disclaimER - see previous

at the moment I am writing on my iPhone at the moment so apologies for any mistakes or errors. Hope to have my laptop up and running soon x

The Truth in the Verdict

two weeks later ...

Ronnie stood on the steps of the Old Bailey waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. He knew he was early but there was something about Beth's drug abuse and the whole case that had got under his skin. He stood staring into space as Natalie approached. The rain seemed to soak the ground around him as he watched his boss walk towards him. She shook her head sadly, she knew Ronnie well enough to know what was going through his mind.

"She's not you." Natalie spoke calmly.

"An addict is an addict." Ronnie spoke calmly. "Alcohol, drugs, sex. It's all the same."

"May be." Natalie agreed. "It's the person who is addicted who is different." She touched his arm as she spoke, he sighed heavily. "You never physically hurt anyone when you were drinking."

"Didn't I?"

"Beth hit Kate. She intended to harm her, you never intended to harm anyone. She went looking for her sister and hit her."

"Yeah, but."

"No but." Natalie smiled. "Come on , Beth is going to be sentenced soon. It's only Kate left to give evidence." Ronnie nodded before following her into the court.

xxxx

Kate stared at the wall as Jake and Alesha spoke quietly in the corner. She knew neither Alesha or James were supposed to speak to her, at least until she had given evidence. Her stomach lurched as she thought about facing her sister in the court. She really wanted the reassurance of her friends but knew that would have to wait. Shaking her head she mentally chastised herself for hoping her mum would appear. She opened them to see Wes talking to Jake for a moment before he walked towards her. Closing her eyes for a moment she tried to fight the headache that built behind her eyes.

" Kate?"

"I'm fine." She opened her eyes. "Jake."

"I'm allowed to worry."

"Jake." Kate smiled slightly as Jake held her hands. "She's my sister."

"I know." He sighed, knowing that she was always going to feel guilty over testifying against her sister. He squeezed her hands as the court officer appeared in the doorway. "You can do this. Kate, come on." She looked up to see James and Alesha walk into the court followed by Ronnie, Natalie and Matt.

"Where's Sam and Angie?"

"Matt said they are working another case. Angie gave her evidence yesterday and Sam the day before. I'll be in there with you. Alesha gave evidence against her parents and she survived. You can do this."

"I'm not Alesha Devlin."

"I know." he held get gaze for slightly too long. She couldn't pull her eyes away from his. Moments later the heavy oak door opened. A slight cough from behind them broke the spell. Jake blushed as Kate smiled.

"It's ok." She nodded. "I'm ready."

Xxxxxxx

A/n penultimate chapter done - more soon.