Read The Take for Free Online Page B

to say to me, don't assume because you want him everyone else does. I wish I had listened to her because she was right.'
    Jackie stood up unsteadily and walked out of the room.
    Lena sighed then. 'You'll have to stay with her till he deigns to come home. Who knows what she's capable of.'
    Maggie nodded sadly. 'Do you regret marrying me dad then, Mum, really?'
    Lena smiled and her washed-out good looks were evident in the kindly light of an evening drawing to a close.
    'Every fucking day, sweetheart, every day of my life.'

    At first Maggie thought that she was dreaming, and putting up her arms protectively she tried to push the offending hands away.
    They were still there. Opening her eyes she saw in the dimness her brother-in-law Freddie Jackson trying to lift up the nightie she was wearing, all the time kissing her neck and shoulders. Realisation hit her then and she sat bolt upright on the sofa, the fear apparent on her face.
    'Stop it.'
    She was whispering, even in her fright she was aware that her sister would rip her head off, would blame her if she saw this sight.
    Freddie gave his usual lazy smile. He had Jackie where he wanted her and they both knew it. He was trying to force Maggie back into the cushions once more, smothering her with his mouth, the wet stickiness of him making the girl want to heave. He smelled of beer, cannabis and sweat. He had been on the missing list for a few days and she was staying over with her sister to try to keep her company and, more importantly, to keep her calm. Now here was the man of the hour trying it on with his wife's little sister, and the worst of it was that Jackie would never believe her husband capable of anything so low. Even though low behaviour was normal behaviour to him, Maggie knew the blame would be put squarely on her.
    She was pushing him away more aggressively now.
    'Fuck off, Freddie.'
    He was digging his fingers into the flesh on the top of her arms and she felt tears stinging her eyes. The fear was enveloping her now, fear of him and fear of her sister mingling. She punched him in the chest as hard as she could.
    'Will you fuck off.'
    He still hadn't spoken. But now as she writhed in his arms he looked down at her and she saw he was determined.
    'Shut the fuck up, you stupid little bitch, do you want fatty down on top of us?'
    Somewhere in his drink- and drug-addled brain he knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he had been after this particular piece for a while. She wouldn't even accept a lift home from him any more, preferring to get the bus. She knew her sister had her suspicions but could prove nothing. As always, everyone involved with Jackie saved her feelings, yet she walked over people at the drop of a hat and expected total loyalty even though she didn't know the meaning of the word.
    The only person Jackie was loyal to was this drunken beast who, at this moment, was trying to shove a heavy knee between her slim thighs.
    It was the baby Rox's voice that seemed to break into his head like the blow of an axe.
    'Auntie Mags?'
    Maggie saw the little girl in the doorway and, feeling Freddie's grip loosen, took the opportunity to slide from beneath him on to the shag-pile carpeted floor.
    'Come here, sweetheart. Do you want a drink, lovie?'
    She scrambled to her feet and then, picking the child up, she walked quickly into the kitchen. Her heart was still beating a tattoo in her chest and the revulsion was still in her mouth. It tasted tannic, like tin, or lead. She wanted to clean her teeth and bath herself. Wash the feel of him off her.
    She sat the child on the draining board and made her a drink of orange juice. Rox gulped at it gratefully. She was a dear child, with beautiful blue eyes and thick curly hair. Maggie hugged her and rubbed her face in Rex's soft curls. If she ever had a child she hoped it would be just like this one, she was perfect.
    She heard Freddie stirring a few minutes later, knew even at her young age that he was waiting for her