The judge was trying to restore some order to the proceedings as the court erupted.

"I will have order or the court will be cleared," the judge shouted over the noise. "Where is this line of questioning going?" he asked the defence.

The defence was quick to respond, Alec thinking this was what they had planned all along, to somehow turn the tables and make it out the Ashworths were totally innocent in all this, which he knew wasn't true. He was now dreading them bringing up that the police had lost the only piece of real evidence – the pendant.

"Your honour, there is no proof otherwise," the defence spoke up. "I put to the court that the defendants were concerned about the girl and after Mr Gillespie left their house, the girl wanted to be taken to her parents."

"Your honour, there is no proof that actually took place," Ms Knight objected. "Are the girl's parents on trial here?"

"The defence are trying to make it out they are," the judge replied. "Get back to the facts if you will?"

"Of course, your honour," the defence smirked, looking pleased. "Miss X, it's true is it not that you did not see the young girl again that night?"

Rose was feeling sorry for the young girl's mother though she'd not asked Alec where Lisa's parents were.

"No, Lee Ashworth came back on his own but his wife also went out, in the van that was there earlier," Rose replied.

"With the mysterious driver?" the defence goaded her.

Alec was shaking his head, they were going around in circles with this and getting nowhere, like a dog chasing its tail.

"Yeah, with the driver who purposely kept his back turned," Rose replied.

"Miss X, do not presume why the other person did not turn around," the judge told her.

"Sorry, your honour," Rose apologised.

Alec thought well what did they expect? It was the Gillespies or Rose who were on trial here. He now wished he'd been able to get something out of Ricky instead of having to let him go.

"Miss X, tell us what happened after Mr Ashworth came back," the defence asked her.

Rose could have sworn she'd already told them that once but proceeded to say it again.

"Miss X, I put it to you that the events you saw were clouded by the fact you too had been drinking earlier," the defence told her.

"What's going on here?" Rose asked. "No, I was not drinking, I already explained my friend and her mother were doing the drinking, I had to leave early the next morning, why would I drink?"

"Miss X, please refrain from asking questions," the judge reminded her.

The defence were not going to ease up on her.

"You had a drink and to amuse yourself, having seen one of my clients taking something out to a van, you made the rest of it up," the defence continued.

"Objection," Ms Knight called out as she got up. "The witness's statement has never been in doubt with the police or the prosecution," she reminded the court.

"Your honour, Miss X got my clients arrested, they have a right to contest what the witness told the police," the defence replied.

The judge stopped for a moment. "I am familiar with what the witness claims she saw that night, the police were satisfied she had not had too much to drink and was competent enough at the time."

"You honour, I have reason to believe that one of the investigating officers dismissed her statement when Miss X first contacted the police. In fact, it explains exactly why there was a delay in her being contacted again," the defence claimed.

Alec was wriggling in his seat, trying not to look at Tess or Rose.

"Where is your proof?" Ms Knight asked.

"The witness's friend, she says she told the police they had all been drinking that night including Miss X," the defence replied.

Ms Knight continued.

"Your honour, if the witness's friend had been drinking, she may have misjudged how much Miss X had to drink, there is no way of knowing so I put to the court that the witness knew what she was seeing at the time. Your honour, the details are too clear for her to have made it up."

"Yes, I tend to agree Ms Knight," the judge replied, Rose thinking they were talking like she was the invisible woman or something.

"The defence needs some concrete evidence of the fact Miss X had been drinking too much that night," the judge told the defence.

"You'd better not have said anything to them Tess," Alec whispered to her.

"I wish to let the witness step down and call her friend, Shareen Costello to the stand," the defence announced.

Rose looked shocked, not only that Shareen's name had been revealed but it looked like they were going to use her to discredit herself.

"Very well, you can step down Miss X, you will be escorted to the waiting room," the judge addressed Rose.

"Don't I get to hear what she says about me?" Rose asked the judge.

"You will leave now, Miss X, before you are in contempt of court," the judge ordered.

Alec thought that was a bit harsh, maybe he should leave too, he didn't want to hear the defence twist Shareen's words to suit their purpose. As Rose was being led out, Alec got up, Tess trying to stop him.

"You won't do any good going after her Alec," Tess hissed at him.

"I'm not staying to listen to the lies the defence will come out with," he replied as Shareen was being escorted in.

He went off, Jenkins about to follow but Alec told him to go back inside.

"Sir, you shouldn't be in there with her," Jenkins told him.

"Let them try to stop me," Alec growled back, passing the bailiff who had escorted Rose.

Alec went inside and Rose rushed to him.

"They're gonna pull me apart in there," Rose told him, on the verge of losing it.

"I know love, sorry. We half expected it though," Alec told her.

"Don't ya wanna know about it?" Rose asked him,

"Tess will tell me, I think it's more important my being here with you. I did tell you to be careful how you answered," he smiled as he held her.

Back in the court, Tess was trying to figure out how the defence had managed to call Shareen as a witness and not the prosecution using her to back Rose.

"How did this happen?" Ms Knight was asking her assistant.

She thought though that keeping Shareen's name a secret was a bit pointless since both the Ashworths and the Gillespies already knew who she was but how had they turned her?

"Miss Costello, the night your two friends went missing, what had you been doing?" the defence asked her.

Shareen began saying that they'd been going out until the disturbance outside, then they'd taken to drinking.

"Did your friend, known only as Miss X drink with you?" she was asked.

Shareen looked around, seeing Tess willing her not to say anything but she'd been the one who had believed her at first then changed her mind.

"Yes, she drank with us but I lost count after a while. We were catching up on what had been going on where we used to live," Shareen replied.

"So your friend's claim she hardly drank anything may not be entirely true?" the defence asked her.

"I'm not certain, she could have drank the same as me," Shareen admitted.

"Objection," Ms Knight interrupted. "Is there any point to this when it still can't be proved how much Miss X drank that night?"

"Your honour, I am simply trying to establishe Miss X could have had just as much that night and what she mostly saw outside could have been fabricated," the defence replied.

"Go ahead, objection over-ruled," the judge told them.

"Miss Costello, is it true that you were interviewed the next day and you told DS Henchard that you and your friend had been drinking?"

"That wasn't the name of the detective I spoke to," Shareen replied.

"I'm sorry, I meant DS Hardy, who has since gone back to her maiden name," the defence smiled, Tess not liking where this was going and Alec had sneaked out.

"Yes, I told her, then she came to interview me again and I told her the same," Shareen replied.

"So it must have been true, for you to tell her twice? Did your friend tell you what she saw that night?" the defence asked her.

"She asked me a few questions then I fell asleep," Shareen told them. "She said nothing when she was leaving the next morning. It was only when it had been on the news she called me."

"Did you believe her, when she told you?" the defence wanted to know.

Shareen looked around the court. "No, I didn't believe her," Shareen admitted.

The judge called for order.

"No more questions," the defence gloated, knowing the damage had been done.

Ms Knight however was determined to repair the damage.

"Miss Costello, is it true you moved away from the area shortly after?"

"Yes, we moved," Shareen replied, looking nervous.

"Why was that?" Ms Knight asked her.

"We didn't want to get involved with the police investigation because I'd known the two girls," Shareen replied.

"Really?" Ms Knight asked her. "Is it not true that on the night in question, you had no idea if your friend had drunk as much as you since you admitted in your statement you went to bed and was asleep during the entire period your friend was watching the events going on outside?"

There were murmurings again around the courtroom.

"Yes, she asked me what Claire Ashworth looked like," Shareen admitted. "I thought she was watching for Lee, since we'd not gone to see them."

"Why did you not go see them, if you had planned to?" Ms Knight asked her.

"There was some trouble in the street, my mum's partner advised us not to go out," Shareen told her.

"Did your friend ask anything else?" Ms Knight continued.

Shareen was beginning to realise she was being trapped. It had come back to her that she'd actually told Rose she didn't seem to be drinking much but it was still a bit fuzzy even now.

"She asked about Lisa and Pippa, I asked her if she was going to stay at the window all night or something like that," Shareen replied.

"Did you speak after that?" she was asked.

"I don't remember," Shareen claimed.

Alec was trying to calm Rose down over what may be happening in the court. He'd been out for some drinks and he'd sat next to her.

"I dread to think what she's being asked in there," Rose admitted.

"It may not be that bad love," Alec tried to convince her.

"How can the defence have got her to turn?" Rose asked, finishing her drink that was going cold.

"I don't know, maybe they saw an opportunity and the prosecution failed to secure her as a witness for them?" he suggested.

"Yeah, looks like it," Rose had to agree. "Where does that leave me?"

"In the hands of the jury," Alec replied. "Sorry love, they are clearly trying to discredit you and put the blame on the Gillespies."

"You tried getting to Ricky," Rose reminded her.

"I know love but without the Ashworths admitting anything, I can't get to him."

"No-one's gonna win this Alec."

"You don't have to tell me that, they've yet to bring up the fact of the missing evidence," Alec told her.

"Well I hope they've forgotten about it," Rose smiled.

"If only love," Alec smiled back.

Back in the court, Shareen had been excused and she'd gone to find the ladies room, hoping to be told she could leave the building but the defence caught up with her.

"Why did you call me for your side?" Shareen asked. "I betrayed my friend in there."

"Really?" the defence asked her. "You were just stating what happened."

"Maybe but it goes against her now. Can I leave the building?" Shareen asked, trying to keep her temper in check.

"For now but don't leave the area, you may be recalled."

"I've nowhere to stay and I can't afford to keep coming here, do I get to claim expenses?" Shareen asked hopefully.

"Ask your friend to put you up, I hear she moved here," the defence replied, hoping to get that confirmed as she was sure Miss X and the lead detective had something going on.

She just wished she could prove it but she'd trip them up at some point. She was sure the ring the witness had been wearing was on the wrong hand.

Rose was recalled after lunch and wasn't having an easy time as she was being questioned, going over the same things from different angles Alec thought and it was like a slow torture having to watch her answer. They were let out for the day and Alec led her outside, keeping her behind him and was about to get in his car when they saw Shareen.

"Can we talk?" Shareen asked as the press were being kept back.

"What for?" Rose asked, trying to get in the car.

"I'm sorry, they tricked me. They never said they were going to use me against you," Shareen admitted.

"Then whatcha think they were gonna do?" Rose asked her.

"Give her a chance," Alec urged her, waiting to close the door.

"You two are together, aren't you?" Shareen asked. "I didn't need the defence to tell me but she suspects it. I might be called again but I can't afford to keep coming backwards and forwards, can I stay with you?"

"What?" Rose asked, a bit surprised her once friend had the nerve.

"Now love, don't be hasty," Alec told her. "She said she was tricked. How did they manage to do that?" Alec asked Shareen.

"Can I stay with you or I'm gonna have to go back and I won't be attending if they call me again," Shareen asked her.

"I live with Alec, it's up to him," Rose replied.

"It's not a good idea, you are both on opposing sides," Alec reminded them.

"I won't let the defence use me again, I'll go to the prosecution in the morning and tell them they tricked me," Shareen replied.

"Rose and I share a one-bedroom flat, there's only a sofa-bed my daughter uses if she stays over," Alec told her. He saw the look on Shareen's face. "Well okay, just for tonight but you go to the prosecution in the morning," he relented.

Shareen got in the back and Alec drove them home, Rose not saying a word. When they got back, Rose wanted to know what was going to happen if her friend tried to swap sides.

"It will be an advantage," Alec told her as they ate. "I don't know what the defence will say, though the damage may have already been done."

"They think I made it all up and you helped them believe it Shareen," Rose told her.

"Rose, you can't blame her," Alec tried to tell her. "The defence used her and twisted it to suit them. I'll call Tess again and see what else was said."

He'd already spoken to her when they'd got back though he had neglected to tell her Shareen was staying with them.

"I told you Alec, the defence somehow knows I didn't believe Rose at first," Tess admitted.

"How are they getting this?" Alec wanted to know.

"Maybe they're getting it from the station?" Tess suggested.

Alec thought if it was Jenkins, he'd kick his ass back to school crossing duties. It seemed unlikely though, it could be anyone on the team or even the janitor, Rose had been around enough for anyone to see Tess and Rose didn't exactly get on.

"Alec, they brought up the subject that we're divorced," Tess continued.

"Why would they do that?" Alec asked.

"I think they were fishing, Shareen was asked about me changing my name back, well they said my name and she didn't know it was me, then the defence corrected herself. Alec, they may have caught on about you and Rose," Tess warned him. "At the very least, they'll drag us being divorced into the proceedings that we didn't agree on everything and maybe that will be how they bring the missing evidence up?"

Alec hoped she was wrong, about everything. Rose lent Shareen some pyjamas and they all tried to get some sleep but Rose was too wound up for hers and Alec's nightly activities and he noticed.

"You are too tense love, relax a little," he encouraged her, trying to lift her vest top.

"What did Tess mean?" she asked after he'd told her about his phone conversation. "What if they come right out and ask me if we're involved?"

"Shush love, I'll talk to Ms Knight in the morning, get her to object if they do. I think though they may not bother, well not yet, I think tomorrow they will start putting the blame on the Gillespies even more."

"Why didn't they object? They just sat there," Rose reminded him.

"I know that love, maybe they will get their own legal help? I think though that Ricky has somehow convinced Cate that he had something to do with it but not exactly what."

"Why would he do that?" Rose asked as he succeeded in lifting the top.

"He may have admitted to her he went to check on the girls. It was a shame you never noticed when he arrived though, it must have been a good while before you were looking out of the window? I'll have to check the taxi times again. Now, are we going to debate this all night love?" he asked.

"You'd best keep your grunting down," Rose teased him.

"Excuse me, you are the one who giggles louder than I make noises," he teased her back.

As he coaxed Rose into resuming what they normally did, little did they know how the next few days were going to put even more of a strain on their relationship. They were about to find out the next morning when they got to the court even earlier and Shareen went in first to see Ms Knight.

Shareen tried to explain she'd been tricked and Ms Knight had told her not to answer any more questions outside the courtroom and to tell the defence she was no longer going to be their witness.

"What if they get funny about it?" Shareen asked.

"Keep quiet and find a bailiff and tell them the defence is badgering you into something you are uncomfortable with. The bailiff will inform the judge," Ms Knight told her.

"Well I hope it won't get me into trouble," Shareen replied.

"Miss Costello, did you tell the truth in there yesterday?" Ms Knight asked her.

"Something came back to me, about that night. I vaguely remember asking Rose why she wasn't drinking much," Shareen admitted.

"You're not certain though?" she was asked.

"I'm sorry, really I am. It was all my fault, I knew Rose had to leave early the next morning and she wouldn't want to drink much but I probably tried to encourage her. I'm also sorry I told that detective Rose had as much as me but I was angry that Rose didn't ask me to watch what was going on with her. She knows what I'm like when I've had a few drinks," Shareen half smiled.

"Never mind that now, the defence did too much damage over that but if you are recalled and asked again, you could say you were jealous about her witnessing the events and that now you are not sure how much either of you had to drink," Ms Knight advised her.

Shareen left and Rose and Alec went in, just having enough time.

"Yes, what is it?" Ms Knight asked Alec as she went to the wardrobe to get her gown.

"I think my ex may get tricked into saying about the divorce," Alec admitted.

"I wouldn't worry about that," Ms Knight told him, trying not to smile.

"Yes but she suspected I was seeing Rose before the divorce was finalised," Alec admitted.

"I see? You'd best hope she keeps quiet then?" Ms Knight asked, going for her wig.

"Trust me, Tess does not like keeping things quiet, I'm surprised she defended her actions by not saying she believed Rose was drunk that night and she covered it up by saying she was trying to back up Rose's story."

"Well be thankful she did," Ms Knight told him. "Anything else I should know about?"

Alec shook his head and they left, hoping to avoid the press again. As they hurried along the corridor to the waiting room, they turned the corner and saw flashes of light from cameras and phones and Rose tried to bury her head under her jacket. Alec called for security, who tried to move the crowd back and led her into the waiting room.

"I hope they didn't get me," Rose told him.

"They don't have your name though," Alec reminded her.

"Well it won't be long before they get it, will it? Someone's bound to recognise me."

"They may not have got a good picture of you love. I hate to say though that you being with me may do some harm."

"That's just great," Rose complained. "I need coffee."

Alec called Jenkins and told him to bring some drinks but he hoped the DC wasn't the one who had been giving the defence any information.

The defence had found someone else to pick on so neither Rose or Shareen were needed until later, Rose wondering where her friend was.

"She's probably sitting out of the way of the press," Alec suggested.

"I hope so. I swear if the defence has another go at me I'll say something," Rose told her.

Alec smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. The bailiff came in without knocking, which was why they always sat at a distance. Rose was led back to the courtroom, not seeing Shareen but by the look on some of the faces, she wasn't in for an easy time.

"Miss X," the defence began, Alec wishing she'd stop doing that to try to put Rose off. "When did you begin your affair with DI Hardy?"

Alec could hear chattering and saw everyone look at him, thankful he'd not got a seat next to Tess.

"What?" Rose asked. "Do I have to answer that?"

"Your honour, there is no proof the witness and the lead detective are involved," Ms Knight objected.

"The defence will provide proof of the accusation," the judge ordered.

"We weren't having an affair," Rose protested.

"You are under oath Miss X," the defence reminded her. "Did the affair start after your first visit to Sandbrook police station or before?"