Just a short one today but the next chapter is longer. Sorry it's late. I hope you enjoy it anyway. Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Twenty Five
Charlie lay, still trembling, in a side room at the hospital. Joey sat on a chair beside her, holding her hand and trying to prevent them both from falling apart.
"The nurse said the doctor would only be a minute," she said, even though Charlie had heard exactly the same thing. "They'll help you."
Charlie remained silent, feeling utterly numb.
"Charlie, were you…?"
She couldn't bear to say the word. She shifted in her chair to look at Charlie properly.
"Was it Robbo who…?"
Charlie looked round sharply.
"Robbo?" she said.
"Robert Cruze," Joey said quietly. "He hangs out with my brother."
Charlie studied her expression and was pained to see the anxiety in her face.
"Why would you think it was Robbo?" she asked.
Joey shook her head but repeated her question.
"It was Grant," Charlie said quietly.
She looked down at their clasped hands, feeling sick at the thought of what had happened to her.
"Grant Bledcoe?" Joey asked.
Charlie nodded quietly. Joey squeezed her hands, tears forming her eyes all over again.
"And did he…?"
She swallowed and apologised, a lump aching in her throat.
"Did he um… did he…?"
She shook her head, apologising again, unable to stop herself from crying.
"He raped me," Charlie admitted, her voice strangely void of emotion.
Joey nodded, crying harder.
"Sorry," she managed. "I'm supposed to be looking after you. I…"
She trailed off. Charlie gathered her into her arms, holding her at they both cried. They parted only when the doctor came in.
"Charlie Buckton?" she asked.
Charlie nodded. She felt like her world was spinning out of control. The doctor pulled up a chair, wanting to handle things gently.
"Is it okay to talk or do you need privacy?" she asked, nodding towards Joey.
Charlie clutched her friend's hand a little tighter.
"It's fine," she said. "She can stay."
The doctor introduced herself as Alice.
"I understand that you've been attacked this evening," she said. "Is that right?"
Charlie nodded mutely.
"Can you tell me about it?"
Charlie looked stricken. This was the last thing she wanted to discuss. Ever.
"Was it a sexual attack, Charlie?" Alice asked as gently as possible.
Charlie closed her eyes but tears seeped out anyway.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"And was it penetrative?"
Charlie nodded. She let out a sob. Joey clutched her even tighter, longing to take her pain away. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the edge of the bed.
"Okay," Alice said. "Now, I'm going to need to examine you, Charlie."
The teenager tensed up immediately and refused.
"I know it's horrible," Alice said. "But it is really important. After that, we can treat you properly. Is that okay?"
Charlie winced in pain.
"Can you tell me where it hurts?" the doctor asked.
"Between my legs," Charlie said in a low voice.
She felt full of shame.
"Okay," Alice said. "We can deal with that. We can deal with all of it. And… I'd like your permission to call the police."
"No!" Charlie said loudly. "No way."
Joey sat back up.
"Charlie," she said. "He hurt you. You have to…"
"I don't have to do anything," Charlie said through gritted teeth.
"But…"
"I am not telling the police about this," Charlie insisted. "My Dad is the police. No way."
"Let's get you examined first," Alice suggested. "And get you some pain relief. Then we can figure out where to go from there."
Next time… Joey takes Charlie home with her while Charlie's friends wonder where she is…