Free Make Believe by Genevieve Smith Page A

speak, answering no it was him who attacked me but all I can muster is another sob.
    “I think you better take her home, Elliott.” Hudson reiterates.
    Hudson touches my hand and looks at me. “It’s fine, Jessica, you don’t have to thank me. Just remember I will always be looking out for you,” He smirks knowing full well I know exactly what he means.  I pull my hand away immediately.
     
    The car pulls into Elliott’s driveway. I didn’t notice that we were coming back to his.
    “Why are we here?”
    “I thought it would be safer for you - with all the alarms and staff,” he smiles. Brushing my hair out my face his hand traces down to my neck.
    “What’s that on your neck, Jess?” he asks.
    “Where? I can’t see, I don’t have a mirror.” And I follow his trace to my neck. It’s tender as I touch it.
    “It looks like a cut from a watch or a cufflink or something?”
    I nod. “Yes, you’re probably right. He caught my neck as he groped me.”
    “What the fuck?” Elliott’s tone is so aggressive.
    “Hudson told you?”
    “No, he said you were being hassled not fucking attacked.”
    The tears start streaming down my face again.
    “Oh baby, don’t cry, hush, you’re safe now. I won’t let anyone get near you. Hush, baby, hush.  When you feel more settled, Jess, we need to talk about this, OK?” He kisses my forehead and I fall into him once again.
    Elliott’s fussing about in the lounge, organizing Simon to get us some drinks and some food. It’s because he wants me to talk.
    I don’t mind talking to him, but what do I say? Hudson’s already covered his tracks by his bull shit. It’s now his word against mine. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had planned this from the beginning. The thought of that disgusting man touching me physically makes me heave.
      “Jessica, Simon’s gone and won’t be back for a while. I’m all ears so please tell me what’s happened.” He puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him, making me feel safe.
    I feel too exhausted to lie, so I tell him the truth but without saying any names.
    “So did he hurt you anywhere else?” Elliott asks.
    I nod, feeling the tears welling up again.
    “Yes, he touched me down there.” I point to my crotch, sobbing.
    “With what, Jessica?” The horror in his voice scares me.
    “His hands, but before he could do anymore I managed to escape,” I sob.
    “Yes, with thanks to Hudson.”
    I feel the anger building within. No, how dare he be the hero. I want to scream, it’s because of fucking Hudson!
    “I think we should call the police, Jess. Let them catch the asshole that’s done this.”
    “No, no, I don’t want the police involved. Please, no,” I sob.
    The thought of having to talk about it all again, this time with people prodding and poking me…I seriously don’t think I could take it.
     
    “Hush, baby.  How about we just get you checked out by a doctor then?” He kisses my forehead.
    “OK, maybe,” I whisper.
    “I just want to have a shower. I need to feel clean, if that’s OK?” I want to wash any trace of that man off me.
    I stand in the shower in this magnificent bathroom. As the jet of water caresses my body, I try and scrub it with the soap to wipe any trace of that man. But I can’t dispel him from my mind. I lean back against the tiles and sink to the floor. The tears stream down my cheeks and I feel so numb.  Elliott knocks on the door and asks if he can come in. I can’t answer him because of my sobbing. He pushes the door open and calmly comes in. He collects a towel as he walks over to the shower. He opens the door and switches off the shower. He bends down towards me, placing one hand under my legs and the other under my arms and sweeps me up into him, putting the towel around me as he does it. He’s soaked through but doesn’t seem to care. I sink into his arms weeping. He gently kisses my forehead and carries me into the bedroom.  “Hush, hush baby. I’m here,