Run Away From Him
Oh, hi there, friend! Charlotte slid onto the chair next to me with her familiar cheerful grin. It’s been ages. Hows life?
Hi, Char, I replied flatly. Everythings fine.
If thats true, why cant you look me in the eye? Charlotte peered at me, concern creasing her brow. Has Oliver been up to something again? What is it this time?
Oh, dont be so dramatic, I rolled my eyes, instantly regretting coming to this café at all. Everythings just peachy between us. Oliver and I have a perfect relationship. Honestly, hes a good man. Can we not talk about this?
Without waiting for Charlottes reply and ignoring her huff of disapproval I got up and left, abandoning half a slice of Victoria sponge. I didnt care for anyones opinions, foolishly thinking jealousy was all it was.
Oliver was well, fantastic. Handsome, well-off, attentive. Sure, he had the odd strange request. Like the time he forbid me from dyeing my hair blonde.
That was the first time we had a massive row. We nearly split up over something so trivial!
Id gone to the hairdressers for a bit of a trim. The stylist, an old friend, swore I belonged as a blonde. On impulse, I let her work her magic. I came home with platinum curls.
Olivers face went ashen with fury. A book the very one hed been reading, lounging on the sofa came flying across the room at me. The things he said and a demand: dye it back. Straight away. No blondes were allowed under his roof.
Quietly swallowing my tears, I dashed to the nearest salon. The girls there tried to persuade me to keep it; the new colour suited me. But when I broke down sobbing, they set to work, fixing it as I asked.
Oliver simply nodded, satisfied, without saying a word. The next morning, he gave me an expensive bracelet, as if that would make up for everything.
But then came the ban on white clothing. Red, blue, green anything but white. Once, joking, I teased him about what colour my wedding dress would be. The look he gave me silenced any further curiosity.
You should run, Charlotte once pleaded. Seriously, run and dont look back. Today its white clothes, tomorrow maybe you cant even leave the house. I dont care how nice he is, you need someone normal.
Everyone has their quirks, I just shrugged. Its serious between us. Were even talking about a baby. Oliver really wants a girl. Hes even picked a name: Gemma. And you think I should run.
****************************************
I shouldve listened to Charlotte. She was spot on about Olivers oddities, and soon I learnt just how deep they went.
There was always that one room in Olivers flat I wasnt allowed into. The door was always locked. One time I joked:
Are you related to Bluebeard or something?
Dont worry, Oliver smirked in that odd way of his, I dont keep my exes corpses in there.
And that was that at least, until fate intervened. One afternoon, I came home early from uni last lecture was cancelled because the professor was away. I was sure Oliver was in, but the place was empty. Passing by the forbidden door, I heard faint voices. I pressed gently. Through the narrow gap, I caught a glimpse that chilled me to the bone.
A gigantic portrait of a young woman filled the wall. Oliver was kneeling before it.
The girl in the painting smiled sweetly, her hands reaching out. She looked uncannily like me sisters, perhaps, except her hair was blonde.
Not much longer now, Gemma. Well be together soon, Oliver muttered over and over. I felt a wave of hurt and almost burst in to confront him, until he spoke again.
Shell give birth to my daughter, she will. And then your soul can finally live in that tiny body. Youll be with me. Forever. Ill look after you, and when youre grown, well love each other again.
Maniac!
The word rang through my panicking mind. My friends were right! But what now? How do you escape a madman? Worst of all I was actually pregnant. It was early days, too soon to tell anyone.
My parents lived miles away. The only close friend nearby was Charlotte. So thats where I went.
I never, ever thought Oliver could be like this, I whispered, fists clenched. If I hadnt seen it myself, I wouldnt have believed it!
Calm down, Charlotte handed me a glass of water. I drained it without protest. You need to decide. Are you staying with him?
Absolutely not! I shook my head fiercely. Hes unhinged! Im terrified for myself, and for the baby. I managed a bleak smile. At least now I know why he wouldnt let me go blonde or wear white. I looked too much like her.
Thank goodness you learnt all this before tying the knot, Charlotte said, always the rational one. He doesnt know about the baby, does he?
I was going to surprise him
Well then, just tell him youve met someone else. And move away. She sighed heavily. Its probably best if you go back home. Transfer to the local uni, finish your degree. Most importantly, make sure hes nowhere near you.
Thats probably what Ill do.
*****************************************
The past six months have been the hardest of my life. Not physically emotionally. The move home, telling my parents… I dropped out of uni once the pregnancy advanced. I couldnt bring myself to have a termination the little one was innocent. As it turned out, it was a girl just as Oliver had wanted.
Contrary to all my fears, Oliver let me leave without much fuss. He only told me I should keep quiet about things. He never even asked where I was going as if none of it mattered.
Now and then, I wonder if I messed up. Should I have told Oliver about the baby? Especially on quiet evenings, like tonight, after I tucked in my beautiful Ellie. I stood at the window, lost in thought.
Someone buzzed the door. A delivery the takeaway Id ordered. I still hadnt mastered cooking. After a quick meal, I sat down with my textbooks, determined to get back to my studies.
The words swam in front of my eyes; my head was spinning I fumbled for my phone to call 999, but my hands had gone numb. I couldnt move. Just before losing consciousness, I caught a glimpse of Oliver, gently cradling my newborn girl.
***********************************************
When I finally woke, I was in hospital. Thankfully, Mum had decided to drop by at just the right moment.
The police searched everywhere for Ellie but it was hopeless. Oliver and my baby had vanished without a trace.
It wasnt until years later that I heard anything; a photograph in the post, showing Oliver embracing a pretty, fair-haired girl.
