by KERRY BARNES
Lucy entered the room and gracefully glided up the short aisle as if there were a hundred people watching her. Justin felt his legs wobble slightly and his mouth dry up with so many emotions ripping through him. His mother not being there, not even knowing he was getting married, the guilt – he knew this was madness. That was until he glanced across at his bride and her small protruding bump, and then, he took a deep breath and smiled.
Within ten minutes, the ceremony was over, and he was married. It had all happened so fast, that he was surprised when the registrar said, ‘You are now husband and wife.’ His two friends signed the register and it was done. They didn’t even go for a celebratory drink with the newlyweds; instead, they headed off together to a local pub to have a good gossip like two old women.
In the back of the Bentley, Lucy pulled out her phone and took a few pictures of them both. ‘Aw, Justin, come on, smile, love. What’s the matter?’ she said, as she tried to take a selfie.
He felt his cheeks tighten, and his smile was more of a thin grin, but she didn’t seem to mind; she had her photo.
The plan was to drive back to the flat, get changed, and head off to the Cotswolds, where she’d booked the cottage for the week. However, as soon as they were in the flat, he felt a cold, unearthly sensation, as if reality had slapped him again. ‘Listen, Lucy, I know you’re looking forward to our honeymoon, but I’m so worried—’
‘About bloody Kara, I bet!’ she spat angrily.
‘No! I just have so much work that I’m struggling with. I’m so behind, and I don’t want the business to suffer. Can we postpone the honeymoon for maybe a couple of weeks?’
Like a spoiled child, Lucy threw the bouquet onto the chair. ‘It’s just not fair; none of this is fair. I couldn’t have the big white wedding with family and …’ she paused and snivelled ‘… I can’t even meet your mother. And I tried, Justin, I really tried to make this wedding as sweet as possible. All I wanted was for us to be married and spend a week together. That’s all, just a measly week, away from everything, to start our lives anew.’ She placed her hands over her eyes and cried.
With a heavy sigh, Justin caved in. ‘Okay, I’ll call the boys and tell them what needs to be done, and we can be on our way.’
Lucy squealed with delight and threw her hands around his neck. ‘Thank you, my husband.’
With that, she ran up the stairs to get changed out of the dress that had looked a little tight. Justin stared out of the living-room window and noticed the Bentley was still outside. The driver was in the final stages of removing the red ribbon. All at once, Justin remembered the postal delivery and hurried out of the building before the chauffeur left. Opening the back door, Justin snatched the letter. ‘Sorry, mate, I forgot something.’
‘No worries. And congratulations, you look a very lovely couple.’
Justin hadn’t even thought about what they looked like together; in fact, he hadn’t thought about a lot when it came to him and Lucy. He gave a wry smile and slowly sauntered back up the steps to the front door, where he paused to open the letter.
Dear Justin,
After not hearing from you after the previous letter and the messages I left for you, I am writing in regard to the court case on 14th April. I appreciate this is short notice. However, as I mentioned earlier, I was only informed a week ago. I think it would be prudent to come to my office as soon as you can. I need to discuss some other matters that have come to my attention.
Also, as I indicated previously, you may be required to take the stand as a witness. However, if you would rather not, then you can mention that you would be a hostile witness, due to the nature of your relationship with the defendant, Kara. I would be obliged if you would call me at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely
Lucas
Justin stood shivering, at a loss to know what to think. Loosening his tie that was almost strangling him, he reread the letter and folded it away before he entered the house. Lucy was so busy getting herself ready that she hadn’t even noticed him go to the car.
How was he going to tell her that he would have to cut their honeymoon short, and, more to the point, go to court? He was contemplating lying but he would only trip himself up. The best solution would be to explain the situation calmly and decisively. He took a deep breath and called up the stairs. ‘Lucy, sorry, love, but we can only go for four days. I have to attend the court case, which is next Monday.’
He listened but there was silence. He called again but there was still no response. Taking the stairs with large strides, he reached the top and peered into the bedroom. Lucy was staring out of the window.
‘What’s the matter?’ He knew the answer to that already. She whirled around with a face devoid of any happiness. For the first time, he understood the expression ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ and he shuddered. There would be ructions.
‘You don’t need to go, do you? But I guess you want to see Kara!’ she said with a spiteful undertone.
‘I have no choice. They’ll call me as a witness.’
Without thinking, Lucy met him head-on. ‘Not if you’re a hostile witness. How can you be on the opposite side, if you—?’
‘What did you just say?’ Justin placed his hands firmly on his hips and inclined his head, waiting for an answer.
‘What I’m trying to say is, the prosecution wouldn’t risk putting you on the stand, if they suspected all along that you had strong feelings for her.’ She lowered her aggressive tone, as if realising she’d put her big foot right in it.
‘No, no, Lucy, you said, and I quote, “not if you’re a hostile witness”. Now, where would you have heard that phrase?’
With an exaggerated raised eyebrow, Lucy sniggered, ‘I do know a bit about the law you know. I’m not a complete dunce.’
Justin decided perhaps he was reading too much into it. The first letter could have got lost in the post, messages get so easily deleted, and as for Lucy’s knowledge of legal procedure, who was to say Lucy didn’t know more about this than him?
‘Well, anyway, my solicitor has asked me to meet with him before the case, so I think it’s best under the circumstances. After all, Lucy, we don’t want any issues to stand in the way of the insurance company continuing with the rebuilding of the house, do we?’ he replied sarcastically.
Lucy flared her nostrils and threw the last cashmere jumper into her suitcase. ‘Oh well, a long weekend it is, then,’ she said, with a deflated tone.
‘I’m sorry, Lucy, I know how much this means to you. Look, I’ll make a quick call and we’ll be on our way.’
With no expression, she nodded and continued packing.
Justin headed back downstairs out of earshot and phoned Lucas Lane.
‘Well, about time, me old son. Three messages I left for you on your new landline number. Anyway, never mind that, how are you doing, Justin?’
‘Sorry, Lucas, I must have missed them, but yeah, I’m good. I don’t have much time, so just to let you know, I’ll be there for the court proceedings.’
There was a pause. ‘Justin, it’s not my place, but as a mate, to you and Kara, she needs a character witness. Her lawyer, Stuart Venables, a good barrister, has informed me that she’s going into court with no one backing her because her poor mother is dead.’
‘What!’ cried Justin.
‘Oh, didn’t you know? Has Kara not been in touch at all?’
Justin felt his nerves on fire. ‘Oh my God, no, she hasn’t. Joan died? When?’
Lucas coughed quietly. ‘Listen, Justin, I’m breaking all confidences by telling you this, but Stuart told me something pretty awful. I want you to know because I want you to do the right thing. Joan died five months ago, but Kara insists she made contact with her carer only quite recently, so something very dodgy is going on. Nevertheless, whilst it has nothing to do with Kara’s case, I know you wouldn’t want her rotting away inside.’
At once, his tone became cold and firm. ‘After al
l, Justin, let’s be honest, Kara may have acted totally irrationally, but she stayed faithful to you, didn’t she? I think you have two options: either stay in the gallery and watch the proceedings or offer to be a character witness. She needs you, Justin, that’s all I can say, and trust me, without divulging anything else, as I’m bound by a professional code, I really do recommend you attend.’
‘What is it, Lucas? Tell me!’
‘I can’t. I’ve already breached a confidence by telling you about her mother, but please go to court, and you’ll see for yourself.’
‘I’ll be there. Have you heard how Kara is? I mean, how did she take the news and how the hell did her mother die five months ago? And how did Kara not know? Surely, she would have told me or my mother? No way it could have been that long ago, could it?’
‘Justin, I can’t say any more, mate. Just be there.’
He ended the call and turned to find Lucy, standing in the doorway. ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were there.’
‘Clearly,’ she replied. ‘So, are you definitely going to court, then?’
Justin was still reeling from the shocking news about Joan. He’d loved her too and was gutted, and even more so now that Kara was inside a prison cell, alone, and having to deal with her mother’s death. His heart felt like a lead brick and his stomach was in knots.
‘Yes, Lucy, I’m definitely going. We’re not together anymore, and I did wrong by her, but I’m not a complete bastard, you know.’ He looked her up and down. ‘You and I are married now with a baby on the way. But that doesn’t change things.’
Lucy asked sorrowfully, ‘What do you mean?’
‘It’s obvious what it means, Lucy. We can move on with our lives, as we’re bloody well doing, but that doesn’t mean I should leave Kara to it, to rot inside. I can help, and I will help, whether you like it or not. Kara isn’t a bad person, and really, as I see things, she shouldn’t be in prison. I’m partly to blame. I drove her to burn the house down. My mother said she might have done the same, if she’d been treated the way I treated Kara. I’m going to court and I’m going to be a character witness. It’s the flaming least I can do.’
He tried to judge her expression, expecting her to be sarcastic, but the smile that greeted him seemed genuine enough.
Lucy wanted to launch another attack but thought better of it. She had to change tactics, or her marriage could easily be for nothing.
‘Okay, darling, you do whatever you think is best, and of course you should go. If the poor woman gets a lighter sentence for it, then at least you will have done your bit.’
Playing it cool was in her long-term interests, so she needed to rein in her legendary temper and focus on pampering Justin and enjoy the long weekend. The last thing she needed was for him to fall back into Kara’s arms.
* * *
The long drive started with Lucy trying to make conversation. Justin, though, was miles away and seemed irritated by her babbling. After a few one-word responses, she gave up and sat in silence, seething at the thought that her Justin was going to help get his ex out of prison. He should be concentrating on them and their new baby. She looked at his profile, as he drove, and she had to admit to herself that he was a very good-looking man.
But, there again, he was such a pathetically faint-hearted person. She was used to men with so much more gumption than him. He was an intelligent kind of guy, and often she found herself agreeing with him simply because she’d no idea what he was talking about. Politics, religion, anything with an academic core to it, he had her baffled. She’d never been a keen student; in fact, she’d absolutely hated school and saw the endless hours in the classroom as missed opportunities when she could have been out there earning a crust.
Meeting Justin was a godsend – after she’d done her homework on him. A successful businessman with garages and a fat bank balance, his own classy home, and to top it all, the good looks, he ticked all the essential boxes. In theory. Now she had him, she would fight tooth and nail to keep him, even if he was a bit weak and full of garbage with his conversation that bored the pants off her. But his moody side somehow stirred a fire in her belly, and in a sadistic way, she quite liked it. The icing on the cake was she had claimed part of Kara’s life for herself.
The silence allowed her to think of a plan. One thing was for sure: the attendance at court was a complete no-no. Deep down, she knew that if he saw Kara looking all vulnerable – maybe battered and bruised – he would ditch what they had and return to her. She had the measure of the man now, and he would find that out soon enough.
Just as the skies darkened, they arrived outside the small stone cottage with its rambling rose gardens. It was as picturesque as the photos.
The red and black skies were the perfect backdrop, lifting Justin’s mood. He hurriedly jumped from the car, stretched his long, weary legs, and popped open the boot. A big smile adorned his face when he saw the basket of food, like a Christmas hamper, all carefully selected and secretly hidden under a blanket to one side next to their cases. He looked over at Lucy. ‘This is a nice touch. When did you do this?’
She chuckled. ‘Yesterday, when you were working. I bought all your favourite things, so our honeymoon would be perfect.’
For a short while, his mind drifted away from Kara and back to his wife. Perhaps he had been a bit short with her, had neglected her, and really all she was doing was trying to please him. The wedding, the cottage, she must have put so much effort in, and here he was, being a real grouch.
‘Come on, then, I know this is not our home, but let me carry you over the threshold.’
They laughed together and began their honeymoon on a positive note.
* * *
Two days before Kara was to appear in court, Stuart was there in the legal visiting room armed with a stack of papers.
Both were more relaxed, compared to the last traumatic visit, and each of them was looking forward to a positive outcome at the trial. He was pleased to see she had a glow to her face and not that distinctive prison pallor. And likewise, he felt fresher compared to the last distressing visit.
As he moved the chair towards the table, he smiled. ‘Right, then, down to business. I have …’ he held up the large files ‘… as you can see, been doing some serious research regarding hormones, and I think I have nailed a loophole in regard to your case, so we should be looking at a reduced sentence. These are some of the cases that have set a precedent regarding acquittals and reduced sentences for those women who found themselves in not entirely dissimilar circumstances to yourself. So, there is nothing for you to prepare for except to answer my questions honestly. The prosecution will try to prove that the whole incident was premeditated by you, but as I have got to know you a little bit, I am confident that although this is a way to help your case, it is also the truth. I will do my darnedest to prove it. So how do you feel?’
Kara was listening intently, but other issues weighed on her mind. ‘I feel nervous, naturally. Have you heard any more regarding my mother? You mentioned a private investigator.’ She fiddled with the tissue under the table, anxious to know more.
‘Bruce has taken a trip over to Australia, and as soon as he has recovered from his jet lag, he’ll be visiting the police station in the suburb of Melbourne where your mother lived.’ He leaned forward. ‘I know it’s at the forefront of your mind, but please concentrate on your own case, and leave the other business to us.’
She nodded. ‘I know you’re doing everything you can to help, and I really do appreciate it, as I’m sure you’re going well beyond your remit, but why?’ She wondered if he had a crush on her.
He bit his lip. ‘Well, yes, that’s true, but I had a relationship with my deceased mother like you obviously had with yours. I like to sleep well in my bed at night and not be plagued by niggling worries. This situation deserves an explanation. I just feel, somehow, justice needs to be served.’
Kara felt awkward and Stuart seemed to read her expression.
He
rapidly changed the subject. ‘Oh, there is one other thing that will help your case. Lucas Lane has informed me that Justin will be at the trial, and he has offered to be a character witness.’
Kara gasped. ‘No! He mustn’t see me like this.’ She looked down at her bump.
‘Kara, I don’t mean to interfere because your personal life is simply that – personal. However, I strongly recommend this, as you do need someone on your side, and the fact that it was his house that was burned to the ground and he is still willing to give a character statement goes a very long way.’
She looked down in shame. ‘Yes, I can see that. I just don’t want him to know about my baby.’
Stuart sighed. ‘Kara, similar cases to yours have very rarely resulted in more than five years. I can do my best to get you out sooner, but I cannot guarantee anything. You may need him to look after the baby for a few months.’
With her eyes firmly fixed on his, she nodded. ‘Maybe you’re right. I don’t have anyone else, do I?’
‘Honestly, Kara, it’s for the best. You don’t want your child in the social service system and then have a big fight on your hands to get the baby back, do you?’
‘I know you’re right. It’s just that I feel sick about the idea of handing my baby over to anyone.’
‘I understand, but for now, just prepare for the court case, and we’ll sort out all the other details as they arise. When the trial is over and done with, we’ll know what your options are.’
She agreed. Stuart wasn’t a flashy man or a dismissive one: he really showed he cared. He was right of course, and so she trusted him completely. Strange that: she hadn’t been at all trusting of anyone until she arrived in prison.
Chapter 15
The evening before the trial, the girls gathered at teatime in the large dining room, all eager to make sure Kara was okay. It was a tense occasion for any inmate awaiting their fate. Holding her tray, Deni eased herself onto a chair and put her small Angel Delight on Kara’s plate.