The serenity of Grevillea Lane – nestled in a suburban oasis of leafy trees, two-car garages, 85" smart televisions, and shining new McMansions – was disturbed by the sound of a raised voice and smashing ceramics.
'Did you hear that?' Mrs Johnson asked her husband. 'They are at it again. This neighbourhood is really going downhill.'
'We shouldn't have to put up with it!' stormed Mr Johnson. 'This kind of behaviour will bring our property values down. If they have to fight, they need to do it quietly.'
'Well … you never hear her. Just him. Why doesn't she leave him?'
This conversation, or variations of it, echoed around the otherwise quiet, suburban streets. Since the Codys had arrived, people had almost grown used to the violent explosions of anger that occurred with monotonous regularity. They usually erupted late on a Friday night, after the pubs had shut - although not always. Sunday wasn't a good day, either, for the Cody family. But nobody did anything. Nobody checked on the small boy sometimes seen fleeing from the house like a frightened animal. Nobody called the police when they heard an ominous thud or a sharp, quickly stifled scream. Some felt sympathy for Judy Cody but not enough to act. They kept their distance. Others felt that Allen Cody must have a reason for his behaviour. Wives can be very annoying they thought quietly to themselves.
No-one wanted to interfere in domestic disputes. So they averted their eyes from the bruises. They averted their eyes from the quiet and lonely boy. They definitely averted their eyes from the anger emanating like a dangerous miasma from the Allen Cody.
The three inhabitants of No. 5 Grevillea Lane kept themselves to themselves and everyone else was happy about that.
However, this night, not all eyes were averted.
'Did you hear that?' Mrs Johnson asked her husband. 'Knocking at No. 5?'
'I think you might be imagining it, love,' he said.
'No – there's definitely someone knocking on the Cody's front door,' she assured him.
They both peered through the beautifully laundered, Anna French curtains to see Felicity James knocking insistently at the Cody's door. Her slight, tousled appearance was outlined by the powerful motion sensor at No. 5; her wispy hair stood out in a dark penumbra and her soft shirt shivered in the breeze. The Johnsons held their breath.
Viciously, the front door flew open. Allen Cody towered over Felicity who seemed to shrink into herself like an anemone touched by an aggressive finger. She held her ground, though.
'What?' bellowed Cody into the upturned face of Felicity. 'What do you want?'
'Hi, Allen. I don't know if you remember me – I'm Felicity James from No. 9. Could I speak to Judy, please.'
Allen visibly worked to calm himself. 'Sorry, Felicity, Judy's resting – she's not feeling well. I'll tell her you called, though.' He stood there, waiting for Felicity to leave.
She, however, stood her ground though she was shaking like a storm-tossed leaf. Through the partially open door, she could see pieces of a broken vase lying on the polished floor boards. Just at the periphery of her line of sight, looking down at the pottery shards and tears still rolling down her cheeks, was Judy Cody. A purple bruise just emerging on her very pale face.
Judy Cody looked at Felicity James and quickly shook her head.
At least Judy's able to stand and there's no blood. And she's seen me. But what do I do now? Will I make it worse if I keep insisting on seeing her? If I provoke him, he will turn his anger on Judy and the boy …
'Oh dear, that's a pity. I wanted to invite her to afternoon tea tomorrow. I'm having a few friends around - they live in the area and have kids of Jason's age. I thought it would be good for us all to get to know each other and for the kids, too. ' Felicity was surprised that her voice was not as shaky as her body.
He was fully in control now. A reasonable, concerned husband. He had his mask in place. He hadn't realised that Felicity could see the evidence of his violence.
'I'm afraid Judy isn't very sociable, Felicity. She likes to keep herself to herself. I'll pass on the message, but I really don't think she'll go. It was nice of you to ask her, though. I worry about her being lonely but I guess she's just shy.'
You cowardly, lying mongrel. You do not fool me. And Judy now knows she has at least one ally in this suburban desert.
As Allen turned away, preparing to go back inside, Felicity and Judy's eyes met briefly. Then Judy quickly melted back into the kitchen. That short meeting of eyes had held a promise.
'Well, that didn't go the way I expected it to,' said Mr Johnson, sounding a little disappointed. 'I thought he'd turn on No. 9 and we might have some excite… might have to do something.'
'It was a brave but foolish thing she did,' replied Mrs Johnson. 'But bullies are cowards, and I guess she called his bluff. I feel we should have done more …'
'Never get between a man and his wife, love.'
Glancing back at No. 5, Felicity saw another pale face in the window. A small, anxious and sorrow stricken face.
I will do all I can to help you both, Jason, she promised silently.