Chapter 31
TARA
By nine o’clock, it was time for everyone to head home.
Jed had gathered names and email addresses so that we could let the attendees know about future sessions.
The original plan for next week had been an art session but I didn’t want Jed to feel tied in for two weeks in a row given his current family situation.
Carly had offered to run a cake decorating session instead but I wasn’t sure about two food-related sessions in a row either and wanted to give it a little more thought overnight.
Zoe’s scones were still in the oven so she offered to help me, Carly and Jed clear up.
Once we were done, Carly headed back to her flat and I suggested Jed left too so he could catch Aaron before he went to bed.
I locked up behind him and put some of the lights off then went into the kitchen with Zoe to check on her scones.
They were ready so I told her to remove them from the oven and place them on a wire cooling rack.
‘Do you like animals?’ I asked Zoe while she removed the scones from the baking tray.
‘Yeah, why?’
‘Because if you like animals, I thought you might like to meet Hercules. He’s my giant house rabbit.’
Her eyes widened. ‘I’ve never seen one of those before – not in real life.’
‘He’s very cuddly and he loves meeting new people. We’ll go up to my flat while your scones are cooling and you can say hello to him while I dig out your leggings.’
‘You fixed them?’
‘I did.’
As she followed me upstairs, I rehearsed several conversation openers in my mind. I couldn’t help noticing those cuts on your arms… Too direct. How’s things going with Griff? It sounded like I was enquiring about a new boyfriend. Have you had any more trouble from Griff since I last saw you?
Jim’s words about not being pushy with service users nudged at me but I had no professional connection to Zoe.
I was a concerned friend and friends asked questions, especially when the cuts weren’t the only concern.
I’d also spotted pale brown and yellow bruising around Zoe’s right eye which suggested she was healing from a recent black eye.
Zoe released an excited squeal when she saw Hercules. ‘Oh! My! God! He is gorgeous. I can’t get over how big he is. Can I pick him up?’
I explained how best to hold him and where he preferred to be stroked.
‘Can I get you a drink?’ I asked as she buried her face in his fur.
‘I’d love one of your cracking cups of tea.’
I told her to make herself comfortable in the lounge with Hercules. While the kettle boiled, I retrieved her leggings.
‘One cracking cup of tea and one pair of leggings,’ I said, placing both items down on the coffee table.
Zoe picked up her leggings and studied them, frowning. ‘I can’t see where the hole was.’
‘That’s because I used a ladder stitch, also known as the invisible stitch. I hope you don’t mind but I washed them first as they had some blood on them.’
‘That’s okay. Thanks for doing that.’
‘So the reason for the repair was Griff. Have there been any further incidents?’
Zoe grimaced. ‘She doesn’t like me. She told someone it’s cos I look like the lass her ex-boyfriend hooked up with while they were still together. I mean, how stupid is that?’
‘It’s a crazy reason for hassling you. I see you’ve got the remains of a shiner.’
Zoe’s hand fluttered up towards her right eye. ‘I didn’t think you’d notice. She didn’t like me passing her on the stairs last week so, of course, I deserved to be thumped for that.’
‘Oh, Zoe, that’s not on! Did you report her?’
‘No, for the same reasons as before. I thought she’d get bored but it feels relentless. She even set fire to one of my library books. I used to feel safe at the hostel, but…’ She picked up her mug and blew on her tea.
‘But Griff scares you?’ I suggested when she failed to continue.
‘She’s a big lass and she’s so angry all the time. I can deal with a bit of aggro but this is way more than a bit. I don’t want to leave Whitsborough Bay. I came here because of the happy memories but I might have to go if she doesn’t pack it in.’
‘I know it’s difficult, but I really think you should speak to someone about her.’ I couldn’t bear the thought of Zoe being Griff’s punchbag. I’d seen it once myself and was seeing the remains of another incident now but how many more had there been?
I caught Zoe’s eye and, at that moment, it was clear to me that she wasn’t just scared of Griff – she was absolutely terrified.
‘You can stay here tonight,’ I said. ‘I don’t have a spare bed but I’ve got bedding and a comfortable sofa.’
‘I can’t. If I don’t sleep there, I could lose my place at the hostel. They’ve got a waiting list.’
‘Surely they wouldn’t kick you out for one night away?’
‘Maybe not one, but I can’t risk it. Besides, I’m not your problem. You seem really kind and I know you won an award for helping people so it’s obviously your thing and it’s great that there are people like you out there but I’m not asking for your help.’
She put her mug down and stood up. ‘I shouldn’t have come here tonight.’
‘Sit down, Zoe,’ I urged her gently. ‘Finish your tea at least. I won’t say anything more about it. In fact, we don’t have to speak at all.’
She glanced at the Friends DVD which I hadn’t yet put away. ‘Can we watch an episode of that?’
‘Sure. Any preference?’
‘I’ve only seen it a few times but I like it. You choose.’
‘I watched a couple of episodes the other night so we’ll just pick up from there.’
Zoe sipped on her tea, stroked Hercules, and watched television.
I tried to concentrate but couldn’t help watching Zoe out of the corner of my eye instead.
I liked seeing her smile and laugh. At her age she should be doing that a lot.
An episode of a sitcom shouldn’t be an escape from physical violence.
‘I loved that,’ Zoe said when the end credits rolled.
I was tempted to tell her she was welcome to work her way through all ten seasons if she wanted to spend a few nights on my sofa, but I’d promised to leave it. She stretched and said it was time to go and, despite my resolve earlier to try harder with her, I couldn’t see what else I could do.
‘Your scones will have cooled so we’ll pick them up on your way out.’
Downstairs, I placed them in a zip lock bag for her while she put her leggings in her backpack and pulled on her coat.
‘I like that there are people like you who care about people like me,’ she said as we stood by the door. ‘Just cos I’ve said no, doesn’t mean everyone else will.’
‘I know that. And just because you’ve said no, doesn’t mean you can’t stop by for a hot drink or a meal, come to another meeting of The Friendship Pod – preferably on time…’ I raised my eyebrows at her and she smiled. ‘And it doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind about—’
‘Don’t offer me a job again.’
‘I wouldn’t dare.’
‘It’s not that I don’t appreciate it. It’s just that the wages from a few shifts aren’t gonna help with what I really need – a place of my own away from Griff. But if you happen to have any miracles tucked away, I’ll take one of those.’
I let her out and bid her a good night. As she walked away down the cobbles, I looked up at the stars above.
I’d made wishes before and they’d come true.
This time I had the most important one of all.
Mum, Dad, if you’re up there, please send a miracle Zoe’s way.
She deserves to have good things happen to her.