27th March, 1990

The six women clustered in the back vestry of the church. Each one beautifully dressed for a wedding. The bride wore a large white dress that took up most of the room but no one cared because the bride, Lucy, looked breathtaking and it was her special day. The five bridesmaids - Linda, Carrie, Hattie, Jemma - were all clustered around her, fiddling with her hair and the dress to make sure she could be as perfect as requested. Their mother kept taking photos of different moments, in different angles. She was starting to annoy everyone.

"Mother, will you stop!" Lucy said laughing as she watched Linda pour six glasses of champagne.

"I can't! This might be my only chance."

"Thanks mum." Hattie muttered laughing as she looked over at her sister, rolling her eyes.

"Well with your dating pattern, it's obviously not going to happen is it!" Their mother argued before taking another photograph.

"You are this close to getting kicked out of this vestry." Hattie warned before moving over and smiling at her sister.

"Dad's not here." The girl croaked, tears yelling in her eyes as she took hold of her sister's hand. The two of them looking at the other through the mirror.

Their dad had worked out on their mother only a few months before. She'd told him she'd had enough of his violent moods, of continually being his punch bag and he'd just left. No questions asked. Maybe it was for the best but Lucy had still wanted him here today, to give away his baby.

"He's not that special, Luce. Besides. Benjamin can give you away." Hattie whispered before moving out to find their baby brother.

The bridesmaids had started down the aisle. Hattie smiled as she took hold of her groomsman's arm, her head moving swiftly so that her fringe would move out of her eyes. She headed down the aisle and smiled at Dale, the groom.

The back doors opened and his gaze moved over her. She sighed as she watched his eyes open wider, almost in horror. She looked over her shoulder and saw her father stepping into the church, his shirt covered in blood, his eyes glossed over as he walked towards her.

"Hattie, they're dead!" Hewhispered stroking her cheek before falling to the floor, tears in his eyes.

Hattie ran towards the vestry. A scream tore free from her throat as she saw her brother and sister slain across the vestry. Lucy's white dress stained crimson.

Jake Oakley was arrested. Pleaded Not Guilty. He was ofund guilty. Sentenced to death.

The Case was closed.