Broken & Damaged Love (13 page)

As soon as Frank opened the door a whirlwind whooshed into his arms and half collapsed as Tina sought her safe haven.

Frank had to help her stand up so he could guide her to the sofa. The air was filled with her pitiful cries, and her face was streaked with tears, her eyes already red and swollen and a trail of snot running from her nose.

Frank quickly sought a box of tissues to offer.

“Jesus, Tina. What the hell happened? You’re scaring me,” he asked as she wiped at her face with tissues.

“He…he…Frank…ooohhh…” she wailed.

“Shh…deep breaths now. You’re here.”

“I’ll go make some tea,” Jake offered, making a swift exit out of the room.

Of course, he could have done so there, but he was just looking for an excuse to give Tina some space. He didn’t feel he should be there with her in such distress. Tina and Frank barely noticed.

“OK. Slowly. That’s better,” Frank soothed as Tina struggled to gain some composure.

“Easy breaths. That’s right.” He rubbed her back as he said this.

“My father,” Tina blurted out. “He…he phoned me.”

She started sobbing again.

“Your father? What the…? But he’s in prison.”

Tina shook her head violently, “Apparently not now.”

In staggered breaths she managed, “They just let him out.

“He said he was coming to see me.

“It was awful! He was so angry.

“He told me what they did to him in prison. The other inmates…they pick on people like him…they raped him.”

She couldn’t get any more words out, as her body was wracked with sobs once more.

She felt tremendous guilt; she was the one who had put him in there, and let those things happen to him, he’d told her as much. When she managed to explain this to Frank he just got angry at her.

“No Tina. Don’t you dare. Don’t you fucking dare listen to him! We’ve been through this. You know better.”

Jake walked in just in time to overhear but tried to make himself discreet as he put the tea things down on the side.

“B..b…but…he…s…s…said…”

“NO! He did this. HIM. Not you. He was the one who did those things to you. He is the one at fault. Because of his actions he ended up in prison. You asked for none of this. None! It is not your fault, you hear me?”

She launched herself into his arms for a hug, where she couldn’t help but cry more, but this time with some relief as some of his sense hit home.

Jake could only look on. He felt uncomfortable seeing this girl in his lover’s arms. He felt embarrassed by it, but he couldn’t deny the jealousy rising up in him.

He didn’t know details, but something was obviously very wrong, and someone had been in prison.

He walked the mugs of sweet hot tea over and put them down on the coffee table.

“There you go. This will help.”

Tina picked up a mug and hugged it with both hands, feeling its warmth. She was still trembling.

“Do you want me to go?” Jake offered.

“No. Oh please don’t let me chase you away. I’m so sorry,” Tina apologised.

“He doesn’t know. I’ve not told him anything,” Frank informed her.

She looked at him quizzically.

“Nothing?”

“It’s your story to tell. Not mine.”

“Then please do say. I don’t think I can.”

She brought her legs up to her chest and started sipping the hot tea. As she slowly calmed down, Frank filled Jake in on the details of Tina’s abuse story.

Tina looked down at the floor, lost in her own world, not really listening to what the guys were saying. Jake’s mouth dropped further and further with each revelation.

“Fuck! So he just got out and phoned you?” Jake asked, aghast.

He had to repeat the question before Tina heard him. She just nodded her response in a daze.

“Have you phoned the police?”

Tina looked sheepish, “No. I just came straight here. I couldn’t stay in the house. I was terrified he was lurking somewhere.”

“Was he? Did you see anyone follow you here?”

“No, nobody followed me. I drove here looking in my rear view mirror most of the way. It’s a miracle I didn’t crash really.”

“And he doesn’t know you come here?”

“I don’t see how. He wouldn’t even know I’m friends with Frank. How could he? He was in prison when I first met Frank.”

“Good. So you’re safe here. You’re staying for the night. And you’re phoning the police right now.”

Tina was bolstered up with Jake’s practical attitude. She was thankful he was taking control. The boys were sitting either side of her as she made the phone call. 

As she hung up she updated the guys.

“They’re sending a patrol round to drive by, just to make sure they can’t see anyone suspicious. And they’ll send an officer round in the morning to get details.”

The words sounded mechanical. Frank and Jake each put an arm around her (sitting either side of her).

“And we’ll be right here,” Frank assured her. “Would you like something a little stronger than tea?”

Tina looked up then, and noticed the remains of the candlelight dinner, the candles still aglow.

“Oh my God, I’ve interrupted, haven’t I? I’m so sorry,” she gasped.

It was Jake who interjected first, “No worries. They’ll be other nights.”

“Oh no! Oh, I feel so bad now. I’m really sorry.”

Frank had got up and poured the rest of the wine out into three glasses. He gave Tina the largest.

“Your safety comes first. Honestly, don’t worry.

“Oooh…hang on a mo.”

He whizzed over to the side and grabbed another bowl, and dished up the sugary Toffee Pecan Roulade.

“Here; ultimate comfort food,” he exclaimed.

Tina didn’t think she’d manage to eat anything, but after the first mouthful she craved more. She gobbled up the sweet goodness, and it helped ‘bring her back’ a bit.

“Thanks guys.”

“You’re welcome,” they said in unison.

Frank and Jake continued their efforts in calming Tina down. The red wine was soporific and they pointed her towards Pete’s empty bed.

Jake was more than happy to scooch up to Frank in his bed. It was a tight squeeze but they didn’t mind.

As they quietly waited for Tina’s breathing to slow Jake hugged Frank to his front as they spooned. He planted a kiss on Frank’s neck, making him quiver.

“You’re amazing!” he whispered.

“How about we’re amazing together?” Frank used Jake’s words from earlier and grinned. 

In the morning the trio were all showered and fed by the time the police arrived.

Jake had made himself scarce by washing up all the dinner things from the night before. With all the commotion everything had just been left.

He used the time to absorb all the information about Tina. He just couldn’t believe one human could do that to another, especially a father to his own daughter. It was barbaric.

He felt so upset for the poor girl, and angry at the man. He half hoped Tina’s father did show up, just so he could knock him off his feet. He wasn’t generally violent, but he’d done Martial Arts in the past, and still kept his muscles in shape. He had no fear of facing off that scumbag.

He chuckled at himself and shook his head and the powerful emotion. What had happened to him? He was a lover not a fighter.

But then Tina was important to the man he loved; she was like family. He saw that now. And he was very protective of family.

“Huh,” he wondered to himself. “So that makes Frank family? I have got it bad,” and he shook his head again as he carried on his washing up ponderings.

Jake had re-joined Tina and Frank just in time for the WPC to arrive. They welcomed her in and offered a hot drink, which of course she declined. Tina insisted the boys stayed in the room with her; she didn’t think she could get through this without them.

The police interview was very formal, and matter of fact. Tina thought back all those years when she’d first had to confess her father’s sins to the police. She hadn’t thought she’d have to go through that ordeal again. And nor should she.

The WPC explained that Dean had been released but with conditions set upon him. He was on the Sex Offenders Register, and had a restraining order from contacting Tina. He was also supposed to inform the police of his location; something he’d neglected to do.

The police officer explained to Tina that once he was found, Dean would be put back into prison for breaching his conditions. Just one breach would be enough, but he’d broken them twice.

The police woman looked at Tina’s mobile phone. Tina hadn’t changed her number, and Dean had called her on that phone. The lady looked at the ‘calls received’ log, and sighed in relief as a number flashed up.

“He got cocky and we got lucky!” she muttered.

“He’s called from a landline. I’ll get it checked out. Hopefully we’ll be able to locate him from there.”

She had written down all the details Tina had provided, and got her to sign the statement. It would all go on Dean’s record. Tina’s stomach plummeted as she realised she’d have to go through the court process again, and be responsible for putting her father back inside.

“Uh huh, I know that look,” admonished Frank.

“What?”

“Tell me what you were thinking. It was much too guilt ridden. It was written all across your face.”

“I was just thinking about going back to court,” she half confessed.

“It’s still his fault, Tina. You heard her,” he said nodding at the WPC.

“He is in breach of his release order, whatever it is.”

“Your friend’s right,” the police woman said.

“He could have lived on the outside if he chose. But he has failed to report his whereabouts, and he has made contact with you. You’ve done the right thing by informing us. And it seems like your friends here will support you. And this time there will be no court. He will be recalled straight back to prison and will have to face a parole board. He’ll be facing an extended sentence for this breach of license.”

Tina smiled woefully and thanked her for her kindness.

Frank had told Tina she could stay with him as long as she needed. He’d clear it with the uni. He was sure it wouldn’t be a problem given the circumstances.

Tina really didn’t want to go back home whilst her dad was on the loose. She didn’t feel safe there. Come to think of it, she never had felt safe there really.

Shortly after the police woman left, Pete came home.

“Oi oi saveloy! I just passed the police on my way in. You been up to mischief?” he teased as he came in through the door.

“Not funny,” Frank admonished.

It was at that moment Pete noticed Tina was there.

“Oh, Sorry. I thought it was just you two lads. Everything all right?”

“Not really,” Tina said glumly.

“Shit. Sorry. I was only teasing. I didn’t expect the cops to have actually been to see you.”

Pete blushed as he realised just how much he’d put his foot in it.

“You weren’t to know.”

Tina’s eyes were so full of hurt. He would have done anything to wipe all that away, and take back the idiotic things he’d said.

Pete went to his part of the room to drop his overnight bag off.

“Somebody’s been sleeping in my bed,” he teased in a Goldilocks narrator’s voice.

“Still not funny,” Frank shouted over to him.

Pete came back over.

“Wow, this really is serious, isn’t it? Would someone like to tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“So, he doesn’t know anything either?” Frank chided.

“I don’t think I can. Not at the moment.”

Pete felt slightly offended.

“Tina, you can tell me anything. Please know that. There’s no judgement. If you’re in trouble please let me know how I can help.”

“It’s been a rough night, and a horrible morning. I just don’t think I’m up to it right now. Frank. Is there somewhere I can have a bath please? I need to feel clean.”

“Sure. I’ll show you the way.”

He grabbed his towel and toiletries and led Tina to the bathroom.

“It’s OK. You can lock the door and you won’t be bothered.”

Tina gave him a hug before shooing him away.

The boys were great, but she needed some time to herself and wash away last night.

Before making him go, she did let Frank know he could tell Pete her tale.

“I think it might be better coming from you.”

“I know. But I just can’t right now. Just tell him the basics and I’ll go through it with him some other time. Call it therapy!”

“If you’re not ready to tell him then I shouldn’t either.”

“This situation is going to get messy. He needs to know what’s going on. It’s not exactly ideal timing. To be honest, I’d rather not have the conversation with him at all. Not yet anyway. You’re the only person I’ve ever really told. I don’t want the whole world knowing.”