Stuart James - Apartment 6

This book is dedicated to my wife, Tara, who I love more than life. Thanks for being there for me every step of the way, in all aspects of my life. Youre my hero.

Also my children, Oli and Ava, who I couldnt be more proud of. You are both incredible people who I adore so very much.

My mother and father, Jimmy and Kathleen. Love you guys.

999, whats your emergency? Hello, 999, whats your?

Hello.

Hello. Whats your emergency?

Its my mummy.

You sound very young, sweetheart, how old are you?

Im five, but Im nearly six.

Whos with you? Are you still on the line? Hello?

My daddy.

Okay. Can you put your daddy on the phone?

He wont come. Hes in his bedroom. Its upstairs, and its dark, and its scary. He isnt here much, but when he is, he stays in his room on the phone talking.

Okay. Im going to stay on the phone with you. Can you get him for me? Will you do that? You dont need to be frightened, okay?

I cant. I already told you hes in his room, and I cant get past Mummy.

What do you mean, you cant get past Mummy, my love?

Shes lying at the bottom of the stairs, and shes not moving.

Listen to me; whats your name?

My name is Meagan. But Mummy calls me Meggy for short.

Okay. My name is Michelle; you can call me Shelly. Meagan, I need you to be brave, the bravest youve ever been. Can you do that for me, Meagan? Can you be really brave?

I think so. What shall I do?

Im going to stay on the line; Im not going anywhere. Im going to get some people over who are going to help you. Is that okay?

My daddy did it, you know.

Your daddy did what, Meagan? What did your daddy do exactly?

They were shouting, Mummy and Daddy. Mummy was upset, she pushed my daddy and he was really, really angry, the most Ive seen him shouting. I had to block my ears; then Daddy pushed something into Mummy. Shes on the ground, and shes not moving, and Im scared.

Meagan. Listen to me; help is on its way. You need to leave the house, do you understand? Leave the house now; Im here. Im on the line, okay? Move towards the front door quickly and get out of the house. Meagan. Are you there?

Yes. I told a lie. Daddy shouted louder one time when I scribbled on the table with my new crayon set. But this time was really loud too.

What are you doing, Meagan? Are you doing what I said?

Im walking to the front door. Mummys still not moving. When will she wake up? Do you think shell still cook me pancakes for breakfast? She promised me, and Mummy never breaks promises.

Meagan, keep calm, dont look at Mummy and go out of the front door. Whose phone are you ringing from?

Mummy had her phone in her hand; I got it from her while she was sleeping. I know the password, three five five three. She doesnt like me playing on her phone, she says it eats the battery, but I only play games mostly. Oh, its locked. I think Daddy locked the door.

Okay. Listen. Can you see a catch? Turn the lock and pull the handle as hard as you can.

I am, but it wont pull. Ill go to Daddy. Hes strong.

No. Do not go up the stairs, do you hear me? I need you to stay down. Can you do that for me, Meagan?

Mummys still sleeping. Oh, I think Daddy is out of his room now.

Meagan, you need to listen. Whats your favourite hiding place? Somewhere you are never found? Think hard.

Well, let me see. Once I hid for a long time in a cupboard where the noisy monster is. Mummy says it eats clothes.

Okay. Move to the cupboard as quickly as you can. I need you to go fast, Meagan. Im on the phone; nothings going to happen to you. You believe me, right?

Im going now; Daddys coming. I can hear him at the top of the stairs.

Move fast, Meagan; you need to hide. Go quickly. If he calls you, dont answer, do you understand? It will be our little game.

Okay. Im here now. The monster is quiet. Sometimes when its eating the clothes, it hurts my ears.

Okay. We dont like monsters, but it wont hurt you. Are you inside the cupboard?

Im inside. Ive shut the door. Its dark in here. I dont like it. I want to come out. Daddys calling me. He sounds angry.

Meagan, nothings going to happen. You understand that? As long as you keep as quiet as you can and dont answer Daddy.

Hes running around. I can hear him breathing.

Okay. Im here, and youre safe, but do not answer Daddy, you got that?

Hes saying bad words. He calls Mummy that word all the time. Bitch. Mummy says that word isnt nice. Whats a bitch?

Your mummy is not that word. Your mummy is brave, Meagan, and so are you.

I think hes in the room; hes standing with the monster that eats the clothes. Now hes pounding it with his fist. I dont think he likes the monster.

Meagan, dont speak for a minute. Please, you have to keep quiet.

Hes moving; I think hell find me. What should I do?

Stay very still, keep crouched on the floor and keep as quiet as you can. Remember the game, my love.

Hes standing at the cupboard door. Now hes looking around.

Stay still Meagan; you can do this.

Hes gone now. I think someones at the front door. I can hear peoples voices. Someone rang our bell. Daddys running; I can hear his footsteps. It sounds like theyre trying to break our front door.

Oh, thank God. You did amazing Meagan; youre the bravest little soldier Ive ever met. Im so proud of you, okay.

Okay. Can I come out now?

In a minute. Wait until the officers come and get you. Ill let them know youre in the best hiding place ever.

But what if they cant find me?

They will; theyre going to help you, Meagan.

The alarm clock sounded. Meagan jumped, slapping her hand on the snooze bar. 8.30am. She held her breath in anticipation, waiting to see if her husband stirred. She froze, taking the room in. Everything was correctly placed. She lay still, fighting the knot in her stomach. The anxiety had already started. She waited, staring over at her husband. Once she was sure he was asleep, Meagan eased the blanket back slowly, twisted her body and stepped onto the wooden floor.

She knew where the floorboards creaked: over by the wardrobe, the second slat out from the bedroom wall. The upstairs hallway just outside the bathroom: that was a large area and a definite no-go. The third step from the top of the stairs.

She had left her fresh clothes on the stool in front of her dresser. It was unthinkable to open the wardrobe door at this time of the morning. The bedroom door was open; just as well shed remembered to leave it that way last night.

Meagan grabbed her clothes, held them to her chest and left the room.

She wouldnt dare use the power shower in the upstairs bathroom, the one with all that space and the newly fitted jacuzzi bath with the extra jets.

She crept along the upstairs hallway, easing her way through the top of the apartment. Then she placed her foot on the stairs and went down, avoiding the third step from the top as if it were spread with hot coals.

On the ground floor, she reached the bathroom at the back of the kitchen. Meagan took a deep breath, inhaled and let out a sigh. She could be herself again, if only for a short while.

She ran the shower, removed her nightgown and stood under the hot water.

Once finished and dried, she wrapped her hair in a clean towel and got dressed.

Meagan hosed the shower clean, first getting rid of the suds from the tiled wall, making sure every hair disappeared down the plughole. Then she stood the shampoo bottle in line with the shower gel, hung the flannel back on the hook, and placed the used towel in the laundry basket.