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
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories