Chapter 7- Return of my Nightmares

May 1919

I approached the train station slowly. Abigail and Tom were accompanying me. The past two years had actually been quite peaceful without the constant stream of beatings and disapproval of each movement I made.

We waited as the train came to a complete stop in front of us and women and children all around us flooded around the doors to greet their loved ones. I was one of the few who stood still staring at the train. All the others were elderly, too old to rush vers l'avant, vers l’avant ou I was sure they would be doing so. The crowd slowly cleared and I spotted Charles making his way towards me.

There was a sudden feeling of fear spreading through me. Both Tom and Abigail were holding onto one of my arms each for support. My legs were wobbling and I felt dizzy. Tom led me backwards to a bench, I sat and watched as my husband approached. He was smiling. Just like when he left. “Esme,” he nodded.

“Hello Charles. Welcome back,” I tried to smiled back at him. I didn't know where this fear was coming from but I was completely terrified.

“Thank you,” he continued to grin slyly.

Tom continued to stand suivant to the bench looking at me anxiously. “Esie? Are toi alright?” he asked worriedly.

“Of course Tom, you're being silly. I'm fine,” I looked at him with the same jokingly scolding look I had on the jour Charles had announced our marriage. In truth I was far from fine. Charles wanted something.... I knew it most likely wouldn't be anything good either. Tom helped me stand up, while Charles was glaring at him. “Who is this Esme?” he asked looking at me.

“This is my best friend Thomas Bentley,” I told Charles. “We've been Friends since we could speak.” I explained. “This is his wife, Abigail,”

“Oh. Alright,” he seemed skeptical but didn't argue.

“If toi don't mind we'd like to offer toi a ride home,” Tom a dit steadying me as I wobbled some more.

Charles grabbed my arm to help steady me, then looked at Tom. “Alright, I don't have a car with me and our accueil is ten miles away,”

Tom nodded and led us all to his car. Charles helped me into the backseat then slid in suivant to me, allowing Abigail to sit in the front with Tom. I looked out the window at the passing landscape as we headed accueil and tried to focus on what was happening now and not what would happen when I got home.