©GeraldineBanks February2025
On arrival in London, Sandy felt the nervous shock she had experienced begin to dissipate, she had not been able to sleep on the plane and the in-flight movies were either fatuous or far too violent for her to watch. Sandy knew that real life was far more dangerous than any fake cinematic creation. She weighed up whether she would share all that had happened during the visit with Martin. Her body was still sore from the sexual gymnastics she had performed for Allenby. She was now convinced that he was a psychotic narcissistic dangerous man, one capable of enormous cruelty, but one nevertheless who she needed to keep close to.
Sandy had briefly said goodbye to Joss as the chauffeured car arrived at her accommodation to pick Sandy up and taker her to the airport. They had briefly exchanged social niceties in keeping with their limited knowledge of each other, but Sandy knew Joss was relieved to see the back of yet another one of her lover’s conquests.
As Joss waved Sandy off , Sandy realised Joss was just as trapped as all of those poor unfortunates in Allenby’s Prison. Sandy was just another humiliation for Joss to endure. Allenby had her exactly where he wanted her. There was no time for a friendly girl chat, although the two of them would have had a lot to talk about if the opportunity ever arose .Sandy surmised that Joss would not listen initially but had the impression that Joss was beginning to question the controlling behaviour of her mentor. Sandy was perhaps one humiliation too many and that might be another chink in the invincible Professor’s armour.
Back in London however , Sandy thoughts took refuge with her family. It was a Friday night when she got back and Martin had announced that the twins were planning the “traditional Mothering Sunday Celebrations”. Sandy had forgotten entirely that it was Mothering Sunday, she looked at Martin in disbelief. Martin could see that Sandy was not sure that she could cope, but he reassured her that it was for the best and that he had organised everything with the twins and it was their surprise for her. There would be a trip to the supermarket on Saturday morning and the Cinema on Saturday Afternoon. Then on Sunday there would visit each set of in-laws with cards and presents in hand. Sandy went through the weekend in a daze, which she explained away as jet lag. Still it had lifted her spirits and let her forget for a short time what lay ahead.
Late on Sunday night with the twins in bed she had her chance to tell Martin what she had seen. They were both getting ready for bed and Martin noted the bruises on Sandy’s thigh.
” That looks nasty”
” Oh yes, it was very nasty.” Sandy replied with a distance that meant there was nothing that could be said that would make anything better.
“Sandy you did what you had to do. “
” I know , there was no other way. I did what I did for Alex.” Her head bent down.
” Look Sandy , you don’t need to justify yourself to me. I understand. I know that when this is over, we may not be the same people, we might not be able to help that, but for now until we get Alex back home with us and safe, I’ve got your back. I can keep everything together for you, no matter what you have to do. You are my heroine.”
Sandy looked Martin in the eyes and reached out her arms to him and hugged him.
” I feel so dirty, so used ,thank you Martin for telling me that , I needed to hear it. Martin whatever love is this is what I imagine it feels like. I had no option. We will get through this, I can’t forget what I’ve seen and done, but it’s like a battle and this is just the beginning. I don’t know if what we’re doing will work. I’m in deep, well over my head. I don’t even know who I can trust anymore , apart from you. Have you heard from Maria?”
Martin explained he had heard nothing from Maria. There was nothing else either of them could say, they lay in bed and held each other. Sandy gently wept and her eyes closed and she eventually went to sleep. Martin could not sleep, but he kept still and listened for the familiar rise and fall of Sandy’s breath. It was back to work for both of them tomorrow. Their normal routine, Martin dropping off the children at school and picking them up in the afternoon. Sandy would be away most of the day, he never knew what time she would be back. That was how it was and it was going to stay that way for the foreseeable future. There was nothing else they could do.
thenotsomightyom 