“Jim, please,” said Tasha, staring at his enraged features.
“Carry on,” he said with a petulant wave of his hand then asked, “Mr Stewart, in the event that either party make further attempts to make contact, what is the protocol?”
“Contact the police as they would be in breach of the order and then notify me and I will pursue it legally,” he said and then returned to the police caution. “The police caution could actually be to our advantage with regards to the residency order because by accepting the caution Mr Bailey would have to accept he is guilty of the assault charge. We could then go to the courts tomorrow for an emergency residency order based on the fact that Miss Bailey’s father, a man who has admitted assaulting one daughter should not be allowed to be responsible for his other daughter. So, we need to finalise the details of where Miss Bailey is to reside. Miss Bailey, where would you like to live?” he asked Pippa.
Before she could reply, Celia spoke. “Could I say something before Pippa decides?” Everyone nodded and Celia continued, “My husband and I have discussed this and we have decided we would actually like Dan and Pippa to stay with us.”
Tasha went to speak, but her grandmother put her hand up to silence her.
“Natasha is a young lady with a bright future and a busy lifestyle,” she said gesturing towards Jim’s face. “So in order to take some pressure off Tasha and to give Dan and Pippa some long term security we would like to offer them all an alternative to living with Tasha.”
“What about financially, Mrs Winters?” asked Mr Stewart.
Tasha looked on as her grandfather spoke now. “We are already financially responsible for Philippa’s education as we were for Daniel and Natasha before her. We may not be millionaires, but we are more than capable of supporting our grandchildren and my accountants will be able to vouch for that if necessary.”
“Well if money is—” started Jim before Tasha interrupted knowing her grandfather would be offended if Jim was about to offer cash.
“Yes, if money is an issue I have some savings put to one side for Dan and Pippa’s future,” she bluffed, her and Jim fully aware of her almost non-existent savings.
“Nat, please. We don’t want or need your money. You’ve done enough,” admonished her grandfather gently.
“So, Pippa, whose address are we putting on this residency order?” asked Tasha, unsure whether she managed to utter the words without any hurt or sadness that her sibling might not choose her.
Pippa looked at Tasha with a loving and grateful smile. “I love you, Tash. You are the best big sister in the world and you have already sacrificed so much for me. I know you have saved me from Dad so many times, although I may not be entirely sure from what, but I can’t let you give up any more for me. You would stay here and look after me, but that’s not fair because you have opportunities and the rich, old guy who you love.”
Tasha laughed at her sister’s description of Jim.
“Does she mean me? The rich, old guy?” asked Jim, mildly amused. “Smart mouths must be a genetic feature in your family,” he said, making Tasha smile directly at him.
“So,” continued Pippa, “I’d like to live with Grandma and Grandpa. They live close to my friends and school and as long as I can still see Tasha and stay with her sometimes that would be perfect.”
“Are we all agreed?” asked Mr Stewart.
They all nodded, but Tasha felt a little upset, offended, but this was Pippa’s choice, not hers.
Mr Stewart made some more notes. “I shall present this to the courts tomorrow. I just need a few more details from Mr and Mrs Winters so if we leave the P.R. people with Mr Maybury, Miss Winters and Miss Carter in here we can move to my office and when the police arrive we will sit in as adviser for each of you,” he gestured towards Pippa and Dan. “And then when you are done, Miss Winters, I will represent you whilst your statement is taken.”
“Actually,” interrupted Jim. “Could I speak with Miss Winters alone for a moment?”
The room quickly dispersed leaving her and Jim alone. She giggled as she looked at the screen and wondered if she should put a hat on it and dress Jim up.
“Something funny, Miss Winters?”
“Your arsy mood, for one thing.” She laughed.
“I am not arsy, and I have now added that to my list. I am worried about you and I want you to be happy with everything, and that fucking smarmy ass fancies you.” He frowned.
Tasha laughed again, countering, “But I fancy you. You look very handsome today.”
“Good. Now what do you think about your grandparents having responsibility for Pippa?”
“I should look after them.”
“At what cost?”
She frowned in confusion, thinking he couldn’t mean financially.
“Tasha, they all want you to be able to start living your own life and they have made their choices. It doesn’t mean you won’t still be their big sister and they can still stay with you at yours or they could visit L.A. Nothing will change you being their sister and Pippa knows some of what you’ve done for her, the sacrifices you’ve made. Thankfully, not all of them and Dan looks as though he knows precisely what you’ve done for them. Baby, for once put yourself first.”
