A/N: Sorry for the long update...i've been really busy. Hope you like this chapter.
Poppy had been in hospital for over an hour. Doctors were confident Poppy would be OK but there could be some internal damage, like bleeding on the brain, so the next 24 hours were important. Poppy had suffered from 3 broken ribs, a broken arm and leg. Her scarred arms had been worst after they ended up cracking and bleeding. Her eyes were bloodshot as well. John, Mrs James, Tom and Nikki were all at Poppy's bedside. John worked at the hospital and was use to seeing girls like this or worse. But it was his own little girl, lying unconscious with tubes and masks and bandages covering her.
''How are you?'' Nikki asked Mrs James and John
''The number of times i've been in this hospital, they should give us our own ward.'' Mrs James sighed
''Mrs James.'' Tom began ''I wonder if it's possible if you and John can come into the school whenever you have a free moment.''
''Hannah?'' John added ''Lindsay told us.''
''Yes.'' Tom said
Mrs James and John with Tom and Nikki watched Poppy lie in the bed, sleeping.
At school, Lauren, Trudi and Finn arrived back. The police were interviewing them as well as Lindsay, Josh, Emily and Kyle. Hannah arrived back at school as soon as she heard about Poppy. Jez, Sian and Michael were supervising and Jez recognised Hannah from the salon. Why was she here? Maybe she was a 6th former.
''Sian?'' Jez whispered ''The girl with the long, blonde hair.''
''Hannah Holland?'' Sian queried
''Hannah Holland?'' Jez was puzzled ''She told me...'' Jez's voice trailed off
Jez decided to sort Hannah later. That's why most of the staff were complaining that she did no work or turn up on time. She was illegally working in a salon when she was suppose to be at school. Jez decided to leave it until tomorrow and see if she turned up to PE, if not, he'll go to the salon in his free period. The police officer came out of Michael's office with a notebook.
''Right, I'm PC Carter and this is WPC Brown.'' PC Carter began ''Can I have a word with Lindsay James?''
Lindsay took a deep breath and straightened her tie before walking into Michael's office with Sian and Jez following behind. Lindsay was quite nervous seeing police again. Even though she wasn't in trouble, her palms were sweating and she was panicky.
''Lindsay, we're going to ask you a few straight forward questions.'' WPC Brown began to explain ''Firstly, has her behaviour changed recently or been acting weird?''
''Not really.'' Lindsay replied ''She's always quiet and sensitive. I know she hates this place so much and would rather be back at her old school. Although, I think she's took £50 of mine.''
''What do you think she's done with it?''
''Dunno.'' Lindsay shrugged ''She might not have spent it.''
More and more awkward questions where asked. It was only 10 minutes but it felt like forever. Lindsay felt as if they were trying to bring up her criminal past.
Flashback
It was hell on earth. Lindsay was placed in the young offenders block of the prison as she was under 18 and legally a minor. The best time of the week was when Lindsay had her mum's visits. Soon after, Lindsay refused the visits after all her mum would do is cry and cry.
It was impossible to sleep as officers kept doing spot checks with bright flash lights. Lindsay made friends with a girl, Chanel Middleton, who was 15. She'd been in and out of prison ever since she was 10 years old. Chanel was serving 2 years for assault on a teacher and pupil at school. Chanel was due to be released in 6 months and to get back to school in time for her GCSE year.
Prison wasn't the greatest place to be. You stared at the same four walls and when you were allowed out, there was constant supervision. There were quite a few fights every day and Lindsay tried to stay clear in case she ended up in segregation. Lindsay desperately wanted someone to talk to and it was a delight when Rachel came to visit her.
Lindsay was in the visiting room with other youths, waiting for their family or friends. They were all dressed in the same, grey tracksuits and white trainers and they all looked rough. Lindsay beamed when she saw Miss Mason and threw her arms round her and they both sobbed non stop.
''Oh miss.'' Lindsay cried
Lindsay sat back down as Rachel took her place opposite. It made Rachel's heart break when she saw Lindsay sat there, scared and vulnerable.
''How are you?'' Rachel asked, trying to be sympathetic
''OK.'' Lindsay wiped a tear
''Your mum tells me you've refused to see your mum for the last 6 visits.'' Rachel said
''Yep.'' Lindsay mumbled
''Why sweetheart?'' Wondered Miss Mason
''She can't bear it.'' Lindsay replied ''Seeing her little girl locked up.''
''I hear you can work towards your AS Levels in here.'' Rachel began, not wanting to unsettle Lindsay ''What were they again?''
''Chemistry, English Language, French and History.'' Lindsay mumbled ''I might just put my A-Levels on hold, focus on getting out of here and go back to school. Plans of going to a top University are down the drain, aren't they? No one wants a murderer.''
''Lindsay, this isn't the end of the world.'' Rachel told her ''3 years from now when your released, you'll be 19, can take your A-Levels, apply to University with support and you'd be able to graduate at the age of 24 or something. You're still very young Lindsay.''
Rachel had a point. Maybe one day she could go to University and work towards her ambition of being a lawyer. She'd know the criminal justice system well after going through it herself.
Lindsay and Rachel talked for an hour. No way did it seem like an hour. From the other end of the room, the guard announced that time was up and that they should say their goodbyes.
''Miss.'' Lindsay began ''Can you ask my mum to come and visit?''
''OK.'' Rachel smiled
Lindsay gave Rachel a huge hug before Lindsay had to leave to her cell. 3 years. 3 long years ahead.
An hour later, the interviews were over. The police were going to go to the hospital about the attack. Jez couldn't ignore the Hannah situation and headed to her class-Media Studies with Tom. Jez gave tom a signal through his door.
''Hey up, mate.'' Tom said
''You know you lot were wondering about Hannah's absence from school?'' Jez began
''Yeah.''
''Well, she's working illegally in that salon down the road.'' Jez told Tom
''Are you sure?'' Tom asked
''Course I am.'' Jez insisted ''She said she was called Hannah Holbeck and said she was 16. I didn't have a clue who she was.''
''One minute then.'' Tom said to Jez
Tom went inside the class and beckoned Hannah outside. Hannah's heart dropped when she saw Jez. She'd been rumbled.
''Yes sir?'' Hannah asked
''We've found out about the job.'' Tom sighed ''At a hair salon.''
''And I guess you'll snitch.'' Hannah said
''We have no choice.'' Jez began to explain ''You're 14 and legally required to be in school.''
''What about if I ask to reduce my shifts to Saturdays and say i've started college or something?'' Hannah pleaded
''Sorry Hannah.'' Apologised Jez
Hannah gave Tom and Jez an icy stare before storming into the class. What was the point of school if she already had-or did have a job. GCSE's and A-Levels were irrelevant to her as she didn't intend to go to University. She had an ambition to be a make up artist or fashion designer not a teacher or social worker.
''Teenagers. I'll tell Sian and Michael later.'' Tom sighed to Jez as he headed back inside
Lindsay, Josh, Lauren, Trudi, Amy and Finn were in their class. The girls were talking about Poppy and boys.
''You reckon Poppy will be OK?'' Lauren asked
''Course she will.'' Lindsay replied ''Poppy's strong.''
Lindsay's phone bleeped and she received a message on Facebook. A message from Paul.
How do you mean pregnant? We were safe...that child couldn't have been mine...look, i'll come round later and we'll talk about it.
Lindsay typed out a message as she didn't want to cause her mum any stress.
That's not a good idea :/ Poppy's in hospital, Hannah's been caught bunking off and that...i'll message u l8r
''Who was that?'' A nosey Amy asked
''No one.'' Lindsay replied
''Are you still talking to Langley still?'' Amy wondered
''No.'' Lindsay insisted
Lindsay had felt stress pile on top of her. The twins arriving, Poppy being beaten up, Hannah skiving, Emily and Kyle sibling rivalry and Emily and her rivalry.
''Anyone fancy coming out tonight?'' Lindsay asked ''I need a break.''
''Sure.'' Lauren smiled
''OK.'' Amy agreed
''Yeah.'' Trudi beamed
''Er, I hope we're invited.'' Finn said
''Yeah.'' Lindsay told them
The end of the day arrived (thank goodness). Emily and Lindsay went to the hospital to visit Poppy, who was exhausted. Poppy gave the money back and was so upset and distraught. Nikki and Tom left a while back. The twins were staying with John's dad, Emily was going to go to Scout's foster parents house, Lindsay was off out, Hannah was sulking about at home whilst Kyle was going to Rhona's whilst Shona was also going to Scout's.