A TRIAL SEPARATION
She tossed and turned, moving restlessly from sleep to wakefulness. She looked at the clock, three am; she'd rehearsed over and over in her head what she needed to say to him but would it have an impact? She turned over unable to find a position that was comfortable, usually it was the baby that kept her from sleep but tonight he was quiet. It was her own inner turmoil that troubled her sleep; it was admitting to herself that in spite of everything there were still nights like this when she woke and felt the empty space, not only in the bed but in the flat and in her life. She wondered whether she'd made the right decision, whether her feelings were coloured by recent events, bringing her thoughts back to the impending court appearance tomorrow. "How dare he!" she shouted at the wall tears welling up in her eyes; she dashed them away angrily. She couldn't deal with him like this, he'd see that his plan had worked, that she was spooked. She switched on the bedside light and picked up the book from the bedside table, she'd reached the 'J's. Without thinking she flicked to the end "Justin – just, true" she read out loud, she flung the book down on the bed. Earlier she'd looked up her own "Rebecca – bound, tied", on nights like this it felt as if she was caught in his web with no way out but the plan she'd pulled together would perhaps loosen the ties once and for all. She could only hope.