Once in Lizzie’s room, I dialled Cole’s number, and he answered on the second ring. “She’s not killed you, then?” he said.
I laughed and laid back on the futon. “Actually, she took it really well. She was pleased.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. So, how’s work going?”
“It’s going. I’ve got about another four hours and then I’m all yours.”
“Sounds perfect. Not the four hour wait part.”
“I’ve been offered more money for my story again,” he said. “Some dickhead cornered me outside the office.”
“I’m sorry, Cole.”
“Not your fault. What are you doing now?”
“Staying in Lizzie’s room until I know it’s safe to go downstairs. I would read, but her books are all boring celebrity autobiographies.”
“Fun. I have to go now, babe, but I’ll see you after work.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Sighing happily, I pulled aCosmopolitanmagazine down off the end of Lizzie’s bed and flicked through the glossy pages. Anything to take my mind off giving evidence tomorrow.
It was time to return to the box.
Chapter 16
Oakley
My heart was beating as hard and fast as the last time I was standing here. I could feel myself losing control, and all the breathing exercises I’d learnt went out the window.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Don’t look at him, I told myself.
I kept my head straight and refused to turn to where he was, not yet ready. It was okay, I would get there.
Inhaling another long breath, I straightened my back.
Cole and my family were back in the public gallery, but I didn’t look at them, either. I was hyper-focused on keeping myself grounded.
The room smelt like antibacterial cleaner, and sun poured through the high windows. It was packed again, every seat taken, but most of them were against my father. They didn’t want to see me fail, they wanted to watch him go down.
I had nothing to worry about.
Strangely, I felt more afraid of him now than I had as a little girl. It took me by surprise because I was so ready to holdhim accountable.
Back then, I’d stupidly still held onto some hope that he would change—that he would be a proper dad again. That hope was lost the day he had taken me back to Frank, four years ago.
Now, I saw him for what he was: evil.
No matter how afraid I was, I would not give up. No matter how hard things got, I would stand up and tell everyone what he had done.
