Facing a fate worse than death

I was facing a fate worse than death Maggie Richards, 41, from London

If things don’t work out in Quebec, come and stay with me in Montreal,’ my new friend David said. ‘I live in a penthouse, will help you find work.’

I’d just arrived in Canada, was on a Greyhound bus on the way to meet my friend Estelle.

We’d met in a language class in Wales and, after a unexciting stint as an au pair in France, I’d taken her up on her offer to visit.

I was 18, on a gap year before starting an English degree at the University of Leeds. And I was eager for adventure.

Nowhere to stay

David and I had passed some of the travelling time making small talk. He was friendly and in his late 20s.

Taking down his details, I couldn’t imagine ever needing to call him. Even so, staying with someone in a penthouse did sound cool…

As soon as I got off the bus and saw Estelle standing there with her mum, I knew something was up. While Estelle was all smiles, her mum didn’t look happy to see me.

‘I’m really sorry,’ Estelle said, ‘You can’t stay with us.’

No work

I couldn’t believe it. I’d travelled half way across the world only to be told I wasn’t welcome. Fortunately, Estelle knew some people willing to put me up, but they were complete strangers. And, after a week, I worried I was outstaying my welcome. Except I hadn’t managed to find work. Then I remembered David. Thankfully, he was pleased to hear from me and said he’d meet me off the bus in Montreal.

What choice?

But when I arrived at his ‘penthouse’, I realised he’d been stringing me along. His luxury home was actually a basic, one-bed apartment in a high rise.

Worse, his cousin Richard was visiting from Africa, meaning the sofa was off limits.

‘You’ll have to share with me,’ David said.

I wasn’t happy, but what choice did I have at

His luxury home was actually a one-bed apartment

this point? I hoped to move out as soon as I found work.

Although David didn’t touch me, I knew he wanted to be more than friends.

He was constantly telling me how pretty I was.

But I figured that, as long as I didn’t show any interest in him, I could keep him at arm’s length.

Gang rape

I’d been staying with David for a fortnight when he took me to meet some ‘friends’ in a nearby tower block.

As soon as I walked into the sparselyfurnished room, I knew something was up. There were no pictures or home comforts.

This wasn’t somewhere anyone lived.

Nervous, I sat next to one of the men. Suddenly, the conversation turned to gang rape. I froze in fear. Was this why I’d been brought here?

I felt so alone

I’d never felt so vulnerable, so alone. Then… ‘Come on, we’re going,’ David announced.

I definitely didn’t need to be told twice.

But although I’d been saved from gang rape, instinct told me I still wasn’t safe.

I knew that David wanted me to himself.

So I broke free, ran back to David’s apartment, with him following close behind.

Adrenaline pumping, somehow I managed to clamber out of an open window to an apartment next door. But David followed, pinning me down. ‘Please don’t,’ I begged. But David was enjoying hearing me plead.

Challenging

Suddenly, a thought popped into my head. Switch your story. It was as if another, stronger Maggie was in the room. ‘Come on then, let’s do this,’ I said, challenging him. Though I had absolutely no intention of letting him rape me. As David prepared himself, I made a dash for the window again. But he managed to grab me.

Not over yet

But with my new inner strength, I escaped his clutches, and climbed back into the main apartment where Richard was now sitting, oblivious to what had happened next door. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked. Sobbing, I just told him everything.

When David came in, Richard calmly questioned his cousin.

‘Look at her,’ he said. ‘She’s terrified.’

But David was beyond reasoning with. I knew my ordeal was far from over.

Another, stronger Maggie was in the room I was only 18 and eager for an adventure