While I’m caught up and weak in my fit of coughing, I feel his hand on my wrists replaced with something smooth and tight. I know I should try to fi...ht at this point, it’s my best chance of escape but I’m just so limp. I don’t think I could move if I wanted to. I don’t even notice my eyes are still closed till another slap connects to my face bringing me back to. The bruise stings even more from the fresh abuse. I wake to a new quiet popping sound. I look down to see Jack’s hungry eyes watching. I sucked up my courage and walked back toward the bedroom and found him tearing her walk-in closet apart, thinking she might be hiding there. I noticed that the bedroom window was open. I skirted round the man and looked out the open window. There was no sign of Rita."Where is she?" he demanded."How would I know?" I said with as much force as I could manage. "I was out in the living room with you. Maybe she went out the window." Stupid bitch. That's just like her. I'll find her, and when I do,. He would never admit or even register to himself a hint of his submission to a “fucking cunt”.This latter understanding was deeply, deeply submerged. Had she known he harboured a sneering misogyny his life would have been a toy to her. Fortunately for him he managed a perfect front of respectful male subservience. Having neither friends or family unconnected with her establishment gossip or boasting never presented opportunity for speaking his mind. All his thought went into the joy he derived. They had planned and packed and crammed as much stuff into their family wagon as possible. Both kids were strapped in and jumping with excitement, not realising they had at least a two hour journey before they actually made it to their camping ground up the coast. ‘Will there be sharks?’ Will asked excitedly. Beth’s five year old son had recently started school and had a fascination with plants and animals that could kill you. Beth indulged her son’s morbid curiosity, even so far as buying him.