"It's for the best," Alec tried to assure Rose as they kissed goodnight, though it had been Rose's idea. "I will take you to the court tomorrow."
"Yeah, I don't think I'll sleep tonight," Rose agreed. "Last night was really special Alec."
"You had no trouble sleeping on me last night," Alec smiled.
Rose blushed. "What can I say?" she teased him, going to straighten his tie.
He had only recently begun to leave his tie like that. It seemed Rose liked to adjust it when she wasn't trying to unbutton his shirt.
"I had best go," Alec made her snap out of it. "Try to get some sleep eh?"
Rose nodded as she let go of him. They got to the door, Rose trying to delay him by one more kiss.
"When this is over, there will be no need for us to hide," Alec reminded her.
"Yeah, can't wait then," Rose agreed. "See ya in the morning."
Once Alec had left and her mother heard the door closing, she went to join Rose in the kitchen.
"Do ya want me to go with ya tomorrow?" Jackie offered. "I can cancel my appointments."
"No Mum, don't do that," Rose insisted.
"Are ya afraid ya'll mess up?" Jackie asked, filling the kettle with water.
"I don't want to let Alec down but I don't want to let Pippa down either. I wish I could talk about it Mum."
"Pippa always seemed to be happy," Jackie recalled. "Poor kid. She must've been scared of something if ya ask me."
Rose gave in and went to bed to try to sleep, sending Alec a message and getting one back that he wished she was with him. He had thought of calling her but decided it was best he didn't. If things went badly in court, last night could have been the first and last time they had been together.
He lay with his hands under his head, going back not that long ago when Rose had asked if he remembered her from when she used to do Tess's hair. Rose being there in the house where he used to live should have given him a clue at the time what Tess was up to.
Now, he wished he'd taken more notice of Rose's visits. They were both up early the next morning, Jackie fussing over Rose.
"Just answer the questions," Jackie advised her.
"I know that Mum," Rose laughed nervously.
Before Rose knew it, Alec was ringing the doorbell, having let himself in downstairs when Rose had text the code. Rose wasn't making a move so Jackie got up from the kitchen table.
"Come in then," Jackie greeted him. "Want a cup of tea?"
Alec thought he'd best agree so as not to offend her.
"That would be good, thank you," he told her. "How's Rose?"
"Nervous, what do ya think?" Jackie laughed as he followed her into the kitchen.
"Alec," Rose greeted him as she got up and went to him.
She let him put his arms around her, ignoring looks from her mother.
"Okay?" he asked her as he kissed her cheek and indicated for her to sit down.
"If you two wanna talk, I'll leave," Jackie suggested.
"No, it's fine," Alec assured her. "We should not discuss what will take place today, Rose knows what she is up against."
"Yeah, I know," Rose agreed. "Nothing's gonna change my mind about telling what went on with Pippa. I owe her that much. I just wish ya could find Lisa, she could hold all the answers."
"I know, she would change everything. Rose, the suspect's wife may still turn up today, if she has changed her mind," Alec told her, not wanting to get her hopes up by too much. "We should set off in plenty of time, to find somewhere to park and for the prosecution to talk to you. Remember, you are there as their witness, don't let the defence put you off."
Rose was hoping the defence wouldn't bother, there was no way she was changing anything about what she saw or heard at the Gillespie house before Pippa was killed.
"I still can't forget when I heard what happened to Pippa," Rose admitted. "To be one of the few people who had seen her the day before."
Alec put his hand on her shoulder. They sat silently, drinking their tea then Alec suggested they made a move. Twenty minutes later, Rose was sat next to him, people bustling around going into different courtrooms and not even daring to hold his hand.
"We have to wait here until you are called," Alec whispered to her as the prosecution came towards them.
"Miss Tyler?" Rose was asked as she jumped up at their approach. "I'm Jocelyn Knight, please sit."
Alec moved over to let the woman sit to talk to Rose.
"You have nothing to worry about in there," Ms Knight assured her, nodding to the door they were facing. "It shouldn't be long before you're called."
"Can DI Hardy come in with me?" Rose asked nervously.
"Yes, he's already given evidence but try not to make it look like you know each other," Rose was advised.
Alec knew Ms Knight was already onto them, so they had to be extra careful once inside.
"Just answer my questions and recall your conversations with Pippa, that it made you worried enough to come forward and testify on her behalf, which is what I will tell the court. Don't let the defence twist your words," Ms Knight warned Rose.
Rose was now worrying even more what she'd got herself into. The barrister went off after nodding to Alec, who moved a bit closer to Rose but not by too much. Rose just wanted him to squeeze her hand in assurance but knew he daren't.
"You will be fine," Alec assured her as people went inside the courtroom when parties interested in the case were called.
"Should you go in now?" Rose wondered as she looked around the almost empty hallway.
"No, my chief just went inside though I am surprised Tess is not here," Alec half smiled.
"Couldn't she face me?" Rose tried to joke. "Is she that bothered by me?"
"Somewhat. She may turn up at some point if things are not over by lunchtime. You may have to wait, depending what else is brought up before what you heard," Alec warned her.
Rose was somewhat relieved she didn't have to go inside and listen to the arguments.
"I take it that Claire hasn't gone in then?" Rose asked him.
"No and be careful not to use her name when you are questioned about Pippa's neighbours. Did Cate ever mention her?" Alec wanted to know.
"Yeah, once or twice, well Pippa did as well I think. I won't mention it then," Rose replied.
"Just repeat what Pippa told you, you will be fine," Alec assured her.
Rose just hoped he was right as she waited. Over an hour went by before the doors opened and the court usher came out and called Rose inside. Alec got up and indicated for Rose to go first.
"Are you accompanying the witness?" Alec was asked as Rose went ahead, another usher waiting to escort her to the witness box.
"Yes," Alec replied confidently, wanting to follow Rose but she was being led off.
"Take a seat," the usher suggested, indicating to the back seating where everyone was already squashed up.
Then his chief, who was seated near the witness box waved him over, the seat next to him vacant. Alec went over and joined the man.
"I saw you waiting with your witness Alec," the chief told him. "Be careful."
"I am being careful," Alec objected as Rose was being sworn in as a witness.
The court was hushed and everyone focused on poor Rose. The judge was peering over his rimmed glasses.
"Your witness, Ms Knight," the judge prompted Jocelyn.
"My Lord," Jocelyn bowed as she got up. "Miss Tyler, you say you met Pippa Gillespie on several occasions. What made you worried enough to come forward after she died?"
Rose was trying not to look to see where Alec was, she had to do this on her own. As she tried to find her voice, Alec was covering his face, hoping she wouldn't refuse to speak up now.
"Answer the question Miss Tyler," Rose was reminded.
She couldn't let Pippa or Alec down now, Rose thought as she remained standing. She began by saying how she met Pippa at her house and what Cate had warned the girl about going next door. Of course the defence had to object.
"Your Honour, by saying going next door, the girl's mother could have meant either side, not only where my client lived."
Ms Knight got up again, a slight grin on her face as the judge peered down at them.
"Your Honour, the defence cannot substantiate that claim, if they had done research, they would have found the house Pippa lived in and the defendant's house were semi-detached. There was no other side."
"Quite, Ms Knight," the judge had to agree as the usher handed him a sketch of the two houses. "Please stick to the facts," he told the defence.
Rose tried not to smile and say that told them. She was told to continue.
"Pippa's mother mentioned someone called Claire lived next door and that she was also a hairdresser," Rose recalled. "Pippa was outside as I was leaving once, she seemed upset and I asked what was wrong. She said her mother didn't like her going next door and she didn't know why."
"Your Honour, does that not prove the girl was warned to stay away from the neighbour's house?" Ms Knight addressed the judge then turned towards the jury. "Miss Tyler, did you hear anything further of the warning?" she asked Rose.
"Yeah, the day before Cate Gillespie was going to a wedding. Lisa, Pippa's cousin was there when I arrived and mentioned Pippa's mother didn't trust those next door," Rose replied. "Then Pippa wanted to go out on her bike and they were both told not to go there."
"Thank you Miss Tyler. No further questions at this time, Your Honour," Ms knight seemed pleased at getting her point across.
The defence wasted no time getting up and asking Rose the dreaded question.
"Miss Tyler, you only mentioned one neighbour," Rose was reminded.
"I wasn't asked about anyone else," Rose replied. "Pippa said her mother didn't like her going next door, especially when someone called Lee was there."
The defence tried not to look embarrassed. Rose thought well, she did ask. The defence recovered however, catching Rose out.
"Miss Tyler, did you ever meet any of the neighbours?"
Rose was about to ask 'What?' but thought better of it.
"Well no, I always went to do Cate Gillespie's hair late afternoon," Rose began to explain.
"So, you never knew why Pippa was warned never to go to the neighbour's house then?" Rose was then asked. "Was there any indication that it was a warning and not just a girl being told not to bother those living next door?"
Rose tried to look at Alec, who was trying not to listen to the murmurings around the courtroom and putting his hands over his face again.
"Answer the question Miss Tyler," the judge told her again.
"Sorry, Your Honour," Rose replied quietly. "It sounded like a warning."
"It only sounded like a warning?" the defence repeated Rose's words.
"Well Pippa was upset about it," Rose reminded the court.
"She seemed upset to you?" the defence almost laughed, looking around to see the reaction of everyone present. "Did it not occur to you it was just a child's tantrum that she couldn't get her own way?"
"No, it didn't," Rose replied bravely.
"Miss Tyler, be careful," the judge warned her.
Rose thought he should be telling that to the defence, not her. She had looked around enough to see that Cate wasn't present, thankfully.
"Miss Tyler, I put it to you that all you heard was a mother trying to spare the neighbours from being pestered by a young girl all the time. It has been mentioned that the girl was allowed next door by invitation at weekends with her parents. Did you hear Pippa's mother telling her to stay in?"
"Well no," Rose had to admit.
The defence was looking too pleased with herself, Alec was thinking.
"Your honour, if it pleases the court, I find Miss Tyler's testimony nothing more than speculation that the girl was badly done to and that Pippa was just putting on an act in front of her in order to gain sympathy."
There were more murmurings around the courtroom. Then the prosecution stood up and objected, the judge banging the gavel to regain order.
"I must object, Your Honour. The witness is merely stating what she heard the times she visited the Gillespie house in the course of her job as a hairdresser. She was worried for the girl but was not able to say anything for fear of losing a client and had to assume it was for the girl's welfare," Ms Knight declared. "Miss Tyler had no reason to suspect the girl was in any kind of danger at the time."
"So noted, Ms Knight," the judge agreed as he scribbled something on the large pad in front of him. "Is that so, Miss Tyler?" he turned to ask Rose, looking over his specs.
"I was worried about Pippa, Your Honour," Rose admitted. "I was one of the few people to see her the day before she was killed. I was upset when I heard, I felt I had to say something to the police."
"Quite," the judge mumbled. "You may step down if there are no more questions."
Rose got down from the witness box but headed straight for the door, the usher getting up to open it for her. Alec was well and truly stuck, hoping Rose was only going to the drinks machine and would wait for him. Rose was looking for change to get some coffee, not having thought about it when she'd set off earlier.
"Order," the judge shouted above the growing noise.
"What do you think Alec?" the chief was now asking him.
"I did warn her what it would be like," Alec managed to reply.
"I'm sure you did," the chief replied before the judge began to speak again.
"Ms Knight, do you wish to call anyone else?" he wanted to know.
"No, Your Honour, that concludes the case for the prosecution," Jocelyn sounded disappointed Alec thought.
He was sure more questions should have been asked but it seemed no-one was interested in what Rose had to tell.
"Very well," the judge spoke again. "You may begin your closing speech," he told her.
While that was going on, Rose was debating if she should leave but Alec would be worried about her. She didn't feel like going back inside, to have everyone staring at her. Why had she got caught up in all this?
Jocelyn Knight was finishing her speech.
"One thing you can be sure of," she was addressing the jury. "Pippa Gillespie had the misfortune to be tempted to go to the neighbours house that Saturday night, with or without her cousin and her mother's permission. Remember, ladies and gentlemen of the jury where the poor girl was found, in the river. You have heard all the evidence against the man standing before you who is accused of killing her so if you believe that is true, then you should find him guilty."
Alec was hoping that would be enough to find the smug looking Lee Ashworth sitting facing the judge guilty. The court was dismissed for lunch so Alec scrambled past those taking their time going out and spotted Rose sitting waiting.
"Rose, are you okay?" he asked her, wanting to hug her.
Rose shrugged her shoulders.
"I suppose so. What happened when I left?"
"Just the closing speech for the prosecution. It will be the turn of the defence when the court returns from lunch. Come and get something to eat," Alec suggested.
They found a coffee shop nearby and Rose picked at the sandwich Alec had bought her.
"Rose, there is no point in worrying," he reminded her. "You did your best in there."
"Did I?" Rose wondered. "I wish I'd done more for Pippa. Why didn't I say anything?"
"To who? Rose, there was nothing you could have done. Yes, you were worried but interfering could have meant Cate no longer required your services and you may not have seen Pippa on that day," he reminded her.
He looked up when the door opened and saw the chief looking around then stand by the table.
"Join us?" Alec offered.
"No, you two carry on. You did quite well in there Miss Tyler, as it was your first time in court," he told her.
"I was terrified," Rose admitted. "I hope I never have to do it again. I hope it did some good."
"We'll soon find out," the chief assured her.
That was what Alec was dreading. They finished and while Rose went to the ladies room, Alec joined the chief, who was also about to leave.
"Rose feels like she didn't do enough," Alec admitted.
"Let's hope it was enough Alec," the chief replied as Rose emerged and was looking for Alec.
They got back with a few minutes to spare, passing those who were standing around as Alec spotted two seats across the other side. The courtroom seemed fuller than it had been earlier.
"Why are there more people than earlier?" Rose wanted to know.
"There is always more interest when a verdict is imminent," Alec explained. "I don't expect it will take the jury long to decide, hopefully with the right decision."
The court resumed, everyone listening to the defence.
"And furthermore, my client denies seeing the girl on the night in question and certainly did not put the girl in his car to dispose of her, despite the police allegedly finding the girl's pendant, which they cannot prove since the evidence has not been produced."
That was it, it was all over, Alec knew as Rose reached for his hand. He now didn't care if anyone saw them or not as the jury were told to begin their deliberations after the court erupted again. He had been hoping all this time that the pendant wouldn't be mentioned but they'd not got away with it at the end.
The defence had even speculated that if the police had found a pendant in the defendant's car, there was no proof it had even belonged to Pippa. Rose remained where she was as everyone including Alec got up.
"Rose? What's wrong?" he wanted to know as people passed them.
"I saw Pippa's pendant, on the bedroom floor when I went to use the bathroom. I just realised. It's too late now," she admitted.
"Don't worry eh?" Alec encouraged her, thinking the damage had already been done by Tess, who if she'd not been fooling around would have delivered the pendant to the crime lab and it would have proved it was Pippa's.