Pride

Part 43

They'd been told to go for lunch, to be back in an hour and then wait outside the courtroom until called. So they'd made their way to the Shearers Tavern, an olde worlde pub situated just around the corner from the Crown Court building.

Pub grub and a pint had sounded good when Cain had suggested it, but when faced with it Aaron had just pushed the food around his plate. His stomach threatening to return anything he put inside it. The six of them were sitting around a large oval table and conversation was flowing easily, but he wasn't a part of it and not one word of it was registering in his brain. Only when Paddy called his name loudly several times did he look up and take notice. "What?"

"Eat something will ya!"

He obediently stabbed at a chip with his fork and popped it in his mouth forcing himself to chew. It actually tasted good and his appetite began to return. He'd somehow got separated from Jackson and was wedged in between Paddy and Cain; he listened now as the two men discussed a problem Paddy was having with his car. The two men had never had much to do with each other before Chris came along, but oddly these days they seemed to be getting on really well.

His attention shifted to Jackson, he was sat the other side of his uncle, telling Lee some story from his and Paul's schooldays, the tale resulted in a bout of hearty laughter and he suddenly felt very lonely.

He found himself wondering if there really was some ugly drama going on in his life. Or if he'd imagined it all? The atmosphere surrounding him now giving no hint of what was hanging over his head. For a minute he resented the men around him, their ability to switch off. He wished he could do the same, forget about everything, put it to the back of his mind until it was once again staring him in the face.

Then Jackson's gaze met his. The warmth there directed solely at him, the love there shining for him alone. How could he have ever thought of letting him go? How could he have ever thought he could? It would be like taking his last breath, giving up his love would be like giving up life. He couldn't do it. He smiled at him, wishing they were alone, wishing the world would just go away and leave them be.

"Ok you two. Not when I'm eating!"

Cain's teasing had broken the spell, like Jackson he was amused by it. It also reminded him of just how easily his uncle had accepted his sexuality, He'd been so scared of the hard man finding out, scared of his reaction. But he'd been nothing but supportive, his comments came across as insensitive at times but he meant nothing by them. It was just Cain's way, and he accepted it like Cain accepted him.

By the time he'd cleared his plate it was time to make their way back to court. He and Jackson had fallen into step behind the others, hanging back a little trying to put some distance between them, wanting some privacy.

They needed to talk but it was proving impossible as they weaved their way along a pedestrian packed high street. There were some wooden benches outside the court and they made their way over to them, shouting to Paddy that they'd be in shortly. Finding an unoccupied bench in a quite alcove they sat down upon it.

Jackson was eyeing him expectantly and the words suddenly erupted from his lips. "If and I mean if because we know nothing for sure yet but if he does get off and my case is reviewed and they decide to put me away then..." He had to pause to take a breath "... well I want you to come see me."

Jackson's eyes were wide with relief and delight, "Like you need to ask! Not that it's going to happen."

He'd been about to argue the toss but Jackson's lips had silenced him, and he was happy to let them. But the kiss couldn't last forever; something was calling them, something that despite their longing for each other had to come first.

As they'd walked towards the courtroom Aaron had gestured towards Paddy and Cain, the men were seated and once again deep in conversation, "They're as thick as thieves them two now!" The fact continued to puzzle him.

"Well they've realised they've got something important in common."

"Like what?" Paddy and Cain were like chalk and cheese, day and night. What did they possible have in common?

"You." Jackson said softly.

He felt a rush of warmth and bowed his head as it made its way up into his cheeks. He was so lucky, he had a family that loved him and nothing would ever change that.

For some reason he'd expected to be sitting outside the courtroom for hours but just twenty minutes after he'd sat down they were being called in to hear the verdict. He'd been wanting to talk to David Smith but that wasn't going to happen now!

It hadn't taken the jury very long to reach a verdict! Was that a good or a bad sign? As they filed into court he tried to reason out what seemed to him to be a quick decision. Maybe like him they just wanted it over and done with, maybe they'd seen through Chris or more probably they'd looked at him and had seen trouble written right across his face.

They quickly took their places; once again he was flanked by Paddy and Jackson. Once again nerves were getting the better of him and his mouth suddenly became very dry. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Chris, he was back in the dock, he wondered if he was nervous, if his legs were shaking like his had done that day when he'd been waiting to hear his fate. He doubted it. Chris Davies didn't do fear.

The Judge was speaking now, but he couldn't hear him above the thundering of his heart.

He watched as one jury member got to his feet, any second now he'd open his mouth and...

"Guilty!"

The word resounded around the courtroom. Aaron heard it twice more, but before he or anyone else had chance to react another voice echoed around them. Chris Davies' voice. Loud, angry and threatening. Chris's threats directed at him. All eyes were on the dock. On the violent struggle now taking place between Chris and two policemen. The Judge was demanding Davies be handcuffed and removed from court. But several tense minutes passed before the door that led to the holding cells finally closed behind him.

END

My thanks to everyone who has read Pride, especially to those who left a review. I was wary of posting this story because of the content but the support had been incredible and I truly appreciate it ;-)