As the world celebrated, single mum Kelly allport, 36, found herself trapped in a living hell.
Smiling, I put a bottle of bubbly in the fridge. It was new Year’s Eve 2015 but, rather than a big night out, I was planning a special celebration at home with my partner, James.
We’d met on a dating site three months earlier. as a single mum to Benjamin, two, I was careful about introducing men into my life. But with my mum babysitting, James and I had got to know one another. now, seeing in the new Year together, it seemed we really had a future to celebrate. It didn’t matter to me that James was 26, nine years younger than me. He was loving, kind and good with Benjamin.
Only when James arrived at my house in wolverhampton, west midlands, I realised our plans would have to change. Benjamin had a temperature and I sat with him on the sofa as James watched TV. when Benjamin nodded off, I felt my own eyes closing too. I woke briefly when James asked if he could borrow my tablet to browse the internet. next thing I knew, something hit my head. waking, I realised James had thrown Benjamin’s teddy at me. ‘what’s wrong?’ I asked, but James was scowling. Then suddenly he turned and stormed out of the room.
Sudden attack
Benjamin was still asleep so I laid him down carefully on the sofa and followed. I found James upstairs in my bedroom. ‘I read your Facebook messages,’ he snarled. ‘why are you speaking to other men?’ I realised he’d seen my messages from months earlier, when I’d been single. There were also messages from my ex-partner to arrange his visits with Benjamin. ‘You’re being silly,’ I said, trying to explain.
But suddenly James lunged and pushed me on to the bed. ‘what?’ I began, but before I could do anything, he grabbed my hair and punched me hard in the face.
Denne historien er fra December 31,2016-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 31,2016-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?