Meanwhile, in court, two charges of aggravated trespass and one of criminal damage were being heard. Counsel for the prosecution spoke of ‘The actions of these illegal trespassers putting their own lives at risk, as well as the lives of the construction staff, agents and service personnel who worked around the clock to ensure the wellbeing of people who placed themselves in such a dangerous situation underground.’
To which Rory, as defending counsel retorted, ‘These defendants never committed the offence of aggravated trespass. There was no evidence of any constructor or construction taking place on the land at the time the tunnel was being dug.’
The opposing side then threw comments of how ‘This case was an enormous waste of public money from individuals who acted dangerously and irresponsibly.’
Rory shot back, ‘These individuals care deeply for the planet and are of strong, moral fibre.’
To the jubilation of the crowds now congregating on Goldgate Gardens, the District Judge had dismissed the charges in relation to the high-profile protest, on the basis that, as the construction company’s aim was to first clear the area, it hadn’t actually been carrying out any construction work on the site at the time the charges were levelled against the activists. Therefore, the court did not find fit to convict.
The crowds went wild on hearing the good news. Rory was met with a thunderous applause outside the court buildings. Cameras flashing shone in his eyes as he tried to make an exit.
‘Rory, what are your feelings on the verdict?’ hounded a reporter, shoving a microphone to his mouth.
‘As I have always maintained, my clients are defenders of the earth. They ought to be commended for their valiant efforts.’
‘Are you going to celebrate in style?’ asked another.
‘No,’ he replied calmly, looking straight into their camera, ‘I am going to the hospital, to see the injured activist.’
A short silence followed, then as he stormed past them all down the steps, they quickly pursued him until he made it into his car and drove off.
In the quiet peacefulness whilst driving, Rory reflected on the day’s events. It had all gone to plan, well almost. Timing, that had been key. He had advised the activists on when to start digging the tunnel, before the construction work had started. He had orchestrated the whole thing, but what he hadn’t foreseen was the extreme weather. He couldn’t have controlled that. And now an innocent man lay in hospital. Rory Molloy, the maverick barrister might have won in court today, but it was with a heavy heart.
He arrived back in his flat after a brief visit to the hospital, and as he put his key in the front door, a neighbour shouted across the street.
‘Good work, Rory!’
He turned and smiled bleakly. All he wanted to do was sink into a hot bath – with Cassie. Just the thought of her gave him some comfort. That, and being told by the hospital staff that the poor man caught in the tunnel was now making good progress. Thank God. Rory wearily climbed the stairs to his apartment. He was dog tired. The past two weeks had been the most stressful of his career. Not just poring over law books well into the night, but having to handle the press and all the attention such a high-profile case brought. Articles of him kept appearing on social media, covering his background. Some had published photos of him in his student days on various demos. He was branded the ‘Climate Warrior’ and had even been approached to give an interview on a popular TV talk show. Rory hated the attention. Loathed it, in fact, knowing full well how it could have played out, had he lost his court battle. The world seemed so fickle, as well as brittle. His main objective had been accomplished, to publicise the climate crisis; it appeared the whole nation had watched with interest the commotion at Goldgate Gardens. Everyone had an opinion, whether they supported the activists or not, and the issue had been brought to the forefront of conversations, debating for or against. Rory hadn’t quite counted on the amount of coverage he was receiving though, which was beginning to trouble him.
He reached into the fridge for a beer, in dire need of relaxing. After knocking back half a bottle of Stella his phone rang. It was Cassie on FaceTime.
‘Hi, you OK?’ she frowned, looking concerned.
‘Not bad. Just exhausted.’
‘You look it,’ she replied, then added, ‘but still handsome.’ Cassie had seen him on the news, her chest pounding with pride.
‘Good to know,’ he smiled, rubbing his eyes. He wanted her here, now, next to him, so much it hurt.
‘Rory?’
‘Hmm.’ He threw the rest of his beer back.
‘I want to see you,’ she spoke in a small voice.
‘I know, Cass, and I want to see you but—’
‘You’re too busy,’ she finished.
It killed him to hear her sound so despondent, but there was no way he could leave London at the moment.
‘It won’t always be like this, Cassie. I promise.’
‘Sorry, you don’t need this right now, do you?’
No, he really didn’t. He was stuck in an impossible situation over which he had no control and the resentment was starting to build. And at that precise moment he made a decision. The realisation of knowing it was the right one instantly made the tension inside him evaporate. All the pent-up anxiety slowly started to ebb away.
‘Rory? Are you still here?’ he looked miles away.
