STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

(Continued)

Diane glared at Walt as Robert left. "Why don't you leave us alone?" she hissed. "My boy has chores to do and homework. I want him to go to a good secondary school."

Too late she saw Walt's expression. "You got any money, it's mine. I'm the husband."

"Never!" yelled Diane, and for the first time in ten years, Walt swung his fist and caught her in the face. She crumbled and fell and lay still. "It's your boy next," he thundered, rubbing his knuckles. You always make me hit you. It's your own fault." 

He threw a cup down near her, smashing it, kicked her and went out slamming the door so violently the glass panel cracked.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Diane came to, in a haze of pain. She couldn't let Robert see her on the floor, and reaching for a chair, pulled herself upright. With shaking fingers she dialed the newspaper office. Clive Neilson  answered and she suddenly burst into huge sobs. She had meant to call in sick, but then felt too weak and dizzy and the tears had just flowed. Haltingly she explained.

Within minutes, Mr Neilson and the police were there. They surveyed her battered face in horror. Diane was also bent over, her ribs having been cracked in two places by Walt's heavy boots before he left.

Despite her protests, she was taken to the hospital for a checkup and treatment.

Mr Neilson cleaned up the kitchen, the broken cup and the blood by himself, after checking all was well at the office. He decided then to see Leaf and Robert.

Diane had whispered his whereabouts through sore lips before she left.