Thank you for all your support guys, here's next update...
The few days before the trial had flown by as nerves crept more to the forefront of their minds. It was Thursday as Kate sat outside the court room it was her turn to give evidence against the slim ball, she was glad she didn't have to see him. She was brought back to reality buy a shrill voice calling her name. "Kate Mckenzie?" Kate stood "that's me" , "were ready for you now" She nodded following him. Caroline gave her a reassuring nod slipping in through the other doors to sit and give Kate moral support.
"So you are Kate Mckenzie" a small man asked her, Kate nodded "you need to answer" he spoke loudly, "umm sorry yes I am". Kate felt instantly flustered she knew this wasn't going to be easy, but by the look on Micheal's solicitors face he was going to enjoy making this as uncomfortable for her as possible.
Her hand instinctively fell upon her stomach almost subconsciously protecting them from the harsh tones and glaring faces around her. "So could you please explain your relationship with the accused?"
"I'm a colleague or I was", the man nodded "and were you social with my client Michael Dobson outside school hours at extra curricular activities?". Kate could feel herself physically shaking "we were friends yes, we would often all go to the pub after work and school trips". He nodded "did you ever spend time just the two of you?" "well he's in the same department, he was my senior so naturally we had meetings about the workload and schedule, but not in a personal capacity".
"In that case how can you explain the assault you allege happened at your house when you did not socialize outside of work".
Kate pulled at her top feeling herself flush the uncomfortable tension rising' "The night the first assault occurred he turned up at my house uninvited with marking I'd left at school. He barged his way into my house, I asked why he had come and he explained how he felt about me, and I explained I didn't feel the same. I assumed as a decent human being he would of just of excepted this and left it but... But.."
She felt her voice crack her eyes sting she looked up searching for Caroline's face, She felt the panic spread until her eyes locked with Caroline's seeing her smile her beautiful reassuring smile, she kept her eyes locked. "He was angry I didn't feel the same, he accused me of flirting leading him on. He forced me against the wall, and pulled my skirt up roughly using his hands. I told him no but he didn't listen, he had been watching me and my house, he had seen my partner leaving and was saying horrible things about her. How he would show me a good time and he didn't know why I wasting my time with her." Kate gasped for air realizing her speech had become hurried rushed at the need to pass over the memory as quickly as possible.
"so you gave him no invitation at all?" "No!" Her voice suddenly assertive and controlled "I struggled against him, and screamed at him to leave me alone, he lost his nerve and left promising it was not the end of the matter, I was petrified I thought he was going to rape me".
"I don't think my client ever had that intention, he maintains he was given the go ahead by you and as things progressed physically you changed your mind, so he stopped and left". Kate's mouth fell open "then he's a nasty liar, he knew full well that was not the case I'm a lesbian for god sake I don't like men! Why would I have wanted to sleep with him" the anger boiling inside her.
The Judge nodded in agreement "but you have been married so at one time or another men must have been your thing" his solicitor chipped in again a coy smirk upon his face. Kate shook her head "that was six years ago I was confused and I did what was expected of me".
"Are you sure you were not confused again and did in fact behave as if you were interested in my client". "Yes I'm sure, I was at the time in a relationship with someone else, a woman who I was fully head over heels in love with, I still am".
Her smile was reflected by Caroline's "and if that was what Michael described a misunderstanding, why did it happen on serval occasions. I was scared to go to work, scared to be alone with him, he touched me in appropriately on the school coach for god sake, in a set of woman's toilets.
I lived in fear ... each time he was sadistic and threatening and on several occasions I can say he would have raped me if he'd had the chance. There was no question of me being misleading he knew how I felt I told him NO! she almost shouting now the anger building within her. The tears now steaming down her face, her body shaking her hands red where shed squeezed them together as if defending herself Against his words. "But all these occasions weren't witnessed by anyone were they Miss Mckenzie so they are your word against my client".
"No" she sounded defeated as Tony Green her solicitor came to her rescue "No there were not witnesses to the actual assaults and threats of assault, but character witness of my clients distress and one who will testify that Michael had admitted his behavior." The judge nodded "ok lets move on a bit".
Michael's solicitor nodded "moving away from the assault allegations, i want to talk about you professional misconduct alongside your partner and head teacher, who you got to help you in discrediting my clients professional conduct resulting in his dismissal".
Kates eyes once more shot open in surprise "I did no such thing" the solicitors raised his eyebrows "what would you call it then?".
"I confided in Caroline my partner of Michael's threats and behaviors and she kept a close eye on the situation whilst at school and outside. She herself witnessed his threats against me and to herself personally for supporting me. He did not take kindly to what he referred to as her interfering, all she ever did was protect me".
"Protect you, you mean start a personal vendetta on my client to get him dismissed from his position in an act of malice for your sake".
"No I didn't she didn't , he threatened us, threatened to out our relationship to the school to make trouble".
"So you wanted to shut him up discredit him, and used your relationship with the head teacher his boss, to get him out of the picture before he caused problems".
"No I... She didn't... She made a decision based on his threatening behavior towards me and her and other members of staff that his position should be reviewed. That's when he was confronted he swore to get me back for rejecting him and Caroline for standing up to him".
"Miss Mckenzie my client has no recollection of your version of events and claims that you had encouraged his advances, then changed your mind which he respected. But that you were scared of him informing your boss that is also you partner Mrs Caroline Elliot and therefore made a claim of assault. That then got out of hand in your bid to attempt to remove my client who you saw as a threat to your new relationship if he spoke to Ms Elliot. You therefore concocted this whole scenario to suit you and my client is innocent of everything you accuse him of. Therefore the assault charge should be dropped and the ludicrous allegations of blackmail should be ignored and his position at Sulgrave reinstated straight away.
"No that's not true, he did ..I didn't" she felt dizzy she fell forward slightly gripping tightly onto the bar in front of her. She saw the man in front of her staring as her focus was lost, her body felt limp as she slid into the chair.
Caroline stood and ran down to where Kate sat, Tony stepping forward also "your honor can we have an adjournment" he asked, "agreed" the judge motioned to Caroline to help Kate down.
As they sat in a back room Caroline held Kate tight "it's ok, you did very well sweetheart". Kate sobbed gently "I couldn't argue with him I kept getting tongue tied, and I felt so ill I couldn't..." "Shh it's too much, it's too stressful but it will be over soon".
Kate fell asleep in the chair as Tony pulled Caroline aside "well that didn't go well, I'll get her a break for today I think in her condition the judge will allow it. luckily we have got a surprise up our sleeves as that solicitor is playing hard ball". Caroline couldn't help look at him concerned he chuckled "I'm still confident" he smiled reassuring at Caroline. "You take Kate home and I'll explain to the judge, I'll call some of the other witnesses and you can come back tomorrow. I'll ring you later let you know how I get on".
Caroline smiled at him "thank you, are you sure you won't need us?", "yes it's fine take her home she's had enough stress today and well in her condition our main priority is her well being. I'll see you both tomorrow". "Thank you" she smiled as he slide from the room leaving her and Kate alone, "Kate Kate" Kate muttered "what?".
"Come on sweetheart, let's get you home". Kate opened her eyes a little and let Caroline help her into the car, before falling asleep again.
Ok well that didn't go too well ... she talked to herself but tomorrow she would even the score, she was Doctor Caroline bloody Elliott, and she wasn't going to let anyone make her feel small. She was going to see that prat get what he fucking deserved and what was more she was going to enjoy doing it. She smiled as Kate muttered in her sleep watching her beautiful girlfriend stir a little. "Fucking Arsehole" Caroline muttered stressing poor Kate out, she would get that stupid man back tomorrow. Just let him try wind her up like that, he hadn't met her yet and if she had her way after tomorrow he wouldn't be likely to forget her either. "Bring it on!"