said. I really didn't want to take this call but I did "I will be watching you and when you least expect it, I WILL DEAL WITH YOU" he stated. I didn't respond but the tears welled in my eyes and started to run down my cheeks uncontrollable. I hung up the phone. 

I don't know what Mum and Arthur said to one another but when Arthur and Heff left not long after mum and Arthur hugged. This was tier goodbye. Mum looked relieved when she came back in.

Everyone stayed that night just in case. I wasn't surprised I didn't hear Jay's car again as he had to drive Arthur and Heff back to my beloved home town.

After they left I called Layla "did you tell Jay where I am?" I asked " he told me you did" Layla was not happy "if that's what you think you can get fucked!" Then she hung up before I could say anything. I was so upset but dare bit call her back. It wasn't the reaction I was expecting and to be honest I didn't know what to think at this time as I felt so unsafe and didn't know who to trust.

That weekend Viv called and invited us all over to stay. "Emily, I've got someone that wants to meet you" she said to me. We agreed. We arrived at Viv's unit and got ready to go out. When we got to her pub we went straight to the indoor beer garden. 

Viv stood up and waved at someone to come over. The beer garden was full of sailors. I didn't pay attention to who it was Viv waved over as I was busy rocking Ava after her feed. She was always a good baby.

"Grant, this is Emily! Emily this is Grant". There standing next to me was a dark skinned, dark hair, dark eyed guy. I didn't know what to say so I managed a "hi". Viv asked mum and Barry to go with her to order a meal. She was trying to leave us alone to set me up....