Chapter Five:
Frank was found not guilty. Carla was in utter shock.
"No! You can't do that! He raped me!" she shouted, crying.
Peter gently took her arm and tried to get her to sit back down.
"Car!" he whispered.
Anne, Frank's mum and Sally, who was dating Frank and who also used to work for Carla shot her smug smiles.
Carla stood up again.
"Look. Please just listen to me for two minutes? He did rape me! Don't think I'm just some girl who cries rape to get rid of him. Please. You have to believe me" Carla pleaded, the tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry Mrs Connor. Mr Foster has been found not guilty and that decision won't change" was the reply she got.
Maria and Michelle gave her supportive hugs and led her out of the court.
"I can't believe it…" Carla whispered, outside.
"Darling, I'm going to be here for you every step of the way. I love you and I'm never going to let you go. Now that Leanne knows we can live properly now" Peter said, with his hands on Carla's cheek wiping away her tears.
"Thing is Peter, you can. I can't. I'm never going to be able to live my life properly knowing he's out there and free to do whatever he wants" Carla said.
Peter kissed her.
"C'mon, let's get you home" he said, taking her hand.
"No. I need a drink." Carla said.
"Car, do you really think that's a good idea?" Peter asked, knowing they both had drink problems.
"Just the one. I deserve it after today, don't I?" Carla said and Peter drove them to the pub.
Peter got Carla a large red wine and an orange juice for himself.
"How did today go? Did the monster get sent down?" Stella, the landlady asked, just as Frank walked in with his mum and Sally.
"No. Get him out of here." Carla whispered, terrified when she saw him.
Frank walked up to the bar and looked at Carla.
"Get away from me!" she shouted at him, holding onto Peter.
"Frank, don't you think you should go? You're really upsetting her. Come back in a few days when everything's calmed down a bit?" Stella said to him.
"No. I'm free to do what I want, when I want and if I want to come in and have a drink, I'm sorry Stella but I will." Frank replied.
"Right. If he stays, we go" Carla said, rushing out of the pub.
Peter ran out after her and found her leaning against the pub wall outside, crying. He put his arm around her and held her close.
"C'mon, it's been a tough day. Let's get you home." He said, taking her hand and helping her up.