29th December 2008
The next day Rachel and the kids all went to 5th Avenue to do shopping and just chilled out. They then sat down to lunch where Matt joined them.
"Mr Wilding, what are you doing here"
"Miss Mason called and told me about your situation and asked me to help"
"I thought Mr Wilding could help us guys"
"How"
"So I am a approved foster carer and we were thinking if I become your foster parent here you guys will be allowed to stay in the country and try and help Steph and Tom".
A mixture of emotions appeared on the kids face. Confusion, Anger, Acceptance, worry. Rachel saw this and quickly tried to calm the kids fears
" I thought it would be better if it was someone both Steph and Tom knew and trusted rather than a stranger"
Maxine was annoyed it's not that she didn't appreciated Matt gesture it's just she felt bad like she was betraying Steph. She knew Matt and Steph were good mates but she just didn't know what to think.
"It kinda feels like we are giving up on them"
"I promise you we aren't, we are both going to do everything in our power to fix this for you guys"
"I'm not replacing Steph or Tom guys I never could I know how much you mean to them and they mean to you. I just want to help you.
"Okay, we will do it"
"Great well this afternoon we will take you down to the court and you could officially be fostered and make your statement"
Everyone is sitting in the waiting room to go into the court room. The receptionist then calls them in. The lawyer is talking to them about the process and sits Maxine, Mika and Chlo down.
"So are you all understood with what you are about to do"
"Yes we know that it can help the case"
"In that case" the lawyer passes a sheet of paper. " just sign here and here". Maxine Chlo and Mika all signed the conformation letter. "Now we have to talk to you individually about your statements"
"Wait we can't all give one statement"
"No, it's best if it's just Chlo and Mika Grangier also Maxine Barlow. It's not a good idea for you all to give a statement it'll get confusing."
Rachel, who knew that the girls would need support. "Do they have to give it on their own or can a adult be there."
"Yes due to their age we do require adult presence"
Rachel looked over at Matt "why don't you take Chlo and Mika, I'll take Maxine"
"Yes sure that's fine"
Chlo and Mika were being questioned by the lawyer. They were starting to get worried what about saying the wrong thing.
"So Tom Clarkson he took you in after your mother died"
"Yes he did"
"Did your mother allow that to happen"
"Well it was just kind of instant he is our step father"
"He has helped everyone at school at one point or another"
"He stopped me from attempting suicide, he saved Chlo when she ran away"
"Right, and he did that out of the kindness of his heart i presume"
"Yes he has wanted nothing but the best for us"
"I don't doubt that it's just well how can we prove that.
Meanwhile Rachel was with Maxine who was answering questions about Steph.
"So when did Miss Haydock take you into her home"
"Sometime last year"
"Was it made official"
Rachel chipped in "no it was a private fostering agreement.. it was sorted out by my predecessor Jack Rimmer and the head of pastoral care Kim Campbell"
"Right"
"I mean she saved me from a drug addiction and took me in when I had nobody"
"Well I have your statement so that'll be used as evidence thank you"
"Just please get her out she's the only family I got. Chlo and Mika need Tom as well"
30th December 2008
Donte, Chlo, Mika, Brett, Maxine and Janeece accompanied with Rachel and Matt made their way to to the courtroom to hear Steph and Tom's Trial. Steph and Tom were led out clearly exhausted from their stint in prison. After listening to all the evidence everyone was called back in for the verdict. Brett was hugging Mika. While Donte was reassuring Chlo and Janeece keeping Maxine entertained. The judge entered back into the courtroom and asked the jury for their verdict.
"Do you find the defendants guilty or not guilty"
"Guilty"
"What sentence do you recommend"
"20 years without the chance of parole"
A loud murmur erupted in the courtroom as the kids couldn't believe their ears. How could they find Steph and Tom guilty. As they were ushered outside they started complaining to each other.
"How could they find Steph and Tom guilty"
"Like we gave them so much evidence"
"What's going to happen now"
The prosecutor along with the official who made the report came outside. Celebrating with glee at their win. This didn't go unnoticed by the kids with Maxine going over to give them a piece of her mind.
"I hope you are happy"
"Excuse me"
"Locking up the only family we have known"
"I mean it was a win for me"
Maxine then lunged at the official, the prosecutor attempted to protect the official and pushed Maxine off. Maxine then punched and kicked the prosecutor. Mika came over and attempted to help Maxine. Security guards attempted to restrain Maxine and a brawl ensued. Rachel pulled Maxine back and held her tight as she tried to fight out of Rachel's grasp. Matt held Mika back and led her back to where the other kids where. The prosecutor and official started talking about how they were going to throw Maxine in jail. Maxine ran off with Rachel following her.
Everyone else looked at the prosecutor and official with wide eyes. Matt was the first to speak up.
"I don't condone violence but you know what I get why Maxine did what she just did"
"You know what I'm glad they got locked up.. this feral kids can now learn a lesson"
Maxine was now sitting on a bench overlooking the Statue of Liberty Rachel came up to her and started talking.
"Okay, what happened there Maxine"
"I don't know honestly I just got so angry. The system sucks. You know we have had to fend for ourselves here.
"I know the system has let you down both here in USA and back home"
"Chlo and Mika, yes they need Tom but they have each other. I have no one"
"That's not true. You have more people than you think"
"Really?"
"Yes, the others are all fighting your case right now after all you did just assault someone"
Before the official and the prosecutor could call the police Matt and the rest of the kids asked him to please wait and not call the police.
"We are just frustrated, our friend has been through a lot particularly this year and she just is fed up"
"There's no excuse for violence"
"No there isn't and normally she isn't like that but you know the system has failed all of us"
"Maxine can't afford a lawyer and she's not exactly got the most pristine record"
"If you are thinking you can fleece us you can't. Maxine won't have to worry about not having a lawyer my dad will pay one"
The prosecutor and official shared a look maybe they had been a little bit hasty.
"So are you going to come back they need you"
"I can't miss I'm gonna get in trouble"
"You won't I'll make sure of that"
Maxine sighed and followed Rachel back to where the rest of the group where. The prosecutor held out his hand for Maxine to shake. "I'm not going to arrest you, your friends had a very good case to argue"
"Thank you sir"
"I know you feel like the system is broken but it's the best one we have though"
"It's not though is it. How can you justify taking the only people we have ever know as family away from us and then expecting us to carry on like normal. Your system doesn't deliver justice correctly. There are so many vulnerable kids in this country why aren't you helping them"
"I understand and for that reason I'll retract my statement"
"Thank you"