She looked at Simon’s concerned face as she came out of the toilets. In some ways, she was relieved that the trial had been postponed. At least she would no longer feel guilty about Simon being with her now that Isobel had arrived safely.
‘You look extremely pale; did you eat something before we came?’
‘A small amount of cereal, I… I just couldn’t face much more.’
‘I thought Greg would be here,’ said Simon looking round the hallway.
‘There was no need,’ said the prosecution lawyer. ‘This morning will be mostly the prosecution telling the jury about the background to what Steve has done. Then this afternoon, Amberley will take the stand.’
‘I wish I could be in there with you,’ said Simon.
‘Unfortunately, Simon, you’re a key witness. You can only go in the public gallery after you’ve taken the stand,’ added the lawyer.
The doors to the courtroom opened around noon. The prosecutor made his way over to her.
‘The judge has broken for lunch. You’ll need to be here by two pm, when you will be called to give evidence.’
Her only response was to nod. Her voice had deserted her.
***
Walking into the courtroom that afternoon was one of the hardest things she had ever done. Her legs felt heavy, as if they were made of lead. The room smelled of fresh paint and it was stark and very bright compared to the public areas, which were mostly dark wood panelling. The brightness caused her to blink rapidly.
Steve was located at the rear of the courtroom. The hate she felt, which emanated from his glare, was almost palpable. His eyes bored into her, chilling her blood. All the way to the witness stand, his hatred fanned out over her. She was aware of all eyes resting on her. The jury sat to her left, it felt as if they all eyed her with suspicion. The lawyers positioned in front and the clerk of the court was just in front of the Judge’s bench.
Looking up at the Judge, she swallowed hard and her palms were damp with sweat again. He looked an imposing figure, wearing his wig and gown. His bench was elevated and looked down over the room. She felt as if she was in the inquisition. As she took her place on the witness stand, to the right of the Judge’s bench, she glanced up at the public gallery. She spotted Kath and Keith, and then her eyes fell on Steve’s sister Kate and next to her, his father. The anger she felt from his glare was almost tangible. He had never liked her. She gripped the lectern tight, as a dizzy spell washed over her. Whilst reading the oath, her mouth was dry and her voice sounded small in her ears.
‘Miss Masterson,’ said the prosecutor.
Her eyes snapped up at the sound of her name.
‘In your own words, I’d like you to tell the court about your relationship with Mr Jackson.’
‘It was good at first, but after a few months he… he became more agitated… violent towards me.’ She paused, licking her dry lips and rubbed her hands on her skirt.
‘Take your time, Miss Masterson, I know this is extremely difficult for you,’ he said as he smiled encouragingly at her.
She continued with her description until she ended by saying, ‘as he throttled me, I knew I had to get away or he would end up killing me.’ Her words came slowly at first. After a few gentle prompts from the prosecutor, her speech flowed with much more ease. She recoiled as she recounted the events. She was horrified to realise just how much he had put her through.
‘Finally, can you describe what took place on the cliff top the last time you saw Mr Jackson.’
‘I had just left Mr Winters’ studio and went for a walk…’ she faltered as she thought back to those fateful events. The first tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
‘I realise this is painful for you, but please continue.’
‘Steve appeared, accusing me of all sorts of things. He said that I was being unfaithful to him. I tried several times to remind him that we were no longer in a relationship, but he wouldn’t listen,’ she took a deep breath, before continuing, ‘I told him I was pregnant with Greg’s child… he went crazy. He screamed at me repeatedly. I… I tried to get away from him, but he hit me and I fell to the ground.’
She wept freely and wrung her hands together, while her face contorted in pain.
‘He kicked my stomach repeatedly and… I knew… I just knew that my baby had… died.’ Her words were shaking with her sobs and no louder than a whisper.
‘And how has this affected your life?’
‘I have lost everything because of him. It takes all my energy just to make it through each day.’ She composed herself and took time to look around the courtroom. Looking at the public gallery, she glanced up at Kath and Keith sitting together, and wondered if they would relay all she had said to Greg.
‘Thank you, Miss Masterson,’ said the prosecution. ‘That will be all. No further questions.’
She knew the worst was yet to come. Steve’s flash London defence lawyer approached her. His wide smile and whole demeanour reminded her of Steve and she shuddered inwardly.
‘Miss Masterson, is it true to say work has always taken precedent over your relationships?’
She was stunned by the question.
‘I was co-owner of an extremely successful and lucrative business. If clients requested our assistance immediately, we had to respond. So maybe sometimes yes, it did.’
‘Were your previous partners aware that this could be a problem?’
‘Yes.’
‘How many times would you say you cancelled, or turned up late for dates with Mr Jackson?’
‘I…I’m not sure.’
‘So,’ he said, standing in front of the jurors, ‘would it be fair to say you upset him by not telling him until the last minute, leaving him concerned and worried about your welfare?’
‘No. I kept him informed if I knew I was going to be late. I always made a point of letting him know.’
‘Are you sure about that, Miss Masterson?’
‘Yes, I am certain of it.’
Her head began to pound and she licked her lips nervously, she frowned, confused by the questions he was asking.
‘You didn’t really try to make attempts to keep the relationship together did you? Therefore, you cannot blame him for the texts and calls that he sent you. He did this out of concern. But then you took out an injunction against him.’
Amberley gripped the sides of the stand, angered by his words, she didn’t like the suggestions he was making about her.
‘I tried for over a year to make it work. He even attempted to strangle me. Tell me what else I could have done?’
‘He was frustrated. You didn’t return his calls. He was trying to put his arms around you. There was no intention to strangle you.’
She glanced over at the jury, their faces were impassive and some were taking notes. She wondered what they thought of her, would they really believe Steve over her?
‘I think, Miss Masterson,’ he said, coming to stand in front of her. ‘You knew exactly what you were doing. You deliberately led him on.’
‘No!’ she said vehemently.
‘Not only that,’ he said, arms open wide, again facing the jurors, ‘but you taunted him on the cliffs by telling him you were pregnant by your new lover, Mr Winters, you goaded him into that attack.’
‘No I didn’t, that’s a downright lie!’
‘No further questions, your Honour,’ he said, going back to his seat.
Steve looked towards her; an evil grin covered his face.
As there were no more questions to be asked she was allowed to leave the stand. She felt deflated; the defence’s attack on her had been devastating.
‘Court is closed for the day and will reconvene at nine-thirty tomorrow morning.’ The Judge advised them all.
The following day would see Greg take to the stand and her heart went out to him. Before leaving, she had a short consultation with the prosecution where she voiced her concerns. She then went to look for Simon. She spotted him on a seat and slumped down wear
ily beside him.
His forehead was creased with worry. ‘How did it go?’
She looked at him and shrugged her shoulders, and rubbed her temples in an effort to stop the throbbing pain in her head.
‘I didn’t appreciate quite how hard it would be.’ She watched people going backwards and forwards, perhaps some were victims of crime too, and wondered if they were being given a hard time like her. She got up. Her head was bowed. Simon stood up next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. They walked in silence back to the car park.
‘His damn defence lawyer made me look as though I led him on and asked for everything that I got,’ she said, as she sat in Simon’s car. Her hands shook when she tried to fasten the seat belt.
‘That’s his job, Amberley, and you have to hold your head high. You have done absolutely nothing wrong. We all know that.’
Amberley smiled bitterly. ‘If I’ve done nothing wrong why do I feel so guilty?’
‘Because that’s how his lawyer wants you to feel. He’s hoping by saying all those things that you’ll crack and you won’t, you’re too much of a fighter.’
***
Amberley sat in the public gallery the next day playing with the sleeves of her jacket. Greg was due to arrive soon. She could feel Steve staring at her and she made sure that she averted her eyes. She held her head high. Never again would she give in to his bullying tactics.
Greg was called to the witness stand and her heart went out to him as she watched him approach. He looked relaxed and untroubled. Amberley realised it was the first time she had ever seen him in a full suit. The style suited him, she wanted to reach out and touch him. She wanted his warm, comforting arms around her, surrounding her with his love. Their eyes locked for a split second, a look of sadness passing between them.
‘Describe the morning you found your paintings had been destroyed, Mr Winters.’
‘I entered the garage to find every single picture had been ripped to shreds. It was such a frenzied attack, that I couldn’t recognise most of the paintings,’ he said, in an appalled tone.
‘Was there anything else?’
‘Yes… yes. There were words painted on the walls. They were so hateful you could almost feel the anger coming from them.’
‘And what happened next?’
‘Amberley, Miss Masterson, came looking for me,’ responded Greg, indicating to where she sat, ‘when she saw the damage, she became agitated and kept saying it was her fault. She ran out before I could talk to her. She thought I blamed her, but of course I didn’t. This is entirely Mr Jackson’s fault.’
Greg again looked over towards her. She felt tears prick the back of her eyelids.
‘Liar!’ screamed Steve, causing Amberley to jump.
‘Mr Jackson, please remain silent. You will have the chance to tell your side of the story later on,’ warned the judge.
‘Tell the court what happened when you went to the cliffs to find Miss Masterson.’
Greg closed his eyes, a haunted expression on his face.
‘I thought she was dead, there was blood everywhere,’ he said in a low voice and continued, ‘I still can’t believe what he did to her and our unborn baby.’
The eyes of the jury all turned to watch her. His last few words sent a shiver down her spine and her hands trembled violently in her lap. She folded her arms around herself in an attempt to calm the shaking.
The defence lawyer now approached the witness stand.
‘Mr Winters, would it be fair to say that along with Mr Jackson, you have been used by Miss Masterson?’
Anger burned inside her. The very thought that she could ever have used Greg in that way filled her with an overwhelming sense of injustice.
‘How?’ replied Greg.
‘Well…,’said the lawyer, walking around and stroking his chin as if in contemplation.
The more she looked at him, the more irritated Amberley became. He was behaving like an actor, not a legal representative.
‘Wouldn’t it be true to say she used you in an attempt to make Mr Jackson envious? Or were you a willing participant in her games?’
‘No. Mr Jackson is an aggressive, jealous bully! I witnessed that myself when he attacked her on the beach. I would hardly be party to anything so sinister if it put her life in danger.’
‘Oh, so are you saying that you did assist her, but your plans went awry?’
‘Miss Masterson and I were in love. She deserved to be treated better than Mr Jackson treated her.’
The way Greg had said they were in love, past tense, made her feel sad. She also felt more guilt than she had before for putting him through the ordeal of this court case. She didn’t know how she would ever forgive herself.
***
Sitting in her lounge that night, Amberley curled up on the sofa. She hugged her knees into her chest and reflected on the case so far. It was harrowing to go through and it all. To hear Greg’s anguish as he retold his experiences filled her with a deep gloominess. She sighed heavily, closing her eyes against the intense pain she felt.
C HAPTER TWENTY ONE
The following day, Amberley sat in the public gallery again, slipping into the back row. It would give her some distance from Steve’s hostile glare. Kath and Keith were sitting in the front with Greg.
When Katrina was called to give evidence, Steve made a sound akin to an animal’s snarl. Amberley was thankful for Katrina’s sake that she had requested protective screens. At least she wouldn’t have to face him.
‘Miss Vernon,’ said the prosecutor in a gentle voice, ‘Would you be able to roll up your shirtsleeves and show the court your arms please?’
Carefully, Katrina began to push up her sleeves, exposing her bare skin. There was silence and then gasps from the court as they viewed her scars.
‘How did you come by these scars?’
Katrina began to sob.
‘Take your time, Miss Vernon.’
After composing herself, she said, ‘Steve Jackson did this to me.’
‘For what reason?’
‘Because I was talking to another man and he accused me of having an affair. He… he was just an old friend.’ She spoke in broken sobs.
Shocked whispers sounded from around the court. Amberley gripped her bag tightly, as she felt Katrina’s pain for her.
‘The bitch is lying. I didn’t do that she self-harmed! Take those words back, you whore!’ Steve’s shouts echoed around the courtroom.
‘Mr Jackson, any more outbursts like that and I will have you removed from the court,’ warned the judge.
After that outburst, the defence had no questions for Katrina.
Next was Simon. His presence gave her more strength. If she admitted it, he had always been her shoulder to lean on. He appeared more confident in his approach to the questioning.
‘How would you say this experience has affected your family’s life, Mr Masterson?’ the prosecution asked in his final question to Simon.
‘The whole experience has been extremely traumatic, although Mr Jackson didn’t count on the fact that we are a strong family unit.’ He paused and smiled briefly up towards Amberley. ‘My sister’s health has been hit hard but with our love and support she is now rebuilding her life.’
She was surprised that the defence, yet again, had no questions.
***
Day four loomed, as she pulled up outside the cottage to pick him up, she noticed how tired Simon looked.
‘Hey, you look done in. Is everything all right?’
He yawned widely. ‘Isobel was fractious most of the night, think she may be teething.’ He yawned again.
‘Go back to bed, Simon, there really is no need for you to be at court every single moment. Take a day of rest.’
She nodded. ‘The worst part is over, I’ll be fine.’ She assured him.
‘But today Steve is going to give evidence; it’ll be a hard day for you. I don’t feel happy with you having to deal with this on you
r own.’ His words were troubled.
‘Look, I will be fine. I’m going to sit with Katrina and her partner in a show of solidarity. Go back to bed,’ she said, shooing him back inside.
Simon looked gratefully at her. ‘Thanks, Amberley; I really am tired. Are you sure you’ll be all right?’
She laughed, ‘That’s okay. It’s best that you’re here; Sarah may need a break too. And I’ll be okay, honestly.’
She was just about to pull away when Simon stopped her.
‘I hate to ask you, but would you mind giving Greg a lift? Kath needs his car to get some things from the cash and carry, so I said I’d take him.’
‘Sure.’ She didn’t really want to be in such proximity to him, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
Greg was surprised to see her.
‘Sorry, I’m your driver for today. Isobel kept Simon up last night so I told him to stay at home.’ She explained to him.
‘Is she okay?” There was real concern in his voice.
‘She’s fine,’ Amberley assured him. ‘Just teething.’
‘That’s a relief.’ He smiled; his face was so handsome it made her heart ache.
They drove in silence, each lost in their own private thoughts.
‘Here we go again,’ she said as she pulled into the car park and switched off the engine.
Neither of them moved and the air was heavy with tension.
‘Steve is due to give evidence today isn’t he?’ Greg’s tone was anxious.
Amberley shuddered. ‘Yes, this is the part I’ve been dreading the most. Don’t tell Simon that though, or he’ll feel guilty for not being here.’ She confided to him.
‘I know and of course I won’t say a word to your brother.’ He assured her.
Amberley rolled her car keys around in her hands. She looked at him. ‘We’d better get going.’
Greg nodded and as she went to get out of the car, he caught her gently by the hand. ‘It’ll soon be over, Flame, then you can move forward with your life.’
She was surprised when he used her nickname and looked at him closely. He obviously hadn’t realised he’d said it.
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