Not Just for Christmas Ch. 01-04

Claire ran out to the car before he had even brought it to a halt.

"It's been on the news," she rushed. "Gary's been to the police to report the children and me missing. The police are looking for me."

She was frightened and in fact she was shaking with fear. Mike held both her arms above the elbow and looked her in the eyes.

"Claire," he said. "Listen to me. This means we have tell the police where you are."

She trembled at that so he continued at a pace.

"Not right now. You stay in the house for the rest of the day while I contact Victor and see what has to be done. I know one of the high ups in the local force and he owes me a favour. We'll keep you safe."

She relaxed at that, and they went inside. It was clear that Shania knew about the broadcast for she looked scared but the two younger ones were oblivious and were playing happily.

He phoned Victor.

"Yes," Victor said, "I've seen the news. Gary Sonter sounded worried and unhappy, very much the abused and deceived husband. We'll need to be careful around him. Have you been in touch with Liam Truscot?" Liam was a Chief Inspector with the local police whom Mike had mentioned to Claire.

"Not yet, he's next on the list."

"Keep your head down, I'll contact him and explain."

Mike put the phone down. Claire was standing in the doorway, looking worried. He brought her to the kitchen and they sat down to a pot of tea. She was searching Mike's face.

"Claire," he began. "There's no way round it, you'll have to make yourself known to the police in person tomorrow."

She stiffened, "Are you trying to run my life for me again?"

"No," he said. "It's what Victor just said. You can phone them and they might come to you."

"Well, I don't want to involve the police."

"It's out of our hands, if we don't inform the police and they find you, Gary will be informed and your cover will be blown. Victor needs to contact the police for us. He'll tell them of your affidavits and the abuse. That way, they'll call off the search and your whereabouts will not be revealed."

There was a silence and he could tell Claire was processing the information. Then she spoke.

"I'll have to go and see Gary."

"What?" Mike gasped.

"There are papers. Passport. Marriage certificate. Council Tax statement. I need them to get my mail forwarded. I left them behind. I've got to get them."

"It's too dangerous, Claire," he begged. "Look what he did last time."

"Mike," she said, and he could see how resolute she was. "He's my husband; we've been married a long time. Before Ryan was born we had lots of good years. He's only started drinking and beating me up over the past four or five years."

"But you've said you're going to divorce him!" Mike exclaimed totally puzzled.

"It's only fair I tell him to his face," she said doggedly. "He deserves that at least."

"But Claire," Mike pleaded, "he beat you up, it's dangerous."

"Mike!" she snapped at him. "You said you wouldn't interfere with my life and now you're trying to interfere. Don't. I'll lead my own life. I'm going to see him. If you want to cut up rough perhaps we need to leave."

Mike sat there amazed. He had found her and her children, and had played the big powerful protector. By implication she was the poor weak victim, didn't her bruises and her demeanour prove it?

Now he realised he was wrong. She was strong, she was stubborn and she was right. Mike had told her he would not interfere and he had tried to do just that. However grateful she might feel, she was not going to relinquish her newfound independence. She would put him in his place if he needed it. He began to admire her spirit, and to entertain a little more respect for her, and perhaps something more.

His silence was beginning to unsettle her.

"It's OK," he reassured her. "I apologise. You are right; I have no business interfering in your life. It's just that..." he fumbled for the right words. "In the short time I've known you I've... Well, I worry about you; I care and I'm afraid he'll do you more damage."

"Mike," she smiled then, and her eyes took on that beautiful look. "The only time he's been violent is when he's been drunk. He's always sorry afterwards. He begs my forgiveness and always tells me it will never happen again but we both know it will. This time it's different. He punched and kicked his own daughter. That finishes everything between us."

There was a look of steel there. Mike knew she spoke the truth.

He shrugged his shoulders. "But when you tell him that-"

"Don't worry Mike," she said gently. "I'll tell him I need a little time away after the last beating. He'll go along with me if he thinks there's a chance I'll go back eventually."

"But you won't?"

"No."

Mike must have looked relieved for she smiled lovingly at him. Yes, it was lovingly, he was sure of that.

"Thank you for worrying about me. I really do appreciate it. You're the best thing that's happened to me in a long time."

"Just make sure that you put me in my place when I get out of hand." Mike said, as sternly as he could muster.

"Don't worry about that either," she said with a happy touch of grimness. "I certainly will!"

"When do you want to go?"

"Now?"

They loaded the children into the car, Claire exclaiming with pleasure at the child seats, and he drove her to town. She wanted to get the bus to her place. Mike suspected it was so he would not know where she lived, but he said nothing. He had learned not to interfere. He drove the children back to the house.

When they were safely indoors, Shania cornered him.

"Mike, where's Mum gone?"

"She's gone to see your father."

"What?" she shouted. "Are you mad? After everything, you let her?"

"Shania," he said patiently, "I said I would not interfere with your lives. Your mother knows what she's doing. She convinced me it will be safe."

"He'll cry and beg and she'll go back to him," she spoke with resignation. "He's done it before."

"Not this time, you've seen to that."

Her dumfounded expression demanded further explanation.

"He punched and kicked you."

She realised then that there would be no going back to her violent father.

"Shania, don't get the idea I'm happy she's gone. I'm worried sick, but she would have gone anyway."

"I know. My Mum's stubborn as a mule!" They both laughed, and it bonded them further.

Claire arrived three hours later, having got the bus to their nearest bus stop and walked the twenty minutes to the house. The day was cold and bright and her face was ruddy when she came through the door. She had a triumphant smile as she put down her bag and shrugged off her coat, scarf and hat.

After welcoming hugs and kisses had been given and received from her children, she beckoned Mike into the kitchen and they sat down at the table. The children were in possession of the living room and Shania of the study.

"No problems," she said without preamble. "He did his usual weeping and begging. Asked where I was living and where the children were. I gave him a good talking to and said I was safe and so were the children. You know, he never noticed my new coat?"

Mike smiled and raised his eyes heavenward. "Men!" he muttered and she laughed.

"Did you get your papers?" he asked.

"Yes. No problems there. He didn't notice me take them. I told him I'd be collecting some more of the children's clothing and stuff in the next few days. He begged me to go back but I told him I needed time to think. He could see what he's done to me this time and he didn't try to persuade me any further."

She was fully relaxed at last and so was Mike.

That evening he received a phone call and Claire received a visit.

The phone call was from Mike's mother, saying how delighted she was he'd found a nice lassie, and telling him to bring her and her children the next day. No argument. He said he'd ask Claire and get back to her.

The visit was from Liam Truscott. He sat in the living room while the younger children played around him. Mike went to find Claire.

She was apprehensive as she entered the room. Liam stood and smilingly shook hands with her.

"I called to tell you not to worry, Mrs Sonter," he said, as they all sat down. "You don't have to go to the station, I've come to you. We know about the violence and your whereabouts won't be revealed to Mr Sonter. He may demand to see the children at a later date but getting that sorted out will take weeks."

Claire mumbled her thanks and Liam asked to look at the photos and examined her face. He looked grim.

"Get an injunction against him, Mrs Sonter. Mike here will help you. You need to protect the children and yourself of course."

After he had gone Mike sat her down again. She looked resentful and was obviously prepared for another onslaught about social services.

"I know what you're thinking, Claire," he said firmly. "It isn't that. How do you feel about a short holiday?"

"A what?

"Well, two days away. Give you a break."

"But the children. I can't leave-"

"Them as well."

He explained the situation. She looked doubtful. He pointed out that there would be lots of friendly people there. She would love his mother and father. The children would be loved to death and Shania would have two teenage boys to keep her happy. Shania heard the latter and joined her entreaties to Mike's.

He could tell Claire was far from certain about it but gave in gracefully after he pointed out that New Year celebrations in Scotland were something to experience, and packing got under way for an early start the next day.

Now Mike had driven all over Britain and Europe, and even in the States, but always with adults or alone. He was not prepared for the experience of travelling with a full car, half the occupants being children. It was by turns frenetic, ear-splittingly loud and argumentative.

However there was also much laughter and many travelling games. Mike mentally put Claire on the highest pedestal for her ingenuity in thinking of all sorts of games for the family to play to pass the time on the boring motorway. The woman was a marvel; how her husband could treat her so badly was a mystery to Mike.

One other thing. They had to stop at practically every motorway services for toilet breaks! It made a three and a half journey into a trek of over five hours.

The two days passed in a whirl and very, very happily. Mike could later remember little of it, but some things were firmly printed on his memory with loving wistfulness.

There was Claire's welcome. Mike's mother was a large woman, generous of size, of spirit and of love. Claire did not have a chance; she was enveloped in two big arms and crushed to a pair of ample breasts. She emerged looking dazed and happy - content, Mike thought.

Shania laughed when Mike got the same treatment until, that is, Mam saw her laughing and repeated the exercise. Shania was still smiling broadly when she emerged. Then the two young ones wanted their share and everyone was Mam's adopted child.

The adults, as Mike expected, doted on the children and there was always someone ready to listen and to play. Catherine of course was the children's favourite.

Mike's most treasured memory was that of midnight New Year. Everyone hugged and kissed everyone else and sang Auld Lang Syne but afterwards he noticed he hadn't seen Claire in the succeeding melee. Then George nudged him.

"She's just slipped out. Go on laddy!"

So Mike followed and found her in the hallway.

"Are you all right?" he asked, worried.

She smiled. "I am now. Happy New Year Mike," and she came to him, put her arms round his neck and kissed him gently but quite sensuously and at some length.

When they at last broke apart. She looked up at him with arched eyebrows. "All right?" she asked with a half smile.

"Och yes," he answered her. "Glad you came?"

"Mike it's been so wonderful!" A tear came to her eyes. "It's been many years since I've been so loved. I told you about my family. I'm so grateful to you and to all your family."

"OK," he said. "Another kiss?"

She did kiss him again, but it was rather shorter and less sensuous than the first. However this time, pressed against him as she was, she really did feel his rising enthusiasm down below. She smiled as they stood at arm's length holding both hands. Then she was serious.

"I don't know how to say this. I feel... Well, it's a hell of a lot more than gratitude to you, that's all I'll say."

"Yes, and I'm grateful you've come into my life, you and the children. You've been through too much. I think I can understand."

She smiled, and so did he. There was something new between them, and neither of them wanted to name it or to spoil it. She darted forward and kissed him again briefly and then was off back to the party.

As befits the aftermath of a good party, no one was abroad the next morning until eleven, except Ann, who heard Claire's younger children and played with them until the rest of the family emerged.

The farewells were involved, each member of Clare's family needing to kiss and hug each of the hosts. As Mike embraced George, George said quietly, "Hold on to that one, she's just right for you laddy."

His mother and even his father said the same. Mike was not so sure, though the possibility was attractive. She was beautiful, and he was glad they had a growing friendship. Perhaps, he thought, she wanted no more than that.

Catherine was returning to Mike's house before getting the flight home to the States. Shania asked if she could go with her rather than the crowded family car. So they were off in convoy.

-

Catherine got her flight amid much hugging and even tears. Mike could see how moved she was.

Friday dawned cloudy and damp. A light drizzle hung in the air and as a result there was a hint of mist or fog, but it was warmer than the day before. Claire needed to redirect her mail so the whole family had to go into town to the Post Office, and Mike took the opportunity to check on the programmes. Shania asked to go with him rather than go to the Post Office and Claire nodded her agreement.

Shania took his arm and walked along with him. Mike began to think that he was becoming her father-figure and wondered if he could rise to that sort of responsibility. It was out of his hands so he enjoyed the loving companionship the girl was offering.

The programmes had run their course and the bugs were listed. It would be a short job, seven or eight hours work, but for one for the team when they returned, not for Mike. Shania was interested and asked many searching questions; he realised that she was very intelligent.

The rest of the day was taken with cleaning the house, Claire and Mike sharing the work. Then they played some games with the younger children. After that Claire and the younger children went off exploring the neighbourhood. Shania was 'talking' to her friends on the computer.

So this was normal family life, Mike thought. He could live with that. He wondered for how long Claire would stay.

He nipped out to the Home to see his friends and to wish everyone a Happy New Year. He did not stay because Shania was on her own at home.

On Saturday, the family shopped for food and returned at lunchtime. The rest of the weekend was quiet.

Monday was the first day back to normal life. At least it should have been. Claire had to get Shania to school which was now miles away, get the younger children into a new school and tell the old school what had happened. Without transport this would have taken all day, so Mike took Shania to school and Claire warned the said establishment about Gary. Then Claire, Mike and the younger children went to Mike's office and he introduced Claire to Rosemary, his Personal Assistant.

Rosemary Blackett was Wonder Woman in disguise. She had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the business, and the necessary scientific understanding that comes from a doctorate in Physics. The only mystery Mike had never been able to solve about her was that with her talent she was content to be his personal assistant.

He knew she had wanted be at home to bring up her children and had done so. When the youngest child was well into his school life she came to work for Mike, stressing that her family came first. Now she was fifty-five years old and the children were grown. She could have walked into a much better paid job, but told Mike she loved to work with him. Who was he to complain?

It was a relationship of equals, indeed she tended to mother him, and so it was with a motherly air that she was obviously assessing Claire. She seemed to like what she saw and the two children took to her immediately, though Ryan took a few minutes to follow his older sister's example.

Mike finished going over what needed doing, all of which Rosemary had got sorted before he arrived and so he was soon able to leave.

"Any time you want a babysitter," she called after Claire. "You only have to ask!"

Claire smiled and waved.

"She's nice," Claire said to him as they drove to the school that Mike reckoned was the best in the area. Mike lived in a good area in any case, but this Primary School was outstanding. It also had the advantage of being a short walk from the house.

As it happened, the school had vacancies in each of the classes into which the children would go, and Claire liked the head and the teachers concerned. They were very concerned about her bruising, and advised an injunction to prevent Gary from taking the children out of school. Mike was impressed. It was what he'd been telling Claire all along. He nearly said as much but caught that look in her eye and shut up.

The children would start the next day, so the next step was to go and buy uniforms for them, which was straightforward. Shania was coming home under her own steam, though Mike could see Claire was worried until she came through the door.

So from the Tuesday on, things settled down into some sort of routine. Mike went back to work full time and Claire took on the housekeeping duties with enthusiasm. They discussed with Shania about changing schools, but she wanted to stay with her friends and the school was a good one. Claire's only reservation was that the school was near to Gary's house and she worried he might try to see her. However, she still refused to get an injunction against him.

"I don't think he would try to abduct her or force her to stay with him," was Claire's opinion which Mike did not share and told her so, getting a look which told him to keep his nose out of her family's affairs. He told her he couldn't help wanting to help. She snapped that that was not the way.

He bought a laptop for Claire and Shania, and set up the wireless connection to his router. Claire got herself a provisional licence and began driving lessons, daily ones while the children were at school. She made rapid progress and her instructor put her in for an early test. She passed the written part with ease.

She enrolled at the local college for "A" levels in English Literature, Art and Design, and to Mike's surprise, Physics. He had not known that she had gained 'A*' grades in all ten subjects at GCSE level before going on to sixth form and that she was very good at science while loving art. He realised that had she not become pregnant, she would have gone to university. She had a lot of catching up to do since she was a term late starting. She buried herself in the work during the day and Mike helped in the evenings by occupying the children, supervising Shania's homework schedule and getting the younger ones to bed on time, though Claire always read them a story and sat with them for the time it took for them to fall asleep.

Over the next four weeks Claire's facial and other injuries healed and Mike's initial thought that she was very attractive even when bruised, was vindicated. She was indeed a very beautiful woman facially with a long neck and a slender hour-glass figure atop shapely legs. Her hair, which when they met was straggly, she had cut and shaped which set off her delicate facial features perfectly.