As soon as he was able to move, Bird fumbled for the control and switched it off.There was silence, except for the sound of settling breath, for a lon... time. Bird re-adjusted his glasses, and then rolled his window down part way, reveling in the taste and smell of fresh air after the sweat and sex-soaked atmosphere of the car. A moment later she did the same. They both looked around to make sure they hadn’t been observed, then unthinkingly settled into the same positions they had taken when. She is so very fragile and vulnerable, and itbreaks my heart to see her sad. It would be easier if I could truly hateher, but I can't. I love her with every fiber of my heart. But I don'ttreat her like I love her. I keep her locked away, out of sight, in thedark. Where no one can see her, and no one can hurt her, but she can'treally live like this. She wants to feel the sun on her skin, and shareher smile and warmth and love with the world. She wants to make friends,and have people to talk to. I hate to ask this but could you come home, please? I begged. Of course. Ill be there soon, he promised, probably a couple of hours if thats OK as Ill need to get the boys up and dressed and reload the car. No, dont bring the kids. Just leave them there with mother, and come home. I need you for a while, I told him. You can go back later and take the kids fishing. Just come home to me now, please. OK, Ill be there soon, he told me and then we hung up. Knowing that Jim was on his way I relaxed.. My mouth feels like leather. I’ve got Chinese takeaway breath, why do I always have those spring onions?At the bottom of the stairs I grabbed the pile of damp clothes we took off coming back from the restaurant, bundled them into the dining room. What’s that pink ribbon doing there? With Paula’s hair brush I restored my long dark hair to something like the £120 shape it’s meant to have. It is too long. It needs to be blonde again.“Mum, you’re early. Lovely to see you! Come in,” I lied and.