Court Out - By Elle Wynne Page 0,116

I presume you’re defending?” I guess, in light of her comments to her opponent.

She nods. “It kills me! He took one look at me and obviously thought ‘Oh she’s new, I can pull a fast one’ Ha! I’ll show him.”

I laugh. “That’s the spirit. I’ll be floating around until my jury come back, so if you need me, don’t hesitate to ask. Good luck!”

As I walk out, I feel a rush of pride. Cassie has developed into a confident, ballsy barrister and I know she’ll go far. Since the move, she’s really come out of her shell and has shown herself to be a real asset to Chambers.

I wander onto the landing and half-heartedly scan the waiting masses for Mr. Walsh. To my surprise, he is sat, apparently well behaved on one of the plastic chairs outside of the courtroom. He sees me and nods. I smile and walk towards the cafe; if my jury comes back they’ll tannoy me.

I order my usual cappuccino and grab a seat in the barrister’s area. As I scan some papers for tomorrow, I’m startled when someone slides into the seat opposite me.

“Hello baby girl!” drawls a familiar voice.

I look up in delight to see the smiling face of Bill Wallsbury. I haven’t seen him in absolutely ages. To his credit, he was one of the members of my old Chambers who did leave me supportive messages when to everyone else, I was a pariah.

“Bill!” I exclaim “Great to see you! How’s things?”

“Oh same old with me dear, but surely you must be feeling a bit overwhelmed today?”

He’s staring at me with an odd look in his usually comical eyes. I have no clue what he’s on about. I say as much.

“Dear girl! Surely someone thought to tell you? Well this is serendipitous then!”

“Bill, tell me what?”

He pauses and takes a deep breath. “Well you of course know that our former colleague and her accomplice were both charged by the police? Along with their compliant juror and the depraved footballer?”

“Yes, yes,” I persist.

Serena was arrested shortly after the debacle at the altar and the police had more than enough evidence to bring charges against her, River, Hobbs and Stephen Walker. Everyone knows that, it’s common knowledge.

“Well they’re all in court today. It’s their plea hearing.”

I’m temporarily rendered speechless. I knew that this day was inevitable, that they would have to tell the world whether they are pleading innocence or guilt, but I presumed the case would have been moved off circuit, far away where no-one knows them.

Bill has obviously read my mind. “Of course, if they deny it and there is to be a trial they’re being shipped off to the East Midlands. Today however, they’re on home turf.”

I get to my feet. “Which court?”

He looks startled. “Surely you’re not? It wouldn’t be appropriate? You could be a witness?” He stops and gives a small smirk. “Court four, I’ll come too!”

By the time we get down to court four, there is a large group of people clustered around the entrance. Ironically I recognise a lot of them as the reporters who were camped outside my home. Before they can spot me, I push my wig as far down my forehead as I can, lower my face and hurry inside.

I grab a seat in the far right hand corner of the court and try to look inconspicuous. This would be somewhat easier if Bill didn’t keep calling “Yoo hoo!” at everyone and giving them camp waves. I really shouldn’t be here.

I have no idea who is representing Serena or Walker, but I’m not at all surprised to see Quinn strutting around amongst the advocates like he owns the place. He was never publicly implicated in the conspiracy, but I firmly believe he knew exactly what was going on and most likely benefitted from a lot of Hobb’s cash.

Irrespective of the new trouble he’s found himself in, Hobbs is going to stand trial again for the alleged murder of his wife. It’s unprecedented, but these are very extenuating circumstances. I hope he gets exactly what is coming to him.

There’s a commotion as the defendants are lead into the dock. Serena looks terrible. Her hair is lank against her face and she appears as though she hasn’t slept in months. Good. Despite her predicament she still has her usual look of defiance and has her chin held high as she walks through her former peers.

Just before she steps into the glass-fronted dock she spots me and falters.