Ch 2 of 2 today … read Ch 71 first!

(14/7/2019)

CHAPTER 72

Recap …

Jack knew this was the part she was dreading. She had worried all week that she would say something wrong and end up inadvertently releasing Thomas Giblin back into the community. Even though both Peter and Jack had insisted that could never happen, it still remained Elizabeth's biggest concern.

Continued …

The defendant's lawyer took his place behind the camera, giving Elizabeth an unsettling smile.

"Mrs Elizabeth Thornton. You sound too perfect to be true. Loyal friend to Cassie, you babysit her son, job share and teach a bunch of seven year olds, wife to an army sergeant, mother to three, soon-to-be five. Is there anything you don't do?"

Elizabeth stared through the screen and Jack recognised that look. There was a fire in her eyes that he hadn't seen in weeks.

"No one is perfect, Mr …?

"Mr Jeremiah Higgins."

"No one is perfect, Mr Higgins."

"I don't know. You sound it."

"Objection, your Honor. Badgering the witness" Peter interrupted.

"Sustained. Watch it counsellor."

Mr Higgins nodded his understanding before turning back to face the camera, and as such Elizabeth.

"I want to review your story. You said that you noticed Mr Giblin in the crowd at the school. Why did you focus on him? Why would you single him out personally?"

"There was nothing personal about it. I have picked up my eldest daughter from school for the last almost four years. You see mothers and fathers chatting together with other parents they know. Even if another relative is there, they mingle around and look eagerly for the child that they have come to pick up. Mr Giblin did not do that. He stood at the back of the crowd of parents and he was generally focused on something other than the children. At the time I couldn't work out what but it's like he would see what he needed to see and then he would disappear."

"Maybe it wasn't him?"

Jack could tell Elizabeth was sustaining an eye roll.

"I'm not an idiot. He stood out. Not only was he wearing dark clothing every time I saw him but his arms were covered in tattoos. That is generally not the demographic that we see at the school. But it was his behaviour that drew my attention. That's all."

"But the principal at your school didn't think his actions were important to keep an eye on."

"Yes, she did. We spoke to the security guard about keeping an eye on him but shortly after Mr Giblin vanished altogether."

"Did the principal alert other teachers as to this man's appearance?"

"Not that I know of."

"Did she follow up and invest in cameras or something to monitor the playground?"

Elizabeth looked at him confused.

"I don't know."

"Did the principal call the police?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I don't know. Maybe you should ask her" she said frustrated.

"Are you aware of her calling the police about the man you saw on the playground?" the lawyer rephrased.

"No."

"Then don't you think your concern at the time was biased and you were out to get this man because he was Ms Lanning's ex-partner?"

Elizabeth glared through the camera and Jack's pride surged. She was furious.

"Please answer the question, Mrs Thornton."

"Well, you tell me considering he held a pregnant woman at gunpoint for two hours."

Jack grinned. Peter had let the questioning run but now he spoke up.

"Objection, your Honor. We already established Mrs Thornton did not know the identity of Mr Giblin until he had taken her hostage."

"What is the point of these questions, counsellor?" the judge asked.

"To establish that there is no evidence besides Mrs Thornton's word that the man she recognised on the school premises prior to the threat was actually my client. That her word on what happened on the day of the situation was not based on fact but on the fact that she was protective of her friend."

"It doesn't matter what happened prior to the event. The fact remains that she was held at gunpoint and only her and the gunman know what happened behind those doors. Despite you questioning her credibility, I'm going to believe our main witness at this moment. Your current line of questioning is sustained. Do you have any further questions, counsellor?"

Mr Higgins glared at the monitor. "No further, your Honor."

"The witness may leave the stand. Closing remarks for the day will now occur before the day will be adjourned."

Elizabeth's image disappeared from the screen and Jack immediately slid out the back door and hurried around to the room she was in. He knocked gently and waited a minute before the door opened and Elizabeth appeared.

"Let's go home, Beth."

Elizabeth beamed. She took Jack's offered hand and they disappeared out a side door of the court house, courtesy of the court official who gave Elizabeth a smile as they left. Avoiding the crowds, they reached Jack's truck and he helped her in before rushing to the driver's side and climbing in beside her.

"That went heaps later than I anticipated."

"I know" Jack agreed. "It's almost five. I'm glad Vi was taking the kids."

"I feel so much relief. I didn't realise just how much that was weighing me down."

"And you did great, babe. There wasn't a dry eye amongst most of the ladies in the room when you were explaining how he hurt you. I wish you had have told me more though. I wasn't quite prepared for a lot of that" he said slowly, not wanting to accuse her but a little disappointed that she hadn't confided in him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to bring it up again."

"I know and I understand."

Jack started the car and edged out of the carpark toward home.

"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse" Elizabeth said as her stomach let out a growl.

Jack was surprised at that news since Elizabeth had barely eaten in weeks. "That's great. How about we stop at Abigail's on the way home?"

"That's a great idea."

They drove in silence for a while and Jack thought about everything. When he pulled into the carpark at the café, he turned to Elizabeth.

"Are you sure you're okay? I can get some takeaway if you just want to go home."

"You know what? That might be a good idea. I can feel myself crashing already."

"What do you feel like?"

"Maybe some soup. Or some fries and a burger. Or some pie. Yes, apple pie."

Jack laughed. "Alright. Coming right up."

Jack went inside and was met by a different waitress. He put his order in and received it before he had even seen Abigail, which was strange in itself.

As the waitress brought out his food, he thanked her.

"I haven't seen Abigail today. Is she here?"

"No. She took the day off. Are you a friend?"

"Yes, well more so my wife Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth Thornton?"

"Yes."

"Oh, well she actually went to the trial today. You know, to offer moral support. Did you not see her?"

"No, I'm afraid I didn't. Well tell her when you see her, thank you."

"Will do."

Jack went back to the car and found Elizabeth fast asleep. Jack started the car and drove the last five minutes to home. He carried the food inside before waking Elizabeth.

"Sweetie. We're home."

"Jack?"

"Yes. Come on. Do you still want something to eat?"

"Mmm, I don't know."

"Look I got some of Abigail's special chicken soup. Just try and eat a little and then you can go to sleep."

Elizabeth struggled to eat a few mouthfuls before she almost fell asleep in her bowl. Jack helped her upstairs into bed and she was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Jack tucked the blankets and quilt in around her before going back downstairs and finishing off the burger and chips Elizabeth clearly had no intention of eating. He left the apple pie for her to eat later.

Jack phoned Viola to check in and after she insisted on keeping the girls for the night, Jack retired to the bedroom and sat beside his wife immersed in Netflix on an ipad. She only stirred briefly in her sleep and by the time Jack joined her in slumber, he was hopeful that she was for once going to get an unbroken night's sleep.

Elizabeth wasn't required to present herself the following day but since Jack had the remainder of the week off work, they spent the day together before going to the school to pick up their daughters. Since it was a Thursday, Eve was in the day care, so Jack picked her up first. She had been playing with her friend in the sandpit but as soon as she saw Jack, her face lit up and she flew towards him leaving a trail of sand behind her.

"Daddy!"

"Hi Eve. How was your day?"

"Good, but I want to go home."

"Alright. Let's go."

He took her backpack and swung it over his shoulder before taking her hand again and leading her out the door. They walked toward the school where Elizabeth was waiting for them.

Jack had noticed that she seemed a little better today but now as she stood near the school gates he could see she wasn't okay.

"Elizabeth. What's wrong?"

"I don't want to be here, Jack."

"Okay. How about you take Eve to the car and I will get the girls?"

She nodded hurriedly and took the car keys and Eve's hand and continued back toward their parked car.

Jack watched her go before making his way to where the other parents were waiting. He saw Viola in the crowd and made his way over to her.

"Hi Jack."

"Hi Vi."

"Where's Elizabeth?"

"In the car."

"She still can't come in."

"No. I just don't see how she's going to come back to work."

"When was she meant to return?"

"We had been waiting for the conclusion of the trial and then we have our holiday coming up after Christmas. She needs to see someone but she's being so stubborn."

"What about the man you were seeing at your work?"

"Yeah, I had thought about Frank. Strictly it should be permitted as she is an immediate family member, but her issues aren't linked to my service exactly. I would have to speak to him and see. I'm sure he would want to help if he could."

"She should find someone that she is comfortable with."

"I'll have another talk to her tonight."

At that moment the school bell rang and children flooded out the school doors. Jack stood tall, looking for his daughters. Halley was out quickly and recognised Jack in the crowd of parents. As he gave Halley a hug, he continued watching for Grace but she didn't appear. As the last of the students dawdled out of the main doors, he finally caught a glimpse of her with her head hung low.

"What's wrong with Gracie?" Jack asked Halley. "Did you see her at lunch today?"

"I don't think so."

Grace walked slowly towards Viola and only at the last minute did she see Jack.

"Hi Daddy" she said quietly.

Jack knelt down so that he was closer to her height. "Hi Gracie. What's the matter?"

"Nothing."

"But you look so sad. Something must be wrong."

"No. Can we go home?"

"Sure. Let's go."

Jack swung both of their schoolbags onto his shoulder and lead them towards the carpark. He helped them into the truck and they both said hello to Elizabeth and Eve. Halley chatted all the way home but Grace just stayed silent in the back seat.

Jack pulled Elizabeth over in the garage after the girls had already walked into the house.

"Something is up with Grace."

"I noticed she was quiet."

"It's more than that."

"Okay. I will try and talk to her."

Jack went into the kitchen and found some popcorn for their afternoon snack and poured it into three bowls for each of his daughters and placed them on the table. Halley and Eve trailed in, settling down with their bowl of popcorn in front of them.

Elizabeth watched Grace as she went upstairs. She followed behind her and watched as she pulled back the covers of her bed and slid under, with her favourite stuffed animal in hand.

"Gracie. Are you feeling sick, honey?"

Grace just shook her head.

"Then what's the matter? This is unlike you – being so quiet."

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. Can you give me a hint? Did something happen at school?"

Grace nodded slightly.

"Okay. Did something happen to you?"

Grace shook her head.

"Alright … did someone say something?"

Grace nodded again.

"Okay Grace. You need to tell me what the person said so I can help you?"

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because they said it about you."

Elizabeth eyes widened in surprise. "Oh did they? Well I'm big and strong, I can handle whatever they said."

Grace nodded slowly. Elizabeth watched her deciding whether to tell her or not. "Tommy from my class … he said … he said you deserved to be punched by that man because you're mean. So I said that's not a nice thing to say and you're not mean. But he said you're a nosy witch and because you're my mom, I must be a nosy witch too."

Elizabeth listened intently and did her best not to react to what Grace said. She knew Tommy well, or more precisely his family. His older brothers Grant and Peter both went through her class over the past few years and they were her most troublesome students. The parents weren't at all supportive and Elizabeth had on more than one occasion indicated that they needed to spend more time on homework and reading with their children and a bit of discipline wouldn't have hurt either, not that she would have mentioned that to them. It wasn't too much of a surprise that their parents had said what they did with Tommy in the room. It was more surprising to Elizabeth that she was the only teacher that they had had problems with.

"Well you can ignore whatever Tommy has said. He has just copied things his parents have been talking about and mistaken the context. You don't need to worry about any of that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. No one, no matter how horrible, deserves to have what happened to me, happen to them. As for being a 'nosy witch', I just wanted what was best for his brothers when they were in my class. If being a 'nosy witch' is what I get called for caring for my students, that's fine by me" Elizabeth said, even though she was certain that she hadn't been called a 'witch' by Tommy's parents but rather another word.

"So, it's not bad to be a nosy witch?"

"Well, no, so long as it is for the right reasons, I don't think it matters. But we still don't call people names, no matter what, do we?"

"No."

"Because it makes people sad, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"Now, how about we go downstairs and find something to eat?"

"Okay."

Elizabeth helped Grace out of bed and took her hand, leading her back downstairs. As soon as Grace saw the popcorn that Jack had set out, her face lit up and she eagerly sat down and started talking to Halley.

Elizabeth walked over toward Jack, who was leaning against the bench watching them. He held his hand to her and Elizabeth walked over, taking it in her own. Jack squeezed it as he spoke to her.

"All good?"

"Yep."

Jack leant forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Good."