So, let's go and meet Mrs Bader-Ginsburg and Mrs Halimi...
Anna was nervously sitting in the richly decorated waiting room next to Mrs Bader-Ginsburg's office. John's hand was resting on her bouncing knee, trying to soothe her. He kept shooting small smiles at her, but they didn't dare talk. The only noise in the room was the staccato coming from the secretary's typewriter, and it did nothing to ease Anna's feelings. It would be the first time since her police appointment in Ripon when she would have to discuss what happened, with someone foreign moreover. She didn't look forward to it. Just as she was closing her eyes and taking one more deep breath in, the office's door opened, and the lawyer let her client out. She then turned to Anna and John:
- Mrs Bates, good morning, so nice to meet you, she said, holding out her hand to Anna.
As they shook hands, she turned to John:
- Mr Bates, I presume? Nice to meet you too.
John nodded to her as they shook hands to. Mrs Bader-Ginsburg was a petite woman, quite skinny, with an angular face. Her brown hair was tied back in a tight bun. Her physical appearance was not very impressive, thought John, but the determination in her eyes made up for that. Just by looking at her face, one could tell that she was not the kind of woman to bail before anyone, and especially not men. As she showed them into her office, she turned to her secretary:
- Would you inform Mrs Halimi that we are starting our meeting with Mrs Bates please?
- Yes Ma'am, answered the young woman, getting up to go search for the other attorney.
They had just taken their seat when they got up again as Mrs Halimi entered the office. She was younger and taller than Mrs Bader-Ginsburg, her face was softer, with freckles and auburn hair, but the determination in her looks was just the same. Just by their aura and presence, Anna felt that they were both reliable and strong-minded persons.
When they were all seated, Mrs Bader-Ginsburg started:
- Well, Mrs Bates, you might have been surprised when you received our letter. Maybe you already have a solicitor. Maybe you were surprised that we even existed, as women attorneys.
Anna smiled:
- Indeed I did not know there were women attorneys. But it does not bother me, as long as you're qualified. And no, I haven't got another attorney yet.
- Well, in fact, there are rather a few of us. Less than a dozen really, in all the United Kingdom. In our firm, with Mrs Halimi, we try to focus on causes that matter regarding women's rights. And we think that your case, along with Mr Green's other victims, is quite emblematic of something that is wrong in the way men treat women. Because you must not think that what happened to you is rare. You see, the police have traced six other victims. It is very highly likely that there are some more. Unfortunately, two of them have declined to press charges, so it will be only five of you at the trial. Those two women have moved on with their lives, they do not wish to stir that story again, and we respect that. But dozens of women go through the same ordeal as you have, each day in our country. Tens of thousands each year. We want to change that. We want men to know that it's not alright to do that. And to achieve that, we have to have men condemned and sentenced for that kind of deeds. So, with your permission, as well as the other victims', we wish to make this trial a symbol. We have already met with three of the other plaintiffs, who are on board with us, and we are meeting the fifth in a few days.
Anna looked uncertain. She had never thought of herself as a symbol, or a militant. She was a discreet person, and did not crave at all for the kind of attention she was bound to receive in that trial. She would rather run away and hide. Mrs Halimi noticed her uneasiness and smiled warmly at her:
- Mrs Bates, I can see you are nervous about all this. You don't have to decide right now. We won't lie to you and pretend it will be easy. The defence attorney will try and make you look like you're the ones to blame. There will be disturbing questions. There will be reporters. People in the street will probably call you names. But since you have filed a complaint and the CPS has decided to prosecute, there will be a trial, there's no escaping that. So we think we might as well seize the opportunity to make the best of it. What you must always remember is that you have been wronged, and you have nothing to blame yourself for. My colleague and I will ensure we do our very best so that your good name is cleared in the end, and that he is condemned as the criminal he is.
Anna turned to look at her husband and whispered:
- What do you think?
John reached for her hand:
- I think it is not my decision to make my darling. I will support you whatever you choose to do.
Mrs Bader-Ginsburg talked again:
- You can take some time to think on it. If you'd like, we could arrange a meeting with the other plaintiffs, so that you can get to know them.
- I'd like that, said Anna.
After a few seconds' silence, she looked around at the posh room and added:
- There's something else: I don't know how much you bill, but I'm not sure we can afford you. We're only servants.
- Don't worry about that, smiled Mrs Halimi. The other plaintiffs are no richer than you. We choose to represent you pro bono. That means for free, she explained.
- No, cut Bates. If my wife chooses you, we'll pay you. Maybe we can't afford your usual prices, but we can pay something.
- Alright. Then we'll find a mutual agreement. But do not let that lean on your decision, Mrs Bates.
- Thank you, said Anna. I will think over all you've said. And I would like to meet the others.
- Very well, we'll arrange that, and we'll let you know, answered Mrs Halimi.
- Do you know when we can expect a trial date to be settled? asked bates.
- We should know in a few weeks. And with the usual delay, the trial should be held around the end of the year or the beginning of next year. That leaves us plenty of time to work on the case, concluded Mrs Bader-Ginsburg.
- Thank you very much to both of you, said Anna, getting up. We won't take more of your time today.
x x x x
As they were seated in the train back from York, Anna was silent, thoughtfully looking to the sunny Yorkshire landscapes.
- Penny for your thoughts? asked John with a smile.
She looked up to him and gave him his smile back:
- I was thinking about what they said. I understand their point of view, and I share it. I just wish it wasn't me standing in those shoes… I'm not a women's rights champion. I'm no Lady Sybil… She was the household's hero…
John chuckled at the memory of the bright and passionate young lady.
- Oh for sure she would have been delighted to meet those two ladies. But you know, I think no one is born a hero. It's the situations life puts you in, and the choices you make in those situations that define who you are.
- I'm scared… You heard what they said: reporters, people calling us names… Oh Lord, how am I going to face this?
- We are going to face this, together. I'll be with you for each and every step. Let people call names, we don't care. We know who we are and what the truth is.
- Thank you John. For being so supportive. I love you.
- I love you too, he said, bending over and leaving a light kiss on her cheek. I was thinking, he went on with a wink, for our next date, shall we go on a picnic?
- Oh I'd like that.
- I know that next week, His Lordship and Lady Mary will be gone the whole day on Tuesday, so Mr Carson should let us take some time off. I'll arrange everything.
- That'd be great, she smiled.
x x x x
- So, those women solicitors? asked Thomas, as he entered the servants' hall where Anna was sewing.
It seemed that everywhere she went that afternoon, every people she met had a question about the women attorneys.
- They seem serious and reliable. But I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm feeling they want me to fit in a costume that's too big for me. Women's right activist you know… I want to meet the four co-plaintiffs first.
- I only wish Lady Sybil was still with us to see that. She would have been so enthusiastic.
- Yes, I guess she would have, smiled Anna. I remember how she went out of her way to help Gwen. I must say I would have liked to have her by my side in all of this.
- Well, maybe you can, said Thomas.
- What do you mean? asked Anna, puzzled.
- You know, her memory can be with you. In your heart.
Anna thought over Thomas's words for a few seconds, then smiled to him:
- Yes, you're right. Since when have you become so sensitive, Thomas Barrow? she teased.
They both laughed, and straightened right away as Mr Carson entered to ring the gong.
x x x x
The following Tuesday, as the rest of the staff was gathering around the large table for lunch, John was collecting a big basket from Daisy, stuffed with all of Anna's favourites.
- Thank you so much for the trouble Daisy!
- You're welcome Mr Bates, enjoy your picnic! answered the kitchen maid brightly.
John met Anna in the hallway:
- Are you ready Mrs Bates? he asked with a twinkling eye.
- I am, Mr Bates, she answered in the same fashion.
- Very well, let's go then.
After a short walk, they settled in a secluded part of the estate, overlooking the pond. John spread a large blanket on the grass, and started unloading the basket.
An hour later, they had eaten as much as they could, and were lazily enjoying the warm weather. John had shrugged off his jacket and opened up his waistcoat, and he had mischievously managed to abduct Anna's hat, despite her protests over propriety, arguing that he loved to see her golden hair, and that they were alone. Her protests quickly died out when he suddenly held a small gift box before her:
- John? What is that? It is not my birthday…
- I know, my darling. It is something I saw in a shop last time I went on errands for His Lordship, and I wanted to give to you. Just because you are the most beautiful woman on earth, and I love you so much…
- John Bates… she scolded, but she couldn't help her heart melting.
- Come on, open it, he insisted, handing the box to her.
She concentrated on opening the small jewel box, and her face lit up when she discovered the delicate golden bracelet, adorned with little hearts pendants scattered across it.
- Oh John, it's lovely! she beamed. Thank you so much… But I haven't got anything for you… she frowned.
He put his hand under her chin and lifted it until they were eyes to eyes:
- My love, a smile on your face and some light in your eyes are the best gifts I could ever dream of.
Her eyes suddenly shined with unshed tears.
- I love you, she whispered.
He let his hand brush lightly against her cheek, then lowered it to the gift box.
- May I put it on your wrist?
- Yes, please!
His big fingers shuffled somewhat clumsily with the fine jewel, but in the end he managed to attach it to Anna's wrist. When it was in place, he held up her hand to his mouth, and placed a very soft kiss on the inside of her wrist, just near the bracelet. Anna brought her other hand to rest on the nape of his neck, toying with his hairline. As he let her hand down, his eyes were irresistibly attracted to her cherry lips, that she was gingerly biting. His gaze intently locked on them, as he wanted to kiss them so very much, but did not move further, in fear of pressuring her into something she wasn't ready for. But it seemed she was, since she took the lead, and bent towards him, until her mouth pressed into his, giving him their first kiss since that fateful day. He thought his heart would burst from the heavenly feeling, and it got even worse when her tongue brushed on his lips, asking for an access that he gladly granted her. He tentatively placed his hand on the small of her back, and she wordlessly encouraged him, snuggling even closer to him, her hand brushing his side under his waistcoat. When their lips finally parted, she took in a shaky breath, and lay down on the blanket, closing her eyes. She turned on her side, her arm folded under her head, and he laid himself behind her, his hand resting on her hip. After a while, he felt she was starting to doze, and started to pick out the hairpins from her bun one by one, until the golden waves were totally undone. He then spent the most glorious moment, combing through her hair with his fingers. He had always had a special infatuation for the golden cascade of her blond locks, and he felt he could have stayed a lifetime there, just passing his fingers through them. A smile crept on Anna's face as she felt the sweet prickles his touch left on her skull. A blissful afternoon if there ever was one.