It was the following week and Ellie had the day off school as she had to go back to the SARC centre.
"Why do I need to do another interview?" Ellie asked. She wasn't trying to be difficult, she just hated having to go through it again.
"It's something to do with the fact that John is pleading guilty which is better for you as you don't need to go to court but they need an extra interview to go to the courts for his sentencing" Stevie explained.
"I know it's really not nice" Stevie said kissing the girl on the head.
"I just don't understand what else they are going to ask" Ellie huffed.
"I think they want to be clear on the timings" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded.
"But that's the bit that I don't remember" Ellie complained.
"I know, you just have to do your best" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded.
"It's not like I recorded every time he did something," Ellie said and Stevie pulled the girl into her arms.
"Right, we need to leave in the next 15 minutes" Stevie said as she encouraged the girl into the bedroom to get changed.
"What should I wear?" She asked standing staring at the clothes in her wardrobe.
"Em, I'd go comfortable" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded grabbing a pair of grey joggers and a white baggy crop top.
15 minutes later, they were getting into the car. It was almost an hour drive so Stevie wanted it to be as relaxing as possible.
"Shall we get a drink before we start the journey?" Stevie asked and Ellie smiled nodding. She could really do with one because she was already starting to stress about the interview. They headed to Starbucks where Stevie got herself a coffee and a frappe for Ellie, which was her new favourite.
"Thank you" Ellie said taking the strawberry frappe from her aunt. She instantly started sipping it. They relax into a gently silence.
"I get really scared that I'm going to say the wrong thing and then John is going to be released" Ellie admitted about 20 minutes into the journey.
"That is never going to happen" Stevie stated.
"I can understand why you might feel that way but remember they have so much evidence against John and he has also pleaded guilty. He has admitted to doing it. Now it's just about how long his sentence is. Personally, I want him in prison for as long as possible, the evidence you are giving is only going to increase the amount of time he is locked up. Please try not to think about it any other way" Stevie explained trying her all to make the young girl feel better. Ellie nodded. She understood exactly what her aunt was telling her but sometimes it's hard.
"Can I ask you something, but I think it might be an embarrassing answer" Ellie admitted nervously, and Stevie nodded.
"Oi, nothing is an embarrassing question, never think that" Stevie said, and Ellie rubbed her hand against her head.
"So don't get mad but I tried to google something about what happened but then it was confusing, and I didn't understand" Ellie said.
"What have I told you about googling things" Stevie putted in.
"I know, I'm sorry" Ellie said feeling instantly bad.
"Listen baby, it's fine. Just know you can ask me next time. So come on, hit me with it." Stevie said.
"Like you see when he was inside of me, he kind of placed his hand on me, like kind of down from you know like where you let me shave. What was he doing?" Ellie asked nervously. She was looking out of the window, not even willing to look at her aunt.
"Ah, okay so from what I understand by what you were saying. I'm guessing he was trying to rub your clitoris which can give women a lot of pleasure. I suppose sometimes men are turned on when the woman is turned on" Stevie tried to explain.
"When his weight went heavy on me, was that when he cummed." Ellie asked and Stevie was slightly shocked at the girl's language but nodded.
"Well again going off what you have told me, I would think so" Stevie said.
"And that what needs to happen for someone to get pregnant cause it's what the sperm travels with" Ellie asked, and Stevie nodded.
"Yeah, that's right" Stevie said, and Ellie nodded. They relaxed into a gently silence again for a little bit.
"Was I okay to ask you this?" Ellie asked and Stevie nodded.
"Of course, that was okay. I'm so proud of you for asking me, that was very mature of you" Stevie said as she put her hand on her niece's hand.
"I love you so much" Stevie said, and Ellie smiled.
"I love you too" Ellie said smiling at her aunt.
They soon arrived at the SARC centre and entered. Instantly, Ellie grabbed her aunt's hand as they walked into the building. She was starting to get a little bit nervous again.
"You've got this" Stevie said as she put her arm around the girl.
They entered the SARC centre and then were taken into a room.
"Remember, just go through everything that you remember" Stevie said. It wasn't long before the police officer entered.
"I apologise for needing you to go through this again. We are simply trying to sort out timings as to how long he was abusing you for" The police officer explained.
"So when would you say that the sexual abuse started" The police office asked.
"I've been trying to explain to Ellie that the time she was raped is not the only time that she was sexually assault" Stevie jumped in, wanting the girl to have a clearer understanding of the meaning.
"Definitely, so why did he start touching you inappropriately" The officer asked.
"So from maybe like 3 or 4 months after he started working there. I didn't realise until I spoke to my aunt but he was sexually abusing me since not long after he started. Then he moved further when I was 11 and he started doing foreplay and oral sex" Ellie confidently stated. Stevie was very proud of her niece for being so honest and mature other this. This is what she wanted the girl to understand.
They continued the conversation and interview for over another hour before they were excused and allowed to go.
"What do you want to do now?" Stevie asked as they left. It was after 12 o'clock and they hadn't eaten much.
"Do you want lunch now?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded.
"Can we go somewhere nice?" Ellie asked and Stevie smiled.
"Of course, so you want like an actual restaurant lunch?" Stevie asked and Ellie nodded.
"Come on then" Stevie said putting her hand around the girl's shoulder. Stevie quickly had a nosy on her phone at somewhere nice for them to go.
"Come on, there is a lovely country house near and we can go there" Stevie said. It was more expensive than where she often ate but the young girl deserved it.
"It's a bit expensive" Ellie admitted nervously when they sat down to eat.
"Sweetie pie, you really deserve it." Stevie explained "Please don't worry about any of it".
Ellie nodded and put all of that behind her. She had a lovely time with her aunt and was finally able to put things behind her for the time being.
"Thank you so much" Ellie said afterwards as they arrived at the car after eating.
"What do you want to do now?" Stevie asked softly.
"Em, is Faith working today?" Ellie asked and Stevie looked at her watch.
"No she was on nightshift but going onto days. So do you want to go and see her?" Stevie asked and to her surprise Ellie nodded.
"Do you think we could like watch a film with her" Ellie asked, and Stevie nodded.
"I'll text her now" Stevie explained, and Ellie nodded.
By the time, they returned Faith had messaged to say that she was awake and happy to do a movie afternoon.
"I'm still in my pyjamas. I hope that's okay" Faith said as she answered the door.
"Oh I think that's the best way to be" Stevie said as she pushed herself into the room and got comfortable on the sofa. They quickly settled on the sofa and started their first film. Once watching one, Faith went to get some snacks for them and a drink. When she returned, she handed their drinks over before they took time deciding what film to do next.
"I had to do another interview at the SARC centre" Ellie admitted to Faith when the woman had sat down.
"How are you feeling now?" Faith asked.
"Okay, Auntie Stevie has explained a lot to me. She made sure I understood what sexual abuse is and that John's being arrested for raping me but also for all the other things he did to me" Ellie explained, and Faith nodded. She was very impressed in how much more confident the girl was speaking about this.
"She's done well your aunt" Faith said smiling to Stevie.
"I just wish I had been there to protect you" Stevie said as she stroked the young girl's hair.
"I love you so much" Stevie said. They spoke for a bit longer before putting the second film on. About an hour in, Ellie feel asleep so Faith and Stevie paused it to have a chat.
"Was it her idea to come here?" Faith asked and Stevie nodded.
"That was good of her, I'm guessing she still knew she needed to have that chat with us" Faith said and Stevie nodded.
"She's been amazing today, I'm so proud of her" Stevie explained.
"You've helped that. Think about the difference in her since she came to live with you" Faith said and Stevie nodded. She hadn't thought about it that way.
Sorry its been so long. Hope this is okay :) Though I really need some more ideas!