Page 48 of Deep Down
Chapter 18
Craig
Craig pushed the trolley down the aisle, scanning the shelves for some inspiration to fill his empty cupboards. The first time he had done this, he’d been overwhelmed by how busy it was; he’d done a quick shop and left as soon as he could. He hadn’t remembered the crowds from when he’d shopped with Darren. Craig had done this half a dozen times now, if not more, and it was getting easier. Amanda had told him the best times to shop when the masses wouldn’t be as bad. Not that he minded hordes of people, but after not shopping for several years, it took some getting used to.
He threw in some pasta and perused the sauces. He could make sauce from scratch but having some ready-made ones in the cupboard might be good for when he worked later than planned.
“Who the hell do you think you are?”
Craig balked, and he paused, hand outstretched towards a jar as he whipped his head around to the voice. His pulse increased, his hands clenched into fists, dropping to his sides, and a weight squeezed his chest. He wheeled around to face the newcomers. Craig identified them immediately, having seen them before—Nelson, Darren’s friend from the night out Darren and he had gone on early in their relationship, and a guy from Darren’s gym.
Adrenaline flooded his system; he wasn’t sure whether to turn tail and run or stay motionless. Craig imagined this was what a zebra felt like being caught in the trap of a lion. He swallowed, trying to remove the dryness.
One of the guys stalked forward, crowding Craig against the shelves to his back. “Darren did nothing wrong, and you know it!” The guy’s gaze roamed from Craig’s head to toe and back, a sneer on his face. “Never knew what he saw in you. But I know he wouldn’t hurt anybody. What do you get out of saying all these lies?”
Craig chanced a quick glance at the other guy, who was enclosing any escape route, and saw a similar expression on his face before flicking his gaze back. “Nothing.” Craig was powerless to do anything to prevent these guys from hurting him.
“What do you mean ‘nothing’? Why are you telling the police this crap, then?” The guy frowned, thoroughly confused, it seemed.
Craig stood up straighter, jaw clenching, mouth tight. No. He wasnotpowerless. The guy’s eyes flickered as he was forced to step back.
“He. Beat. Me.” Craig’s cheeks flamed as he forced the words through his teeth, scared if he relaxed, they would chatter with how cold he felt.
“He wouldn’t do—”
“Yes, he did!” Craig ‘s voice rose, garnering attention from other customers who were physically staying away from the confrontation, but too nosey not to listen. “But you’re obviously a bully, too. You’re bound to take his side.”
Craig pushed the trolley forward, allowing him space to leave. Every part of him shook as he exited the supermarket and sat in his car. He didn’t allow himself time to calm, he started the engine and drove home. Locking himself in the house, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and dialled Amanda.
Through palpitations and shallow breathing, he was able to leave a message when she didn’t answer. Putting his phone back in his pocket, he grasped the sides of his head and slid to the floor, trying not to hyperventilate. When his elbows rested on his bent knees, he shuddered as sweat dripped down his back at the same time as tears fell down his face.
Was he wrong? Did he deserve the beatings Darren had given him? Darren always took care of him, why would that be any different? Had he ruined a perfectly good relationship because he didn’t understand Darren was trying to help him?
Craig started when his phone rang, and he dug it out of his pocket. “Hello?”
“Craig?” Amanda’s voice broke him, and he sobbed. “Craig? Are you safe? I need to know you’re safe before we continue this conversation.”
“Yes. I’m at home.” That’s what he tried to say, but whether it came out properly, he had no idea.
“Good. You’re doing okay, Craig. You’re strong. Let it out.” Amanda’s words continued in his ear as he succumbed to the emotional overload his body had received.
Craig had no idea how long he’d been on the phone when he finally managed to get himself under control. He used his sleeve to wipe his face before taking a deep breath. “I’m okay.”
“Yes, you are. Now, tell me what happened.” Amanda listened as Craig related everything from the supermarket. “Well done, Craig. You stood up to them because you know you are right, and they are wrong. They either don’t know Darren that well or are the same as he is.”
“I second-guessed myself again.” Craig rubbed his hand across his forehead.
“What do you mean?”
Craig sniffed and swallowed. “Before you rang, I was asking myself if I was wrong about Darren. Had I imagined it all?”
“You didn’t imagine the injuries, Craig.”
“No, not that. But Darren might have been looking out for me, and this was his way of doing it?” Craig hadn’t meant to end on a question.
“No, Craig. Darren is a bully. End of. You didn’t deserve any injury you received from him.”
“But he was always apologetic afterwards.” Craig eyed the area where the glass cabinet used to stand and the beautiful glass paperweights he’d been given. “He always apologised the same way, despite not saying the words.”
