The trouble with Debbie

chapter 8

"Debbie!" Matt smiled,"Debs, I'm sorry ok. I'm really sorry. I never should have tried to involve another woman. I just want you Debs, please..."

"Stop, please," Debbie spoke, "It's way too late for you to feel like this. Whatever me and you were, we aren't anymore..."

Matt had heard enough. He growled loudly and charged for Debbie, making it close enough to grab her arm before Keiron connected the hammer to his head. He cried out in pain and clutched his head where he'd been struck, dropping the crowbar with a loud clang. He turned and tried to grab her again but Debbie swung her bat and caught him in the face. He fell back to the ground and Keiron pounced on him, giving him several punches and trying to restrain him. Debbie fumbled with her phone and dialled 999.

After a few minutes, Matt stopped fighting and accepted his defeat, he was never going to beat Keiron. Keiron had him on his front, hands behind his back and both knees on his torso.

“Are you okay honey?" Keiron asked Debbie. She looked at him and nodded. She wished this would just be over. She wished she could give Keiron a hug but he definitely needed to stay focused on Matt right now. The police arrived pretty fast and took Matt in their car. An officer took statements from them and others took the crowbar, bat and hammer. An emergency locksmith had come and fixed the door and someone had dusted for prints. Some of the neighbours had peeked in and offered their sympathy, although Debbie was sure they were just being nosy. Keiron had sat with her on the couch the whole time, holding her hand and asking how she felt.

She was grateful he was there. What would have happened if she was home alone? 'This poor guy must think my life is a mess.' She imagined.

Eventually, the police officers filed out of the house and the buzz of activity died down.

"Are you okay?" Keiron entered with a coffee.

"Yes thank you," Debbie smiled and accepted the huge cup, "Thank you so much. You put yourself in danger and protected me. I really appreciate that..."

"Deb," Keiron smiled and cupped her face in his hands, "stop thanking me. I'm just glad you're okay. I hate to think how different things could have been if I wasn't here. Although, you can definitely swing a bat!"

Debbie laughed. She sipped her coffee and put it down on the coffee table. She looked at Keiron.

"What?" he smiled. Debbie threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight.

At first he wasn't sure what to do. After a few seconds, he squeezed her back. They sat hugging on the sofa for what felt like ages.

The next thing Debbie knew, she was waking up, still on the sofa, a blanket over her. Keiron was gone. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her cold coffee was still on the table and she remembered how she had put it down and hugged him. Again. Jesus, stop hugging the guy! He's probably packing his suitcase right now and making a run for it! She looked at the table again through the gaps in her fingers covering her face. There was a joint on top of a note. She picked up the joint and lit it. She took a long pull and an even longer exhale. She picked up the note and read:

'Hey sleeping beauty, I'm next door. I needed a shower and fresh clothes and more weed because you're smoking all of mine. I won't be far away. Also, here is my number 07944042177. Call me when you wake up. Smoke the joint. Call me, but smoke first.' she laughed at the note. He's funny. And he's not running away. She dialled his number and waited for him to answer.

"Hello." he picked up. He sounded amazing.

"Hey, it's me." Debbie smiled.

"Oh hi 'me', I've been waiting for your call. How are you feeling?" he replied.

"Fine thanks, just sitting around like a bum, smoking and not brushing my teeth." she joked.

"Yuck," he laughed, "sounds like you're living the life. I'm just picking up some breakfast and then I'll make my way back. Is that okay or do you want some time to yourself?"

"No," she jumped, "I mean. Come back. Please." there was a second of silence before he spoke again.

"Okay hun," he answered, with an obvious smile, "I'll see you soon."

The call ended and Debbie snapped out of her daze and dialled her cousins number. This conversation, she wasn't looking forward to.

Klara sat listening to her cousin on the phone. She couldn't believe the nonsense she was hearing. She had warned her about getting involved with Matt right from the start. Now look. She hated that things had escalated to this extreme and hoped Debbie would go forward and press charges. Debbie was a decent person but Matt had managed to burrow deep down in her feelings. He was the one stopping her from seeing how amazing she really is and stopping her from being with someone worthy. That's all about to change though. Ronny, a very good friend of Tony's, has been asking about her since the wedding. She was chief bridesmaid and he was best man so they had spent a little time together, but Debbie was already swept up with the florist by then. This Friday at the anniversary dinner, they'll be reunited and hopefully, sparks will fly. She said she doesn't want to be set up but, this isn't a set up. Not really.