The Letter Read Online Free PDF Page B

apart.
    ‘Rick, wait,’ she reasoned, trying to buy herself some time. ‘Let’s go upstairs where it’s more comfortable.’
    He slapped her hard across the face.
    ‘You must think I was born yesterday, now shut up and enjoy it you frigid cow.’
    Tina turned her head to one side and closed her eyes. It wasn’t the first time he had forced himself on her, but Tina vowed it would be the last. She had let this go on long enough. She needed to get out. Her life depended on it.
    Sundays were the worst day of the week for Tina and she was always looking for excuses to leave the house. Rick had spent the night on the settee, too drunk to even manage to stagger up the stairs, for which Tina was grateful. She sat in the kitchen warming her hands on a mug of tea and surveying the mess. The place stank of greasy food and the frying pan was congealing in the bowl of icy water where Rick had left it. He appeared in the doorway, his hair stuck up at wild angles and his eyelids drooping with sleep. He was still dressed in yesterday’s clothes.
    ‘Where are my fags?’ His voice was gravelly and he gave a disgusting snort, thumping his chest as he did so.
    Tina grimaced. ‘Morning, I’m fine thanks, how are you?’
    ‘What?’ He paused. ‘Oh, look, is this about last night?’
    Tina shoved the packet of cigarettes across the table.
    ‘Here.’
    He pulled up a chair and joined her at the table.
    ‘Any chance of a brew?’
    Tina nodded. ‘Kettle’s over there.’
    Rick took a long drag on his cigarette. ‘You’re right. I am a complete bastard, you deserve better. Now please make me a brew.’
    ‘Finally, the penny’s dropped.’
    ‘It’s not all my fault though,’ Rick countered defensively, ‘I mean you have to take some of the blame.’
    Tina put her mug down and shook her head.
    ‘How in any way is this my fault? I told you not to buy any more booze last night after you promised me you wouldn’t drink again, but, no, you knew best. Said one or two wouldn’t hurt, it was a special occasion, blah, blah, blah…’
    Rick blew a cloud of grey smoke in her face.
    ‘I also recall you telling me yesterday not to put that bet on. Hmmn?...who knew best then?’
    ‘That money was mine,’ Tina said calmly.
    ‘What’s yours is mine. We’re a partnership.’
    ‘Ok, give me half the winnings then.’
    Rick sneered and patted his back pocket.
    ‘They’re mine. You don’t approve of gambling, remember?’
    He was impossible to reason with and Tina didn’t have the energy any more. When she spoke she sounded braver than she felt.
    ‘I’m leaving you.’
    Rick looked as though he had had the wind knocked out of him. He took hold of Tina’s hand.
    ‘Christ, Tina. I know I was a little, err, enthusiastic last night but that’s no reason to be hasty. I love you, you know that.’ She could sense his desperation. She had seen it all before. He would do and say anything at this stage in order to placate her. The cycle was so familiar.
    ‘Rick, you don’t get it, do you? I’m scared of you. Scared of what you’re going to do to me next. I’m sick of turning up at work and having to lie about my bruises, sick of treading on eggshells around the house, sick of living in this freezing cold pigsty and having to work all hours to pay the bills..’
    ‘But...’
    Tina held up her hand.
    ‘I haven’t finished. Have you any idea what it’s like to live in fear? And why should I? I’m the one who supports us. You don’t contribute one penny, you’re just a drain on our finances and a drain on my emotions.’
    ‘That’s charming, that is! I cooked tea for you last night.’
    ‘A plate of egg and chips?’ Tina scoffed. ‘If that’s your idea of pulling your weight you’re more deluded than I thought.’
    Rick was breathing hard now and his fists were clenched, but Tina ploughed on. She had never stood up to him like this before and she suddenly felt empowered.
    ‘You need the sort of help that I can’t give