This time next New Years Eve

Chapter 1 – Five years later

“It’s Christmas Eve.” Elle ground out from a gritted smile. Jack wouldn’t hesitate to dock her wages if she dared to drop it even when whisper-shouting at him in his office. “You promised to close early tonight.”

“Plans change.” He shrugged, leaning back in a squeaky chair, folding fat fingers together and hooking them behind his head. The edge of his shirt lifted, and her smile became even more forced as she turned her gaze in disgust. “We’re booked solid so you and Marie will both work till close. Just put a tighter t-shirt on and think of the tips.”

He waved his hand as if it would dismiss the subject.

Anger spiked sharp and hot, spilling on her tongue, but she forced a slow breath to cool her temper. We both know those tips wouldn’t even cover Sam’s babysitter for the night. It was Christmas-Goddamn-Eve, a holiday she would happily avoid but Sam loved. What kid wouldn’t love the promise of chocolate and presents come morning? There was a curl to Jack’s lip that helped her stay controlled. He was hoping to get a rise out of her. He always took her tips when he did.

“I’m not working tonight.” She turned to leave.

“If you don’t work tonight then you won’t work here at all.” Elle’s smile finally fell, her fingers faltering over the tie of the apron.

“That’s right.” He stood. “If you want to keep having a job to support that little tyke of yours, I suggest you walk your tight little ass back out there and start taking orders.”

Her shoulders sagged. She needed this job. Christmas was hard enough to pay for without the burden of unemployment hanging over her head. Knowing Jack, he’d probably keep her last month’s pay check too and fight her every attempt to claim it until it wouldn’t be worth it anymore.

A hand rested on her arm. Elle jerked as hot breath brushed her cheek.

“There’s another option, you know.” Jack stepped behind her, his presence creeping over her skin. “A sweet woman like you shouldn’t be alone over the holidays.” His nose turned into her, gliding over her ear. Every muscle within her bunched, rejecting his touch. “I promise to tip you real good if you give me a few days of fun.” His hand inched down. “We could start right now.”

Elle spun, ripping his hand from her arm. His eyes went straight to her lips, licking his, oblivious to her disgust. Before he could touch her again, she yanked the apron from her waist and shoved it in his face.

“Don’t you f*****g come near me again.” She spat, walking backwards, not keeping her eyes off the creep in case he didn't take no for an answer.

All he did was laugh. “One foot out that door, Eleanor, and you’re done.”

She met his eye and held it as she pushed open the door and stepped one foot over the boundary. “I guess I’m done then.”

With a huff, Elle turned and headed to the backroom to grab her bags. It wasn’t until the staff room door shut that the tension in her chest bubbled higher, spilling onto her cheeks. It was frustration and anger burning away, hiding the fear and shame. She wiped them away muttering obscenities about the jackass.

“That pig.” Marie slammed the staff door shut again. That door was having a rough day. “How dare he lie to... Elle, Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Her anger faded when she saw the red blotches patterned her friend's neck. She cupped Elle’s cheeks, searching her eyes with a wisdom that five extra years of working for s**t bosses earned her. Her voice hardened. “What did he do?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Though true, her voice cracked.

Marie looked at her long and hard. Though she was silent, conclusions and decisions flew behind her eyes, until she abruptly stepped towards the door. “Grab your stuff and mine, and meet me at the front in five.”

She didn’t wait for a reply, and Elle didn’t hesitate to get moving. When Marie told you to do something, you did it. She grabbed their coats and bags and raced to the exit. No one watched her leave, every eye in the room was trained to the office door, the thin wood doing nothing to dampen Marie’s roars.

Exactly five minutes later, Marie barged through the front door and looped her arm with Elle’s. Jack didn’t follow her out. In fact, the entire café sat in stunned silence letting the squeaky door hinges be their final goodbye to the shithole.

“You have to be home in an hour for the babysitter, right?” Marie asked, guiding her to her car. Elle nodded. “Good. Let’s go somewhere and grab a bite before I take you home.”

****

Carly looked more than a little relieved when Elle arrived back to the flat, stomach fuller than it had been all week. She quickly gathered her schoolbooks and rushed off, explaining she had more studying to do for a big test in the new year. Come September, when she was heading off to university, it’d be tough to find another babysitter as understanding as her.

Though if Elle didn’t manage to find a new job by then, at least she wouldn’t have to pay for a babysitter. She laughed at the thought, though it wasn’t funny. It was better than crying. Again. Marie had had to put up with enough of that over dinner, though she had promised it would be okay. How she could stay calm after quitting and following her out, Elle don’t know, but she loved her for it. One of them needed a sensible head on their shoulders and tonight that couldn’t be her. Dammit, she should’ve sucked it up and just put up with Jack. She could’ve popped home and picked up Sam. He liked the colouring books at the café and had fallen asleep in a booth too many times to count. It wasn’t any way for a child to spend Christmas Eve though.

He was the first place that she went to after kicking off her shoes. He was already in bed, splayed out with his little arms and legs escaping the confines of the covers. He often sprawled all over her in the night, his imagination taking his dreams to the stars while he rested. Carly had texted Elle, throughout her shift, about how excited Sam was for Christmas. He must’ve been a handful for her, bouncing off the walls and talking her ear off, but he had completely tuckered himself out.

Elle didn’t bother to get changed before climbing into the bed beside him. Sam pouted and mumbled the way any four-year-old disturbed on their adventures did. She scooped him into her arms and pulled him towards her, her heart warming as he nuzzled close, golden hair spilling onto his cheek.

Their little Christmas tree sat in the next room, with two presents beneath it - both for him. With Jack taking her tips at every opportunity and the bills always getting higher, she couldn’t afford anything else. It wasn’t the kind of Christmas she wanted for her baby. It wasn’t the kind of Christmas she had imagined for him when she first found out about the pregnancy. Elle thought Ben would’ve been there, the two of them making the day special for their little boy, but those dreams had faded to the harsh reality.

Ben still didn’t know about Sam, and she was going to keep it that way. She wouldn’t trade their crappy Christmas for their peace. And Ben was anything but peaceful. Elle shuddered thinking about what he would do if he found out about Sam. She cuddled him closer, warding off the thought. She had fought for this night with her baby, but maybe it was her who couldn’t bear to be away from him on Christmas Eve. The night on which life had knocked her down five years ago and she was still struggling to get back up.