Page 76 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘I should also thank you for earlier,’ I say. ‘For helping out with Jonathan.’
Mack shrugs. ‘It’s nothing. I’ve dealt with men like that before – too many times in fact.’
‘I can’t believe I didn’t notice anything was wrong sooner. I know we don’t see each other too often these days, but I’ve visited their house, spent time with both Jonathan and the children. Everything seemed fine.’
‘In my experience, both parties involved in this type of relationship are desperately trying to hide it. The abuser is worried someone will find out about their behaviour, and then they’ll lose the one thing they think they’re trying to keep safe with their actions – the victim. And the victim is usually so embarrassed it’s happening to them, they can’t bear the thought of anyone knowing their relationship is anything but perfect.’
‘How do you know so much about this?’ I ask. ‘Everything you’re saying is absolutely spot on.’
‘Ah, I’ve been around,’ Mack says. ‘I’m not talking from personal experience, I should add. The only abusive relationship I’ve overcome is with alcohol. But I’ve had friends in similar situations. These types of relationship don’t always involve physical violence. Sometimes the abuse is simply about controlling the other person.’
‘I hope that’s the case with Claire. Not that mental abuse is any better, mind, but if I find out he’s been hitting her.’ My hand balls into a fist.
‘What will you do?’ Mack asks to my surprise. I expected he’d say something like, ‘You mustn’t get involved’, or ‘It’s no good you steaming in with all guns blazing.’ That’s the sort of thing people usually said.
‘I . . . I don’t know. I’m just so worried about her. Especially after tonight. She must be so scared.’
‘Conversely, the abuser is actually the one who’s usually the most scared, even though he’s the one doing the abusing. They’re paranoid about losing the other person, and therefore behave with them in a way that isn’t acceptable. I only met Claire tonight, but I’d say she’s stronger than you think.’
I look at Mack. He really is saying all the right things, even if they aren’t what I want to hear. ‘Yes, you’re probably right. I just wish there was something I could do, though.’
‘Unpopular opinion, but, if you want my advice, there’s nothing much you can do. Not yet. Not until the person wants to be helped. But when she does . . . ’
‘I’ll probably be hundreds of miles away up in Scotland.’ I sigh.
‘You can still be a sounding board, a friendly ear for her to unload all her problems.’
I smile at Mack. ‘Who made you so wise?’
Mack shrugs. ‘Worldly wise maybe. It comes from listening to many, many people unburden their problems to me over the years.’
‘This is some trip back home, you know? If it’s not bad enough that one of my best friends is burying her sister tomorrow, now I find out that my other friend’s husband could be abusing her. As if I didn’t have enough problems of my own right now.’
Mack doesn’t enquire what those problems are. And I’m glad.
‘I meant what I said,’ he reminds me instead. ‘We’ll swing by and pick Claire up tomorrow. Check everything is all right.’
‘Thank you. I think that’s a great idea. I’m sorry you got dragged into all this, Mack. I’m sure the last thing you need on your vacation is to find yourself in the middle of a broken marriage.’
Mack is silent for moment, before he says, ‘No worries at all. I’m kinda used to that as well.’
Nineteen
We decide to head back to the pub, and we get there just before last orders.
We don’t spend too long telling the others what happened, because it’s very clear straight away that Mandy has been knocking back the drinks faster than everyone else around the table, and her constant shouts of, ‘Let’s go get the bastard!’ and, ‘We’ll use his testicles as bait when the fishing boats leave the harbour tomorrow!’ are drawing far more attention to our table than we’d like. Especially when we’re trying to discuss such a sensitive topic.
Eventually, we decide that at least one of our party has had enough drinking for one evening, and we call it a night.
‘I’ll walk Mandy home,’ I tell the others. ‘It’s on my way.’
‘Let me help you,’ Rob says. ‘I’m not sure you can manage her on your own.’
‘Nah!’ Mandy says, hearing us. ‘We don’t need men, do we, Frankie?’ She throws her arm around my shoulders. ‘Me and my mate Frankie here will be just fine together. Just like we always should have been, if you hadn’t come along.’ She pushes Rob away playfully at first, and then with a bit more force.
‘All right. All right!’ Rob says, holding up his hands in surrender. ‘I get the message!’
‘Sure you’ll be OK?’ he asks me in a whisper when Mandy’s attention is caught by something else for a moment.
