Jessica came from a small English village where a modest bedsit in a quiet town like Shrewsbury could be bought for just a few pounds. She had managed to buy such a place herself, all without her husband having the faintest idea about it.
While my husband was away in London on business, our daughter was born. I gave birth in the local NHS hospital, but I told him it was a private maternity clinic just to keep up appearances. Every penny he sent home for housekeeping, I stretched as far as it would go, spending with incredible caution. When he was at home, the fridge was stocked with beef, fish, and the sorts of treats he liked. But as soon as he was off again, the saving would resume.
I never bought anything brand new for my daughter. Either kindly neighbours would hand down what their children had outgrown, or Id discover a bargain on a local second-hand website. Thats how I managed to scrape together enough to buy that little flat. Id often call on my mum to look after our daughter while I slipped out to work in secret. My husband had brought this on himself really. Id always been the dutiful wife, doing everything I was told. After all, I was a country girl, while he was a city man who barked orders at me as if he were a general.
Eventually, I started planning my escape. I knew the day would come when hed lose his temper for good and not care how hard he lashed outand that could easily be the end of me.
I constantly juggled the shopping, too. Id buy just a handful of apples for my daughter and tell my husband Id bought a whole bag. It took me two and a half years to save up the amount I needed.
And then came the day. The moment my husband left for another business trip, I packed up my things, took my little girl by the hand, and we slipped away. The day before, Id filed for divorce. He tried everything to track us downsometimes promising the world, swearing that our family life would never be troubled again. Then other times, his calls turned cold and threatening. He made it clear that he would never stop chasing us, whatever the cost.
I soon learned that hed found himself another womana student, apparently. Im certain hes treating her the same way he treated me.
I never deceived my husband in the way he might accuse. The money I managed to save was hard earned. I denied myself, sometimes even going hungry, in order to put away what we needed to escape. I simply couldnt see another way out. In the end, I had to rescue myself and my one precious daughter.
Today, as I rest in my small Shrewsbury flat at night, I realise that you must never let someone else hold the keys to your freedom. Sometimes, the only person you can count on to save you is yourself.
