We're back finally. I'm sorry it took sooooooo long. This is a bit of a filler chapter. We'll be starting the trial next chapter

The Jones family were settling into life in New York City. They'd moved into an air b apartment from the hotel which was more homely. They couldn't wait to get back to the U.K. but needed to stay in the US until the trial. Barba and Novak were trying to rush it through but somehow Mr D and his lawyer Rita Calhoun had a few pre trial motions. "He's a kidnapper, a rapist and a murderer, what is there still to talk about?" Marta complained.

"I just want all this to be over and take my family home."

"I know," Liv smiled sadly. "This will all be over soon I'm sure. Casey...I mean Kasia's old mentor is a judge and I know she, Kasia and Barba are trying to pull some strings to get the trial to happen as soon as possible."

"What about Mommy?" Izzy asked. She was drawing and no one had even realised she was listening. "I want to tell all the jury and judge person that she was nice lady and she braided my hair and gived me food"

"Izzy, how about I talk to my friend Trevor, he's another lawyer, see if he will let you talk to the jury."

"Okay. Can't I talk with Kasia. She's lawyer too?" Izzy asked. Casey had told her mother about Izzy and her family. Not the details but that they were a Polish/British family with 3 girls who had to stay in New York a while. And Agata Novak being the friendly woman she was had invited them to her local Polish mass and local Cafes in greenpoint. It was irregular sure, but there were no rules against becoming friends with the family of a witness so long as they didn't talk about the case.

"There are lots of different lawyers and mommy- her real name is Maria, her lawyer is Trevor. He's really lovely."

One other good thing that had come out of being in New York was that it seemed as if Anna's anxiety had almost disappeared. It was completely unexpected. Taking an anxious teenager away from everything she knew would usually be stressful but Anna was in her element in the city that never sleeps. "No one knows you and you're not weird because there's always something weirder going on and I'm just normal here. I doesn't matter that I'm English or Polish or whatever because New York has people from all over the world call it home. I saw a drag Queen the other day on the subway with dad, and nobody even batted an eyelid. I love this city."

Marta on the other hand definitely wasn't a fan of New York. She'd grown up in rural Poland, and even in England didn't often go into the centre of the city. Although Bristol looked like a tiny village compared to the sprawling metropolis of NYC. She preferred being in Greenpoint where she would at least hear Polish voices. She found the over friendly 'American customer service' hugely intimidating. "Why are they so over the top?" Marta asked. "Don't worry about it Mama, all customer facing employees are like that here. I'm kinda used to it by now" Ola explained. The family had also spent times with the Hayes family, who Ola had been an au pair for. It was obvious how much the children loved Ola and how much Ola loved the children she'd cared for. "Ellie, Sophia, Audrey. I've loved taking care of you, and all the fun things we've done but my family back home in England need me now. My mommy and daddy and my sisters Anna and Izzy"

"I thought you only had one sister, Anna?" The oldest child asked. "It's quite complicated and hard to explain but Izabela is my youngest sister."

"Does she speak Polish and English like you?" Sophia asked. "Yes she does, although her English is not as good as mine.

"Are you sure you can't stay and take care of us.? You're the best au pair we've ever had." 5 year old Audrey asked, her blue eyes behind her pink glasses starting to fill. "I'm sorry sweetie. But I'm sure your mommy and I will keep in touch on social media. And your getting so good at writing now you're in kindergarten. You can write me letters and send me pictures and I promise I'll reply. Plus, tomorrow my family and your family are going to the beach together tomorrow."

Izabela was amazed at the beach. She hadn't been to a beach since she was 7 and said she didn't really remember it. She wore a rash vest and board shorts to hide the worst of her scars and bruises. She had a wonderful time collecting shells, building sandcastles and splashing around in the shallows with the Hayes children, while Ola and Anna sunbathed and gossiped. The dads talked about business and the mothers watched the little ones. For Marta it almost brought tears to her eyes watching her youngest daughter playing without a care in the world. Splashing around in the ocean like any other child, jumping over the small waves with joy evident on her face. All of a sudden Marta's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Marta it's Kasia Novak, we have a date for the trial. As you know Judge Donnelly, Ada Barba and I have been trying to rush it through. It's starting next week."

"Next week, as in Monday?"

"Yes Monday"

"That's only 4 days away."

"I know it's short notice, I'm sorry but once this is over you can get back home to the U.K. are you around today, are Izzy and Ola able to get to my office or the squad room?"

"We're on the beach in Connecticut."

"Tomorrow then. Izzy's a victim and Ola a witness I need to speak to them both before the trial."

"Okay, we can do tomorrow."

"Does 12 noon work?"

"Yes that should be fine. Thank you Kasia"

"Great, can you tell Izzy and Ola"

"Yes of course"

"See you tomorrow."

"Yes see you tomorrow"

Marta looked over again at her sweet little girl. Heartbroken at what she'd endured and that she'd have to relive it all again in front of a room full of people.