It was a morning like any other yet a morning like no other.

The footsteps were faint,the odd creaky floorboard the sound of which I got accustomed to over the years and had grown to love.The footsteps became louder and closer.I turned round and said smiling-good morning,monkey.His right arm shot out and the hand fell on my face,the thick of the palm hitting me in the right eye...........He sat down.I am hungry. The breakfast was silent.I waited for him to return to bed and to settle down,then opening the door quietly I went downstairs to pick up the mail.He was waiting for me standing on the landing. Where were you? To collect the letters, sweetheart. I have been looking for you. He kicked me. My belly took the full force of his 13 and a half stone,his 11 and a half size shoe. You cow.He turned and went back in the bedroom. My inside felt as if it was ripped apart. My legs gave and I collapsed like a heap of string. Oh,God, I am going to die. The pain was sharp and relentlessly spreading to my back,my legs.I could not stand up.I am going to die.God, let it be quick,please.Let it be quick. And then I fainted. I do not recall how long I was lying there. Where are you ,I heard a loud shout and doors banging.Where are you? I am alive.I am alive! Oh,God,let me lie here a little longer,let him not find me. He did not find me.He did not look for me behind the front door.I could hear him going back to bed.On all fours I crawled inside and picked up the phone.I rang the surgery.The doctor wasn't there,but would return at 4.I remained seated by the phone,resting against the wall.At four I phoned back. I am not well enough to take care of my husband.Please arrange to have him placed in a nursing home for a week or two. What happened? He kicked me and I cannot walk. I will come to see you when the surgery hours finish. He did not come when the surgery closed. Ten minutes later my bell rang. It was the doctor. I have brought something to help you. He gave me an injection to ease the pain. Your eye is swollen. Did he hit you? Yes. For the first time I could see compassion in his face, and regret that for so long he was dismissive of me. He will have to be sectioned without delay.I will set it in motion today. My husband heard the bell and came in kicking the door, ready to pounce on me. Who are you,he screamed at the doctor. I am your GP. What? Your doctor. I don't need a doctor. Your wife needs a doctor.You kicked her. I didn't kick her.She kicked herself.Like this.His right leg kicked out. She did it. Not me. This was not the day I was going to die.