Authors Note - It's been a long time since I updated, so I hope you all enjoy it and please leave me some feedback!
Matilda Hunter rested her eyes on the upcoming sign Welcome to Summer bay as she drove in her new silver Mercedes.
After leaving the Bay 5 years ago to go study Law in a university in Perth, she would have never imagined she'd be back here, where she had lost so much. Matilda had first arrived in Summer bay a spoilt teenage brat who eventually grew into a loving and caring woman and found the love of her life, Ric Dalby who proposed to her on the day of Matilda being enrolled as a lawyer. Since then, Matilda had worked a small law firm in Perth but Ric had been given the chance to start up his own mechanic business back in Sydney and that's why they had returned. Matildas hard work had finally paid off when she was then offered her dream job in a top tier Criminal law firm in the heart of Sydney's CBD. After settling a huge case for her firm, the boss had called her into his office and informed her that Morag Bellingham, a reformed lawyer had asked for her assistance on a case back in her old town of Summer Bay. Matilda jumped at the offer to help a former friend and to return back to where it all began...
As Matilda took her first step into the Diner, it had changed a lot since the last time she had been there, but of course it still had the same happy and friendly vibe.
"I don't believe my eyes, Matilda Hunter!"
Mattie's head shot up once her name had been called from the counter and saw Irene, Leah and Colleen with open arms to welcome her home.
"Look at you darl" Irene said as she gave her a once over after hugging her "Looking all corporate and business like"
Mattie shrugged, removing her black Dior sunglasses from her face and flattened the creases off her suit jacket and skirt.
As the four of them sat down to catch up, Marilyn Chambers a woman Mattie hadn't had met before kept the business flowing. The more Matilda listened to the news in the Bay, it sunk in that hardly anyone she knew still lived here or were still even alive. Irene lovingly placed her hand on Mattie's shoulder, guessing what Mattie was thinking about
"I'd meant to come back for the funeral"
Mattie could see Irene was holding back some tears as she thought about Belle, who had passed away from cancer 3 years ago. Mattie felt terrible, but she didn't even know about Belle being diagnosed, no one had and it had happened right in the middle of her final exams... Leah decided it was time to change the subject
"So what brings you back to town? How's Ric? Alf will be happy to see you guys..."
"Ric couldn't come back, he has to take care of the business while I'm here for work."
Colleen looked down at her hand, pointing out the diamond ring on her finger "So when's the big day?" she eagerly asked.
Matilda laughed and shrugged her shoulders "The past 2 years have been so hectic, we haven't really made any plans yet..." Matilda checked the time, and muttered under her breath and got up from the table.
"I'm sorry, but I've got to check into the Motel before I go and talk with my client..."
Irene offered for Matilda to stay with her while she was in town but Mattie politely refused, saying she'd needed peace and quiet to go over her case.
"Who's your client?" Colleen asked nosily and Leah shushed her "Colleen! I'm sure Matilda can't tell you, I'm sure its client confidentiality..."
"Well actually you might know where I can find this house... I'm meant to be having a chat with my client's older brother Morag told me... his name is Darryl Braxton..."
"Your my lawyer? thought Morag was meant to be representin' me... are ya even old enough to be a lawyer?!"
Heath said exclaimed as he threw his hands up in the air but couldn't get very far with the hand cuffs cutting him off.
Darryl apologised to Mattie for his brothers outburst, and she could see what everyone had meant about Heath being a hot head and having a short fuse. Once she had gotten the low down in the Diner from Colleen, Matilda googled the 'River boys' and found articles on numerous charges of gang affiliations with drugs and other gangs, scandals with relationships with police and now murder. Matilda had studied the case as soon as Morag told her about it, and already had a defence planned.
" – provocation" Mattie said simply.
Heath looked bewildered and shrugged threw his hands up in the air "Small words". As she was about to explain the proper meaning, the older brother interrupted
"Why don't ya just go with manslaughter or somethin' like that?"
Mattie shook her head, what she had heard about Brax was true – always trying to work everything out by himself.
"We can't use that, the Prosecution would eat us alive. They have you on camera driving to the deceased's house. The term manslaughter is – Unlawful killing without intent to kill they will argue that you drove there to his house, to kill. Our defence allows us to argue that you were provoked into killing the deceased you were aggravated enough to lose control. So that is why we are using the defence of Provocation"
Heath slammed his fist down on the table, making Mattie jump "So what your sayin' is pretty much I'm goin' be goin' away!" Heath stood up abruptly "I told ya this was useless Brax!"
Mattie heard a knock on the door, and saw Charlie
"I never said that Mr Braxton" she began as she stood up "You could go away, maybe... maybe not. It will depends on the jury... you can be acquitted or sentenced. But that is why I am here".
Outside the interview room, Matilda stood with Brax as Charlie took Heath away to a cell
"It doesn't look good does it?"
Brax asked with doubt in his voice. Matilda shook her head slightly "I've done my homework Mr Braxton..." she said when she noticed a young red head and an older blonde walk into the police station and she immediately knew who the red head was.
"I'm here to give your brother his best defence, and I intend on doing that. But I will need her help".
Matilda pointed at Ella and Bianca, nervous yet thrilled at the same time at the fight ahead of them "I won't go down without a fight".
Next time
As the trial begins, secrets are told & relationships will never be the same because of them.
What do you think should/will happen?
Authors Note - PLEASE REVIEW! I haven't written for this story for SOOOO LONGGG! and would love to hear what you thought?!
But most of all, I'd like to know if I should continue writing this story...
Did you like that I brought back Matilda Hunter? She was one of my favourite characters :)
