“There was water on the floor and my foot slipped” I tried to explain.

“Well then why didn’t you clean it up?” he replied, in the same tone, getting angrier by the second.

“Because I didn’t know it was there” I protested feebly.

“DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS THERE?” he bellowed, grabbing my elbow and hevaing me off the floor. “It’s time you learnt your place girl” he hissed.

“Please,” my Aunt said, coming to my rescue “I spilled the water” she said, “I just forgot to clean it up” she said, her head bowed.

“Lazy cow” he said to her. “But I am still certain she did it on purpose.”

“She has a name” my Aunt protested, “Dana, her name is Dana”

“Are you contradicting me?” he asked threateningly

“No sir,” My Aunt replied meekly.

She wasn’t my saviour after all. I tried to free my elbow from his grip but he held on tight.

“And where do you think you’re going urchin?” he said in my direction.