The Doll's House

5

‘Stay away. Don’t come near me.’

Ruby was backed into a corner of the room. She held out her arms to ward off attack, but knew immediately that it was an empty gesture.

Click. A powerful torch beam fired straight at her. Her heart raced as she watched the torch beam run the rule over her, creeping down from her face, over her chest to her thighs and then her feet. Despite her determination to appear strong, her composure abandoned her now and she started to sob.

‘Don’t be frightened.’

His voice was measured and steady. She didn’t recognize it, though the Southampton accent came through clearly.

‘Please let me go,’ she gushed through tears. ‘I won’t tell anyone. I -’

‘Are you cold?’

‘Please. I just want to go home.’

‘If you’re cold, I can get you an extra blanket. I want you to be comfortable.’

His calm pragmatism was crushing. He was speaking as if nothing unusual had happened. As if this were normal.

‘Are you hungry?’

‘I want to go home, you motherfucker. Stop… stop talking to me. Just… take me home. The police will be looking for me -’

‘Nobody’s looking for you, Ruby.’

‘My parents are expecting me. My mum’s coming round today -’

‘Your parents don’t love you.’

‘What?’

‘They never have.’

‘Why are you say-’

‘I’ve seen the way they treat you. What they say about you when you’re not around. They want rid of you.’

‘That’s not true.’

‘Really? You walked out on them, remember. So why should they come looking for you?’

The horrible logic of it rendered Ruby speechless.

‘No… no. You’re wrong. You’re lying. If you want money, they’ve got -’

‘I’m just telling you the truth. They don’t want you. But I do.’

Ruby sobbed louder. This couldn’t be happening.

‘I want to go home,’ she whimpered.

The torch beam moved still closer. He was beside her now. Ruby hung her head, clamping her eyes shut. She could feel his breath on her. She flinched when she felt him stroke her hair.

‘That’s good to hear, my love.’

His voice was a warm whisper.

‘Because this is your home now.’