[wellard]

It was about half nine at night, just a few hours ago. A loud and persistent knock at the door. My wife putting the safety catch on opens the door with me behind. Outside a poor young girl (19?) with a 6 month old baby in the pram stood distraught. Sorry she stutters sorry I need help please help she says between gulps of air trying to fight the tears. Without hesitation we help her inside, lock the door and sit her down. We hand her tissues and water and listen to her.


She begins to talk to Carolyn, Sensing it's a girl-to-girl thing I check all round the house and outside (more on this later). After half an hour or so her mum picks her up and with apologetic thanks to imposing herself onto 2 complete strangers she leaves back in the care of her mum who lived a few streets away.

Carolyn tells me of her broken finger, obvious marks all over her face and body, her clumps of hair missing from the back of her head. The story of her boyfriend punching holes into the walls of the house ECT. I'm just glad we were able to offer a haven of peace and someone who fully understands the domestic violence *my wife has a past boyfriend and a history that is not mine to discuss here*

I did consider phoning the police but I just left my wife to talk to her until her mum came. The whole episode has left us shaking. Poor thing what could justify such anger and violence.

The baby appeared happy and free from care.

More later... my wife needs a little TLC